From San Augustin to Uyuni
If you cycle over the salar de Uyuni you’ll never forget – promised! But don’t underestimate the salar. Check the weather, carry water and take a compass with you. In the high season every day about 30 touring cars are passing. From San Augustin to Uyuni you need 3 – 4 days.
Roadbook
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Km
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Hm
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Locality
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Description
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0
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3813
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San Augustin
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From San Augustin there are 2 roads to Colcha K. Take the road via Julaca instead of San Juan to avoid the washboard roads followed by the touring cars. From San Augustin many cycling tracks can be followed along the river. After 17 km a pass (3832) is reached and a descent to a road crossing follows. Here the way to the village of Calcha K is directed to the right. But this is a different village from Colcha K and the correct road is to the left !!!
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38
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Julaca
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21 km from the pass the village of Julaca is reached. No hostel, water. After crossing the railroad, which goes through the middle of the village, the road continues along the right side of a graveyard. Colcha K is after 21 km more, hidden behind a curve in a valley.
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59
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Colcha K
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Before you can enter the village you maybe have to answer some questions in the military camp. Colcha K is a large village with several hostels and small shops. Follow the coast of the Salar (very sandy, try to cycle on the salar).
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81
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Puerto Chubico
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Small, pretty village with a salt hotel, water. Here a road heads straight to Colchani. Because the side of the lake is wet, it is better to take this road for the first approximate 3 km. At the 3 baden (dip in the road) head north, compass direction: 354 degrees. In the North the Volcano of Tunupa is seen. The Isla Incawasi is just left of it. After 8 km the Island is just popping up behind the horizon, it is another 32 km to the Island.
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124
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Isla Incahuasi
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Free hostel for cyclists, meals available. Entrance to the Isla 8 bolivianos pp. Now head to the west, compass direction: 106 degrees.
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188
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Salt Hotel
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Museum. Another 7 km through the salt miners working place brings again earth under the tires instead of salt. 6 km further is the village of Colchani.
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201
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Colchani
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Shops, hostel, water. From here a road heads south to Uyuni. After the first crossing of the road with the railway, a cycling track starts on the left side besides the railway. Much better cycling.
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225
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Uyuni
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Uyuni is a town. Money can be obtained with cash dollars, travellers cheques or Visa Creditcard. Bikes can be cleaned at a lavadero (5 bolivianos).
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Tip for the raining season:
It wasn't possible to enter the Salar in the raining season (middle February) from Puerto Chubico. A lot of water (50 cm) and mud for many kilometres. It's easier to enter the Salar on Uyuni - the waterlevel remains lower, you reach the solid salt surface faster and there are many touring cars to the salt hotel that can pick you up if you have to return. If you decide to cycle the Salar by water take care: During this time the touring cars stop by the salt hotel and you are without help for the rest of the way. If you take this way you can continue from the island to the north (consult our connecting off the map "from Isla Incahuasi to Colchane". We tried this way in middle of March and it was successful. A dry Salar for the first 40 kilometres.
February 2006
