Bolivia
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Visit of the Potosí mine (Bolivia): An atmosphere worthy of Germinal
Potosí is one of the highest cities in the world: 4070 meters above sea level! It was founded in 1545 by the Spanish colonists to exploit the silver mine of the “Cerro Rico” mountain (rich mountain) that dominates the city. The miners were Indian and African slaves. Between 1545 and 1825 (date of Bolivia’s independence), an estimated 8 million miners died in this mountain due to lack of oxygen or because of the landslides. 8 million! Nearly 80 deaths per day for 280 years! Part 1: Travel Diary Part 2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Diary This mine filled the coffers of the Spanish crown during this period known as…
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Potosí (Bolivia): the city classified by Unesco
JB will tell you about the inhumane working conditions of the miners in Potosí. But I will talk about Potosí with its beautiful churches and casas dating back to the time of the conquistadors. The city isn’t only one of the highest in the world (4070m above sea level), it is also one of the most deserved because all the streets are sloping Part 1: Travel Diary Part 2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Diary Day 1 : Route Uyuni – Potosí The Uyuni – Potosí road is very picturesque. You can see the salar of Uyuni from afar and observe its “giant mirror” side. It is incredible! We then…
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How to go from San Pedro de Atacama (Chile) to Salar de Uyuni (Bolivia) by bus
There are 4 ways to get to the Salar de Uyuni from San Pedro de Atacama. It’s up to you to choose according to your desire, your ability to withstand the high altitude and the thickness of your wallet 🙂 All prices are for one person. Exchange rates in January 2017 1 USD = 0,93€ 1$B = 0,137€ 1000$CH =1,42€ 1$AR = 0,06€ Option 1: Jeep from San Pedro de Atacama to Uyuni. Duration: 3-4 days. Cost: US$200 It is the simplest option and sold by all the agencies in San Pedro de Atacama and also detailed in the Lonely Planet. The plusses This is the shortest way to connect…
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Salar de Uyuni (Bolivia): when the salt desert turns into a giant mirror
The visit of the salt desert of Uyuni upsets our whole ranking of the “best experiences of our world tour”. From now on, the Salar de Uyuni is in 1st place, in front of the Perito Moreno glacier (Argentina) and swimming with sharks in Moorea. Moreover, we visit it at the best time of the year, when the flooded salt desert turns into a giant mirror (mid-January) Part 1: Travel Diaries Part 2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Diaries Following my problems of mountain sickness, we decide to do only the one day tour to visit the salt desert, instead of taking the 3 day tour which also includes the…
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Uyuni (Bolivia): a city nicer than expected
Being out of shape after my mountain sickness in San Pedro de Atacama, I have to establish a new route to avoid any too fast ascent. We decide to give up the idea of doing 3 days by jeep to Uyuni. Instead, we will visit the salt desert for only one day from Uyuni. The trip from San Pedro to Uyuni will be done by classic bus. It is also the good plan found by other young Chileans that we will cross in the bus taking us to Bolivia. Some of them have never heard about the 3 days jeep tour from San Pedro de Atacama. Part 1: Travel Diary…
