Essentials of Bolivia

Reception at the airport, and transfer to the hotel (available from midday. Consult us if you need availability from the morning). Rest of the day free.

Meeting at 9h00 at your hotel lobby with your guide. He will adapt the day to your desires; don’t hesitate to talk with him as soon as you meet.

This day is dedicated to La Paz City discovery, so that you can feel the ambiance in the city. Visit of the coloured markets, the colonial district, Murillo Square or Jaen Street.

We may take the cable car (The highest in the world), and enjoy an incredible view over La Paz City.

Note: we recommend that you leave your valuables and papers at the hotel.

Departure in the morning to Tiwanaku archaeological site, located 71 km from La Paz. Tiwanaku was a main civilization of central Andes between 5th and 11th centuries. Visit of the Akapana pyramid and its famous Door of the Sun, the Kalasasaya or the Beneth and Ponce monoliths, which some archaeologist compare to Moais statues of Eastern Island. Visit of the small museum before lunch. In the afternoon, transport to Copacabana. If we have time, we will climb the Way of the Cross, or “Calvario”, and see the sunset on the Titicaca Lake (Bring a lamp torch).

Departure in the morning to Copacabana harbour, from where we’ll take a motorboat to the Lourdes Cave. We will walk on the peninsula following the shore, and reach the village of Yampupata. Immersion in a rural Bolivia, with the snowy peaks of the Royal Cordillera and surrounding islands in the background. It is possible to make a detour by the authentic rocky village of Zampaya (Alt. 4000 m). Crossing by boat to the wharf of Yumani, at the extreme south of the Sun Island. Then, we’ll walk to the heights of the island, and arrive at our accommodation.

We leave to reach the impressive Inca staircase and the fountain with the three water sources that symbolize the three Inca laws: Ama Sua, Ama llulla, Ama Kella. Then we go down to the pier to meet our boat. Sailing to the Island of the Moon. Also known as Koati Island, this island was inhabited solely by women, dedicated to learning various crafts such as weaving and sewing. Some of them (the prettiest) were destined to become concubines of the Inca emperor. We will discover the Temple of the Nustas (Virgins of the Sun) with its Andean crosses and trapezoidal doors. Sailing to Copacabana. After lunch, we will leave for the city of La Paz.

Departure to La Paz airport. Flight La Paz - Uyuni. Reception in Uyuni airport, and departure to the Lipez Region. First, we will visit the train cemetery, on the outskirts of the city.

We will cross San Cristobal, a village relocated after the arrival of a mining company. Anecdote, the church has been rebuilt stone by stone, for a cost of approximately half a million dollars.

We will stop at the Rocky Valley, where erosion carved strange shapes of several meters, laid on the sandy soil, as by magic. Before reaching our destination, we’ll stop to enjoy a nice view of a canyon.

Arrival at Villamar by late afternoon.

First, the track follows Capina Salt flat, where borax is extracted from. The track then leads to the thermal springs of Polques (Alt. 4.000m). The bravest may enjoy a dip with a view upon the Chalviri lagoon.

Heading now toward the Chile border. On the way, we will cross the famous Dali desert, and its supernatural landscape with ochre tones dotted with isolated rocks.

Finally, we will arrive at the very end of Bolivia, at the White Lagoon, and most of all the Green Lake (Alt. 4300 m) with its emerald colour and the Licancabur Volcano in the background. Take care: the wind can be very strong there.

We go back by the same track. Then we’ll go through a pass at almost 5.000m of altitude, before arriving at a place called “Sol de Mañana” (Alt. 4850 m), a place with an important geothermic activity, many geysers, fumaroles or mud ponds. 

We continue toward the Laguna Colorada (Red Lagoon). Finally, we can see it in the distance. A long break is necessary to enjoy this exceptional lagoon. It hosts many pink flamingos’ colonies, which strut around before our eyes.

The track goes through the Siloli Desert, where you can see many geomorphological structures, one of them being the famous “Stone Tree”. The surroundings are also stunning with multicolor mountains. After a few more kilometres, we will arrive at the Desert Hotel.

The trip continues following the track of the 1001 lagoons, a series of many beautiful lakes (Honda, Ch’arkota, Hedionda and Cañapa), some of them hosting pink flamingos’ colonies... Stunning. In the background, the surroundings are also gorgeous with multicolor mountains.

During this trip, each part will bring its specific landscape and eclectic facets. Later, we will stop to stretch our legs and contemplate Ollague and Tomasamil volcanoes. Then we’ll cross Chiguana Salt flat which will conclude this marvellous day. By late afternoon, we will arrive at San Pedro de Quemez.

First, we make a small detour to visit the Galaxies Cave, a very unique place...

We take the road to Uyuni Salt flat. Expected, eagerly awaited, or even seen in photos, it goes utterly beyond the bounds of anyone’s imagination, with its pristine surface, a virgin terrain for imagination. Dotted with “islands” which will turn into view points for observing, taking photos, picnic, and meditating on world’s beauty. We will discover the Incahuasi Island, with an approximately 45mn walk on an equipped trail. There you’ll find a forest of cactus, laid there as by magic... Unspeakable.

In the afternoon, we will drive toward the village of Colchani. We may visit a small exploitation of salt. Sunset on the salt flat.

Departure in the morning to the imperial city of Potosi. On the way, we will visit the mining centre of Pulacayo, based around Huanchaca, the second biggest silver mine of the world. Arrival in Potosí in the afternoon. After lunch, we will visit the “Casa de la Moneda” (Closed on Sundays afternoon and Mondays). It’s a massive colonial building, build by the Spanish in America. An impressive structure with lots of history. Back to the hotel in the afternoon.

Meeting with your guide at 9:00 am in the lobby of your hotel. Departure in private transport to the Miner’s market.

Then, we will discover the mines of the Cerro Rico (Activity reduced on Saturdays and Mondays, no visit on Sundays). Back to the city centre in the afternoon.

Departure at 2:00 pm in private transport for Sucre (Approx. 3h drive). Free end of the day.

Meeting with your guide at 9:00 am, at the lobby of your hotel. Your guide will adapt the day activities according to your wishes; don’t hesitate to talk with him as soon as you meet.

This day is dedicated to discovering the « white city » by foot, city listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. You can visit the Recoleta convent, the ethnographic museum of textile (ASUR) in the highlands of the city, the 25th of May square, and the “Casa de la Libertad” (House of Liberty, closed on Sunday afternoon and Mondays), or San Felipe Nery monastery. Back to the hotel in the afternoon.

Departure in private transport to the airport of Sucre. Flight Sucre - La Paz. Reception at La Paz airport and transfer to your hotel. Free time for the rest of the day.

Transfer out to El Alto’s international airport in private vehicle. (3 hours before the international flight departure time).