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Cusco to Uyuni?

How to..

14 years ago, November 21st 2009 No: 1 Msg: #94243 Delete Edit

Big E80
Ryan Eatherly

B Posts: 30

Anybody have any ideas or tips on traveling from Cusco to the Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia? I would like to go to Copacabana on Lake Titicaca and then travel to Uyuni but have know idea on what the best way to travel would be and how long it would take. I read that you can take a 12 hour bus ride from Cusco to Copacabana but then need to get to Uyuni. Is a bus the best way to go?

Im actually traveling Peru but really want to see the salt flats so I thought this might be the chance to do it and then swing back into Peru. Good idea? Bad Idea?

Thanks for the help.
Ryan Reply to this

14 years ago, November 21st 2009 No: 2 Msg: #94246 Delete Edit

Katravels
Katherine

B Posts: 140

I went from Cusco to Uyuni by bus. Got the bus direct from Cusco to Copacabana, stayed for a day or two then got a cross-border bus to La Paz. From there I got another bus to Uyuni (about 9 hours overnight bus).)There might be a slightly more direct route but this way would allow you to spend a couple of days in La Paz and buy the salt flat tour in La Paz if you wanted to do so. There seemed to be plenty of companies doing this route and it was very easy to get buses so can't really recommend an individual company but it should be easy enough to do.
Have fun! Reply to this

14 years ago, November 22nd 2009 No: 3 Msg: #94254 Delete Edit

Big E80
Ryan Eatherly

B Posts: 30

I was thinking that I would have to bus into La Paz and then leave from there, Thanks! How long is the bus ride from Copacabana to La Paz? Reply to this

14 years ago, November 22nd 2009 No: 4 Msg: #94262 Delete Edit

ElAustraliano
Paul Morrison

B Posts: 308

I left Copacabana around 10am and was in La Paz mid afternoon.I got the train to Uyuni.Travels through the wet salt lakes and you see millions of Flamingos
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14 years ago, November 22nd 2009 No: 5 Msg: #94264 Delete Edit

incakola
Hughes Vanhoucke

N Posts: 1

I would like to second El Australiano. IMHO the best way to get to Uyuni is by train. Take the expreso del sur from Oruro to Uyuni, nice experience. If you are in a hurry then the best way to get to Uyuni is by bus.
Check out this site for trains: fca.com.bo

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14 years ago, December 26th 2009 No: 6 Msg: #97409 Delete Edit

Big E80
Ryan Eatherly

B Posts: 30

Thanks for all of the help! So if we have the time the most scenic route is to start in La Paz and then take the train to Uyuni. You say to take the train from Oruro to Uyuni, does that mean that I have to get to Oruro first by bus and then jump on the train or will I be able to get on the train directly from La Paz? I guess I am just having trouble figuring out when and where I can take a train versus a bus.

Thanks a lot for clarifying, hope that everyone has a happy and safe holiday season!
Ryan Reply to this

12 years ago, October 1st 2011 No: 7 Msg: #144238 Delete Edit

atashkade
Saeid Yazdan

N Posts: 1

In response to: Msg #94246
I really appreciate if you could tell me if you had to buy the bus ticket in advance from cusco to Uyuni. Here is what I am planning for May2012. Fly to Cusco, visit Machu picchu, stay there for 2 days, take the bus to uyuni which seems it takes 2 days, take the 3 days tour of uyuni and then bus back to cusco and fly back to Lima. Can this be done or should I go to Santa Cruz and fly back to Lima. appreciate your help. any chance we talk on the phone? Reply to this

12 years ago, December 12th 2011 No: 8 Msg: #148699 Delete Edit

carin
carlos zegarra

N Posts: 3

Good info in this forum, I have the plan for my trip To Bolivia, Thanks Reply to this