Bolivia (Salar de Uyuni): Looking for riding companions starting Dec 13-16
 

Hi there:

I'm currently in La Paz and headed to do the Death Road tomorrow. I'm planning on arriving in Uyuni about a week from this Friday, somewhere around the 14th of December. My desire is to do the full circuit (3 days I think?) through the Salar and exit into Chile from the Salar.

I'm somewhat flexible on when to start the Salar... but would love to have a riding companion(s) to do the most difficult part of my trip through Bolivia.

1) If you're interested, please do message me through ADVRider, or through Facebook: (http://facebook.com/davidparkinson) or email: david AT davidparkinson DOT com.
2) Would love any advice any of you have for me. I will definitely be reading a lot of ADVRider and HorizonsUnlimited threads for how to do this ride safely and to enjoy it. I have all the normal concerns like what range I need, how to navigate through it, etc. If you could point me to some threads as well, I'd greatly appreciate it.
3) If it's raining or wet, is it better just not to do it and go by 4x4 instead? I worry about the salt damage to my bike.

Best,
David

Hi David,
I'm now in Uyuni, wanted to drive a part of the salar by bike and stay overnight in my tent, but this afternoon I spoke some people who were on the salar yesterday and it was already partially wet.
This evening it started raining :rain: and even an thunderstorm :stormy:, so booked a 4 wheel drive tour for tomorrow.
It's not only the damage from the wet salt to your bike, more dangerous is that the surface can get as slippery as ice.
So I think, we were late as the raining season has started.
Hope to be of help with this information, tomorrow can even tell you more detailed.

Stan

Thanks for the info Stan.... I know I'm late and it's going to really bum me out if I can't do the ride on the bike.

David,
Was on the salar today, most of it is under water rest is sludge (wet but not under water)
My advice, book a tour by 4 wheel drive, they even take it very slow.
But it's still worth while.
Don't risk your life and/or bike.

I'm off tomorrow to san Pedro de Atacama, by the lagoons track.
Heard reports of snow :oops2:,
well I'll see what I encounter, hope it's gone.

How quick conditions change !

We were at Uyuni/Salar last week and did a 3 day tour (Sun->Tue) and it was sill dry. But there was a big storm on the Tuesday night.

In Sucre now, sort of sunny here, bit had a good lashing down 2 nights ago.

Damn this rainy season .... time to head to the coast of Peru ??? :-)