Southwest Bolivia

Here we are in Tupiza, Bolivia. After arriving at 4 AM, we only had a few hours to sleep before this little hotel woke up. Its nothing fancy, with rooms of various sizes and shapes, and a minimal selection of comforts. We snuggled into the flimsy sheets and bulky blankets in all our clothes, minus the shoes, and I heard you silently thanking your maker for arriving safely. "Gosh its cold" I muttered to the indifferent silence of the house. A few hours later, gathered in the small dining room, we find a seat wherever one is open, and share the instant coffee or tea, bread, and bananas on offer. There is an undercurrent of excitement as we exchange introductions in exotic assortments of thickly accented English with the other guests, who are either solo or in small groups of two or four. Within an hour or so, this international assortment of travelers will be freshly arranged into groups of four or five (the number to ideally complete a vehicle), thrilled to embark on a three night, four day journey into the spectacle of Southwest Bolivia!

In Tupiza, getting packed to go!The Toyota Land Cruisers are lined up at the curb outside, and the guides and cooks are packing the hatched back and roof for the excursion ahead. We've been bundled with a solo German girl, and a couple from Holland. Everyone, except our guide, speaks a good measure of English, so that's wonderful. Admirably, they speak Spanish too, that's three languages for each, compared to my offering of one. Each vehicle will have a driver that doubles as tour guide, a cook that prepares all meals, and our newly formed group. Instantly we become a temporary family, forever bonded in the experience and memories to come.

Our basic route

You and I only know a few things about what lies ahead:

• We are still at very high altitude, and will at times venture over 15,000 Ft. This region is called the Altiplano, or the high tableland.
  
• You need a four-wheel drive vehicle, and a guide, to travel this territory.
  
• The land is mineral rich: gold, silver, copper, and lithium to name a few 
• We will see various mineral rich lagoons, some with flamingos.
  
• Lodging will be very basic, without heat, and showers a distant memory.
• Finally, on our last day, we will experience the great Salar de Uyuni.  Wow, the great salt desert, the largest in the world. That will surely be fantastic!
  

Are you just a bit excited? Well, climb in the back seat, we'll give you a window, and dream of the video to come. You are about to go where few venture... coming soon to this very site.