Hi I am in Salta and planning to travel to La Paz in a few days and then probably on to Cusco. I would be interested in tagging some company for the trip if anyone is like minded and currently in Salta.
Any advice at border crossing also welcome ie best time to arrive at border, best companys for onward trip to La Paz any pitfalls. Thanks.....Dave.
cardiffboy13
1
steve20050
The scenery north to the border is very colorful desert and many take time to stop and see some of this. However the bus to the border I think is something like 6 or 7 hrs. You will have to leave the bus and cross over the border on foot or taxi, I think is possible though it's only about 20 minute walk to the terminal in Villazon. Being a border town take the usual precautions. You should be able to get the evening bus to Tupiza 2 hrs. north if you leave Salta early in the day. The option of staying on the border isn't as nice as getting to Tupiza, a lot nicer place set in some red desert canyons. Some try to catch the train there in Villazon, but I'm not familiar with the Bolivian train schedule. If you stay at the border I think you would be better off in La Quiaca in Argentina. However if you get to Tupiza I'd would check on the multi day Salar tours to the north as your headed that direction anyways and it is one of the best things to see in Bolivia. Many think the direction of the tour from Tupiza is better than other options. This tour runs around 100 USD dependant on the number of persons in the vehicle and includes visits to some high altitude lakes and eventually to the Salar and Uyuni where you can get connections to La Paz.
2
esterosdelibera
The Salta-LaQuiaca bus trip takes 7 hours and costs 10.00 US$.
www.balutsrl.com.ar</a><BR><BR>Jorge Daniel Barchi.
Buenos Aires.
3
esterosdelibera
Previous report:
Crossing the border from Argentina to Bolivia.
> > > I am coming from Salta and I know I need to get a bus to La Quiaca first, but I want to go directly to Uyuni after, how long does that take in a bus and what is the story with getting Bolivian pesos in the border town?.
* I got the bus from Salta to La Quiaca then crossed over the border to Villazon then got the train from there to Uyuni which took about 9 hours and only leaves once a day I think at 15:30 hours. I am not sure about the buses but the train cost about 50 bolivianos for cattle class and I think it was about 150 for the best class. There are a few money exchange places in Villazon.There are not any ATMs in Uyuni but you can get cash advances so better off taking cash out before getting there.
Jorge Daniel Barchi.
Buenos Aires.
4
esterosdelibera
Previous report:
* Venturing out into the salar is only done on a tour. They are cheap, the vehicle will break down, you will be freezing. You sleep in adobe huts with everyone else..hoping shared body heat will keep you alive. God help you if you have to take a dump at night... especially at Laguna Colorado. But one of the best experiences in South America. Soon as you enter Uyuni you will be deluged with touts.
Jorge Daniel Barchi.
Buenos Aires.
5
esterosdelibera
The following is a previous report:
* We flew to Salta from Buenos Aires and then we went by bus and train the rest of the way to Uyuni. We were on a pokey-tourist-schedule, so it took us 3 days. Day one was a noon bus from Salta to Humahuaca, which took about 6 hours. We spent the night in Humahuaca. The second day, we went from Humahuaca to the Argentine / Bolivian border ( we stayed on the Argentine side in La Quiaca ). The trip took about 4 hours. We also took a side trip to Yavi as well. So my timeline is not really clear. On the third day, we took a cab from La Quiaca to Villazon ( Bolivia ), checked our bags in at the train station, explored by foot and dinked around til around 15:00 hours. We then took an 8 hour train ride to Uyuni ( pay for first class, it is worth it! )... arriving at almost 23:00 hours. Watch your stuff, the Uyuni train station is thick with thieves!. The trains run only certain days each week ( depending on direction ) so do your internet research before settling on a plan. Days later at 20:00 hours, we left Uyuni for La Paz on a 12-hour chicken-n-goat bus ride from hell across a washboard dirt road that was allegedly a main highway. The bus capacity was 55, although 60+ people were on it. Rest stops were the occasional pull over on the side of the road, and go find a bush or tree. Although since it was night, most people did not go to all that trouble. Anyway, think about how / when you will be leaving Uyuni!.
Jorge Daniel Barchi.
Buenos Aires.
7
esterosdelibera
Previous reports:
Buses from Cuzco to La Paz take 12 hours. Buses from La Paz to Uyuni take about 10 hours.
The bus journey between La Paz and Uyuni is very uncomfortable. If you travel overnight make sure you have a blanket or sleeping bag with you. Some buses provide blankets but it is best to be prepared.I do not know what the temperature will be like in December but in May/June it was very cold at night (-20) but warm in the day. It is probably better in December.The tourist office in Uyuni is excellent, all the tour companies are rated by tourists so you can find out who is currently top-rated. We went with Emprexa tours who were very good (we only did a one-day trip though).
* The 16 de Julio bus company takes 12 hours. We left Uyuni at 20:00 hours and arrived in La Paz at around 07:00 hours The fare was 8.00 US$. The road was rather rough the first 5 hours. Then it was paved all the way to La Paz.
Jorge Daniel Barchi.
Buenos Aires.
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