BOLIVIA: Reserva Nacional de Fauna Andina Eduardo Avaroa

From Chile’s San Pedro de Atacama we continued east by vehicle into Bolivia's Andes Mountains and the Reserva Nacional de Fauna Andina Eduardo Avaroa.

It is part of the same Andean high-altitude (altiplano) region as Chile's Atacama Desert, with elevations of roughly 4,000–6,000 meters (13,000–20,000 feet).

The National Reserve, surrounded by volcanoes and deserts, is a protected area in the remote southwest corner of Bolivia near the borders with Chile and Argentina.

The reserve was established in 1973 to protect endangered wildlife such as vicuñas and Andean flamingos.

Crossing the Chilean land border into Bolivia was a s-l-o-w process. Despite getting an early start it still took us about 4 hours.

Maybe it was the altitude that slowed things down? The border crossing altitude is listed at 4,549 meters (14,925 feet) above sea level. The border station itself is one of the highest international road crossings in the world.

To get a comparative perspective on the altitude, Denver, the Mile High City, sits at an elevation of about 1,609 meters (5,280 feet) above sea level. Which means the Bolivia–Chile border crossing is roughly 2,940 m (9,600 feet) HIGHER than Denver—almost three Denver’s stacked on top of each other in terms of elevation gain above sea level.

After we cleared Chile's departing checkpoint we drove through a no-man's land to get to the Bolivian border to check into Bolivia. 

We grabbed our stuff and then we walked across the border.

FINALLY in Bolivia!

The Reserva Nacional de Fauna Andina Eduardo Avaroa is a nature reserve which has windswept deserts, volcanic peaks, steaming geyser fields, hot springs, and brightly colored mineral lakes. 

Laguna Blanca is a white-colored salt lake at about 4,350 meters (14,270 feet) above sea level near the base of Licancabur Volcano.

Not far away is Laguna Verde.

Salvidor Dali Desert is a high-altitude desert that has scattered rock formations, colorful mountains and a barren landscape that resembles a surrealist painting, hence the name. Ironically, Salvador Dali never visited the area. 

We found this line-up of stones with no signage or explanation. My best guess is that it is designated parking lines, maybe in anticipation of crowds? Makes me think of "Build it and they will come."

Aguas Termales Chalviri are natural hot springs located at about 4,400 meters (14,400 feet) in the high Altiplano within the Reserva Nacional. 

The bubbling Sol de Mañana geyser fields are geothermal fields, nearly 4,900 meters (16,000 feet) above sea level, where steam vents, bubbling mud pots, and sulfur-rich fumaroles emerge from the earth. It is one of the most active volcanic areas in the Nature Reserve. You can see the stone paths directing people to stay clear of the bubbling mud pots.

Three species of flamingos breed in the park's lagoons. 

Laguna Colorada is a shallow salt lake in the Reserve. The red color is created by algae and mineral-rich sediments. It is one of the most important flamingo breeding sites in South America, often hosting thousands of Andean, Chilean, and James's flamingos. 

We were a bit off-season, but still got to see some flamingos on the lagoon.

Laguna Q'ara is a small high-altitude lagoon within the Reserva Nacional. Surrounded by stark volcanic terrain and open desert, it is part of the mosaic of wetlands that support wildlife in this extreme and harsh Andean environment.

We got to see lots of flamingos on this lagoon.

 Despite the cold, dry, windy climate, which is often above 14,000 feet, there is sparse vegetation of tough high-altitude plants that have adapted to extreme conditions.

There are no marked roads. At least not that we could see. Attempting to do this without a guide and driver would not be wise. To say the least.

Weather changes can be unpredictable. We were there the first week of April, which is fall in the southern hemisphere. We started with a beautiful cool but sunny day, and then the weather changed and we were driving through a snow storm. Quick swings in the weather are all part and parcel with the Andes Mountains. 

We were very grateful to have an experienced driver, guide and reliable vehicle to get us through the changing terrain and weather. 

The next morning it was a bright and sunny day, which always makes the world a much better place.

We got lucky to see foxes lakeside. They were contemplating if their morning breakfast would consist of one of the flamingos in the background. 

At the Mirador de la Laguna Hedionda we had a peaceful time just watching the flamingos in the early morning hours.

And more flamingos in the Mirador de la Laguna de Canapa.

Definitely an awesome place to reconnect with nature and inner peace. 

Unsolicited advice: 

1) Dress accordingly, which means wear layers. With the high altitude it is cold and the weather changes quickly.

2) Hire a guide and driver because roads are not marked.