Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
UYUNI DAY TRIPPER
If you have a few more days in Uyuni, consider heading out to explore some of the forgotten towns and sites
around the area.
Pulcayo
This semi-ghost town, 22km northeast of Uyuni, has some interesting architecture - including the man-
sion of Bolivia's 22nd President, Aniceto Arce Ruíz. There are decaying locomotives from the area's 18th-century
heyday, cooperative mines, cool rock formations and the potential to do low-fi mine tours with a local guide. A
bus (B$5) leaves for here from in front of Uyuni's post office.
Colchani
Sometimes included on the
salar
tours, this town has a small
museum
(B$5)
dedicated to the salt trade
and a few interesting cooperative salt extraction cooperatives. If you are doing the salt flat on your own, this is the
kick-off spot.
Tours
While you can theoretically visit the Salar de Uyuni and the attractions of the Southwest
Circuit independently, it is extremely challenging due to unreliable transport and the re-
moteness of the area. The vast majority of people take an organized tour from either Uy-
uni or Tupiza. From the end of December to the end of March, the salt flat floods and
many agencies shut down, and you can travel just 10km into the salt flat.
Costs
Tours cost B$700 to B$800 for three days at a standard agency, and B$800 to B$1000 at a
high-end operation. Four-day and custom trips will cost B$800 and up. The tours include
a driver (who also serves as your guide, mechanic and cook, but probably doesn't speak
English), two nights accommodation (quality varies depending on the agency), three
meals a day and transit. You'll also need to pay a B$30 entrance fee to Isla Incahuasi and
a B$150 fee to enter the Reserva Nacional de Fauna Andina Eduardo Avaroa (
Click here
). Those traveling on to Chile will need B$21 to B$50 for the border crossing. Many agen-
cies don't accept credit cards.
What to Bring
You'll want to bring a couple liters of water, snacks, headlamp, sunscreen, sunglasses,
sunhat, warm clothes (gloves, stocking cap, waterproof/windproof jacket, wool socks,
long underwear, sweater), cards or a game to play at the hotels, camera and chargers. A
sleeping bag is also highly recommended. Ask your operator to include a free sleeping
bag rental in your fee. Otherwise, they cost about B$50 to rent and are really worth it.
