15 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 system of the time; 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 and this 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 throughout 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. Toda this day, this is the home of the first train to arrive to 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 an account of The British involvement 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 as we 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.  

Today we will head to the lakeside town of Copacabana on the shores of Titicaca.  We will cross the Tiquina stretch at the narrowest part of the great lake. This divides the Greater and the Lesser Lakes which together form the ‘Magical Lake of Titicaca’. We will continue by road enjoying the surrounding landscape until our arrival in the town of Copacabana, where you can see the ancient mysticism of both colonial and pre-colonial civilisations. Copacabana receives many visitors from all over Bolivia and Peru to visit the sacred virgin of Copacabana. In the afternoon, we will take our private boat to the Island of the Sun. The muleteers, donkeys and our team. will be waiting to take you and your belongings on the 30 minute journey to the hotel while exploring one of the Inca´s most important places of worship.  

Bright and early, we will hike around the three communities of the Island; Throughout the day, we will observe the Pilkokaina Palace, The Yumani Inca steps and the fountain of eternal youth. We will head over to the temple of the Moon for lunch and visit the Temple of the Virgins of the Sun.  We will take the boat back to the mainland at Copacabana, before heading back to La Paz City for the evening.

Today we will head to the small town of Coroico, located in the subtropical area to the north of La Paz, which is classed as a cloud forest due to its altitude. The area is surrounded by coffee, banana, citrus fruit and coca fields. The 3-hour journey down from the highlands to the Yungas, passes through the region’s different ecosystems and climates. You will be amazed by the stunning panoramic views as we climb up to 4,700 m before we drop to 1,150 m to the village of Yolosa. On our way to Coroico, we will stop in Send Verde Refuge a centre for native wild species.  Arriving at the village of Coroico, you will be able to visit the market, see people going about their day to day life, grab something to eat and check out the stunning views from the towns lookout point, or even take a dip in a hotel swimming pool. 

As the road winds up to Coroico, we will experience the world of the Afro-Bolivian descendants of Africans brought to Bolivia by The Spanish during colonial times, to work in the mines as slaves. You will be able to appreciate their way of life by getting interacting in their everyday activities, such as picking coffee, coca leaves, agriculture and of course, enjoying their music. In the early afternoon, we will head back to the city of La Paz.  

In the early afternoon, we will visit El Alto City above La Paz and the Cholets “Andean Mansions”, showing us the opulence of the new indigenous social class in Bolivia. We can also appreciate the fusion of Catholicism and traditional native indigenous beliefs that are part of everyday Bolivian society today. We will visit an Andean shaman who will demonstrate how the coca leaves and llamas are used in ceremonies on behalf of mother earth. 

Transfer out