Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TOURS OF THE SALAR AND THE RESERVA EDUARDO AVAROA
Given their remoteness, really the only way to visit the Salar de Uyuni and Reserva
Eduardo Avaroa is on an
organized tour
. Even if you have your own 4WD complete with
supplies and navigational aids, you should be very cautious; it's very easy to get lost, the
hard crust on the surface can occasionally give way under the weight of vehicles and the
consequences of a breakdown can be grave. Even with the best-maintained vehicles
mech-
anical failures
and breakdowns are not uncommon; drivers from different companies do,
however, usually help each other out to make sure everyone gets back to Uyuni safely.
TOUR AGENCIES
Uyuni has dozens of
tour agencies
, all of which run combined trips to the Salar and the
reserve. Some run one- or two-day excursions (around Bs175-420/$25-60 per person), but
if you've come this far it would be crazy not to go for the full circuit. The most popular trip
is a
three-day tour
taking in, among other sights, the Salar de Uyuni, Lagunas Colorada
and Verde, and the Sol de Mañana geyser.
Choosing an agency can be a bit random: all offer almost
identical tours
, but all are
prone to the same problems; late departures, dangerous drivers, insufficient food, inad-
equate accommodation and vehicle breakdowns. Agencies regularly swap drivers, guides
andvehicles,andmanytravellersfindthattheybookedwithonecompanyonlytobeputon
a tour run by another. While the bigger, more expensive
La Paz-based operators
are gen-
erally reliable and have smaller groups, none of the locally based operators have a blemish-
free record, and some have even been involved in fatal accidents. The best way to make a
decision is by chatting with travellers who have just returned from a tour. You should also
visit several companies, ask for written itineraries, check the vehicles and confirm how
many other people will be in the jeep with you: six or fewer is preferable; seven or eight
can be very uncomfortable. Despite all the hassles and potential pitfalls, however, these
tours are well worth the trouble, and almost everyone who goes counts them among their
best experiences in Bolivia.
COSTS
The standard three-day tour costs roughly Bs700-1050/$100-150 per person. You'll get
charged more in
peak season
(June-Aug) and when the Salar is partly covered in water
during the rainy season (Dec-April), since the salt water damages the vehicles - it can
sometimes get so deep that parts of the Salar become impassable. Be wary of very cheap
deals - the savings will be made at your expense. Even if you're travelling alone, you
should be able to find a group easily in Uyuni. The cost includes food, accommodation,
transport and Spanish-speaking guide (an English-speaking guide costs extra). You also
have to pay a Bs150 fee to enter the
Reserva Eduardo Avaroa
, payable at the rangers'
