You Can Now Stay In Luxury Accommodation On The Bolivian Salt Flats Here's How

Backpackers have long been coming to Bolivia to marvel at the otherworldly landscapes of the Salar de Uyuni, its adjacent ice-capped volcanoes and technicolored lagoons. Luxury travelers, on the other hand, are relatively scarce due to the distinct absence of upmarket accommodation in the region. But that’s all set to change in 2018 as two opulent compounds are to be erected by a renowned bespoke travel company right in the heart of the remote region.

Black Tomato has developed a solid reputation over the years for providing creative travelers with luxe customized itineraries in some of the world’s most exotic locales. After testing the waters in Europe’s most glamorous capitals, the company launched their immensely popular Blink series in 2016 to offer specially designed temporary accommodation in isolated locations across the world.

Erected among some of the most spectacular sights on Earth, Blink’s exclusive accommodation typically only stands for the duration of a single tour. After the guests have gone home, these extravagant shelters are dismantled to leave no trace on the pristine natural setting.

In Bolivia, however, the approach will be a little different. In order to give more travelers the opportunity to experience the country’s majestic landscapes, two separate sites will be constructed in August and October. Lower logistical costs will be passed on to the consumer, meaning Blink will be more affordable in Bolivia than ever before.

The first site will be a series of decadent private domes right in the middle of country’s spectacular salt flats, the only lodging with permission to operate inside this great white expanse. The other, a collection of opulent yurts, will reside in the stunning Eduardo Avoroa Nature Reserve within easy reach of flamingo-filled lagoons and the hallucinogenic Salvador Dali Desert.

The Blink in Bolivia expedition sees travelers begin their journey in the capital of La Paz. After getting a good night’s sleep at the swanky Hotel Atix, guests are treated to a private city tour with the renowned Gaston Ulgade, one of the country’s top artists and the so-called the Andy Warhol of the Andes.

But the highlight, of course, is the astonishing panoramas of the Salar de Uyuni and beyond. Guests will be ferried between the best spots in private jeeps and given the opportunity to marvel at the landscape from above in a hot air balloon.

Back at camp, the finest Andean cuisine from highly trained local chefs will be served up each evening along with exquisite regional wines. Come bedtime, the Salar domes feature panoramic front-facing windows so that guests can gaze out at the stars before they drift off to sleep.

To top the adventure off, a private light aircraft will pick up passengers and whisk them off to La Paz, but not before taking a scenic detour to admire those striking Andean peaks and the great white desert for one last time.

We’re not sure about you, but this sounds like an infinitely better alternative to the bumpy three-day jeep tour.

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