SShprints

Hello.
A couple of questions about Uyuni.

We plan to arrive to Uyuni on Aug. 14 in the morning and want to take the 3 day jeep tour. Do we first take a taxi to the town and then go through different tour agencies?

Is there a tour agency that is recommended?

We would return from the tour in the PM of Aug 16 and need a place to stay. Should we stay in the town? Or should we take a taxi to the Salt Hotel outside of town?
Is there a recommended hotel?

Should I book anything in advance or should I figure everything out when we get there?

Sergey

crellston

We are on our way down to Uyuni and will be there about a month after you. My research is leading me to use www.tupizatours.com who operate out of Tupiaza rather than Uyuni as apparently there tours go in the opposite direction from most and are less crowded at the major sites. We also bumped into an Australian couple last week who had just come from there and who were raving about http://www.ciudaddelencantotours-tupiza.com/en/ who provided a great tour at a competitive price.
We are opting to go from Tupiaza partly because we are planning on a return to NW Argentina.
I think both of these agencies operate out of Uyuni as well as Tupiaza.

As for booking, we are not on a tight schedule so could book on arrival but I do feel that the best guides and driver will be booked in advance ( and I have had heard horror stories of drunk drivers, broken vehicles etc.) so I am in two minds whether to book in advance or when we get there. By all accounts it is best to spend as little time in Uyuni town as possible!

Mlgb has done the trip and will hopefully see this and comment.

mlgb

Hi there, yes I did this from Uyuni a few years back. I went a bit more off season (warmer then too) and booked when I arrived in Uyuni on Blue Line Service, just walked around and got prices and it turned out they had an empty seat due to a no show and the road blockades. It is a bit of a crap shoot however this agency at the time was used by the travel agency in the lobby of the Hotel Rosario in La Paz. All of the agencies have pretty much the same type of car (Toyota Landcruiser) and chances are you will be in the same type of hotels (salt hotels with basic shared accommodation). The food varies a bit from agency to agency, but don't expect much. The scenery makes up for any inconveniences. I was more interested in the Red Lake (Laguna Colorada) and the Uyuni schedule works better for that. I probably would not pay extra for the English speaking guide, who will likely just take up an extra seat. Try to get a tour with no more than 6 in the car, including driver. For July definitely rent a sleeping bag.

I have a trip report under my name.
http://www.fodors.com/community/sout...e-nov-2011.cfm

I have been informed on Tripadvisor that there is no longer a bus from the airport into town, so grab a taxi at the Uyuni airport, or prebook your tour and ask for a pickup.

I never did have to stay in Uyuni, but getting on a night bus was not a good idea. I should have spent the night. Travel in Bolivia needs to include a bit of flexibility and extra days built in.

No body was having issues with drunk drivers or any of the other complaints (I often wonder if these are exaggerated by the Tupiza operators). However it isn't uncommon for cars to need maintenance somewhere along the way (tire/oil/bits underneath the car). I think that is partly why the drivers try to go as a group from place to place, in case of the need to do repairs or transfer passengers to other cars.

PS I would try to get to Potosi if possible, I really liked the center of town and the old Mint. I believe the road is now paved the entire way so should be about 5 hours?

SShprints

Hi! Thanks!
We already have tickets booked on Amazsonian. 7:30am arrive in Uyuni on 8/14 and 7am departure from Uyuni on 8/17
This gives us time for a 3 day jeep tour and we will need to spend the night in Uyuni afterwards. I have already reached out to Blue Line and waiting for a quote.
Do you guys recommend a hotel in town?
Do I need to bring a sleeping bag with me from the US or can I rent one from them?
I won't need an english guide as my companion is Bolivian.

mlgb

So how was it?

MaribelAustin

I was wandering if you can get a sleeping bag there?

crellston

Yes you can get a sleeping bag there