Arrival — Termas de Polques
By mid-afternoon you reach the Termas de Polques, perched at 4,394 metres (14,416 ft) beside the Salar de Chalviri. Two simple thermal pools fed by geothermal springs offer water around 28–30°C (82–86°F) — an improbable luxury at this altitude.
On a first day above 4,000 metres (~13,000 ft), the soak is restorative. Bring warm layers for after; once the sun lowers, the temperature drops quickly.
Accommodation tonight is at the Termas. Lodging is basic but functional. Dinners and breakfasts are typically provided. The evening light across the salt flat is extraordinary, and if the sky clears, the stars appear close enough to touch.
Rest early. Tomorrow goes deeper into the altiplano.