Looking back on our year-long backpacking journey across South America with Felicity 15 years ago, it feels like a completely different era of travel. There were no Instagram feeds, no travel influencers, and no geotagged photos teasing what lay ahead. Our entire journey was guided by word of mouth, scribbled notes from fellow travelers, and dog-eared pages of our trusty Footprint and Lonely Planet guidebooks.
When we made our way into Bolivia, we knew the Salar de Uyuni was meant to be impressive, but nothing on paper could have prepared us for the sheer shock of actually seeing it in person—much like when we were conquering Mount Illimani and getting engaged on the summit or the mountain biking down Bolivia’s infamous Death Road earlier on our trek.
Life in Uyuni Town
While many travelers pass through quickly, Felicity and I decided to base ourselves in the dusty, windswept high-desert town of Uyuni for a few days.
It was a quiet place—cold desert nights, dusty grid streets, and local markets serving hot soup to shield against the Altiplano chill. Spending those few days in town allowed us to soak in the local pace, chat with agency operators, and wait for clear skies before heading out into the vast void.
Stepping onto the Salar
When we finally drove onto the salt flat, the sheer scale was overwhelming. Miles of brilliant white salt crust stretched out to meet a crisp, cobalt-blue sky. Without any expectations built up from online photo trends, standing in the middle of that blinding white horizon felt like landing on another planet.
Here are a few personal photos from our time on the salt with Felicity:
Practical Tips for Visiting the Salt Flats
If you are planning your own journey to the Salar de Uyuni, here is what we learned from basing ourselves there:
- Acclimatization is Key: Uyuni sits at nearly 3,700 meters (12,000 feet) above sea level. Taking a couple of days in town before starting a multi-day salt flat tour gives your body time to adapt to the thin air.
- Prepare for Extreme Sun & Cold: The blinding reflection off the white salt demands high-category UV sunglasses and strong sunscreen. As soon as the sun dips below the horizon, temperatures plummet rapidly below freezing.
- Embrace Slow Travel: Taking time to explore the local markets and quiet corners of Uyuni town gives you a far richer connection to the region than rushing straight through on a tour bus.
Looking Back
Travel back then demanded a bit more patience and a lot more imagination. Looking at these photos 15 years later, I’m so grateful we got to experience the raw surprise of the Salar together—just two backpackers, a guidebook, and an endless horizon.
Did you backpack South America during the pre-smartphone days? Share your favorite memories in the comments below!
Lived in England since 1998 and travelled the world since 2005, visiting over 100 countries on 5 continents. Writer, blogger, photographer with a passion for adventure and travel, discovering those off beat places not yet on the tourist trail. Marco contributes the very best in independent travel tips and lifestyle articles.
This looks really cool!
I can tell you it blew our minds! We had considered not going because it was flooded. But as you can see the water made the experience even better! If you ever get a chance to visit Bolivia it's a must see.
Totally must go there, the reflection on the ground is perfect!
I need to go and see this place. It looks like it would be really fun.
I would highly recommend it! Just be careful which tour company you book through in Uyuni. We've heard some horror stories; everything from drunken drivers to the jeeps getting stuck in the waterlogged parts of the salt flats!