Bolivia nature and culture

difficulty: 1/3

20 days

more than 3501 US$

Bolivia nature and culture

An ideal trip for those who wish to escape and discover the treasures of Bolivian culture and nature. After traveling back in time! with the history of Jesuit missions and also the colonial cities of Sucre and Potosi, you will be invited to live a fascinating 4X4 expedition starting from Tupiza and let yourself be surprised by the magic of the landscapes of the South and North Lipez, as well as the breathtaking beauty of the Salar de Uyuni!

Quotation request

Day by day

day 1: Santa-Cruz
Arrival of your international flight. After passing through the Bolivian customs control, you will be greeted by your guide and transferred to your hotel.

Bathed in a tropical atmosphere, Santa-Cruz is the most populated city in Bolivia. Its rapid expansion is due in particular to the discovery of natural resources such as gas and oil in the 1980s. The city is organized in a concentric way around rings (peripherals). It is by far the richest city in Bolivia. The inhabitants of the region are called cambas.

The visit will start with the 24th of September square located in the heart of the city and surrounded by buildings from the colonial period. You will then continue with the cathedral, dating from 1605, which dominates the city with its two towers (depending on the opening hours, possibility to have a panoramic view of the city from the bell tower).

Then, we walk in some residential areas, and will visit the regional historical museum.

During the visit, tasting of local specialities (cheese fillings, rice bread, local juices etc...) in a typical "cruceño" café.

Lunch and dinner at leisure.

Night in Santa Cruz.

Steps: Santa Cruz de la sierra Santa Cruz Cathedral and Square September 24th Santa Cruz de la Sierra
day 2: From Santa Cruz to the missions of San Javier
Departure early in the morning by private vehicle from your hotel in Santa Cruz.

On the way we will pass through traditional villages of the Bolivian East such as Puerto Paila and Pailon, which are the gateway to the region of the Jesuit missions.

In the early afternoon you will visit the Jesuit church of San Javier, its museum and the handicraft center.

The end of the day will be dedicated to the visit of the Paquio stone and the farm where buffaloes are bred.

Departure to Concepción.

Lunch included.

Dinner included in Concepción.

Night in Concepción.

Steps: Santa Cruz de la sierra Concepción
day 3: The missions of Conception
After breakfast, visit to the Church of La Concepción, the Museum of the Missions and its handicraft centre.

Depending on the days, visit also the anthropological museum or the "Casa España".

Afterwards, lunch in the village of Concepción. On the way back, you will pass by the Zapoco Lake; possibility of a small moment of relaxation on the shores of the lake.

Afterwards, return to Santa-Cruz.

Lunch included.

Dinner at leisure.

Night in Santa Cruz

Steps: Santa Cruz de la sierra Jesuits Missions
day 4: Flight to Sucre
Transfer to Santa Cruz airport according to the flight schedule. Flight to Sucre.

Arrival in Sucre and transfer to your hotel accompanied by your guide.

Lunch and dinner at leisure.

Night in Sucre.

Steps: Sucre and its region Sucre
day 5: The white city of Sucre
Today, discovery of the colonial city of Sucre.

You will begin with the Museum of the Recoleta; originally the convent was founded by the Franciscan order at the beginning of the 17th century.

You will then visit the Museum of Textiles and Indigenous Arts (ASUR Museum), which presents the indigenous populations of the Sucre region in a lively way; the weaving methods used by several cultures are also presented, among others the "Jalq'a" and "Tarabuco" cultures.

After passing through the general cemetery, discovery of the "treasures" museum. A new museum that contains precious stones and minerals presented with taste. A great pleasure for the eyes!

After lunch, a walk in the main square of Sucre before reaching the Casa de la Libertad, where you will learn more about the history of the country: it is indeed within these walls imbued with symbols that the declaration of independence was signed on August 6, 1825.

Finally, you will end up at the Central Market of Sucre; the Church of San Francisco and the Museum of the Monastery of San Felipe de Nery, with the possibility of enjoying a magnificent view of Sucre from the bell tower.

Lunch and dinner at leisure.

Night in Sucre.

Steps: Sucre and its region Casa de libertad Museum of indigenous clothes and art Square of May 25th
day 6: The colonial city of Potosi
Departure to Potosi, located at an altitude of 4,000m (about 4 hours drive).

After lunch, discovery of Potosi, rich of a sumptuous and dramatic history, accompanied by a guide.

Founded in 1545 following the discovery of the immense deposit of precious metals of Cerro Rico, the city has kept many palaces and churches with sumptuous colonial architecture. Its historic center is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The current Casa de la Moneda (House of the Mint) was inaugurated in 1773 and covers more than 15,000 square meters, in response to the city's significant growth and the silver trade.

You will continue our tour of the city with a visit to the church of San Lorenzo.

A short walk through the town with its typical alleys and the 10th of November square.

Lunch and dinner at leisure.

Night in Potosi.

Steps: Potosi San Lorenzo Church Museum of money Square of November 10th Potosi Typical streets
day 7: The mine and its secrets
This morning, a visit to one of Cerro Rico's mines in Potosi.

Beginning of the visit by the market of the mine where it is possible to buy small gifts for the miners such as soft drinks, coca leaves, work gloves.

You will then go to one of the miners' cooperatives that exploit silver in an artisanal way. Visit of the interior of the mine and the working conditions of the miners, after greeting and offering gifts to the "Tio", the highly respected protector of the mine.

Departure from Potosi, after lunch, to reach the city of Tupiza (about 4h30 drive).

Lunch and dinner at leisure.

Night in Tupiza.

Steps: Potosi Potosi's mines Potosi
day 8: The singular region of Tupiza
Discovery of the Tupiza region in a private 4X4 for half a day (3 hours).
With appreciation of the most impressive places of Tupiza showing a grandiose combination of rock formations, rivers, valleys and canyons.

We will start the day with the "poronga", to be discovered on foot, before heading towards the "quebrada seca", enjoying along the way the multicoloured rock formations of unusual formations, such as the "cañon del duende". We continue on to the rocky formations of "Toroyoj", with the San Juan del oro river at its feet.

Afternoon at leisure in Tupiza

Lunch and dinner at leisure.

Night in Tupiza.

Steps: Tupiza and its region The canyon Quebrada seca Tupiza
day 9: The beauties of the South Lipez
Today begins our overland expedition!

Departure from Tupiza towards the Palala Valley, surrounded by red hills and columnar rock formations.

Photo stop at El sillar, which looks like a forest of stones carved by erosion.

You will also pass through Nazarenito, Chilcobija, Cerrillos, Polulos, Río San Pablo enjoying the typical vegetation of the Altiplano such as, "la Paja Brava" y la "Tola". Arrival at the abandoned village of San Antonio de Lipez at the end of the day.

Lunch and dinner included.

Night in a refuge in Quetena.

Steps: Uyuni and Lipez's desert Desert of the south of Lipez Quetena
day 10: South Lipez
Today, discovery of the treasures of South Lipez.

You will start with the Salar de Chalviri, populated by pink flamingos and ducks, under the benevolent gaze of the Licancabur volcano (5960 m). You will also cross the Dali desert, known for its gigantic stones with strange shapes.

Then you will visit the Laguna Verde, which owes the colour of its waters to the high concentration of lead carbonate, sulphur, arsenic and calcium, a colour that changes according to the winds.

The view of the Licancabur volcano is breathtaking.

A stop at the Polques Thermal Baths to enjoy the thermal baths, with mineral-rich water at a temperature of around 30ºC.

You will then reach the geysers of Sol de Mañana. Located at more than 4850 m above sea level, this field of geysers is fed by an underlying volcanic activity that causes boiling craters, fumaroles of sulphurous vapours and of course geysers of boiling water.

At the end of the day you will reach Huyallajara.

Lunch and dinner included.

Night in Huyallajara.

Steps: Uyuni and Lipez's desert Dali's desert Huayllajara Laguna Verde Licancabur Salar de Chalviri Polques Thermal Waters
day 11: The lagoons of North Lipez
Departure towards the Colorada lagoon, spectacular for its bright red colour due to the algae and plankton that thrive in this mineral-rich water.

You will then continue to the Siloli desert, populated by strange natural sculptures, with the most spectacular of them is the "stone tree".

The continuation of the trip will be towards the altiplanic lakes such as the Chiarcota or Cañapa lakes. These shallow lakes change colour according to the time of day and are home to flamingos. This bird has adapted here in the form of three distinct species (flamingos from Chile, James and the Andes).

You will also pass by the Hedionda Lake from which emanates a strong smell of sulphur. You will continue towards the Ollagüe volcano, which you will bypass by the Chiguana Saltworks.

Arrival in San Juan and visit the archaeological site containing mummies.

Lunch and dinner included.

Night in San Juan.

Steps: Uyuni and Lipez's desert The stone tree Siloli's Desert Laguna Cañapa Laguna Chiarkota Laguna Colorada Laguna Helionda Salar de Chiguana San Juan
day 12: The wonderful Salar d'Uyuni
Departure at dawn in direction of the salar in order to attend the sunrise.

You will finally enter the salar of Uyuni, a white and geometric expanse as far as the eye can see that turns into a perfect mirror during the rainy season.

In the distance is the Incahuasi island. On this island lost in the middle of a sea of salt, grow hundreds of giant cacti and where live the vizcachas, the Andean rabbit.

Then heading north to reach the volcano Thunupa, you will always take in 4x4 the road that leads to the mummies of Coquesa to have a panoramic view of the Salar and discover the Aymara culture of the XIIth century.

Arrival in the late afternoon in Jirira, a village on fertile land at the foot of the volcano.

Lunch and dinner included.

Night in one of the villages along the Salar.

Steps: Uyuni and Lipez's desert Coquesa Incahuasi Uyuni Salar Thunupa
day 13: The Sabaya region
From Jirira you will take the intersalar road: the salars of Coipasa and Uyuni are separated only by the portion of land formed by the volcano Thunupa.

A particularly beautiful day because you will reach the banks of the Coipasa salar where the Uros (people of the region) exploit the salt... the salt. The inhabitants extract the salt in blocks (for animals and construction) or in grains (for human consumption) using picks and picksaxes.

You will follow the road through the rough and deserted altiplano.

Arrival in late afternoon in Sabaya.

Lunch and dinner included.

Night in Sabaya.

Steps: Sajama National Park Sabaya
day 14: Sajama National Park
The road starts from Sabaya and goes along the volcanic Cordillera, between quinoa fields, llamas and large areas.

You will enjoy the scenery of Laguna Macaya and Sacabaya with its flamingos and the beauty of the surrounding mountains.

Departure to the circuit of Rio Lauca where you can discover the polychrome funeral towers, which date from the 15th century, marking the transition between the Aymaras and the Incas.

Arrival in Sajama at the end of the day.

Lunch and dinner included.

Night in Sajama.

Steps: Sajama National Park Chulpas of Rio Lauca Tour Macaya Lake Sacabaya Lake Sajama
day 15: Lagoon Hike (Khasiri and Sorapata Lagoon)
In the morning, departure in private 4x4 to the heart of the volcanic cordillera where geysers of water from the bowels of the earth are bubbling.

The trekking starts with a hike of about 3 hours along the river towards the Khasiri lagoon, located at more than 4800 meters above sea level.

It is within this framework that we will take the first lunch break, a perfect opportunity to fully appreciate the local biodiversity.

After lunch, the hike continues to the Sorapata Lagoon, where words, like oxygen, are lacking to describe these beautiful landscapes.

You will return down the same path to reach the geysers where the vehicle will be waiting for you to return to Sajama.

Lunch included and dinner included.

Night in Sajama.

Steps: Sajama National Park Sajama's Geysers Fields
day 16: Road to Copacabana
We will leave in the morning full east to reach the crossroads of Patacamaya (101 in Aymara).

The Sajama volcano stands out from the western cordillera and gradually fades behind us.

We will stop to visit the colonial churches of Curahuara de Carangas called "the Sistine of the Andes" with its frescoes that date from the 17th and 18th centuries and Calamarka with a collection of paintings of archangels.

Arriving in El Alto, the city from the top of La Paz we will turn due east to follow the Royal Andes Mountain Range in the direction of Copacabana.

Lunch included.

Dinner at leisure.

Night in Copacabana.

Steps: Copacabana and Titicaca Lake Copacabana
day 17: Visit of the Island of the Sun
Departure from your hotel in Copacabana to reach, by private boat, the south of the island of the Sun (Yumani), where the displacements are done on foot.

At more than 4000 meters above sea level, surrounded by calm waters and the high peaks of the Cordillera Royale, time seems to have taken a different step, in favour of a troubling tranquility.

Lunch included in the form of "apthapi".

The apthapi being a communal sharing of the products of the land and the livestock that everyone brings (potatoes, eggs, chuño, corn, cheese etc...).

At the end of the day, return to the port of Copacabana by boat.

Dinner at leisure.

Night in Copacabana.

Steps: Copacabana and Titicaca Lake Copacabana Sun Island Titicaca Lake Yumani
day 18: La Paz "wonderful city"
Departure from Copacabana, by private vehicle, to reach La Paz (about 3h30 drive).

Lunch at leisure.

Afternoon free.

Dinner at leisure.

Night in La Paz.

Steps: La Paz and its region Apacheta del Alto La Paz Street El Alto Ilimani La Paz
day 19: La Paz and its cable cars
Visit of the Bolivian administrative capital: located at the bottom of a trough, the city is spread over more than 1000m of difference in altitude.

Discovery of the city from belvedere to belvedere to better understand its topography, then visit the museums of the "calle Jaén", a colonial street in the historic center of the city.

You will also discover La Paz from a new angle with its exceptional panoramic view, taking the cable car.

Located in Plaza Murillo, the 19th century La Paz Cathedral impresses with its gigantic size, the height of its dome and the size of its pillars.

Afterwards, a walk through the witch's market. Here one finds most of the ingredients needed to make traditional Andean remedies to influence the Aymara spirits as well as offerings for the Pachamama, the mother earth.

In the afternoon, discovery of the Moon Valley, located 10km from the center of La Paz. This geological formation, composed of gorges and rocky peaks on the hillside, punctuated by cactus, is a very pleasant walk.

Lunch and dinner at leisure.

Night in La Paz.

Steps: La Paz and its region Jaén Street and its museums La Paz The Witches' market Valley of the moon
day 20: End of the trip
According to your flight schedule, transfer to La Paz airport accompanied by your guide.

Help with check-in.

End of your stay.

Steps: La Paz and its region La Paz

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