Lake Poopó

Lake Poopó was formerly Bolivia's second-largest lake, situated on the Altiplano in the Oruro Department at an altitude of 3,686 meters. As an endorheic saline lake, its primary water source was the Desaguadero River, which flows from Lake Titicaca. Over recent decades, the lake has faced a massive ecological crisis, leading to its near-total disappearance by late 2015 due to climate change, persistent droughts, and water diversion for mining and irrigation. Its shallow average depth of only 3 meters made it extremely susceptible to high evaporation rates typical of the high-altitude Andean environment. The lake's drying has had devastating impacts on the indigenous Uru-Murato people, who for centuries relied on fishing for their survival. While seasonal rains occasionally bring back a thin layer of water, the once-thriving ecosystem that supported thousands of flamingos and fish species has been severely compromised. Geologically, Lake Poopó is considered a remnant of the prehistoric Lake Minchin, which covered the Altiplano during the Pleistocene.

History & landmarks

Monumento a la Virgen del Socavón

A gigantic statue representing the patron saint of Oruro, majestically towering over the city on Santa Bárbara hill.

Santuario de la Virgen del Socavón

An important religious shrine in Oruro, dedicated to the patron saint of miners and the destination of the famous Oruro Carnival.

Iglesia de Curahuara de Carangas

A colonial church on the Altiplano, called the Sistine Chapel of the Andes due to its well-preserved frescoes.

Cementerio de Trenes

A surreal open-air museum near Uyuni where dozens of rusted 19th-century British steam locomotives are left to decay.

Nature

Uru Uru Lake

Uru Uru Lake is a shallow lake near Oruro, fed by the Desaguadero River.

Desaguadero River

The Desaguadero River is the main outflow of Lake Titicaca and feeds Lake Poopó further south.

More places

Altiplano Alpaca Breeding

At extreme altitudes, indigenous herders raise alpacas and llamas, continuing an ancient tradition that provides wool and meat.

Santuario del Socavón

An important pilgrimage church in Oruro, deeply connected to the local mining culture and forming the center of the famous carnival.

Tunupa Volcano

The imposing Tunupa Volcano towers over the northern edge of the Salar de Uyuni and is a sacred mountain for the local people.

Cordillera Occidental

The western spine of the Bolivian Andes, forming a high volcanic border with Chile.

Tata Sabaya Volcano

Tata Sabaya is a volcano in the central Andes, known for massive prehistoric sector collapses.

Nevado Sajama

An extinct stratovolcano and the highest peak in Bolivia, located in the remote Western Andes.

Acotango

Acotango is a prominent volcano in the Quimsachata Cordillera, known for old sulfur mines on its slopes.

Pomerape Volcano

Pomerape, together with the neighboring Parinacota, forms the distinctive Payachata volcanic system.