Futuristic luxury camp in Bolivia’s salt flats uses RIKA pellet stoves for heating
In the middle of Bolivia’s salt flats stands a luxury camp for adventurers. At this unique tourist attraction, the RIKA LIVO and DOMO pellet stoves ensure pleasant temperatures and that very special feel-good factor, especially at night.
The largest salt flats on earth lie in the southwest of Bolivia. With an area of 10,582 square kilometres, the ‘Salar de Uyuni’ is almost as large as the German state of Baden-Württemberg. Countless adventurers and travellers admire natural spectacles such as steaming geysers, cactus islands and flocks of flamingos at the foot of the Tunupa volcano.
Another tourist attraction, Kachi Lodge, opened here in May 2019. The luxury camp consists of several white domes whose surfaces are subdivided into flat triangles. To protect the fragile soil of the salt flats, the domes rest on wooden platforms that are connected by a semicircular walkway and thus remain accessible even during the rainy season.
Mathematical elegance in the midst of an unreal landscape
Due to their natural shape, the white pods blend perfectly in with their surroundings. The truss construction of the domes follows the so-called geodesic principle of the American architect Richard Buckminster Fuller. The unusual spatial concept offers numerous advantages in terms of stability, light incidence and air circulation. That is why it has a particularly pleasant and inviting effect on many people. Inside, the lodge offers the comfort of luxury hotel rooms: warm colours, atmospheric lighting and lots of wood create a stylish and equally cosy atmosphere. Guests can admire the landscape during the day and the starry sky at night through the large window. Heating is provided by the innovative LIVO and DOMO pellet stoves installed by RIKA’s Swiss premium partner Batifeu.
Batifeu’s head office is in Collombey-Muraz in the canton of Valais. Thanks to its regional location, a high-quality and tasteful presentation of the entire product range and an exceptional sales strategy, Batifeu has become one of RIKA’s strongest partner businesses since 2016. As a full-service provider from delivery, assembly and service to maintenance, Batifeu also took care of the complex logistics for transport to Bolivia and the installation on site.
Pictures: (c) Kachi Lodge - Bolivia 2019; (c) amazing escape
Find out more about the “Salar de Uyuni” salt flats on wikivoyage.
