Bolivia -13 DAYS / 12 NIGHTS

Saturday: Arrival to Santa Cruz

Private transfer from Viru Viru International airport to hotel.

Afternoon free. Optional tours available

OPTIONAL WITH EXTRA COST:

HD GÜEMBE (MINIMUM 2 PASSENGERS): Departure to Biocentro Güembe located at 25 min from Santa Cruz. Relaxing walk around the giant butterflies’ observatory at the trees altitud, continue through exotic orchids collection until arriving to the pools surrounded by ornamental gardens and natural lagoons that border 23 hectares of a wonderful Park.

Overnight in Santa Cruz

Meals included: None

Sunday: Santa Cruz

FULL DAY SAMAIPATA

Trip through the Amazon plains and last branches of the Andes range. Visit the Samaipata ruins, majestic and mysterious pre-Inca fort, located in the top of a hill with a big ceremonial center carved in stone. Finally, to Samaipata, a stroll of town and its local museum. Return to Santa Cruz.

Included: Breakfast and lunch

Overnight in Santa Cruz

Monday: Santa Cruz – Sucre

PM CITY TOUR

Flight to Sucre (colonial city, declared Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO) with both transfers. Pm city tour. This tour includes the visit of: Casa de la Libertad, where the Act of Independence of Bolivia was signed in 1825; Bolivar Park, to see examples of the aristocratic tradition of Sucre, with small replicas of the Eiffel Tower and the Arc of Triumph of Paris; the church and museum of La Recoleta, and the museum of Indian Textiles ASUR.

Included: Breakfast

Overnight in Sucre

*Recommended departure flight Santa Cruz – Sucre time around 9.00 am

Tuesday: Sucre

Breakfast. Free day in Sucre. Optional tours available

OPTIONAL WITH EXTRA COST: HD DINOSAUR FOOTPRINTS (MINIMUM 2 PASSENGERS): Another interesting place to visit in the outskirts of the city of Sucre is the Dinosaur Park; It is in Cal Orck’o (Hill of Cal) at 6 km from the city, where there is a great variety and quantity of prehistoric animal tracks in different species. It is considered the largest sample of Dinosaur Footprints in the world; according to studies these prints belong to prehistoric animals that lived in this area for 65 to 70 million years.

FD INCATRAIL & MARAGUA TOWN (MINIMUM 2 PASSENGERS): Full day outside Sucre! Drive to Chataquila (1hr) where we will start with our hiking tour through an old Inca Trail. The trail goes downhill for 6km which we will walk in approx. 2 ½ hrs. Upon arrival to Chaunaca we will hop on the cars and drive till Maragua Town. Without a doubt a beautiful place. At the end of the afternoon, we will drive back to Sucre (2 hrs). This is an easy excursion. Included: Box-Lunch

Included: Breakfast

Overnight in Sucre

Wednesday: Sucre – Potosi

PM CITY TOUR & CERRO RICO MINE

Trip by regular bus following different valleys to ascend through the highlands to the city of Potosi, declared a Cultural and Natural Heritage site by the UNESCO. In the afternoon, visit the traditional colonial streets, San Francisco and San Lorenzo (its façade) churches and also a mine in Cerro Rico. This excursion allows the visitors to experience an unforgettable trip hundreds of meters underground, to see the living and working conditions of the Bolivian miners (protective clothing and helmets are provided). The silver mine is in the famous Cerro Rico, once the richest of the world.

Included: Breakfast

Overnight in Potosi

Thursday: Potosi – Uyuni – Villamar

Morning regular bus trip to Uyuni, crossing branches of the Andes range, old mining centers and villages, with nice landscapes and Indian communities. Arrival and continue the trip south visiting first the cemetery of old trains, then through the highlands passing the villages of San Cristobal and Culpina K until the high and rich valley of Alota (3 hours), then areas with great stone formations done by the erosion. Continue through high valleys until the village of Villamar (1 hour).

Included: Breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner

Overnight in Villamar

Friday: Villamar – Colorful Lagoons – San Juan

LONG DAY! Early morning trip entering the REA (National Reserve Eduardo Abaroa). Pass alongside Challviri lagoon, with its hot spring in the shores of Polques. Cross through the high desert of Pampas de Dali with amazing views, to reach Laguna Verde (3 hours) in the foothills of the Licancabur Mountain. Trip back to Laguna Colorada, declared a RAMSAR site due to the nesting of over 30,000 flamingos at 4,278 meters heigh. Then up to geysers “Sol de Mañana”, enter the high deserts of Siloli, visiting Arbol de Piedra (Stone Tree). Continue through the minor lagoons of Ramaditas, Honda, Chiarkhota, Hedionda and Cañapa until arriving to the Village of San Juan.

Included: Breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner

Overnight in San Juan

Saturday: San Juan - Uyuni Salt Flats - Colchani

North through the highlands passing the villages of San Agustin and San Juan (2 hours), entering in Chuvica to the great Uyuni salt flat crossing to “Isla Incahuasi” (1 hour), a special habitat of volcanic rocks and giant cactus. Lunch will be served in the middle of the salt desert. Continue east to the village of Colchani (2 hours), where the locals produce salt. Enjoy a great sunset. Overnight in salt hotel.

OPTIONAL WITH EXTRA COST:

LUXURY COCKTAIL DURING THE SUNSET – (MINIMUM 02 PASSENGERS): A spectacular time in Uyuni salt flats enjoying a luxury cocktail in the middle of this beautiful and huge salt desert during an incredible sunset. Included: Snacks (Ham, cheese, nuts, olives, bread) and wine.

OPTIONAL WITH EXTRA COST:

STAR WATCHING EXPERIENCE – (MINIMUM 02 PASSENGERS): Have an extraordinary experience in the middle of Uyuni salt flats at night. It will be a trip to the stars while staying on the earth with an indescribable feeling. (This visit depends on the weather). Included: a cup of hot beverage (non-alcoholic).

Included: Breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner

Overnight in Colchani – Salt Hotel

Sunday: Uyuni - La Paz – Copacabana – Sun Island

OPTIONAL WITH EXTRA COST: SUNRISE IN UYUNI SALT FLATS – (MINIMUM 02 PASSENGERS): Start the day very early in the morning, with a transfer to Uyuni salt flats. Once there, enjoy the landscape full of peace surrounded by water, salt and specially the spectacular sunrise. It will be a moment that will last the rest of your life. (This visit depends on the weather). Included: a cup of hot beverage (non-alcoholic)

Transfer out to the airport for the flight to La Paz. Arrival and private transfer to Titicaca Lake. Trip going north through the highlands and parallel to the Andes Royal Range to Copacabana (3 hour and a half), a nice town in the shores of Lake Titicaca. Visit the famous Virgen Morena and its church, have a stroll in the town. Take the boat to the Island of the Sun (1 hour), land in Huacani port, have a typical lunch called “Aptapi”. By boat back to Pilkokaina Ruins, in the southern part of the island. From here, hike for about 1-hour 15min to the Lodge. Included: Breakfast, lunch (typical aptapi) and dinner

Overnight on Sun Island

*Recommended departure flight Uyuni – La Paz time around 8.00 am Overnight in La Paz

Monday: Sun Island

Free day on Sun Island to enjoy this peaceful place. Optional hikes are available included in the price.

After breakfast, trip north by boat to visit Chincana ruins and the Sacred Rock (1 hour); short hike (45 minutes) to Challapampa, then Return to Ecolodge La Estancia with an optional hike up (2 hour and a half). Afternoon free to enjoy the peace and beauty of this mystical place.

Included: Breakfast and dinner O

vernight in Sun Island

Tuesday: Island of the Moon - Copacabana - La Paz

DON’T MISS A GREAT SUNRISE! Walk down the Inca Steps to the Island’s main port, Yumani. Take the boat to the Moon Island (30min), visit the “Iñak Uyu” ruins, an Inca temple also called Palace of the Virgins. Boat back to Copacabana (1 hour). Shared bus to La Paz (3 hour and a half).

Included: Breakfast and box-lunch

Overnight in La Paz

Wednesday: La Paz

AM CITY TOUR WITH SHOE-SHINERS (WALKING TOUR). PM FREE: A unique visit to the popular neighborhoods and markets of La Paz, guided by a “lustra bota” or shoe-shiner will provide different impressions of this unique city. We will meet our “lustra guide” outside the former train terminal of La Paz. We will hop on, on one of the many telefericos (cable cars) lines this vibrant city has, the red line, and get off where our walking tour starts, the main cemetery. After a short visit, we continue walking to the “Fish Street Market”, the “Flower Market” and the “Uruguay Market” where various species of animals and food can be seen. The tour continues to Eloy Salmón Street, lined with shops and stalls selling the latest technology and to the “Cholitas Market” where Cholitas (local ladies) can be seen shopping for traditional skirts and blankets. The tour concludes at the famous witches’ market on Linares and Sagarnaga Streets where we will learn a little bit of Andean cosmovision.

Afternoon free. Optional tours available

OPTIONAL WITH EXTRA COST:

HD TRADITIONAL CITY TOUR (MINIMUM 2 PASSENGERS): A 4 hours city tour through La Paz, elected as one of the 7 wonder cities in the world. It is in a valley at the foothills of the Andes Range, situated at 3,632m / 11942 ft. above sea level. The tour goes through the street markets rich in handicrafts, weavings and witchcraft items, followed by a visit to the colonial section of the city, San Francisco Church, Gold Museum, Murillo Square also visit to the viewpoint “Mirador de Killi Killi”; and the outdoor replica of Tiwanaku temple. Then descending to the more modern, southern part of La Paz to reach and visit the Valley of the Moon, where a clay mountain has been impressively shaped by erosion. Ride by cable car “Teleférico”, it’s a good choice to discover an excellent and beautiful view of La Paz. This is a must for everyone!

Note: cable car ride can change day according to the itinerary.

HD LAS ÁNIMAS VALLEY (MINIMUM 2 PASSENGERS): Transfer to Valle de Las Ánimas or “Valley of Spirits” where the hiking tour starts (3 hours). This Valley is located further away from the southern area (Zona Sur) of La Paz city. This place is used to describe the eerily eroded canyons and fantastic organ-pipe spires to the Cañón de Palca. The scenery resembles that of Valley of the Moon, but on a bigger scale.

Included: Box-Lunch

HD TIWANAKU RUINS (MINIMUM 2 PASSENGERS): Tiwanaku is a 1½ hours’ drive from La Paz (72 km/45 miles), throughout which the highlands are passed, and the Aymaran way of life can be seen. Tiwanaku dating back to 1580BC – 1200AC, was one of the most important preInca civilizations and considered to be among the most developed at the time. The main constructions visited during this tour are: Kalasasaya temple and the Gate of the Sun constructed out of stone, Ponce and Fraile monoliths; Akapana pyramid and semi-underground temple. Two local museums to view pottery, stone work and learn about the culture are also included on this trip.

Included: Breakfast

Overnight in La Paz

Thursday: La Paz

Transfer to El Alto Airport.
Included: Breakfast

END OF OUR PROGRAM