Peru, Bolivia & Chile 2006

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These photos are from my three week trip in South America from 25 August to 15 September 2006.

Until six months before, I never thought I would get to South America. Then, drawn by the scenery of south-western Bolivia and by the famous Machu Picchu ruins, I decided I had to go.

Most visitors to Peru and Bolivia combine a trip to the lowland rainforests in the east with the western highlands. But I was only interested in the mountain and desert scenery of the highlands, so my trip took me in a north-south direction along the Andean plateau.

I started in Cuzco, the former capital of the Inca empire and the starting point my Inca Trail trek, then travelled down into Bolivia, via Copacabana on the shores of Lake Titicaca. After a brief visit to La Paz, I continued down to Uyuni for the 3 day Salar de Uyuni tour. For me, this was the main attraction to South America. The surreal landscape of the Uyuni salt flats and the nearby lakes, volcanoes and geysers are, for many people, the highlight of their travels in South America. I wasn't disappointed, and there I witnessed probably the most amazing landscapes I've ever seen. From there I crossed the border into Chile and spent the last few days doing some more tours from San Pedro de Atacama.

The Salar de Uyuni is currently under threat due to the presence of huge lithium deposits below. Please click here for more information.