Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > South America
South America Topics specific to South America only.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Like Tree1Likes
  • 1 Post By Petrus

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 30 Apr 2012
Gummikuh's Avatar
Which way??
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: In a Tent
Posts: 185
Salar de Uyuini dry?

Hola!

Anyone been on the Salar de Uyuni last week? We heard today that you still can't go to the island's...

We plan to stay in Sucre for 2-3 weeks and then ride to Uyuni.
Hopefully it's dry by than.


Werner+Claudia
__________________
Just traveling
www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/longwayhome
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 30 Apr 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Dublin
Posts: 181
This was the salar about 10 days ago:



Hopefully it'll be dry by the time you get there. Please take plenty of pictures and post them here.

Dunc.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 30 Apr 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Kapellen/Antwerp
Posts: 100
wet but possible

hello,

A week ago we could enter the Salar in Colchaini. The enterace was verry wet, but we managed to enter at the far most right side. Only for a 1 or 2 km there is water.
Afther that we drove for about 15 km and stay there overnight in the tent. We came out the same way. Foto's on our blog in a few days!
Ils
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 2 May 2012
Banned
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 7
I was there 2 weeks ago and the entrace was moist and the island was impossible to get too, give it anoter week or two and you should be able to go. or jsut ask the tour guides near uyuni they know
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 5 May 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: London, UK
Posts: 57
I was there a week ago and it was dry enough to ride. There was a bit of water at the entrance, 10-20cm. But the rest was good to ride on.

Did not go as far as the Islands as we did not have enough fuel. Uyuni had not fuel at the time...


__________________
Pikipiki Safari - UK to South Africa, Argentina to Colombia 2011/2012
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 8 May 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Surrey
Posts: 142
Smile

Russell
Great picture of you on your bike but I notice no luggage!

Is that what the 2 4x4's are there for?

You look a bit like Ewan Mc too!

Delb
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 13 May 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: London, UK
Posts: 57
Hehe, thanks but I'm definitely not using 4x4s to carry my stuff. I left the panniers behind at the hostal
__________________
Pikipiki Safari - UK to South Africa, Argentina to Colombia 2011/2012
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 19 May 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Surrey
Posts: 142
Hi
i was at the salar today. Virtually completely dry.

one thing I would say is that the dirve from Tupiza to Uyuni is a horrible road from the Rippio stand point. 208 kms of rippio. 2 rivers to cross, not deep and some sand where it has blown across the road. one deep bit had me off.

unless you love rippio i would avoid it. the views are great but you can´t enjoy them for trying to find a smooth track down the road.

i leave for Potosi tomorrow and the locals tell me it is much better! I hope so as I already have sress fractures in my windshield frame, not critical, i know but what has it done to other parts of the bike.

Oh you really should go to see the salar! I actually took a tourist tour for the day / saw far more than I would have if on the bike! 12 pounds including a very nice chicken salad for lunch.

Cheers
debl
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 2 Apr 2015
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Olympia, WA
Posts: 5
February - March?

Is the Salar generally dry around February / March?
__________________
Greg - ATGATT
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 3 Apr 2015
Peter Bodtke's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Maplewood NJ USA
Posts: 588
how dry I am...

Alex Chacón posted a photo on the Horizons Unlimited group on Facebook today April 2, 2014. There appears to still some water at this late date. I was there is early March, 2013 and there were some sections with water, which is really lovely. I don't think you want to visit the Salar when it is completely dry, because you won't get the amazing reflections. If you are concerned about salt on your motorcycle, then take a truck tour for the day or a multiple day package. The prices are very reasonable. I took a three day package, including one day on the Salar and two days visiting the mountains, lakes and rock formations south of Uyuni. I didn't have the proper tires for gravel, sand riding and wanted a break from riding... No regrets. The tour drivers have a reputation for drinking, which I encountered. Make some noise with the the tour company if you decide to sign-up.



They wash the underside of the tour trucks after every trip. Note the coating of salt on the muffler...
__________________
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
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 3 Apr 2015
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 98
Salar de Uyuini dry?

We were on the salar less than two weeks ago. Big parts dry, but als big parts with a lot of water, 15 cm, especialy in the SW part. You can reach the Islands without to much water.
Tip: visit the Lavado (carwash) before you go on the Salar, they give it a good clean and then spray it with oil (diesel) on the engine, rims, electrics etc. Make sure you degrease you brakedisks before riding, the diesel gets everywhere......


www.amsterdamtoanywhere.nl
__________________
www.amsterdamtoanywhere.nl
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 3 Apr 2015
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Olympia, WA
Posts: 5
Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Bodtke View Post
Alex Chacón posted a photo on the Horizons Unlimited group on Facebook today April 2, 2014. There appears to still some water at this late date. I was there is early March, 2013 and there were some sections with water, which is really lovely. I don't think you want to visit the Salar when it is completely dry, because you won't get the amazing reflections. If you are concerned about salt on your motorcycle, then take a truck tour for the day or a multiple day package. The prices are very reasonable. I took a three day package, including one day on the Salar and two days visiting the mountains, lakes and rock formations south of Uyuni. I didn't have the proper tires for gravel, sand riding and wanted a break from riding... No regrets. The tour drivers have a reputation for drinking, which I encountered. Make some noise with the the tour company if you decide to sign-up.



They wash the underside of the tour trucks after every trip. Note the coating of salt on the muffler...
Thanks Peter. I plan on crossing the Salar as part of my route heading south.
__________________
Greg - ATGATT
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 3 Apr 2015
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Olympia, WA
Posts: 5
Quote:
Originally Posted by Petrus View Post
We were on the salar less than two weeks ago. Big parts dry, but als big parts with a lot of water, 15 cm, especialy in the SW part. You can reach the Islands without to much water.
Tip: visit the Lavado (carwash) before you go on the Salar, they give it a good clean and then spray it with oil (diesel) on the engine, rims, electrics etc. Make sure you degrease you brakedisks before riding, the diesel gets everywhere......


Amsterdam to anywhere
Thank you for the great advice! I will add that to my notes.
__________________
Greg - ATGATT
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Cheap Dry Tube Bags Revenue Equipment Reviews 4 14 Feb 2012 22:29
Current conditions in Salar de Uyuni? Mr Steam Turbine South America 3 20 Dec 2011 23:32
Meet up to ride the Salar de Uyuni - late November 2011 whereskyle South America 1 9 Nov 2011 01:13

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 20:42.