10 Day Bolivia Classic

Bright and early our car will pick us up to head off to Samaipata archaeological site. “El Fuerte” is a UNESCO world heritage site from the Inca period and is now considered one of the most important for its authenticity and the fact it was untouched for many years. The ruins are split into 3 sections, the ceremonial, the residential section and the administrative section. In the town below, is a massive sculpted rock which reflects the belief systems of ancient times; a combination of traditional religious beliefs, in a uniquely urban setting. We will then visit the exclusive vineyard of Uvairenda on the northern Andean slopes and sample their high-end boutique wines and a selection of natural products.

After a delicious breakfast, we will wander around the town of Samaipata with its artistic and authentic characteristics, before we head off to the Santa Cruz airport, 3 hours away, for a 30 minute flight to the capital city of Sucre.

This stunning colonial City has been able to preserve its past, which can be seen in its winding cobbled streets and wooden balconies. The weather is spring-like all year round, which is great to explore the important sites of the city. In the morning, we will head off to the Recoleta viewpoint and the Recoleta museum, before we head off to the textile museum ASUR, one of the best in the region. We will then visit the Cathedral, The Museum of La Merced, The San Lazaro church, Santa Domingo, La Casa de la Libertad, The patio of the University San Francisco Xavier and the Bolivar park, for an action-packed morning!  After an authentic, traditional lunch, we will then head off to see The San Felipe Nery convent to see traditional products, including chocolate and hats, which characterise this city. Our final activity for the day is a visit to the General Cemetery, with its impressive mausoleums, where many famous Bolivians throughout history have been laid to rest.

After breakfast, we will head off to our next destination, the silver mining town of Potosi. This city was world-famous for its silver mining in the 16th century and quickly became Bolivia’s industrial centre. We will pass by its colonial churches along the cobbled streets. Our hotel is on the edge of the city and is a living museum, surrounding us with original paintings and antiques to take you back to colonial times. Many of the buildings in the city have a wide selection of colonial religious art, especially the San Lorenzo church, museum of the convent San ta Teresa and La casa de la Moneda (Mint House). We will visit these in the afternoon.

Today we will have a free morning to either relax or discover more about this interesting city. You may visit the silver mines and see these historic mines. Not much has changed and they are still working today, using the traditional methods of extraction. In the afternoon we will travel to the town of Uyuni and the famous salt flats passing a small settlement called Pulacayo, which was The most important mining centre in Bolivia in the 19th Century. To this day, this is the home of the first train to arrive in Bolivia and was where the most important Bolivian revolution was planned. We will visit the house of the ex-president Aniceto Arce where we can see a history of The British in Bolivian history, throughout the years. We will then continue on to Colchani, where the locals process salt from the salt flats.

After breakfast, we will head off to the middle of the Salt Flats to see the lagoons ("eyes"), salt mountains and salt stacks. This unique route takes us into one of the world's most isolated areas with a glittering, white landscape for company. We will head on to explore Fish Island, so-named because of its shape when viewed from the middle of the salt flats. The island is the home to vizcachas (chinchillas), giant cacti and many bird species. From here, we can appreciate a panoramic view of the surrounding salty scenery. After lunch, we will then head on towards the Tunupa Volcano- the so-called “guardian” of the salt flats, visit the Chantani museum and see the Coquesa mummies all found within this truly unique landscape. In the evening we will arrive at the community of Villamar, where we will spend the evening.

Bright and early, we will drive from Uyuni to the Eduardo Avaroa Reserve, leaving the salt flats behind us and heading to the region's deserts and lakes. We will pass through the majestic highland area, to look out at spectacular mountains and whimsical landscapes. This is where the native llamas and vicuñas welcome you to winding streams and offer an insight into the daily life of the locals of the area.  

We will then arrive at the Capiña Salt Flat where borax is mined, passing by the distant mountains, that look like cities; the Ciudad de Piedra and Ciudad Italia. We will arrive at Laguna Colorada to see three different species of flamingos. We will continue on through the desert to the geysers, Sol de Mañana, the Stone Tree of the Dali desert and the Laguna Verde, close to the Chilean border. We will then head back to Uyuni to take the late flight to La Paz.

La Paz is an eclectic, mind-blowing city. Our full-day tour will take you on a cultural and historical journey around this colourful city, nestled in the mountains and where we can enjoy its fast-paced vibe and its ever-changing energy. Explore colonial streets, squares, The Cathedral, the Witches' Market, the Government Palaces and take in the views from its different viewpoints, as well as the cable car. After lunch, we will visit the art museums and see some local artists in action to learn some of their techniques and understand the inspiration behind their work. Late in the afternoon, we will visit the Valley of the Moon, a rock formation similar to the moon’s surface, in the south of the city. 

Morning transfer to the airport or bus station for your next destination!