After almost an hour drive over the Salt Lake, this oasis wih cactus till 10 meters high is just not what you would expect to find. There is a path over the top of the island for a splendid 360 degrees view and you pay entrance fee which includes toilets. Even a small restaurant is available on this main tourist attraction of Uyuni.
Visiting salar in the middle of rain season is a risk. But wow, it is worth it when the weather is nice. It takes some time to reach the island, but with the views like this - You could just beg the journey not to finish. The island offers unforgettable views of the salt flat and a chance to hug one of hundreds giant cactuses. It simply is a must.
Isla Incahuasi is a small prominence of dry land in the middle of the immense salt flat. The little “island” holds amazing views over the Salar. It’s white everywhere around with ghostly mountains taking shape in the distance. Below, tens of jeeps bringing in hundreds of tourists every day. It's overcrowded and the black trails left behind by the jeeps on the white slat flat make you feel a little guilty and selfish.Every tour to the Salar include a stopover to Isla Incahuasi. It's a must see.
I have never seen so many natural regal looking cactus. they were surely much taller than I , ofcourse. the most stunning was the view from where one gets a glimpse of salt pans as a backdrop. this too like the train cemetery was the part of the day tour I took from Yuni.
Where else will you see giant cacti that are hundreds of years old. Also the view from the top of the island gives you a real sense of the scale of the surrounding salt flats that disappear over the horizon.
The island used to be coral in the middle of the sea, but both dried out. It is amazing to hike the trail to the top and see the views. There are a few little places where you can go into the rock and look above you. I love to scuba dive so it was really cool to see and explore an area that is similar to what I see underwater but above this time.
Also nicknamed the "Fish" island because as you approach it in the vehicle the island looks like a floating fish. At it's highest point it is just over 300 ft higher then the Salar and it offers a 360 panorama. Excellent for pictures of the desert or of the cool cactus and coral that make up the island. I personally love capturing the awesome cactus flowers with the desert in the background. Sometimes the chauffeurs can be pushy with your time here . . . I don't let them push me around! I paid for the tour and entrance onto the island and so I take my time and snap the pics that I like too.
It is an island in the sea of salt. You will visit it anyway during the usual tour in Salar de Uyuni. There is a little museum about local traditions and cults. The most significant thing of this island - that it is covered with cactuses.
An easy 70km/43mi drive into the salt flat, Isla Incahuasi is the first of many incredible gifts of Nature to be found on the Salar. Even without GPS, just follow the tracks that lead into the horizon, and you get there (if you're driving your car, as I did and you should also. Recommend BIZ rent a car in Sucre, with a helpful staff and new cars)!It has lots of tall cactii and an incredible view, just follow the path around the island (roughly a one-hour walk, not difficult). From there you can proceed to the Lagunas, or drive back to your hotel or even Uyuni. Lots and lots of pictures taken there...
To find this "island" in the middle of absolute nowhere and covered in cactii is amazing. Seeing where the lava came from and just the beauty of around you makes you realise what nature is all about.