Quebrada de Palala
Red walls.
rodoluca — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Suomi 1973 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · rodoluca — CC BY-SA 3.0
A landscape straight from a Western film: red and orange canyons and cliffs, pointed rock spires and dry valleys dotted with cacti, around the quiet town of Tupiza at about 2,950 metres in southern Bolivia. The best-known spots are the Quebrada de Palala with towering red walls, the Quebrada Seca and the Puerta del Diablo with its narrow passage between rocks, a Valle de la Luna of clay towers, and El Sillar with sawtooth crests. Small farms and goat herds are scattered among the valleys. The best way to explore is on horseback, on half- or full-day rides with local guides, or by bike or 4x4. Local lore says the American outlaws Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid met their end near the area in 1908. Tupiza is also an alternative starting point for Uyuni tours from the south. The sun is strong and the air dry, so bring water and a hat. Bolivia is under a state of emergency with protests and road blockades, so check road conditions and your government's travel advice before the trip.
Red walls.
A narrow pass.
Through the canyons.
Around Tupiza town, southern Bolivia near the Argentine border
Yes, tours from Tupiza cross the south and the lagoons and end at the Uyuni salt flat, with fewer crowds.