Things to Do in Bolivia in March

A three-day expedition across the Salar de Uyuni and the high desert shows a progression of surreal landscapes. You will see the vast, cracked-white salt flat give way to rust-colored mountains. You will see lagoons stained electric green and blood-red by minerals and algae. Flocks of pink flamingos stand silhouetted there. Evenings bring profound desert silence. The air turns icy as the sun sets the sky ablaze. A guide might lead you to a spot where shallow water creates a perfect mirror of the heavens.

This two-day route has a concentrated dose of the Salar de Uyuni's magic. It focuses on well-known phenomena. You will stand in a sea of blinding white salt that stretches to the horizon. You will feel the crunch of salt crystals underfoot. You will hear nothing but the wind. The tour includes the train cemetery's skeletal hulks. It visits Isla Incahuasi, a rocky island topped with giant, centuries-old cacti. It culminates in the sunset spectacle at a water-logged section. That spot transforms the flat into a shimmering, sky-reflecting pane of glass.

Held in a warm kitchen in Sucre, this class examines the foundational flavors of Bolivian home cooking. You will feel the soft dough of salteñas under your fingers. You will learn to balance the rich depth of a peanut-based sauce. You will hear the sizzle of ingredients hitting a hot pan. The experience extends to crafting a traditional cocktail, perhaps using singani, the local grape brandy. The result is a meal you assemble yourself, from the first chop to the final sip.

A single day on the Salar de Uyuni proves profound wonder needs little time. Departing from the town of Uyuni, you will quickly find yourself surrounded by the flat's disorienting emptiness. You will visit key landmarks like the Dakar Monument and salt hotels before the day's climax. As the afternoon wanes, you will walk out into a shallow pool on the salt crust. You will watch the fiery oranges and pinks of the sunset duplicate well in the still water below. This creates the famous mirror effect, making sky and earth indistinguishable.

This trek from Sucre plunges you into the Maragua Crater, a dramatic geological wonder. This vast, colorful basin feels like another planet. You will walk along ancient Inca trails. You will see striated cliffs in shades of terracotta and ochre. You will hear the crunch of gravel underfoot as you descend into a landscape dotted with traditional thatched-roof homes. The route often includes the site of dinosaur footprints pressed into a sheer rock face. This is a silent testament to the region's deep past. Everything happens under the vast, clear March sky of the Bolivian highlands.

A private two-day tour of the Uyuni salt flat has a tailored exploration. You will explore this immense landscape at your own pace. A dedicated vehicle and guide let you linger at the colossal Tunupa Volcano. Feel the cool, thin air as you hike partway up its slopes for a panoramic view of the entire salt sea. You can schedule your visit to the mirror-effect waters for the optimal moment of calm. The freedom allows for detours to lesser-seen corners. It allows for photography sessions uninterrupted by other groups. You will stay in a handpicked salt hotel.