Tunupa Volcano

About this place

Tunupa is a dormant volcano on the northern side of the Salar de Uyuni in south-western Bolivia, 5,321 metres high. Its flanks of red, yellow and purple above the white salt make one of the finest views on the Altiplano. It rises about 1.8 km above the surrounding terrain, with small villages on its slopes. It was active in the Pleistocene, built mostly by lava flows 1.36 to 1.56 million years ago. Glaciers later carved it, and no permanent ice remains today because the region is so dry. Its southern slopes carry the shorelines of old lakes that covered the plain, such as Lake Tauca, when it was part of an island, and crusts of algae still show. From the salt you see the eroded summit with its sharp crags and bright colours. At the foot lies Coquesa village, with its small stone church and quiet houses, from where visitors climb to a viewpoint halfway up the mountain that shows the white salt running to the horizon. A nearby cave holds ancient mummies. These are human remains, so treat them with respect, and do not photograph them unless the villagers allow it. The volcano is 110.5 km in a straight line north of Uyuni, usually reached by four-wheel drive on a tour, so do not cross the salt alone. The altitude is high and nights very cold, so walk slowly and bring warm clothes. In the rainy season crossing can be hard, so ask your operator. British advice mentions a state of emergency and road blockades, so check your government's advice.