The air in the Bolivian Andes is thin. The lodges in Jirira lie directly on Salar de Uyuni salt flat, at a height of more than 3700 metres above sea level. They form part of a several-day long itinerary across the Altiplano, which begins in the Atacama Desert in Chile and leads through a barren landscape of volcanos and lakes to Bolivia. At three locations along the tour travellers can stay overnight in simple accommodation that offers them a base for excursions on foot, by bike or jeep. There are eight buildings in all, each has a prefabricated steel structure and a wood-lined interior designed by Chilean architect Max Núñez. The floor plans and form of the buildings at each location differ slightly as they are adapted to the specific nature of the terrain.