Potosi to Atacama without freezing

I'd skip the Potosi travel agencies, and just go directly to Uyuni by bus, which isn't that far. That way, you can choose your own hostel there. Cold places are the usual thing, both in Uyuni or on the salt flats. But you can check to see if there is hot water, and warm covers on your bed. Obviously not possible if you prepay to a Potosi travel agent. You'd probably get a better price on the tour from Uyuni too.

Yup. Go to Uyuni on your own, choose your hotel and tour. Do your best to talk with people just finishing their own tours and try to nail down details in advance, but expect a certain fluidity in plans and standards.

There is exactly zero reason to book a trip to San Pedro in Potosi.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark

I work in the Bolivian tourism industry.
The better hotels can be booked out. From our own experience I know this happens quite a lot. Therefor it can be wise to book in advance. As there are only a few hotels in the area that are better than the basic hostels / shacks (where people generally sleep in dorms) there are not so many rooms available. As most people are ok with sharing the car and sleeping in a dorm in a basic hostel / shack (Bolivia is a backpackers country) it's more likely that you will able to find fellow travelers who are willing to travel more 'basic', but for those who are looking for more comfort there is an alternative. But I do recommend booking in advance to ensure you get to stay in the hotels you want to stay in and avoid disappointments.

I got off the bus in Uyuni at 7 AM and walked to the street where the train station is--headed east and about 3 or 4 blocks later I got a room in a hostel on the left for $8--had hot water in private room and warm blankets. There is a travel agency across the street and after getting my room I walked over and went out an hour later for the day tour. There were a few people on our vehicle doing longer tours and they switched on to another vehicle out on the salt flats. Place I stayed is not in guide book.

Don't believe anything you hear in Potosi--I was told you have to take the expensive evening bus from Potosi to Sucre--walked to bus station and found that a bus leaves every hour for Sucre.

@wanderingjay: from my reading/planning experience (will go to Bolivia in a few weeks), the basic is the most popular. The slightly better (but shared) should be about $100-$150pp more than the basic for the 3-day tours. For some reason even the better hotels switch off the heating in the night! We might do a day tour to the flats instead and unforunately skip the rest.

@xinloi: did you take the bus from La Paz-Uyuni or Potosi-Uyuni? How many hours was your day tour, which company and how much $/pp? Would you recommend this tour operator?

Tookm overnite bus from La Paz to Uyuni--there are two--I took the early one. Took bus from Uyuni to Potosi in daylite. then took day bus from Potosi to Sucre. Returned to La Paz from Sucre by overnite bus.

Can not find my notes on trip so don't know name of tour operator. Lots of tour operators in La Paz and Uyuni setting up trips--shop around

Would anyone have recommendations for the more luxury tours?
I will be in the country late november, and will traveling alone for parts but am thinking to do the salt flats and surroundings with my parents (we are all in the country due to family reasons).
They would prefer a private room and bathroom. I am more easy ;)
Names of tour agencies and and indicative price would be much appreciated. Has anyone here done a tour like that?
I found two operators but am a bit surprised about the prices (especially since we have to fly from Cochambamba also).
All help is much appreciated!