10 Magnificent landscapes of the Altiplano positioned in Bolivia, Argentina & Chile

A gigantic region with an average altitude of 4,000 meters above sea level in the heart of South America, comprising the world’s highest navigable lake, the world’s largest salt flat, red, green lakes, lunar landscapes and islands in a “white sea”. A huge depression between mountains and volcanoes filled for thousands of years by eroded material that formed a landscape with other particular conditions into extremely arid sites where life is not only present in curious shapes but also survives in extreme conditions between lakes, swamps, salt flats and geysers guarded by volcanoes.

A plateau of 178.000km² located in the south of Bolivia between the mountains of the Andes, where you can find natural landscapes truly spectacular. We present a list of 10 magnificent landscapes of Altiplano positioned in Bolivia Argentina plus Chile.

1.  Incahuasi Island, Bolivia

There are islands in lakes, lagoons, on sea surfaces. But the island Incahuasi is different from such parameters, as it is a piece of land in the middle of a sea of salt, surrounded by a white “tide”.  The island is famous for its gigantic cacti, are up to 10 meters high.

2.  Valle de la Luna, Chile

The area of San Pedro, Atacama is a desert ecstasy, a barren destination. Amid arid wonders, the Valley of the Moon is ideal for spending an unforgettable evening, where hues and contrasts are with salt formations, dunes and elevations are accented with whimsical shapes.

3. Cejar, Chile

Near San Pedro de Atacama, is Cejar a cavity in the desert covered high salinity water where you can try dive or float with unusual ease. Surrounded by volcanoes and salt crystals, turquoise water invites you to experience the effect of buoyancy, even superior to that experience in the Dead Sea.

4. Lagoon Colorada in Bolivia

In the Andean Fauna National Reserve is positioned Lagoon Colorada, with a large area between volcanoes, flamingos, and lagoons that make an incredible panorama by its coloration, because of the minerals, and its wildlife, especially abundant in the species of flamingos Andean.

5.  El Tatio, Chile

There are over 80 active geysers, located in north Chile at 4320 meters above sea level.  Tatio is one of the most visited destinations and the largest group of geysers in the southern hemisphere. A place you must visit before dawn to observe and enjoy its glory.

6.  Lake Titicaca, Bolivia plus Peru

It’s a body of water in the middle of the Central Andes, with an average altitude of 3800 meters above sea level and a depth of up to 281 meters. Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world and also one of the largest. It’s a real rarity in terms of its location, and an unusual scenic beauty.

7.  Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

This Salar is a marvel and can consider another greatest wonder. It’s the largest salt desert in the world located at 3,650 meters, old bed of ancient lakes that do not exist today but left its white mark on the height of the plateau.

8. A Green Lagoon in Chile

It’s called Lagoon Verde, not the only green highland lake since there is another with the same name in Argentina, and one in Bolivia, and is close to the border of San Francisco between Argentina and Chile. It is a landscape that looks bleak, and indeed life is absent due to its extreme climate and high salinity.

9. Salar de Tara, Chile

The Salar de Tara, positioned in 133 miles north of San Pedro Atacama, and it seems difficult to imagine real. Located between the volcanoes in Los Flamingos National Reserve at 4,300 meters high, a place where you would not expect to find spring water but boiling with thousands of flamingos.

10. Los Colorados, Purmamarca, Argentina

This site in northwestern Argentina is one of the most curious and peculiar palettes, the consequence of geological processes comprising marine sedimentation, lake and river, due to tectonic movements. It is a place known for its cultural and scenic values as World Heritage.