Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival is Santa Cruz. Arrival in Santa Cruz. Meet and assist at airport. Transfer to 4-star Hotel Cortez. Santa Cruz is located in the huge eastern lowlands of Bolivia. The rapid economic development has not affected the colonial character of the old backstreets nor the famous good humor of the city’s inhabitants. Free day for optional activities.
Day 2: Santa Cruz to Sucre. Transfer to the airport and flight Santa Cruz/ Sucre. Meet and assist and transfer to 3-stars Hostal Sucre. Sucre (Monument of the Americas, Patrimony of Mankind, UNESCO). Sucre is the historic capital of Bolivia. Our half day itinerary includes a visit to the most important monuments such as Casa de la Libertad, the beautiful baroque cathedral and other churches in the old city. Includes: (B).
Day 3: Sucre to Tarabuco. The most authentic street fair of the Andes takes place every Sunday 65 km (40 miles) from Sucre. We will drive a couple of hours to visit the Tarabuco Indian Market. Indians from several communities come to the market to buy animals, vegetables, fruits, crafts, and textiles. The market provides a wonderful opportunity to experience the local culture. Here you can buy ponchos, conquistador-style leather helmets, musical instruments, and other local specialties at reasonable prices. The weavings are some of the best in South America and unique to this part of Bolivia. Return to Sucre in the afternoon. Accommodation in 3-stars Hostal Sucre. Includes: (B), (L).
Day 4: Potosí. Regular bus to Potosi.Arrival and transfer to the 3-stars Hotel Libertador. The “Rich Mountain” that overlooks Potosí is the main source of silver in the area. The mines have hardly changed since colonial times and you can learn about the customs and traditions of the workers, their strange relationship with the coca leaf, the Earth Goddess Pachamama and Tio, the god of the underworld. Our half day excursion also includes a visit to the miners´ market (calvary). Includes: (B).
Day 5: Potosi (Patrimony of Mankind, UNESCO): During its mining heyday in the 17th century, Potosí was the biggest city in the Americas. Silver from Potosí was taken to Spain and used all over Europe. Now a walk through the streets takes you back to the times of the Spanish conquistadores. Our half day tour includes a visit to the main monuments and churches of the old town. Includes: (B).
Day 6: Potosí-Uyuni. Regular bus to Uyuni (6 Hours) and transfer to 2-stars Hotel La Magia. Includes: (B).
Day 7: Uyuni & Tahua: 4x4 WD expedition. An unforgettable trip through 12,000 km² (4,500 square miles) of fantastic landscapes. The Isla Incahuasi in the center of the Salar is famous for its particular fauna –rodents and birds– and flora –giant cacti. On this island are some small remnants of the Inca civilization that ruled for about 150 years from 1350 to 1500BC. It is interesting to look at the corals, truly remnants of earlier times when Uyuni was under water. We will stop there for lunch. Arrival to Tahua. Accommodation in Hotel Tayka de Sal. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 8: Tahua & Siloli Desert. In the far south of the altiplano (Sud Lípez) the landscape is incredible with multicolored deserts and lakes surrounded by salt flats and active volcanoes. The scarce vegetation is unusual and the entire area has been declared a national reserve where it is possible to see vicuñas, ostriches, viscachas, flamingos, among others. Departure towards the region of Laguna Colorada and Sol de Mañana. With its volcanic fumes and boiling mud, this is a landscape from the end of the world. We will reach Laguna Verde just in time to see how the waters change colors, from emerald to opaque green. Accommodation in Hotel Tayka del Desierto. (B,L,D)
Day 9: Siloli Desert – Uyuni – La Paz. On our way we may meet with local quinoa and amarantus growers. These andean cereals are highly energetic and are used by the NASA for the cosmonauts during their space flights. Arrival to Uyuni. Touristic bus from Uyuni to La Paz. Includes: (B), (L).
Day 10: La Paz. Arrival to La Paz and transfer to 3-stars Hotel El Dorado. PM half day city tour. We will give you a comprehensive introduction to the city of La Paz. Our visit is divided into three parts : Cultural (including the main museums), Panoramic (with the Valley of the Moon), Popular (with the famous witch market). Includes: (B).
Day 11: La Paz - Lago Titicaca Copacabana - Isla del Sol - Copacabana. Depart to Copacabana and drive along the paved road that crosses the central peninsula. We will pass by small native villages and arrive at Tiquina straight. Astonishing views of the Sacred Lake and of the Royal Range on our way. We will cross the Straight of Tiquina that divides Lake Major (Chucuito) and Lake Minor (Wiñaymarka) and carry on with our excursion.
There we will embark for a peaceful ride on a local fishing boat and will be able to chat with our native leader as he takes us across the Sacred Lake. The Island of the Sun stands in front of us shortly after. We will explore the island and its Incan remains – Stairway of Yumani and Sacred Source, Palace of Pilkokaina. Return to Copacabana. Accommodation in 3-stars Hotel Rosario del Lago. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 12: Copacabana – La Paz. We will visit the basilica of the Black Virgin and its museum or wander around the little town and its surroundings. The short walk up the nearby Calvary may result tiring but worth the astonishing views onto the bay. Carry on towards La Paz crossing native villages such as Huarina and Batallas. Beautiful views of almost all of the Cordillera. Arrival in La Paz in the late afternoon. Accommodation in 3-stars Hotel Dorado. Includes: (B).
Day 13: Departure to Trinidad for Flotel Reina de Enín. Transfer to the Airport for Flight La Paz/ Trinidad. Meet and assist at Trinidad airport. Transfer to the port where we´ll embark on our motor boats to reach the Flotel. The Flotel Reina de Enin is simple but comfortable. It offers cabins with fans, private bathroom, buffet style meals, and a well stocked bar. It is the interpretive center of the best ecological path that we have found in our 12 years of operation – the river itself. Overnight on board. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 14: Flotel Reina de Enin. Our area of operations (Mamoré and Ibare rivers) encompasses three large bio-geographic regions –the riverside forest, the savannas in Moxos, savannas of palm trees– intermixed with swamps and islands of evergreen humid forest. Today our activities will be oriented towards nature: photo-safari, walks in the jungle, horseback riding, fishing, canoeing in lagoons with native guides. Overnight on board. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 15: Flotel Reina de Enin. The presence of over 2,000 vascular plants is estimated, as well as dozens and dozens of mammals and over 400 species of birds. Even though the jaguar, the deer, the anaconda are afraid of man, we´ll have most chances to see alligators, river dolphins, turtles, monkeys or a family of capibaras. And with a little bit of luck we may photograph a jabiru stork or a gray heron or even a band of squirrel monkeys (in danger of extinction) at a distance of less than 20 meters. Overnight on board. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 16: Trinidad to Santa Cruz or La Paz. Maybe a last excursion into the forest, or a visit to an indigenous community and it will be time to navigate back to the port. Transfer to airport and flight TDD-SRZ. For onward international connection. Includes: (B).
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Included in this Programme:
Expert Guide
All transfers, hotels & sightseeing
Meals as stated
Internal Flights
Additionally please consider not included in the cost of this tour:
International Flights:
Your departure airport to Santa Cruz [SRZ]
Departure from Santa Cruz [SRZ] or La Paz [LPB]
Drinks, tips, airport taxes, personal insurance.
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Bolivia
Local Culture
Cultural Journey
Desert Expeditions
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