11 Hidden Gems of Uyuni Salt Flats That Will Take Your Breath Away

3. The Forgotten Salt Caves

Underneath the salt flat's crusty surface is a network of naturally occurring salt caverns hardly seen by visitors. These amazing structures display prehistoric fossils buried in their walls and complex salt crystal patterns. Thousands of years ago, the old lake that formerly covered the area gradually dried out and the caverns were formed. Inside will find strange geometric forms and delicate salt sculptures like frozen waterfalls. Some chambers feature pools of very concentrated brine that produce amazing reflections. Expert guides with appropriate safety gear can lead small parties across these underground marvels, exposing a secret realm that reveals Uyuni's geological narrative. With tools and relics spanning several millennia, the caverns also offer significant archaeological proof of past mining activity. Unique microorganisms found in the severe saline environment have helped us to better grasp life under difficult circumstances. There are still many unknown sections in the several kilometers-long complicated cave system. New chambers with unique mineral formations and preserved organic matter that offers important information about the paleoclimate of the area have been found by recent mapping trips. The local ecosystem depends much on the caverns as well since they provide cover for several kinds of bats and other animals living there.