This 12 day itinerary will take you across some of Bolivia’s most beautiful sites and most historic landmarks. Bolivia is incredibly diverse and has a unique culture which has to be seen to truly experience and understand. Starting in Santa Cruz, you will take guided tours, day trips, and one-of-a-kind experience through this nation and its rich history. You will end your trip in La Paz, having explored wonderful places such as Copacabana, the salt flats of Uyuni, the anicent town of Sucre, and much much more.
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Hotel Los TajibosLuxuryHotel CortezComfort
You will arrive from your flight at Viru Viru International Airport. You will be met by an agent holding a sign with you name on it, and will receive a private transfer to your selected hotel in Santa Cruz.
From here, you have the day at leisure in Santa Cruz. Visit the colonial city and the modern shopping centers which surround you.
The next day, you will enjoy an excursion to a sight of natural beauty.
Excursion to Amboro National Park
Today, you will be shown the wonders of the Amboró National Park, which has a distinct ecological environment due to the difference in altitude. This part of the reserve comprises beautiful cloud forest with gnarled trees covered in lichen and epiphytes.
During the tour you will see various species of animals as well as vegetation, noteworthy are the giant fern trees that become as high as 13 meters. Over 830 different types of birds have been recorded here; the highest confirmed bird count for any protected area in the world. The puma, as well as other wild cats and the tapir live in this area. Moreover, the agouti, the armadillo, the coati, the skunk, monkeys and other mammals live here in abundance also.
While on this trip, you will also enjoy a provided lunch.
In the afternoon, you will return to your hotel and stay again in Santa Cruz.
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Hotel Mi Pueblo SamaryLuxury
The morning begins with a flight. You will fly from Santa Cruz to Sucre. The air ticket is not included in this price. Upon arrival at Sucre Airport, you will receive a private transfer to your selected hotel.
Sucre City Tour
After pickup from your accommodation, you will enjoy the Sucre City tour. During the tour, you appreciate the old town, which is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage. You will visit “La Casa de la Libertad” where the first government signed the Act of Independence of Bolivia, the Recoleta viewpoint, where an old Franciscan monastery is located, San Felipe de Nery Church, Bolivar Park and other historic monuments.
Depending on your preference, two museums may be visited; Sucre has a wide range of museums, that all focus on different topics. Absolute must sees are “La Casa de la Libertad”, the Museum of Indigenous Art and the Museum of Treasure, which goes in details about the mining industry of Bolivia and the minerals and metals that are mined. This tour gives the opportunity to know the city and all its aspects.
The day ends with you staying the night in Sucre City.
Jatun Yampara Town
The next day sees you embark on a tour to Jatun Yampara. You will be picked up at the hotel to go at Jatun Yampara town. Visit the native constructions, burial and ceremonial, visit the chicha (native bar), visit the Native Sanctuary, visit small museums, workshop textiles and ceramics workshop.
Textiles can be purchased directly from artisans of the place.
Return to Sucre for drop off at your accomodation.
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Hotel Museo CayaraLuxury
Day 5 begins with pick up from your accommodation.
Potosi Mines Tour
The tour begins visiting the miners market, where the guide will provide an explanation of all materials used in mines, such as: dynamite, coca leaves, alcohol, etc. Tourists can buy coca leaves and homemade cigarettes to give to the workers inside the mine; then you go on to the warehouse where you will put all safety equipment on and then visit one of the 300 mine entrances still exploited under similar conditions at the colonial times.
You will also be part of the traditions and superstitions of miners such as the image of “El Tio” who is the god of the underworld. Crawling through the mine shafts, you will learn about the conditions the miners work in. A true experience not to be missed.
Potosí was the most important city in the colonial times of Bolivia, because the city was the new continent’s largest mining center. It has been said that the all the silver in Cerro Rico (Rich Mountain) could build a bridge from Potosí to Madrid, all the way in Spain.
End the day by returning to your accommodation in Potosi.
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Hotel Palacio de SalLuxuryHotel Jardines de UyuniComfort
Start the day with pickup from your accommodation.
Potosi Tour and Museum Visit
The program covers visits by foot to the main square, “10 de Noviembre”, where another representative building stands, “La Basilica Catedral”, a neoclassic style masterpiece built in 1809. More sights will be visited, such as San Francisco church, San Lorenzo church and more of the at least 25 churches.
Moreover, the guide can also show you “El Templo de la Merced”; “Teatro Modesto Omiste”; “6 de Agosto Square”; “Casona de Doña Josefa L. de Linares”.
Potosí is a unique Bolivian city, its history is rich in remarkable events, not only for Bolivia but also of the world. Potosí once was the most crowded city of the world, Potosi has a variety of symbolic buildings like “La Casa de la Moneda”, considered a representative museum built of rock and cedar wood, which covers 7.570 m2. In the entrance courtyard rests a mask relic from 1868, named ‘’El Mascarón’’. Inside the museum you can see paintings, sculptures, numismatic collections, folklore, and objects related to the Spanish colony. After the visit, you will return to your accommodation in Potosí.
You will end the day with a 5 hour transfer to Uyuni.
Full Day Uyuni Tour
The next day begins with a full day tour which will show you the most impressive natural attraction of Bolivia: Salar de Uyuni. The largest salt flat of the world with its 10582 km2, offers one of the most incredible views that you can imagine. During the tour, you will visit various points of interest at this massive salt lake.
The first stop in the itinerary will be the Train Cemetery where we will be able to see the remains of very old wagons and trains from the early 90’s and the beginning of the 20th century. Continue to Colchani, a salt-processing town, where hand-made objects are on sale; many of them made of salt. This is the perfect place to buy a souvenir.
Afterwards, Salar de Uyuni is entered. You will see natural breathing conductors named “Ojos de Sal”, which means Eyes of Salt. Here, water from under the hard salt crust comes to the surface. An important part of this day, is trying to make the ultimate optical illusion picture, as the Salt Flats become the largest mirror imagineable. You will have lots of time to try out different positions and most of all have fun.
At midday, you will visit Incahuasi Island. This island in the middle of the salt flat, is covered with ancient cacti (that can be up to 18 meters tall) and a rare ecosystem that has survived centuries. In the afternoon, you can admire the stunning sunset in the middle of the salt lake. You will be provided with a box lunch.
Afterwards you will make your way back to Uyuni town. Drop off at your accommodation at the end of the tour.
Stargazing Uyuni
At night, the transport will pick up you to do a night tour in Uyuni Salt. This special private evening tour takes you to one of the world’s largest salt flats. With round-trip transport from Uyuni included, you will venture out on the roads of a foreign country at night. Your guide takes you right to the flats, so you can take in stunning views of the area under the spectacular starlit sky.
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Hotel Casa GrandeLuxuryHotel Rosario La PazComfort
Today you will take a private transfer, and then fly from Uyuni to La Paz. The air ticket is not included.
Upon arrival at El Alto International Airport, private transfer to your selected hotel in La Paz. This is one of the highest Airports in the world with an altitude at 4060 meters above the seal level (13,323 feet), situated above the Bolivian capital the city of La Paz.
City Tour La Paz
“Nuesta Señora de La Paz” is a city and municipality in Western Bolivia, capital of the department of La Paz, Bolivia’s seat of Government and the legislatures and executives. The city was founded in 1548 and the center of the city is located on an altitude of approximately 3600 meters.
Pick up at your accommodation in La Paz, you will visit the city center and the most important sights. One of the first sights is “Plaza Murillo”, where the Bolivian Government is based. Here, you will visit the immense Cathedral and Presidential Palace known as the Burnt Palace due to its near destruction in 1875 during an uprising. After leaving the square you will head to the next stop.
Continuing to the famous Witches Market, where you can be intrigued by the fascinating products on sale. Then, visit the famous colonial street “Calle Jaén” where a few interesting museums are clustered together: the Museum of Musical Instruments, the Museum of Precious Metals and the Museum of Customs.
Entrance to the museums are included, although they are Closed on Mondays and not available on Saturdays & Sundays by the afternoons.You will also be driven to Killi Killi viewpoint, which gives you the opportunity to see the city 360 degrees around. Afterwards, drive to the cable car station (teleferico) an innovative cable car system from where we will enjoy breath taking views of the city. You will have lunch at Oberland restaurant.
This tour includes a lunch.
The last stop on the tour is Moon Valley, a place where the erosion has caused stony forms, giving the sensation to be in a real lunar environment.
Finish the day and return to your hotel.
Tour to Coroico & Munaipata Coffee
Begin day 9 with pick up from your accommodation to be transfer to Coroico located 3 hrs from La Paz city, to meet the famous Munaypata coffee plantation.
Munaipata Coffee is based at 1500 meters above sea level in the Shanti farm. You can live a unique and very interesting activity from planting the seed in the ground to taste your own roasted coffee is the magic of flavor and scent of this famous drink in the world.
There are currently two places in Nor Yungas, which are Coroico and Taipiplaya, where they harvest the “Guinda” (ripe coffee fruits), collect the one from the suppliers, and pre-benefit the “Café Munaipata”. Both places are more than 1500 meters above sea level, making this coffee a true high altitude coffee.
Café Munaipata is a “Blend” of two varieties of Arabica Coffee, of the “Typical” Original and the “Catuaí” Hybrid, integrating the discrete aroma and the delicate acidity of the first with the expansive body of the second. But what makes the Café Munaipata a real specialty is the SELECTION of fruits in the harvest and the collection (there are 7 stages of selection in total). This process not only gives Café Munaipata its exquisite flavor, but also renders it healthy. It is clear that such a personalized and labor intensive production will be small and therefore expensive, but it is justified by the quality resulting from it, including not only more substantial income for the peasant family, but also contributing to the self-esteem of the producers of this noble fruit.
In the afternoon return to La Paz by car, drop off at your accomodation for the night.
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Hotel Casa de la LunaComfort
Copacabana – Sun Island (Day 1)
This day begins the start of a two-day adventure to Copacabana. Travel Titicaca Lake’s shore. Board the boat and start the trip to the Sun Island (where Inca’s empire was born). Crossing the lake for approximately an hour and a half until arriving to the South part of the Island of the Sun, the place where you visit the Archaeological remains of “Pilkokaina” Temple of the Inca, a religious centre.
Later, on a small walk, you will be able to become purified taking some sacred water. It is believed that this source is the eternal youth’s source, and you will also enjoy the beauty of that Incan garden.
Isla del Sol Yumani
Live a unique experience in the high Andes, know the culture, tradition, uses and customs in the Sun Island Bolivia.
Once arriving at Yumani village on the Sun Island, you will have the opportunity to visit a house of one of the community members, where they will explain the architecture of the house, the uses and customs, the agriculture and the process of elaboration of textiles.
Then you will be given an explanation of the typical costumes and after optionally you can wear the costumes if you wish to. And finally, you will be made to participate in an autochthonous dance.
Continue to lodge for overnight stay, and optionally for dinner if you stay in the Luxury hotel.
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Hotel Casa GrandeLuxuryHotel Rosario La PazComfort
Copacabana – Sun Island (Day 2)
After breakfast, you return to Copacabana on the boat in about 2 hours of travel.
Upon arrival in Copacabana, visit the Brown Virgin’s Sanctuary, where the parishioners go to ask fortune and have to sell their properties and the local fair of Copacabana.
End the day with private transport back to La Paz.
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A private transfer will take you to El Alto Airport, where you will take your departure flight home.