Hi, Crellston!

I see you remember I told you in the other thread Angie was the right person to answer your question about crossing from Bolivia to our NW.

I have told her about this thread and we should have her answer as soon as she is able to read her mail.

So, JIC other forum members wonder who is Angie, who posts here as Flintstones?

Well, Angie Valdez is, the way I see it, the best independent guide in our NW, with her own transportation.

And now with her own B&B?

I used her years ago and she is prominently featured in this trip report: http://tinyurl.com/jsgu8

You can further research her here or by using TA's search feature.

Her e-mail is: angie_guide@hotmail.com

Have a great time in our country.

I have realized you need to copy her whole address, to get it right: angie_guide@hotmail.com

I am a bit delayed with the construction but I hope to get enough work to finish the B&B in July. I will be pleased to have you as a guest!!! In August I will go to Cochabamba too!!! about Aug 15th!
you can take a bus from LA PAZ or if you are in Cochabamaba 3,5 hs ride to ORURO and from there you can take a train to UYUNI (if you want to do a stop there....) or directly to VILLAZON, the border. The crossing is easy... you have to check out before leaving Bolivia, cross the border and then you will se a long line on the right... ignore it because that is usually for big bus crossing. So, go directly to the window and ask how you should do it... you will not have to wait so long.
If you are close to Cochabamba in August, do not miss the celebrations for Virgen de Urlupuña!!! I will be there...
Flintstones

Many thanks for the information flintstones. Get working on that B&B i would love to be one of your first guests! We are planning on going to Uyuni and, if the timing works, as it may well do, we will look out for you in Cochambamba! We do love a good fiesta are in Spain at the moment and celebrated the fiesta for Virgen de Dolores which was some party, lasting around 5 days and nights!!

I'm interested in going in the other direction - Argentina to Bolivia. Do the same directions work in reverse?

You are very welcome. Crellston, count with it.
Virgen de Urkupiña Festivities is also very interesting. There are around 48 different etnic groups dancing all around anf if you get a miniature and get it blessed, you get it.
I will probably be staying at Las Vegas Hotel... in Cochabamba and at Majestic in La PAz if we can do both cities...
You will probably be my first guests... I will be happy to share empanadas with you.
Flintstones

Thursdaysd; from Argentina the road is nice an interesting... You can get a tour and being left in the border or take a bus (7 hours. The tour goes throughout Quebrada de HUmahuaca and would take much longet but.... much more interesting, with stops in Purmamarca, Tilcara and Humahuaca and can be take pictures in the way. The bus is usually a night service to the border.
in Villazon you can take a bus to Tupiza and then a train or bus to UYUNI or a tour ... or you can take a train form Villazon to UYUNI. Take only Clase Salon, it is a grat service and you cna choose the food you like best. The one included in Executive class is....
Another advantage of going in tours to the border means that you are being aclimatized as you go up slower.
you can also get info about trains at http://www.fca.com.bo/
If you need more info, feel free to make questions....
Angie/Flintstones

Thanks very much, Angie. I'm still sorting the photos from my last trip, but hope to get down to serious planning next week.