The road to Sol de la Mañana, a Bolivian geyser
Sol de la Mañana is a geyser and a geothermal area at an elevation of 4.921m (16,145ft) above the sea level, located in Sur Lípez Province in the Potosi Department of south-western Bolivia.
The geothermal area is located within the Reserva Nacional de Fauna Andina Eduardo Avaroa. This area is characterized by intense volcanic activity including fumaroles and geysers. The road is gravel and sand. Menacing desert terrain with numerous steep, rocky climbs. Large, sharp rocks require tight maneuvering, increasing the likelihood of tire damage. High clearance, skid plates and differential lockers required. Take extra care. There are no boardwalks. You are free to walk wherever you wish around this geothermal field but be careful!! The crust is thin and one false step can send you into boiling mud!
4x4 vehicle required. A complex network of poorly defined roads makes route-finding very difficult, even following a GPS tracklog. The weather on the area is extreme, with temperatures around 0ºC to 5°C at summer time and between -5°C to -20°C at winter time. Carry plenty of water. Never drive this trail alone. The best time to visit the place is in the morning as you can watch the geysers boiling and the sun rising at the same time.
Pic: Jarbas Araujo Jr