alternate salar routes in bolivia

[lorraine]

Here's an alternate route to the Salar's in Bolivia if you want to avoid corrogation, though admittedly, I only did part of it. You'd start in Chile, and after crossing the Colchane/Pisiga border you head east 10 k until reaching a tiny pueblo on the right hand side. There's a tiny dirt track that begins just beyond the pueblo, and quickly heads away from the main corrugated road (which if you follow goes to Oruru). After 1 1/2 hours of powder, no services and just a few houses here and there, you'll reach Villa Vitalina, a small pueblo. You can't get supplies here during the winter, as most people leave and head for better grazing for their animals.
You'll see Salar de Coipasa and there's a map of sorts at the main entrance which leads you first across the Salar, then across to Jirira, the entrance to Salar de Uyuni.

You can also get to Salar de Coipasa from Oruru, Bolivia by turning off at Sabaya, but the track is a few hours of corrugation. You can buy supplies in Sabaya and there's a hotel there too.

I did this route in my 1978 Chevy van during the dry season and had no problems. But again, services are scarce.

Lorraine