Valle de Rocas in Uyuni Desert

While visiting Uyuni Salt Flats, some places may have gone unnoticed, Valle de Rocas or the Rock Valley is one of the famous places in Bolivia that you can’t miss. These strange formations have been nature’s artwork for hundreds of years. Learn everything you need to know on what to bring, information, tips for travelers and more!

Valle de Rocas is a fascinating attraction in Uyuni that will blow your mind because of the different natural rock formations and the resembling figures to natural and artificial objects.

Many of you may know Árbol de Piedra, which is a rock formation found in the Uyuni desert, but what if we tell you there are dozens of rocks similar to this one in a nearby valley? Valle de Rocas is a must-go destination while traveling through Uyuni.

Although there are even more things to see in Uyuni, one of the most recognized and famous attractions are:

• Laguna Blanca
• San Antonio de Lípez
• Laguna Colorada
• The Train Cemetery

These hidden gems in Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve will captivate you because of its geologic importance and beauty! Below you will find all the details you need to know about one of these magical locations.

Valle de Rocas

As mentioned above, Árbol de Piedra is the most well-known rock in the area, but this National Reserve hides a precious place that you probably won’t be able to find in any other country in South America.

The Rock Valley contains dozens of captivating and strange formations that have been the result of hundreds of years of erosion due to the action of wind and volcanic activity, which removes layers of the rock’s materials and creates these otherworldly formations.

This extraterrestrial-like location is within the Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve in the Siloli desert, next to the Salar de Uyuni. These rock formations have a red and orange hue that makes you think you are on a Mars road trip! That is why this place has unique and visually striking landscapes, making it the perfect location for your Instagram pictures.

The most famous rock formations are the World Cup trophy, the camel, the hand, and the fish.

What to Bring to Valle de Rocas?

It is fundamental to plan your backpack for the Uyuni Salt Flats trip, because of the remote location it is recommendable to bring these things with you:

• Protect your skin from the sun! Make sure to apply sunscreen every 40-50 minutes while in the Uyuni desert.
• Lip Balm, after a day of walking and driving under the desert’s sun while visiting the Uyuni Salt Flats, lips can get dry and chapped, better be prepared!
• Use sunhat and sunglasses, although the temperatures during the day can be cold, it tends to be extremely sunny in the desert.
• Bring warm clothes with you! Temperatures can get very low during the day and night. If you are spending the night in the desert, better be prepared with gloves, woolen socks, and a warm jacket.
• Wear comfortable shoes, bring a pair of tennis or trekking shoes with you. Also, it is advisable to wear flip flops while walking around the salt flats in case it has a layer of water on it.
• Bring your camera! You must have a camera and accessories with you, trust us, leaving this is not an option. The landscapes that you will find along the way to Valle de Rocas are as astonishing as you could imagine, something worth immortalizing.
• Keep yourself hydrated, bring at least 3 liters of water with you, although you could buy water along the way, you will find it cheaper if you bring your own since water bottles are overpriced on the salt flats.

These are a few recommendations that will definitely optimize your experience in the Uyuni desert, make sure to read our full guide on What to Pack to this adventure!

Tips for Travelers

Valle de Rocas is in the Siloli desert, which altitude is almost 5,000 meters above sea level, make sure to follow these tips so you can enjoy this National Reserve at its fullest.

• Although most of the tours to the Salar de Uyuni don’t involve too much walking, it is recommendable to carry coca leaves and altitude sickness medicine to avoid feeling sick during the trip.
• Be aware of our impact on the environment. Carry all your garbage and plastic bottles with you and leave it in a trash or recycle bin.
• Bring enough cash with you, whether to pay entrance fees, for snacks, water, or transport. Keep in mind that in the Uyuni desert, you won’t be able to find many ATMs, and it’s better to have Bolivianos, the local currency.
• Always carry your I.D. or passport with you!

The Uyuni and Siloli deserts have become the best things to see in Bolivia to many tourists, but do you actually know all the places comprehended in this National Park? Let us show you, check out our guide on top activities in Uyuni that you can’t miss!

You may probably be wondering how to get to Valle de Rocas, well, we got you covered. Almost all of the 3 and 4 days tours to the Uyuni Salt Flats can get you to this natural wonder. But how to know which tour operator is the best? Luckily for you, we have a guide that will help you choose the best tour operator in this area, make sure to take a look while you are here.