Complete guide to Salar de Uyuni Bolivia by Grupo Rosario

TABLE OF CONTENTS ABOUT UYUNI

ATTRACTIONS

ACTIVITIES

TRAVEL PLANNING

GETTING HERE

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS

WHAT TO BRING

ABOUT TURISBUS

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ABOUT UYUNI Set in the southern Altiplano region of Bolivia, near the peak of the Andes, Uyuni is 546km away from La Paz. Situated close to both the Chilean border to the West and the Argentinean border to the South, Uyuni is a gateway for commerce as well as a major tourist hub. Tourism is so important to the area that the local population of 21,000 relies on the industry as the main economy. The location of Uyuni has played a large role in the city’s development. Originally, Uyuni was the railway headquarters of Bolivia due to the countries heavy tin exports mined in the region. Today, the city’s proximity to two international borders and unique geography are responsible for the increasing number of tourists Uyuni gets each year. The history of past in present is still visible throughout Uyuni and make the city and nearby attractions a fascinating destination in Bolivia.

ATTRACTIONS Uyuni Salt Flats No trip to Uyuni is complete without a visit to the renowned Salt Flats. The Uyuni Salt Lake is the largest reserve of salt in the world and represents about 2.2 billion tons of the glistening white minerals. The arid white expanse of the Salar de Uyuni is a surreal landscape resembling more like what one would expect to encounter on the moon than on earth. The unique geography of the Salar de Uyuni is unlike anywhere else on the planet, making the salt desert one of the most popular destinations in Bolivia. The Salar de Uyuni is part of the Altiplano of Bolivia, which was formed during uplift of the Andean mountains. Roughly 30-40,000 years ago the area was not a salt desert, but rather the vast Lake Minchin, which eventually dried out and left the famous salt surface visible today. Originally reaching a depth of 140 meters, the area today is comprised of the Poopó and Uru Uru lakes as well as two major salt deserts- the Salar de Coipasa and the larger, more famous Salar de Uyuni. The Salar de Uyuni is spread over 10,582 square kilometers; roughly 25 times the size of the Bonneville Salt Flats in the United States, making Bolivia’s the largest in the world. One of the most alluring characteristics of the Bolivian salt flats is the uninterrupted flat geography that is largely devoid of any landmarks or other interruptions. The immense size of the flats combined with the uniformity of the land plays tricks on visitors and their sense of 3

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perception. Mountains on the horizon may seem distant at one moment and within arms’ reach the next. Many tourists take advantage of this feature, making for a fun photo-op one would be hard pressed to get anywhere else. During the wet season, the Salar floods with water overflowing from the nearby lakes. At this time, the desert becomes a nearly perfect mirror, the sky reflected onto the ground and the horizon melts into a giant blue mass. At the center of the Salar there are a small number of "islands", which are in actuality the remaining peaks of ancient volcanoes submerged during the era of Lake Minchin. The islands add to the distinctive geography of the salt flats, containing unusual and fragile coral-like structures and deposits that often consist of fossils and algae. =

Incahuasi Island One of the most spectacular attractions on the Salt Flats of Uyuni, Incahuasi Island is full of enormous cacti, some of which date back more than 900 years. Petrified coral dominates the island’s landscape that was created after the crash of tectonic plates that formed the Andes. These corals are an unusual and important natural attraction for visitors interested in geology and natural history. Following a trail to the top of the island, visitors can enjoy extraordinary views of the vast Salar de Uyuni and the snowcapped mountain peaks in the distance. On the island, visitors will also find a small restaurant and toilet facilities. Ojos del Salar The Ojos del Salar, or “the Salt Lake’s Eyes”, are two perfectly shaped round ponds between the Laguna Cejar and the Salar de Atacama. The geological anomalies exemplify the unusual behavior of the Salar and were formed when water from nearby underground rivers poked through the salt surface. The hot spring environment found at the Ojos de Salar is popular with locals and tourists alike, many of whom take a dip to wash off salt or simply enjoy the unique salinity of the lagoons which allow ones body to easily float atop the turquoise surface. Coquesa Village, Mummies and Tunupa On the massive vacant Salar towns are a few and far between. However, located in the northern part of the salt desert, a small town with a church and a few thatched roof stone houses can be found. Known for its mummies, Coquesa Village is an interesting attraction at the foot of the Tunupa Volcano. Dating back to Incan times, the mummies found a few minutes up the hill from the center of town are a natural Salar wonder. Buried hundreds of years ago, the Incan bones have been perfectly preserved due to the Salar’s unique combination of high altitude, lack of water and low humidity. Though believed to have been 4

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buried with numerous personal possessions, thieves have long since robbed the bodies of their precious garments and jewels. Regardless, it is still quite the remarkable site to come across the bodily remains of the famous Inca Empire. Only a few kilometers further up the fill from the Coquesa mummies, is the base of Tunupa Volcano. For visitors who chose to make the 3 to 4 hour ascent to the top of the Tunapa peak, astounding, matchless panoramic views of the Salar de Uyuni and Salar de Coipasa await. Colchani & the Salt Processing plants Colchani is a small town located just 20 kilometers outside of Uyuni that tends to serve as the first stop for most visitors before they continue on into the Salar. In Colchani there is a useful market where one can find many goods that are helpful once on the great salt flats. Along with typical Salar souvenirs such as handmade salt crafts, vendors in the market sell alpaca gloves, sweaters, warm hats and sun glasses- all of which prove to be a big help to those on an excursion to the Salt Flats and vibrant lagoons Most of the families in Colchani depend on salt processing for a majority of their income. Many of them will allow visitors to tour their small factories and witness the still rudimentary process of dehydration and iodization. If you do chose to visit the salt processing plants, a small tip to the family is highly appreciated. Galaxias Caves South of the Salar, close to a picturesque village of Agua Kisa is an amazing cave that was only recently discovered by two locals of the nearby town. Originally looking for mummies and archaeological remains of pre-Incan and Incan civilizations of the area, they accidentally came across these incredible caves that provide geological proof of the formation of the High Plateau and the mountain Ranges. The extraordinary Galaxias Caves consist of stalactites and stalagmites, and are protected and conditioned for visitors. The two locals who found the caves are in charge of the protection and the maintenance of the site. To see the unique formations, visitors must be an admission fee is 20 Bs. per person. Train Cemetery A storied Salar de Uyuni attraction, the Train Cemetery is a large graveyard of abandoned trains and coaches that have been long forgotten abandoned since the mid 1900’s, when they originally used to transport minerals from the Bolivian mines to Chile and the rest of the

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world. Now all that remains of the mostly American and UK made locomotives are the rusted, antique shells on the flat expanse of the Salar. San Juan San Juan is a small town located in the southwest corner of Salar de Uyuni, 127 Kilometers away from the city of Uyuni. Historically, the main activity in the area has been organic Quinoa cropping. However over the past few years tourism has become a new chief source of income and quite a few hostels, lodges and eateries have popped up ready to serve those wanting to spend the night. Along with being a stop on the Salar road, San Juan is known for the mummies that were found in the area. Located within what has been dubbed “The Necropolis” is a group of preIncan tombs in shape of beehives. The ancient culture that created these tombs had a strong belief in the afterlife that led them to decorate the burial chambers with ornate garments, ceramics and jewelry, varying in degree depending on the importance of the person who was buried in.

ACTIVITIES Restaurants Due to the vast and desolate landscape that defines the Salar, there are not an abundance of options for dining. In Uyuni there are a few recommended restaurants around the main Clock Square including the Restaurant 16 de Julio and Arco Iris Pizza. A few blocks away from the center, at Camacho Avenue on the corner of Colon Street there is another small pizza place named Dona Isabella where the owner makes a wonderful Swedish style pie. The quinoa pie is a house specialty.

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TRAVEL PLANNING WEATHER The Salar de Uyuni has a relatively stable average temperature with a peak of 21°C between November to January and low of 13 °C in June. The nights are cold all throughout the year, with temperatures averaging between -9 and 5 °C. Additionally, the air is relatively dry with humidity levels hovering around 30 to 45% year round. With a desert-like geography, the region only gets about 1 to 3 millimeters of rainfall per month between April and November, though sometimes increasing up to 70 millimeters in January. Outside the month of January, the Salar de Uyuni experiences less than five days of rain per month.

MONEY & ATMS Nowadays, Bolivians prefer the national Boliviano over other world currencies. US Dollars are still accepted but with more regulations and at a lower rate than in the past. As of July 2013, USD$1 is equivalent to 6.9 Bs. There are a few ATM’s around Calle Potosi and the main square of Uyuni. However, the machines often run out of money, especially on the weekends. It’s advised to pull out money in La Paz or elsewhere before coming to Uyuni or to travel with some extra cash in foreign currency. In and around the square there are a few Casas de Cambio or moneychangers, who while they don’t offer the most advantageous rates, can help you get some Bolivianos in a pinch.

MEDICAL SERVICES Most of the major cities in Bolivia will have quality medical assistance; unfortunately due to isolation of the Salar medical services are not always readily available as in other locations throughout Bolivia. Uyuni has a hospital, but for major treatments or serious injuries it is better to go either to Potosi, Sucre or if possible, fly to La Paz where you can get a better quality of professional assistance. For those with international medical insurance, private hospitals can fill out a form for you verifying your expenses and the medical treatment you received during your stay there. However payment for medical assistance will still need to be made by cash or Credit Card (Visa and Master Card preferable).

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SAFETY The city of Uyuni is relatively save, but as in the rest of Bolivia visitors should be careful when carrying valuables, although instances of assault or robbery (even pickpockets) are relatively unheard of.

INTERNET Internet connection in Bolivia is not very fast and is quite expensive, although it is widely available in all major cities. While it may be available at times in Uyuni, having a constant connection should not be counted on. Most hotels and a growing number of restaurants offer free Wi-Fi service. If you are not traveling with a personal laptop, tablet or smartphone, Internet and computer access at several coffee shops around the main avenue is available. The fee for one hour of Internet connection is normally around 10 Bs.

LAUNDRY Very rarely, hotels in Uyuni provide laundry service as a normal ammenity, but depending on your itinerary, laundry service can be requested. Just make sure your clothes will be ready by the day you are leaving the hotel.

VISAS A huge number of nations aren’t required to have a visa to enter Bolivia, however you should check at the Bolivian embassy in your country to see if you need one or not before arriving in Bolivia. American citizens are now required to apply for a visa, which is not difficult to get and the Bolivian embassy charges $135 per person. Only Americans can purchase this visa at the border or at the airport. A passport is required for entry as is a filled and signed visa application form. It is advised to check with the embassy for up-to-date visa regulations before coming to Bolivia.

BORDER CROSSINGS Some Bolivian borders are quite crowded because of the number of travelers and locals commuting in and out of Bolivia. If your coming to Bolivia from a country where a visa is required, it is important to remember to still have a copy of your passport and have a photocopy of the visa given at the Bolivian embassy. No extra charges are should be applied. It is advised to never leave your luggage unattended at the border crossings, especially if you do not have a travel agency helping you with the paper work and transferring your luggage from one country to the other.

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TIPPING Local Bolivians do not regularly tip at restaurants or when using a taxi, but in the tourism industry, guides, drivers, porters, bellboys, room service and anyone providing service to tourist will expect a tip from foreign visitors. Of course this will depend on the efficiency and quality of service that has been provided. Customary tips for such services include USD$10 to a guide and USD$5 for the driver. For longer tours it is appreciated to tip is around USD$20 a day for the guide and $10 for the driver.

GETTING HERE FROM ORURO The best choice other than a somewhat uncomfortable 4x4 is to take a train. However, a new road is under construction and word is that it might be ready by late 2015 or early 2016. A copy of the current train schedule from Oruro can be found here: http://www.fca.com.bo/contenido.php?seccion=2&subseccion=41

FROM LA PAZ a. By Plane: Amazonas and TAM Airlines (Military Air Transportation) are the only companies providing air transfers between La Paz and Uyuni. b. By Bus: A number of bus companies provide daily service from La Paz to Uyuni and vice versa. They can be caught at the local bus stations however they only leave at night and are an overnight ride. For those wishing to travel during the day, the best option is to catch the more frequent bus to Oruro (3-4 hours) and train it to Uyuni from there.

FROM CHILE If you are driving your own car, the easiest way to travel from Chile to Uyuni is on the route coming from Arica – Tambo Quemado – Patacamaya – Oruro –Uyuni. There are no buses making this specific journey. Another other option is to go through the Atacama dessert, crossing the border at Hito Cajon, where you enter Bolivia and continue on through the Green Lagoon, Dali Valley, Red Lagoon and other various attractions. However, it should be noted there are not any gas stations or mechanical assistance from the border to Uyuni, roughly 400 kilometers, so if you do chose this route make sure your tank is full and your car can handle the long ride.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS ALTITUDE SICKNESS When planning any trip to Bolivia it is important to take into account the possible side effects the altitude can have. Altitude sickness is often a result of the lower levels of oxygen in the air found above 2,500 meters. Altitude sickness presents itself as a collection of symptoms not unlike a mild hangover. Symptoms can include drowsiness, nausea, headache, shortness of breath, upset stomach, lightheadedness or trouble sleeping. In most cases, the body acclimates in one to two days and the symptoms of altitude sickness disappear on their own. The best advice for travelers arriving at high elevation destinations is to get rest, drink plenty of water, eat light, avoid alcohol and to not overexert yourself. There are inexpensive, over the counter medications available in drugstores such as Diamox that treat symptoms should they not go away on their own. To treat or prevent altitude sickness, locals commonly recommend Coca tea (mate de coca) as well has carb-heavy meals and snacks high in potassium. Serious cases can also be treated with the help of oxygen tanks. In the most extreme cases, altitude sickness may require medical attention, with victims treated with a cocktail of steroids, medication, or hyperbolic chambers. Casual travelers are unlikely to reach elevations high enough to pose a serious danger in Bolivia.

SUNBURN & HEAT EXHAUSTION With Bolivia location close to the equator and most of the country’s cities at high altitude, the sun is extremely intense even when it may not feel that way. This is also true during the rainy season and winter. Regardless of when you are in the country it is important to wear sufficient sunscreen, frequently reapplying to protect against the strong rays. Additionally, using sunglasses and wearing a hat can help prevent sunstroke. Lastly, it is also recommended to always carry a bottle of water, as remote areas of Bolivia may not have drinking water available. If you begin to feel lightheaded or experience symptoms of sunstroke, make sure to stop and rest in the shade with some water close at hand.

ANIMAL BITES It is important to avoid direct contact with all animals in order to prevent the chance of any disease, injury or illness as a result. Any bites or scratches should be immediately washed and medically treated. Some tips before you go: • • •

Make sure your vaccinations are update before you travel Advise children of the dangers and make sure to supervise them whenever around animals Alert your doctor after your trip if any scratch or bite occurred while traveling

FOOD The leading cause of illness for most travelers is disease from food and water. Here are a few tips for safe eating and drinking to pay attention to: • • • • • •

Wash your hands as often as possible and travel with some hand sanitizer if possible Make sure that your water is bottled with a fastened cap or boiled before drinking Avoiding ice cubes and tap water is recommended whenever possible Only eat fully cooked meals bought from street vendors and restaurants Avoid non-pasteurized dairy products Vomiting and diarrhea can occur from food and water diseases, so make sure to purchase diarrhea medication before your trip to treat mild cases

WHAT TO BRING Around Bolivia in general the high altitude can bring intense heat during the day as well as frigid cold nights once the sun goes down. Packing for a variety of conditions while trying to keep your bags light can be a challenge. The best recommendation is to consider bringing layers that can easily be added and removed based on current temperatures. A simple key to remember is that base layers (lightweight polyester or synthetic) manage moisture, middle layers (fleece or wool) are meant for insulating and outer layers (rain/wind shells) protect you from them the elements such as wind. An all-purpose jacket is especially handy for Uyuni weather as are comfortable shoes, and depending on your activities, special clothing’s for hiking or camping. If you are under specific medical supervision, make sure you bring enough medicine with you since all prescriptions may not be readily available under Bolivian pharmacy system and most probably not in Uyuni. A suggested packing list is provided below: • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Comfortable boots/shoes with good ankle support. Light weight trousers/shorts T-shirts (avoid cotton, it holds moisture in and keeps you cold) Long-sleeved shirt (also helps protect from the sun) Lightweight underwear and socks (thermal underwear can be extremely beneficial) Fleece or wool jacket Rain shell Hat or cap to protect from the sun Sun tan lotion, lip balm, sunglasses Money belt Camera with spare batteries or a charger Rubber sandals (useful for in the shower) Binoculars Water bottle

ABOUT TURISBUS

We are one of the most important operators of Incoming Tourism in Bolivia, with decades of experience in culture and nature trips around Bolivia and southern Peru, providing services operated by us and from selected tour operators that allow us to provide responsible, efficient and dependable services. We develop strategic partnerships to support communities and local enterprises of lake transportation and food in Isla del Sol and Isla de la Luna, boosting job creation and tourism development in Bolivia. We have an excellent team of professionals that guarantee the quality of services, and turn every customer into a friend. We have a large fleet of modern vehicles of different capacities, in addition to trekking equipment that with the work of the guides team and sales staff, become our greatest assets available to the customer. We are recommended in the tourist guides South American Handbook, Bolivia Handbook, Guide Routard, Lonely Planet and many more. However, the best recommendations are from our own customers every day.

CONTACT US La Paz, Bolivia C. Illampu 704 Tel (591-2) 245 1341 Tel (591-2) 245 1658 La Paz - Bolivia experiences.turisbus@gruporosario.travel

Visit us at online:

Santiago, Chile Ebro 2869 Dept. 801, Las Condes Tel (56-2) 2717 4645 Cel (599) 8201 9838 Santiago - Chile gerencia.chile@gruporosario.travel