BOLIVIA - CHILE
Infos about the trip

The trip has been devoted essentially to the visit of the Bolivian plateau, of the parks, deserts and andean salars. I traveled for most of the time to altitudes between 3500 and 4500 mt and the altitude represents the biggest problem; considering that I had never had experiences in high mountain the thing worried me a lot before the departure, fortunately has not caused big problems to me if not headache and insomnia in the first days of trip. However you have not absolutely to underestimate the mountain-sickness, before making a trip like this it is ABSOLUTELY advisable to consult a physician.

La mappa del viaggio (~ 65 Kb)

ITINERARY

TRANSPORT
Considering that don't exist direct flights from Europe to Bolivia the flights are quite expensive, so I have chosen to fly to Santiago the Chile and to reach Bolivia with the public transport, in this way I had the possibility to visit the north zones of Chile and to acclimatize me to the altitude. 

In Chile the transports are quite efficient and capillary, bus with armchairs that almost become beds can be chosen for the long distances. 

The aerial connections reach the principal cities but they are also quite expensive because practically Lan Chile holds the monopoly of the aerial connections . 

In Bolivia the biggest problem is represented by the bad conditions of the roads, most of them are excavated, the speeds are very low and you "jump" for almost all the trip. However I have found public transport more comfortable than I expected, for the nighttime trip it is worth the punishment to choose bus cama provided with comfortable armchairs and a lot of space for the legs, it is also advisable to have warm clothes considering that the heating often doesn't work; for the route served (Oruro-Uyuni-Tupiza) it is advisable to choose the train, decidedly more comfortable than the buses. 

CLIMATE
I expected to find a polar climate and I was equipped with a big quantity of warm clothes, really the climate has been excellent with pleasant temperatures, I have spent quite a lot days in shorts and t-shirt; I found rigid temperatures only during the visit of the lagoons to 4500 mt with a really icy wind. In each case it is worth the punishment to also equip with warm and protect-wind clothes because between the day and the night there is a notable thermal excursion.

FOOD
In Bolivia the food doesn't have me particularly thrilled with the exception of the good lake Titikaka's salmon-trout and the fruit-shakes prepared to the Sucre market, to try the Salteñases: small "football ball" full of meat, spices and vegetables that Bolivian eat in the middle of the morning. 

In Chile excellent the sea-food, to not miss to Santiago a lunch to base of fish in the Mercado Central even accompanied by a good Chilean wine. 

DANGERS & ANNOYANCES
Unlike other regions of the South America, all the zones I visited seemed me absolutely safe, the population is very warm; besides the normal precautions is necessary to pay some attention in the big cities and to the frequent strikes that stop for days some zones of Bolivia.

COSTS
Bolivia is absolutely a convenient country, Chile a little bit expensive; credit cards are very little diffused (however ATMs for withdrawal of cash can be found in the big cities), to change money it is better to bring US$ cash, the TCs are changed almost anywhere with very unfavorable rates.

PLACE TO STAY
I lodged exclusively in pensions and small hotels, in every case to the exception of the big cities, only simple lodgings are available and therefore is necessary a little bit of adaptation; generally hot water is not available for the whole day, almost all the lodgings have a laundry-service. 
Positive note for the people travels alone, there is not surcharges for the single rooms, generally a little bit of bargain for the cost of the rooms can be done.

The pensions where I sojourned:

Arica 
Resindecial Chungará: not so good, is decidedly the accommodation that has liked me less, in remuneration the owners are very kind and available. 

La Paz 
Hotel Happy Days: in central position and therefore very comfortable for the city-visit. 

Copacabana 
Hostal del Sol: just in front of the bus stop.

Sucre 
Hostal Charcas: just in front of the central market, the owner is very available, she also organizes the excursion to the Tarambuco Sunday market.

Potosì 
Hostal Maria Victoria: the rooms are leaned out on a beautiful patio in colonial style but my room was a little bit cold (also because it is to 4000 mt). 

Tupiza 
Hotel Mitru: beautiful atmosphere there is also a kitchen to disposition of the guests and a good travel agency. 

Uyuni 
Hotel Avenida: just in front of the train station.

San Pedro de Atacama 
Casa Corvatsch: pleasant even if my room was minuscule, the use of water and electricity is suspended after 10 pm. 

Calama 
Residencial Toño: not so good, next to the bus station.

Santiago 
YHA Hostel: of discreet level and next to the bus station and to the subway. 
Hotel París: in the city-center, discreet even if my bed was a creaking only. 

LINKS

Copyright © 2001 Giuseppe Ruperto. All rights reserved.