my name is dagan. I'm from israel traveling for 2 month from south to north.
I'm traveling on kawasaki klr 650.
looking for partner for Bolivia and maybe Peru.
I planning to enter Bolivia from the south (Argentina or Chile) hedging to north thru the Salar solt desert somewhere around 10-20.3.14.
Please if anyone looking for a partner send me an email.
dagan-l-@hotmail.co.il
good luck for all, best trip, best people!

Heya Dagan, The Salar is under water at the moment, fresh info as at 5 minutes ago.

March is the peak of the rain season thus may make it difficult to cross the Salar

We are doing what you are doing but plan to hit the Salar end of April beginning of May when wet season has finished so you are a little early for us.

Best for your trip too, the weather may be good anyway, just be ready for Plan B if needed.

Cheers Andi & Ellen

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Cheers Andi & Ellen .... https://twomotokiwis.blogspot.com/ Two Moto Kiwis Alaska - Argentina - April 2012 -> Somewhere

Due to planning to cross the Salar de Uyuni: Can you tell me the source, where I can get always the actual information about the water level on the salar?

Joerg

Crossing Argentina to Bolivia 1st week in March . Will select route to Peru after checking road conditions. Perhaps we can meet.

Xfiltrate and Rosa del desierto riding 2 NX400s.

Heya Joerg

This info is current with Tobius (Norseweger) having just past it and Breechi last week, also from an English cyclist who said too deep for him.

I don't know of an information source or site you can go to sorry, just the guys who are there now.

This info will change too weather dependent, if the weather drys up and all good then it will be easy to pass, if not I guess not.

Best things to do do on day approaching is check back on here to see if anyone in there or close.

Cheers Andi

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Cheers Andi & Ellen .... https://twomotokiwis.blogspot.com/ Two Moto Kiwis Alaska - Argentina - April 2012 -> Somewhere

Ok, thank you. Then we will see, when we are closer.

Joerg

pleas write me your e mail or send me a messege in email
dagan-l-@hotmail.co.il

the salar is completely dry.
no problem to pass.

Great news, we will be there in another month or so lets hope it is still dry then

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Cheers Andi & Ellen .... https://twomotokiwis.blogspot.com/ Two Moto Kiwis Alaska - Argentina - April 2012 -> Somewhere

Just go. The salar is never full covered with water and when there is lot so water, you can take roads around the salar. If you want to see the salar there is too much water for you're liking, then take a truck/jeep tour and keep your bike salt free.

A friend who conducted tours in Bolivia for years told me the wind pushes the water toward the eastern edge, where the puddles are deepest. I was there in early March 2013. In places there was a little water (0.5 inch puddles here and there), but I was with local guides, so they might know how to avoid the deeper sections. The tour operators dedicate vehicles to the salt and save other vehicles for their tours south of town. The trucks are washed every time they return from the salar and you can see how the salts cakes up.




I left my bike in a secure lot own by a hostel and took a three day package. First day on the salar and the next two days, two nights touring south of town. The price was reasonable, and like most things in Latin America the final cost was negotiated.

One day on the salt was enough for me. Some want to see sunrise, camp out and watch the stars reflect on the salt water. Do know that it gets cold at night, so be prepared if you are camping.

The package tour south of Uyuni was very cool. The roads are paved between the larger towns, then are mostly gravel once you get into the hills. Personally I needed a break from riding and enjoyed being in a truck/jeep for a while. My tires weren't set up at that point to manage the rough roads with the typical surplus of crap strapped on and weighing the bike down. Fine for tarmac, sucks on loose gravel. Could have, but glad to have taken a break. My reflections on gravel should be ignored by those that enjoy hours and hours of off road riding.

If you do take a multi-day package tour, insist that the drivers are told by the owner/manager not drink -- before the tour leaves town. Another traveler shared that the drivers were up late drinking on the first night out and I chewed out one of my drivers that was drinking during morning break. Later I reported the incident to the owner, who said he would suspend the driver... I may sound like a hard ass on this point, but know that the drivers are putting in long hours on bad roads, so you don't want to reduce your safety with a driver that has been tossing back brews.

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Peter B
2008/09 - NJ to Costa Rica and back to NJ
2012/13 - NJ to Northern Argentina, Jamaica, Cuba and back to NJ
2023 - Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia...back to Peru.

Blogs: Peter's Ride

Hi there !

I will go on Uyuni in a week or less. I do the same from south to north. currently I am in San Pedro de Atacama.
silviu_florea@yahoo.com