Oruros Hot Springs

The Hot Springs of Oruro in Bolivia's Oruro department emerge on the vast Altiplano plateau at around 3,700 metres above sea level, fed by the intense geothermal activity of the Andes volcanic arc. The bicarbonate waters, characteristic of high-altitude Andean springs, have been used by the indigenous Aymara people of the Oruro region for centuries as both a practical and spiritual resource. The stark landscape of the Altiplano surrounding Oruro — flat lake basins, salt flats, volcanic peaks and the occasional flocks of flamingos feeding in alkaline ponds — is one of the most distinctive and otherworldly environments in South America. Oruro itself is famous for its spectacular pre-Lenten Carnival, a UNESCO-recognised celebration of syncretised Andean and Catholic traditions, making any visit here a richly layered cultural experience.