We, 17 people, most of whom I already knew because we’d stayed at the same hostel in San Pedro, hopped onto a bus just after sunrise at 7.30 am and were driven to the Chilean border control outside of San Pedro. Like all other vehicles we were to wait there for around two hours before allowed through, because there had been an accident somewhere on the road and also because it was likely to rain, which usually means that the steep dirt road connecting Chile with Bolivia would be closed.

Finally, we were allowed to pass and for another hour or so we drove through no man’s land, passing the impressive Mt. Licancabur, until we finally reached the Bolivian border control in the middle of nowhere. It was windy and cold – no wonder, we had reached 4900m above sea level! There is almost only tourists crossing the border at this point, as it’s a major tourist route along the Bolivian / Chilean border and into the famous Salar de Uyuni! Six people plus driver fit into each 4×4 and so we were split up. We were extremely lucky with our driver, as none of the horror scenarios we’d heard so much about came true! It all went smoothly, no breakdowns, no drinking, no skipping sites – Edgar was an experienced driver and (no offence) was quite friendly for a Bolivian…

I am very glad that I agreed to take the tour a day earlier than planned, for I was rewarded with a great travelmate and friend. Thank you, Laura! Plus we had a great time with our fab four other Tour de Uyuni family members!

 

 

 

 

Three days of awesome scenery lay ahead of us:

Day 1)

Laguna Blanca and Laguna Verde 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the road

 

 

 

 

 

Laguna Chalviri and hot springs

 

Geyser Sol de Mañana

 

 

 

Laguna Colorada

It was bloody cold here. I was basically wearing everything I had: long John’s, trousers, rain trousers, short sleeve merino, long sleeve merino, merino jacket, doown west, rain jacket… the refugios at Laguna Colorada, where we spent our first night, are very simple. No showers, no heating. We really appreciated those extra sleeping bags on top of the three blankets. Outside, the temperature drops to -10° C at night!

Day 2)

Stone Tree and other rock formations 

 

 

Cerros Pabelloncito and Agua de Perdiz

 

 

 

 

 

 

Laguna Honda

 

 

Laguna Hedionda

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cerro Sedilla

 

 

 

At the edge of the Salar (this night we spent at a more comfortable salt hotel)

 

 

 

Day 3)

Isla Incahuasi – watching the sunset over Salar de Uyuni 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After breakfast activity : football

 

Making of

 

 

 

In the middle of the Salar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salar covered by 3 cm of water

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…it was a truly marvellous adventure!