The Bolivian salt flats of Salar de Uyuni are touted as an absolute must-see in South America. But there is another spot in the Atacama Desert that rivals its beauty – Salar de Tara.
It may seem strange then that during my trip to South America, I didn’t leave myself enough time to visit Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia but luckily a visit to Salar de Tara in Chile came in at a close second.
A Visit to Salar de Tara in Chile
It was the rainy season in Bolivia and having read about some sections of the tour being closed off during this time, I thought it best to save it (and Bolivia) for another time. So I opted for Salar de Tara in Chile and it did not disappoint.
I was later told by someone I met in Chile that the rains didn’t cause any issues during his visit. And I could have seen the famous ‘mirror effect’ of Salar de Uyuni which is created by a thin layer of water covering the salt flat. But that’s the nature of travel regret I suppose! You will always wish you did things differently.
Exploring the Atacama Desert
Anyway, without feeling too much regret about skipping it, I decided to spend a week exploring the Atacama Desert, to get my fix for otherworldly scenery. Read more: Best Things to do in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
Tour of Salar de Tara
The definite highlight of this week was joining a tour to Salar de Tara, with Cosmo Andino. This agency is well-established and highly reputable, but with a service as good as theirs, it comes with a higher price tag than other agencies. But I would say it’s worth it.
The guides are enthusiastic, friendly, and knowledgeable; the groups are small, the food is excellent (dietary requests can also be accommodated), and there is ample time for photo ops.
Where is Salar de Tara?
Salar de Tara is located within the Los Flamencos National Reserve of Northern Chile. It borders both Bolivia and Argentina. During the ride to these salt flats you make various stops along the way; first to appreciate the curious geological formations and diverse landscapes, but also to acclimatize (altitudes in the region reach up to 4,860m).
The first stop was a small salt flat, featuring smooth desert textures, and orange, pink, blue, and yellow hues that combine to create an extraterrestrial scene. It is a perfect example of the uniqueness of the Atacama desert, where different – seemingly distinct – natural features combine in a captivating, almost science-fiction manner.
We get back in the minivan and drive onwards. The next stop was a lake of deep blue and subtle green, with purple mountains and volcanoes in the background. I was mesmerized by the scene, as it was just so bizarre and alien. But really, each stop was a teaser for the next; and now we were going off-road, into a wide expanse of desert. After a bit of a bumpy ride, we stop and have some time to appreciate the strangeness of the Atacama desert.
Rock Spires of the Atacama Desert
The first sight was a giant rock spire jutting out of the bare ground. And I mean it was a giant. Although I’m not standing next to this rock for scale, I would be minuscule next to it. There were many surreal, rock formations randomly scattered throughout this barren, desert terrain.
Adventure in the Atacama Desert
We get back in the minivan and carry on uphill towards a vantage point. But then we get stuck! Well, it’s off-road after all – this kind of thing happens. We all get out, collectively push the minivan, and successfully get it unstuck. And so the journey continues.
First view of Salar de Tara
As we approach the vantage point I get my first glimpse of Salar de Tara itself, and the sight was literally breathtaking. Unbelievable!
How can this kind of landscape exist here, on planet Earth? Now, this felt really remote, truly far away from the world and anything familiar.
As far as the eye could see, I was presented with stunning scenery. I could see a seemingly never-ending expanse of desert, the multi-colored lake of the salt flat, and the ‘rock cathedrals’.
Multi-coloured Lake of the Salt Flat
My jaw dropped in awe in every direction I looked. After, we drove down towards the lake, where we would have lunch. Along the path down to the lake, you walk beside spiky, bright green plants and aquatic-looking vegetation.
It’s incredible that they are able to grow in these arid conditions – in the driest non-polar desert on the planet. Down by the shores of the lake, flamingos gather to drink (or eat, I’m not sure).
The only sounds are our hushed conversations, flamingos squawking and splashing, and the peaceful trickling of water. Flamingos definitely added a dream-like quality to the experience.
But the highlight of the trip was walking along the lake, and admiring the contrast of vegetation, purple mountains, a perfectly blue backdrop of sky, and a mystic lake shimmering with colors.
Colors of Salar de Tara
Where did all of these colors come from? I imagined a clumsy artist spilling all of his paints into the lake, creating a work of art by complete accident. I had the feeling of being drugged and transported to an alien paradise, serene and unreal.
It was like a psychedelic experience in many ways. I was in a trance, filled with wonder at this sparkling, crystalline lake. The strange vegetation and creatively carved mountains in the background gave a distinct, hallucinatory atmosphere to the place. We have lunch, and we start talking about how beautiful this place is.
Best Tour in Chile
For many travelers in San Pedro de Atacama (the busy tourist town located in the Atacama desert), this is their favorite tour. A family in the group was joining the tour for a second time, as they said the photo ops were endless.
After lunch, we make our way back, stopping at some more fascinating rock formations. There is one final stop before returning to San Pedro de Atacama, and it is another colorful lake!
I think this clumsy artist had visited this one as well, spilling all of his white paint into the water. Puffy white clouds drifted like watchful satellites over the lake and desert. It’s safe to say that this tour completely blew all the other ones out of the water (including Valle de la Luna, Piedras Rojas, and Lagunas Altiplanicas).
I would have to recommend this tour above all others if your time is limited in this wonderful region of Chile. I think this kind of otherworldly scenery is the most fun to visit, and I will have to see the Bolivian salt flats for myself; sometime soon I hope. But if you’re looking for a less well-known and easier-to-visit alternative to Salar de Uyuni, Salar de Tara is definitely worth considering.
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