Southern Altiplano - Bolivia - page 305

Choosing an Agency
Generally, it doesn't matter which agency you book with (other than the high-end ones),
as most agencies share drivers and tend to sort travelers into groups of five or six people.
This means that while you may book with Agency A, you may end up in a car with a
driver from Agency Z.
This said, you do have some power here. Talk to returning travelers, multiple agencies
and use your judgment to pick a good operator. If you are custom-building an itinerary,
have the agency put it in writing. If you can make your own group (try the pub), you'll be
better off. The high-end agencies have better hotels, can customize tours and have more
reliable cars.
A number of travelers have died on this trip, mostly in drunk-driving accidents - un-
scrupulous tour operations are not uncommon. Ask to see the car you will be traveling in
(Toyota Landcruisers are the best) and to meet the driver ahead of time. If the agency tries
to switch drivers or cars on you, call them on it. Along the way, make sure your driver is
not drinking alcohol (and demand to switch cars if he is). It's also a good idea to ask to
see photos of the hotel where you will be staying.
WARNING: SALAR TOURS
Operators are piled high in Uyuni: there are currently more than 80 agencies offering trips to the salar (salt plain).
Most offer Spanish-speaking drivers who take you on an identical three-day trip. While the competition may mean
more choice, it also means lowered quality as many dodgy operators try to make a fast buck. It's your right to ne-
gotiate but remember that cost-cutting leads to operators cutting corners - at the expense of your safety and the
environment! Common exploits include trying to cram an extra body into the jeep (six people should be the max-
imum).
The results of this have included deadly accidents. At least 21 people, including 17 tourists, have been killed in
jeep accidents on the Salar de Uyuni salt plains since May 2008. There have been alarming reports of ill-equipped
vehicles without seatbelts, speeding tour operators, a lack of emergency equipment, breakdowns, drunk drivers,
poor food and service, and disregard for the once-pristine environment of the salar .
See Choosing an Agency on Click here for tips on picking a safe and reliable operator.
Standard Tours
The most popular tour is the three-day circuit taking in the Salar de Uyuni , Laguna Col-
orada , Sol de Mañana , Laguna Verde and points in between. There are probably 20 to
50 people a day doing this trip.