salar-day 1
Day 1: TUPIZA to SAN ANTONIO DE LIPEZ
We ascended to Quebrada de Palala from Tupiza, and then to El Sillar with a lunar landscape, continuing to the mining areas of Nazarenito, Chilcobija, Cerrillos, Polulos, Rio San Pablo until we reached the abandoned village of San Antonio de Lipez.
Train late, waiting.
The tour group is made up of 1 French couple + 2 x British Girls + myself.
The driver/tour guide/cook helper/luggage assistant was Edgar Huayta. He was only 22 years old.
We hired the tour from Tupiza Tour: http://www.tupizatours.com/
The Nissan didn't break down during our trip. Our tour guide doesn't speak much English but I think he's a great guy and I would highly recommend him. However, I can't say the same for the other tour guide also in Tupiza Tour. The other group doesn't seem as happy as us. I would say Tupiza Tour is better than the average tour companies you can find around that area, but your tour experience also depends on who your tour guide is.
Also the Mitru hotel is OK, not luxury but good enough. The hotels in the tour is... well... as advertised. The sales lady told me the hotels are "really, really basic", trust me, she meant it.
.activity:Salt Flat Tour
In 2003, the EL Nino caused heavy snowfall, all llama concentrated in one area and died.
In 2003, the EL Nino caused heavy snowfall, all llama concentrated in one area and died.
