Peru to Salar de Uyuni
 

I am planning a 2.5 week trip to Peru starting in early August. Thus far my itinerary is Lima -> Cusco -> Arequipa -> Lake Titicaca/Puno -> Salar de Uyuni -> Lima. I know that the salt flats are quite remote. Can anyone give me any advice on getting there quickly and cheaply from Puno? Also, does anyone have recommendations for tour companies? I am looking for a pretty quick tour of the salt flats.
Thanks!

You need to go via La Paz. You can get the bus via Copacabana. Puno to Copa takes a couple of hours and a further five to LP. Nice trip. Bus is cheapest, flowed by train ( infrequent) and flying is clearly the quickest.

I would recommend Tupiza Tours. Not the cheapest but going for one of the cheapie operators is a false economy IMl. 3 nights 4 days is the optimum tour length.

We took a different route there details on our blog @ http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog...ai/6/tpod.html

Might be easier if you miss out Arequipa

I took a night bus from La Paz to Uyuni so you wont loose time. I think it were like 8 to 10 hours and there are many companies going! then you can start right the next day with you salar de uyuni tour. sadly I dont remember my tour operator but I booked it already in La Paz so they picked us up at the bus stop in Uyuni and we started with the tour right away. I guess on the way back I would recommend you to fly. Check with peruvian airlines there might be some fairly cheep offers from la paz to lima!

For you bus trips in Peru you might want to check out busportal to compare and buy your tickets. Really useful!

Oh and in uyuni there different tour options. I think you can even do just a one day tour if you are short on time. But I would suggest you to do the 3 day tour!

Probably the fastest from Puno is the bus to La Paz and then fly to Uyuni. The standard tours from Uyuni are a day less than from Tupiza.

You might also fly from Cusco to la Paz. You seem to be backtracking going Cusco -Arequipa-Puno, is there a reason for that? Do you things booked you can't change?

Kanoo Tours in La Paz has good info and booking services.

Also check re new flight routings between Peru and Bolivia, eg Arequipa-LaPaz, Lima-La Paz, Cusco-La Paz. Try Amaszonas or Peruvian Airlines.