The trip is amazing and well worth every penny, irrelevant to which tour company you go with. Tito tours had a friendly group of staff, although none spoke any English. We did a lot of research around all of the companies in Uyuni, and they pretty much sold identical tours. However should we have wanted an English speaking guide then it would have cost us an additional $90.
Our guide was nothing special - he simply drove us from one point of interest to another, saying as little as possible as he possibly could (in Spanish!) But, despite him being unknowledgeable, the views and scenery pretty much spoke for themselves - it was all breathtaking.
It was a good time of the year to visit the salt flats as the rain creates a layer of water on the surface, giving the impression that the mountains are floating in the distance.
We felt the 3 day tour was enough as ultimately we signed up for the Salt Flats (which you only see for one of the 3 days). On the final day you reach the Chilean border, which you can chose to leave the tour and cross the frontier for the next part of your trip. We chose to travel the 7 hours back to Uyuni, as we wanted to travel to Tupiza and northern Argentina (which is, without a doubt, stunning).
Despite the train being cancelled, and all buses, to Tupiza the day after our return from the salt flats, we managed to get to Tupiza by hitching a lift with Tupiza tours. They are a brilliant company, and had we had a). the money and b). been in Tupiza first, we would certainly have gone with them.
Uyuni can be difficult to get to, so prepare yourself for delays (whether it is from Potosi, La Paz or the border). The roads are not paved and in the rainy season all transport comes to a standstill as the rivers become too high to cross.
Whoever you decide to go with however, you will have a wonderful time. We did hear about other 4x4's experiencing flat tyres and vehicle breakdowns. Perhaps we were just lucky - sometimes it is just the luck of the draw. They also give you this reason why they do not use the more modern vehicles - the ones with electronically aided steering can be damaged in the water? Not sure if this is true, but if you go in the rainy season the 4x4 does cross a lot of water.
Also, if you can go in a tour with 4/5 people it is much better - 8 is rather a squash! |
