DAY 39 (2 OF 5) – LAGUNA VERDE & BLANCA, SOUTHWEST CIRCUIT DAY TWO, BOLIVIA

Continuing our journey through Reserva Nacional de Fauna Andina Eduardo Avaroa , we reached the Laguna Verde (Green Lagoon) and Laguna Blanca (White Lagoon) just before midday.  Located next to Laguna Verde, Laguna Blanca is a small salt lake where flamingos gathered for food and water.  The focal point of this site, however, was Laguna Verde.  Laguna Verde and the mighty Licancabur Volcano right behind comprise one of the most photogenic moments in the whole reserve, if not the entire Bolivian Altiplano.  When we first arrived at Laguna Verde, the colour of the water was clear and transparent.  Our guide decided to have lunch by the lagoon, and was hoping that we could get a chance to see the water turning green.  In fact, Laguna Verde (Green Lagoon) would only turn green under the right sunlight and wind speed.  With food and camera in hand, we all sat down on a hillside facing the lagoon, braved the extremely strong wind and sunlight, and hoped to witness the magnificent lagoon switching its colour.  As we finished our lunch, the wind picked up its speed and we were fortunate to see the water gradually turned turquois.  It was hard to believe that the peaceful and turquois water of Laguna Verde is actually toxic.  That’s why no birds or flamingos were in sight at Laguna Verde during the time we were there.  After Laguna Verde, we made a brief stop at Aguas Calientes, a natural hot spring, for a nice warm dip.

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Read more on Southwest Circuit, Bolivia in 2013 South America:

Day 36.2 – Cerro Corazon de Jesus, Tupiza
Day 37 – Quebrada Hike, Tupiza
Day 38.1 – Departure Southwest Circuit Day 1
Day 38.2 – Highland, Southwest Circuit Day 1
Day 38.3 – Ruinas, Southwest Circuit Day 1
Day 38.4 – Quieten Chico, Southwest Circuit Day 1
Day 39.1 – Reserva Nacional de Fauna Andina Eduardo Avaroa, Southwest Circuit Day 2
Day 39. 2 – Laguna Verde & Blanca, Southwest Circuit Day 2
Day 39.3 – Desierto de Dali, Southwest Circuit Day 2
Day 39.4 – Geysers Sol de Manana, Southwest Circuit Day 2
Day 39.5 – Laguna Colorada, Southwest Circuit Day 2
Day 40.1 – Huaylliara, Southwest Circuit Day 3
Day 40.2 – Arbol de Piedra, Southwest Circuit Day 3
Day 40.3 – Flamingos, Southwest Circuit Day 3
Day 40.4 – Ollague Volcano, Southwest Circuit Day 3
Day 41.1 – Salt Hotel, Southwest Circuit Day 4
Day 41.2 – Sunrise at Uyuni Salt Flat, Southwest Circuit Day 4
Day 41.3 – Isla Incahuasi at Uyuni Salt Flat, Southwest Circuit Day 4
Day 41.4 – Salar de Uyuni, Southwest Circuit Day 4
Day 41.5 – Train Cemetery, Uyuni, Southwest Circuit Day 4
Day 42 – Border Crossing, Villain, Bolivia / La Quiaca, Argentina

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South America 2013 – Our Destinations
Buenos Aires (Argentina), Iguazu Falls (Argentina/Brazil), Pantanal (Brazil), Brasilia (Brazil), Belo Horizonte & Inhotim (Brazil), Ouro Preto (Brazil), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Paraty (Brazil), Sao Paulo (Brazil), Samaipata & Santa Cruz (Bolivia), Sucre (Bolivia), Potosi (Bolivia), Southwest Circuit (Bolivia), Tilcara, Purmamarca, Salta (Argentina), Cafayate (Argentina), San Pedro de Atacama (Chile), Antofagasta & Paranal Observatory (Chile), Chiloe (Chile), Puerto Varas (Chile), Torres del Paine (Chile), Ushuaia (Argentina), El Chalten (Argentina), El Calafate (Argentina), Isla Magdalena (Argentina), Santiago (Chile), Valparaiso (Chile), Afterthought