The Cordillera Occidental of Bolivia is a mountain range characterized by volcanic activity, making up the natural border with Chile and starting in the north with Jucuri and ending in the south at the Licancabur volcano (5,920 meters high and has the highest lake in the world : the lakes Laguna Colorada and Laguna Verde). The climate of the region is cold and inadequate for animal and plant life. In order of appearance, the next pictures are :

Laguna Verde (Green Lagoon) : a salt lake in the southwest of the altiplano, on the Chilean border at the foot of the volcano Licancabur. Its colour is caused by sediments, containing copper minerals. It is elevated some 4.300m (14.000 ft) above sea level. The laguna verde is well known for its spectacular scenery and hot springs.

Laguna Colorada 4.270m (14005ft) : The lagoon's reddish color is caused by micro-organisms and pink algae in the water. You will be able to admire 3 varieties of Flamingoes (The Andean Flamingo, the Jututu and the Chilean Flamingo.

Salar de Uyuni (or Salar de Tunupa) : With its 10,582 square km (4,085 square miles), it'is the world's largest salt flat - 25 times the size of the better-known Bonneville Salt Flats in the USA. It is located in southwest Bolivia, near the crest of the Andes, 3650 meters high. Some 40.000 years ago, the area was part of Lake Minchin, a giant prehistoric lake. When the lake died, it left behind the larger Uyuni which is estimated to contain 10 billion tons of salt.