Two Backpackers

Photo of the Day: Long Shadows on Salar de Uyuni Bolivia

| by Aracely | 21 Comments » | Photo of the Day

Long Shadows Captured during a Sunrise over the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia

Photo of the Day: Cerro Calvario, Copacabana

| by Jason | 3 Comments » | Photo of the Day

Cerro Calvario (Calvary Hill) Copacabana, Bolivia Overlooking Lake Titicaca

Copacabana is the main Bolivian town on the shore of Lake Titicaca, from where boats leave for Isla del Sol, the sacred Inca island. The town has a large 16th-century shrine, the Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana. Our Lady of Copacabana is the patron saint of Bolivia.

The town is a destination for tourism in Bolivia. The town is also known for its famous Basilica, home of the Virgin of Copacabana, its trout, and its quaint atmosphere. Built between Mount Calvario and Mount Niño Calvario, the town has approximately 6,000 inhabitants. Copacabana’s religious celebrations, cultural patrimony, and traditional festivals are well known throughout Bolivia. – Wikipedia

This is a photo of Cerro Calvario (Calvary Hill) which is lined with monuments representing the 14 Stations of the Cross. Pilgrims visit the Stations for prayer and penance and many tourists climb the hill for its fine views. The Stations of the Cross were built on this hill in the 1950s, when the government decided Copacabana should have more to offer its thousands of pilgrims than just the Basilica of the Virgin. – Sacred Destinations

It took a friend and I (Chuck) 30 minutes to walk all of the steep steps to the top. The exhausting climb was worth the beautiful sunset view out into Lake Titicaca. Some of our best Bolivia sunset photos were taken from this perch.

Photo of the Day: Salar de Surire Chile

| by Aracely | 3 Comments » | Photo of the Day

Salar de Surire Natural Monument is a Chilean Natural Monument located in the Andes, in the Arica and Parinacota Region.  It consists mainly of a salt flat and a number of small salt lakes, sheltering several Andean species of wildlife and plants. Arintica volcano towers over the salt flat.

The protected area, along with Lauca National Park and Las Vicu̱as National Reserve, were designated a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1981, which is called Lauca. РWikipedia

Read about our 3-day adventure road trip.

Flamingos flying Over the Salar de Surire (Salt Flat) Natural Monument in Chile

Photo of the Day: Reserva National Las Vicuñas Chile

| by Aracely | 5 Comments » | Photo of the Day

Northern Chile’s Altiplano is filled with varying landscapes including snow capped volcanoes, desert mountains, small adobe villages, salt flats, flamingos, vicuñas and pre-Inca ruins.  Arica will serve as your base camp for settling into the new country and planning your exploratory 4×4 road trip.

Read about our 3-day adventure road trip.

Reserva National Las Vicuñas, is south of Parque Nacional Lauca in the southeastern most point of the Arica and Parinacota Region.  Here you will find Monumento Natural Salar de Surire, a salt flat which lies furthest from Arica.

Reserva National Las Vicuñas in Northern Chile

Photo of the Day: Flamingos in Bolivia Altiplano

| by Aracely | 2 Comments » | Photo of the Day

Our 4-Day Tupiza to Uyuni tour in Bolivia, South America was filled with unique landscapes. We captured snow capped mountains, surreal deserts, eroded mountain ranges, glowing lakes and most importantly the largest Salt Flats in the world, Salar de Uyuni.

This picture is from day 3 of our tour which revealed hundreds of flamingos. Unfortunately we had a very thick overcast the first half of the day, which made the flamingos not so pink.

Flamingos in the Bolivia Altiplano

Photo of the Day: Dali Desert in Bolivia

| by Aracely | 3 Comments » | Photo of the Day

Our 4-Day Tupiza to Uyuni tour in Bolivia, South America was filled with unique landscapes. We captured snow capped mountains, snow dotted deserts, eroded mountain ranges, glowing lakes and most importantly the largest Salt Flats in the world, Salar de Uyuni.

This picture is from day 2 of our tour when we were first exposed to the glowing lakes, dark volcanoes and Salvador Dali looking desert. And of course, this desert is named Desierto de Dali.

Desierto de Dali / Dali Desert in Bolivia

Photo of the Day: Salt Flats In Black And White

| by Aracely | 9 Comments » | Photo of the Day

Black & White Photo of Salinas Grandes in Argentina

During our exploration of Northern Argentina we visited Salinas Grandes. These are the largest Salt Flats in Argentina. After driving out into the middle of the flats you get an amazing panoramic view of the area. The contrast in colors between the blinding white salt and the rich blue sky is incredible and best captured in this black and white photo.