On the Trail of Atahualpa: Tupiza

We left Potosí and took the theoretical 6hr bus ride to Tupiza. We got ripped off by probably 50% for the bus fare because we saw a local's ticket : he was gong further than us and paying cheaper. I hate when this happens. It’s not for the absolute value but more for the principle of it. But this is to be expected in Bolivia (which is not my favourite type of country).

Roxana and Steve crossing the dried Tupiza river

Anyhow after 6 long hours we get to the entry of town where there is a blockade. The two taxi companies of Tupiza have blocked all the road and town centre because they have had an argument with the taxi company of another small town over the right to do business in each other’s town. So by paralyzing their own town they are shooting themselves in the foot. Funny logic but hey welcome to Bolivia.

We have travelled with Charmaine and Steve since Sucre. We go out in town to book the 4-day tour we came here to do. This is the famous tour to the Uyuni Salt flats. After comparing prices and services in three different agencies including our own hostel, we go for the one that Steve’s friends recommended because the food was supposedly better with them (we were not disappointed). We do bargain a fair bit anyhow and manage to get a discount of 100Bs (10€) each and get them to throw the sleeping bags in for free.

Amazing match sticks standing in the desert.

With this booked and having an extra day in Tupiza we book another tour, with the same agency. It’s called the Triathlon : Jeep, walking and horse riding; The surroundings of Tupiza are astounding. There are cliffs that have been eroded over the years by rain and wind and are left with sharp edges. The colours are so intense (orange, brick red, yellow and green) that they look like they come straight from a Lucky Luke comic strip.

We felt like cowboys in a western!

We particularly enjoy the horse riding in the middle of this incredible scenery. When on horseback the nature is enjoyed in a different way as with a jeep. The noise of a diesel engine is not there and the horse can get through narrow passages that cannot be traversed with a motor vehicle. Also because you are sitting much higher, the perspective is much better and you really have a 360° view.

The day was over before we know it, and that’s always a good sign.

For more pictures : Tupiza