A salt road to Isla Incahuasi, in the middle of Salar de Uyuni

Isla Incahuasi is an island in the middle of Salar de Uyuni, a sea of salt at an elevation of 3.656m (11,995ft) above mean sea level. It’s located in the Potosí Department, in southwest Bolivia, near the crest of the Andes.

Isla Incahuasi-Salar de Uyuni

The path (road) to reach Isla Incahuasi, "house of the Inca" in the native language of Quechua, is salt made. It’s also known as Inkawasi or Inka Wasi. Salar de Uyuni (or Salar de Tunupa) is a 10,500 square kilometers sized salt lake inwardly Bolivia, the world's largest of its kind and you can drive on it. The white ocean of salt is hemmed in by the Andes Mountains and looks like fresh snow that's not yet been disturbed by footsteps.

The island is situated right in the midst of the world's largest salt flat in the world. It’s an other-worldly experience that has to be seen to be believed. The terrain in this area and the desert areas beyond, is harsh and conditions are basic so you should not expect a lot of comfort but the rewards are well worth it. Accommodation is usually provided in basic refuges and the weather can be very cold, but it is well worth it for the amazing scenery. The world's largest salt flat is technically not a road, but driving here is absolutely mind-blowing. Note that during the wet season when the salar is flooded, the island is inaccessible.Ç
Pic: Kento Miyamoto