Salar de Empexa

Salar de Empexa is a vast salt flat located in the Bolivian highlands at high elevation. The flat is defined by thick white salt deposits that cover the ground, creating an expansive landscape where the white crust stretches across the basin.

This salt flat formed thousands of years ago when an enormous ancient lake that once covered much of the Bolivian highlands dried up and left behind salt deposits. The evaporation process concentrated minerals and created the thick salt layer visible today.

Local communities have harvested salt here for generations using methods that reflect their connection to the land. You can observe people working in the shallow pools, collecting the white deposits that form naturally.

You need sturdy vehicles designed for high-altitude travel to reach this location, as standard cars cannot handle the terrain. Prepare for thin air and extreme temperature changes between day and night.

This salt flat is connected underground to other salt basins in the region through hidden water channels. Groundwater continuously feeds the basin, keeping the salt formation process active.

Elevation above the sea: 3,723 m

GPS coordinates: -20.38580,-68.52170

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:21