Almost two months after we landed in Guayaquil, today we cross into the last country on our South America journey, Bolivia. We know the least about this country, we have absolutely no idea what to expect. This wasn’t even on our original itinerary, we added it after friends who’ve recently been here told us that we “just have to go”. So here we are. A one hour drive brought us to the Atacama-Hito Cajon border and here our Chilean guide handed us over to Isak, our Bolivian guide who will be with us from here on. As soon as we stepped out of the car, it was obvious that the next few days were going to be very different from what we’ve experienced so far. It was absolutely freezing, the wind was so strong, blowing up the fine sand all around us. We were now at an elevation of 4,480m. All of us could feel varying effects of altitude sickness.
Queuing at the Bolivian immigration checkpoint. Two men stamping passports in a concrete hut in the middle of a vast desert!
Our ride for the next four days. Orlando, our driver loading and tying down our luggage. 
This little one had a hard time adjusting to the sudden change in altitude. She felt pretty sick and needed some oxygen. Perked up pretty fast soon after.
Laguna Verde (Green Lagoon), is named for its strong green colour caused by cooper, arsenic and some other mineral sediments. It was such an incredible sight, coming across a salt lake here in this stark desert plain. And to add to nature’s beauty, the majestic Licancabur volcano lies dormant in the background bordering Bolivia and Chile.
Away from the lagoon we were once again surrounded by barren-brown mountains and vast dry land as our 4WD took us deeper into the desert.
Valle de Dalí (Dalí Valley) the barren valley of Southwesten Bolivia which was the inspiration behind Dali’s desert landscapes.
Our next stop was the White Lagoon but the kids were too tired and a little sick to appreciate it so only Shad went down for a quick look while we stayed in the car.
The geysers were impressive, this is the first time we’ve seen these bubbling steaming mud holes. Sol de Manana, a geothermal field is characterised by intense volcanic activity and the sulphur spring fields.
Still happy after eight hours squashed in his tiny space at the back of the car. The next sight that greeted us was just incredible. Right in front of of us out of nowhere a deep red lake appeared. And as we drove closer, we could see hundreds of red flamingoes feeding in there. We’d arrived at the Red Lagoon, its red coloration caused by the red sediments and algae in the water.
Our first sighting of vicuñas, Bolivia’s equivalent to Chile’s guanacos. 
A domesticated llama. The colourful accessories is how different families identify which animal belongs to who.
