Tayka Hotel del Desierto, Reserva Avaroa, Bolivia

Description

In the middle of a landscape, which has been painted with a range of colors capriciously combined by nature, here you will find the Tayka Hotel del Desierto - in the heart of the Siloli Desert (4,600m above sea level). It is located in a place called “Ojo de Perdiz”, named after a natural spring which was found in its proximity and now supplies the water to the hotel.
In harmony with the Andean landscape, this hotel opens its doors to welcome visitors from allover the world, offering the opportunity to get to know one of the most beautiful places in South America: The National Reserve Eduardo Avaroa - where beautiful coloured lagoons, geysers, and the “Arbol de Piedra”, can be found among many other places of astonishing beauty. Due to its strategic location, this hotel is the key for a incomparable transition of this region and its natural attractions.

Sights of the region

With its brightly coloured lagoons, volcano and the highest mountains on the Bolivian border with Chile and Argentina, it's unsurprising that Eduardo Avaroa Nature Reserve is the most visited national park in the country. The largest of the three coloured lagoons is the 6km wide Laguna Colorado. Algae growing in the water dye it a vivid blood red, which is contrasted with bone white islands made of the mineral borax. Owing to the Laguna Colorado's height above sea level (4,278m) and the surrounding landscape of salt, very little wildlife can be found here for most of the year. In Novemeber, however, flocks of three different species of flamingo make it their home for the breeding season. Amongst the smaller lagoons are the green Laguna Verde and sky blue Laguna Celeste. Both derive their colour from various copper mineral deposits in the water, which makes them beautiful but not ideal for swimming in. The Laguna Verde is situated at the foot of the spectacularly symmetrical Licancabur volcano and a short distance from natural hot springs. The park itself attracts some 40,000 visitors a year. Its non-human population includes 23 species of mammal, a range that covers the rabbt-like vizcacha, Andean foxes and pumas. Look out for Andean condors, yareta and keñua too, just some of the many endangered species which enjoy protected status in the park.
For the best chance of seeing rare wildlife, head to the Laguna Colorado National Wildlife Sanctuary, an area of the park established in 2001, following the expansion of the park's borders. This area boasts over 80 species of bird and more than 190 species of plant and tree.

For information about tours to Bolivia and to the Salar de Uyuni and the Reserva Eduardo Avaroa with an overnight stay at the Tayka Hotel del Desierto, please visit our tours section.