On a mega trip to South America make sure you don't miss the Salar de Uyuni, this is an amazing tour. You get in a jeep and do the entire sight seeing round salt flats, deserts, mountains, valleys. It's a feast for the eye of a traveller, here are my tips on preparing for it.
With the Salar, my first bit of advice is don't book it in advance - there is no need to do that. The best place to book it is in Uyuni, though you can also book it in Potosi or La Paz. Don't book it before you get to Bolivia.
You can start the Salar de Uyuni tour in either Bolivia or Chile, but this report focuses on doing it from the Bolivia side, here's a guide on booking the excellent tour!
Booking the Salar de Uyuni tour:
- In your hostel check with reception if they can organise it for you - a 3 day tour is the most recommended unless your time is short
- Get the price from the hostel then look around to compare and get a cheap option - you should be paying somewhere in the region of 70 - 100 US Dollars.
- Allow for flexibility with dates you go - don't be strict with it - sometimes you can ask at 9am that morning and end up on the tour that same day.
- Make sure the cost includes getting picked up from your hostel and 3 days of food.
- Ask them where the tour starts and ends so you can think about your next journey after the tour.
- Check if there are any extra costs, such as tips, entrance fees for national parks etc. You'll probably have to pay extra to visit Laguna Colorada.
- Ask them for a receipt for the tour - you normally pay at the start.
How do you prepare for the Salar de Uyuni tour:
- Check the passport situation as if you head for Chile you will probably have to get your Bolivian exit stamp before the tour starts in Uyuni.
- Take a lot of water with you - around 4 litres should be fine. It's a desert you are visiting and although they provide drinks at mealtimes, they don't provide water.
- Bring a couple of beers as there is no alcohol on the tour - this is also a great way to get to meet your travel buddies at night.
- Sun cream and insect repellent are musts - don't forget them.
- There is no e-mail or phone during the tour which is fantastic, but with this in mind you should email or contact friends and family before starting the tour to tell them this.
- A good tip is leaving your bags in a hostel in Uyuni beforehand (assuming you're heading back there)
- Bring your passport just in case you decide to spontaneously head across the border to Chile.
- Get your cameras, iPods etc. batteries all charged beforehand as the places you stay may not have sockets or electricity.
There you go! That is a full guide to get you started to get onto the amazing salt plains tour known as the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia. There are loads of companies to book with and the tour is a highlight of most people's travels in South America. A fantastic trip to do!
With the Salar, my first bit of advice is don't book it in advance - there is no need to do that. The best place to book it is in Uyuni, though you can also book it in Potosi or La Paz. Don't book it before you get to Bolivia.
You can start the Salar de Uyuni tour in either Bolivia or Chile, but this report focuses on doing it from the Bolivia side, here's a guide on booking the excellent tour!
Booking the Salar de Uyuni tour:
- In your hostel check with reception if they can organise it for you - a 3 day tour is the most recommended unless your time is short
- Get the price from the hostel then look around to compare and get a cheap option - you should be paying somewhere in the region of 70 - 100 US Dollars.
- Allow for flexibility with dates you go - don't be strict with it - sometimes you can ask at 9am that morning and end up on the tour that same day.
- Make sure the cost includes getting picked up from your hostel and 3 days of food.
- Ask them where the tour starts and ends so you can think about your next journey after the tour.
- Check if there are any extra costs, such as tips, entrance fees for national parks etc. You'll probably have to pay extra to visit Laguna Colorada.
- Ask them for a receipt for the tour - you normally pay at the start.
How do you prepare for the Salar de Uyuni tour:
- Check the passport situation as if you head for Chile you will probably have to get your Bolivian exit stamp before the tour starts in Uyuni.
- Take a lot of water with you - around 4 litres should be fine. It's a desert you are visiting and although they provide drinks at mealtimes, they don't provide water.
- Bring a couple of beers as there is no alcohol on the tour - this is also a great way to get to meet your travel buddies at night.
- Sun cream and insect repellent are musts - don't forget them.
- There is no e-mail or phone during the tour which is fantastic, but with this in mind you should email or contact friends and family before starting the tour to tell them this.
- A good tip is leaving your bags in a hostel in Uyuni beforehand (assuming you're heading back there)
- Bring your passport just in case you decide to spontaneously head across the border to Chile.
- Get your cameras, iPods etc. batteries all charged beforehand as the places you stay may not have sockets or electricity.
There you go! That is a full guide to get you started to get onto the amazing salt plains tour known as the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia. There are loads of companies to book with and the tour is a highlight of most people's travels in South America. A fantastic trip to do!
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