WINE AND SALT FLATS

There's probably no one who is planning a trip to Bolivia that does not have on their itinerary the absolute natural highlight of this landlocked country, The Salar de Uyuni.
These vast Bolivian Salt Flats, which happen to be the world's largest salt flats, are on most people´s bucket list and one of the must-see sights on any Bolivia itinerary. This unique luxury tour of the Salt Flats combines delicious cuisine, as well as a visit to the lesser-known wine-growing regions of Bolivia, and the place where Bolivia´s national drink Singani is made. Join Va Expeditions on one of the most unique Uyuni tours - Wine and Salt Flats.

 

Wine and Salt Flats Sunset

 

Uyuni

 

These salt flats are very significant for a country like Bolivia, as the Salar de Uyuni brings income from three different sources; tourism, salt harvesting, and lithium. This Uyuni tour is one of the best travel experiences, with surprises around every corner. Many travelers do not realize beforehand what they will witness on this visit and there is actually much more to see than simply salt. On most Uyuni tours you will not only be touring the salt flats, but visiting volcanos, geysers, and lagoons, amongst other sights.

 

Salar de Uyuni 

Train cemetery

The first stop on our itinerary, only about a 5-minute drive from Uyuni, is the old train cemetery. The old and corroded trains in combination with blue skies are photogenic enough to keep you occupied for about half an hour. Listen carefully to your guide about how these trains arrived in such a remote region of South America.

Laguna Colorada and Laguna Verde

Along the way, you will stop by several colorful lagoons, but two of them stand out in particular. Laguna Colorada with its red color and Laguna Verde with the Licancabur Volcano towering behind.

 

Geyser Sol de Mañana

Thin air and the strong sulfur smell indicate you just arrived at a geyser called the Morning Sun. Steam comes up constantly from vents and with the sun rising behind, creates a spectacular light show.

 

Sol de Mañana Geysers

 

These are just some of the many highlights on this spectacular Uyuni tour, and on our luxury itinerary, we are only just getting started!

Cinti Valley

The Cinti Valley is one of the most important regions for wine and Singani production in Bolivia. Found here is profitable fruit growing and agriculture based on the favorable climate and the fertile soils of this stunning valley. Wine and Singani have been made from grapes in the Cinti Valley for more than four and a half centuries, thanks to the introduction of viticulture to the region in the early colonial days. This ancient tradition of making wines and Singani came about from the demand from the city of Potosí during the colonial period, which was due to the growth in wealth from its mining and silver deposits. It was only after independence from colonial power, and the improvement of transport routes, that the quality of the wines and Singani from the Cinti Valley became known throughout the whole of Bolivia. Today in the Cinti Valley you can visit vineyards, some of which, still cultivate the grapes using colonial methods. The grapes and singani that are grown here, offer intense aromas, flavors, and colors due to the elevation, and characteristics of the soil on which they grow. Camargo is the capital of the North Cinti province in the Chuquisaca department. The picturesque city with a pleasant climate is located at an altitude of 2,406 meters above sea level and is connected to the cities of Potosí and Tarija by road.  

 

Wine Tasting in Cinti Valley

Tarija

Visitors to Tarija, say they fall in love with the city for its leafy plazas, colonial buildings, and warm climate. However, there is another reason why this charming Bolivian town constantly captivates new visitors. Wine, and lots of it. La Ruta del Vino allows you to discover this high-altitude epicenter of the Bolivian wine industry.  Here you can relax while enjoying good wine, good food, and a very pleasant climate. Tarija is also the home of the national drink of Bolivia, Singani. Singani is a 500-year-old Bolivian spirit distilled only high in the Andes from Muscat of Alexandria grapes, which must be planted at a minimum of1600 meters elevation. When the grapes are matured at a high altitude, their thick skins create a unique flavor during the distillation process. 

 

Tarija

Book this Unique Wine and Salt Flats tour of Bolivia with Va Expeditions and add an element of luxury to your Bolivian itinerary. Find out more here.