Journey through Bolivia

Journey through Bolivia
One of South America’s best kept secrets, Bolivia is a land of quite breathtaking diversity. Boasting a wealth
of natural and cultural highlights, it encompasses ancient ruins and beautiful colonial cities, vast, barren salt
flats and the highest navigable lake in the world. This fantastic introduction to the country begins amongst the
highlands of La Paz, home to the planet’s highest capital. After a chance to visit the Witch Doctor’s Market and
explore the ruins of Tiwanaku, you’ll then drive up to the shores of Lake Titicaca, for a stay on Isla de Sol.
Returning to La Paz, you then fly on to Sucre, a UNESCO World Heritage site that is also one of Bolivia’s
most beautiful cities. A visit to the silver mines at Potosi, another World Heritage site, is then a prelude for an
unforgettable couple of days driving across the stark and surreal landscapes of the Salar de Uyuni and its
blindingly white salt flats before returning to the Bolivian capital.
Highlights:
Visit indigenous markets in La Paz
Enjoy the views over Lake Titicaca from Sun Island
Wander the streets of UNESCO protected Sucre
Discover the silver mines at Potosi
Navigate the blindingly white salt flats
Tour Includes:
Two domestic economy flights
8 nights in three to four star accommodation, 5 nights in boutique hotels, 1 night in a traditional lodge, 1
night overnight train in a sleeper cabin
14 breakfasts, 7 lunches & 5 dinners
Private driver and vehicle, normally a saloon car for one or two people
Local English speaking guides for sightseeing on a private basis, including all entrance fees
Private transfers to and from all airports
Please note the prices shown above are based on two persons sharing a twin or double room
Itinerary
Day 1: La Paz
On arrival to La Paz you will be met by your local guide and transferred
to your hotel to settle in and you will have the afternoon at leisure to
acclimatise and relax after your long journey.
Day 2: La Paz
Morning free in La Paz. This afternoon you will be taken on a half day guided tour of the city visiting the
indigenous, colonial and modern areas, the Indian Market, Witch Doctor's Market, handicraft street and
witnessing some breathtaking panoramas. Return to your hotel for the evening. (B)
Day 3: La Paz - Huatajata via Tiwanaku Ruins
Today you will leave the World's highest capital city to go to one of the
World's highest navigable lakes. Today you will travel 70km from the city
to the important archaeological site of Tiwanaku, which is over 1000
years old where you will spend time exploring the site before driving to
the shores of Lake Titicaca. (B,L,D)
Day 4: Huatajata - Isla del Sol
This morning you will take the hydrofoil to Copacabana where you will visit the Shrine of the Dark Virgin
before continuing to Sun Island, stopping en route at Moon Island. An optional lunch can be included at the
archaeological & panoramic Uma Kollu Restaurant, where you may also take a look at the small handicraft
market. (B,L,D)
Day 5: Isla De Sol
After breakfast we'll take a scenic trek to Chincana (the labyrinth) - a set of pre-Inca ruins. These ruins were
believed to be a support facility for the Island's Shrine. It's a three hour trek and you'll return by motor-boat
after a picnic lunch. (B,L,D)
Day 6: Isla del Sol - La Paz
After breakfast you will sail to the island of Parati, where an important archaeological cache of ceramic
artefacts were recently discovered in the middle of the town's football pitch! Cruising on you will disembark on
Kalauta Island, taking a gentle two hour walk across the island through local villages, visiting ancient
necropolis and funerary towers, to reach the Urus-Iruitos floating islands. The islands are unique to Lake
Titicaca and you will visit a community project set up to help the Uruitos people sustain their traditional way of
life. You will also stop for an Indian style Aptapi lunch, before heading back to La Paz. (B, L)
Day 7: La Paz - Sucre
This morning you will be transferred to La Paz airport in El Alto to catch
your flight to Sucre- Bolivia's most attractive city and a UNESCO world
monument. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your
accommodation before having a guided city tour to see the various sites,
including the Recoleta and San Francisco churches, the House of
Liberty where Simon Bolivar secured the independence of Bolivia, and
the Indian textile museum. Return to your hotel at the end of the day. (B)
Day 8: Sucre - La Candelaria, via Tarabuco
You will be collected from Sucre and taken by road to La Candelaria. On route we will have a break at the
colourful, sprawling Tarabuco market which takes place every Sunday. Here we'll have the chance to see an
amazing array of textiles, weavings, clothing and medicinal paraphernalia. The market is a lively affair, and it
offers a great insight into Bolivian culture and a chance to meet local people. (B,L)
Day 9: La Candelaria - Potosi
You will be collected from La Candelaria to Potosi (via Sucre), a journey
of approximately four hours and you may stop en-route if you see some
photo opportunities on your journey. (B,L)
Day 10: Potosi
Today you will visit the silver mines at Potosi. You will start by visiting the miners market to buy gifts for the
miners and from here visit the museum and shrine to the God of the underworld before descending into the
mine. This afternoon take a half day city tour Potosi with your guide, which has been declared a "World
Heritage Site". Visit the main sights including La Casa de la Moneda and finish with a walk around the old
town to the main square and to Santa Teresa Convent. (B)
Day 11: Potosi - Uyuni
Today you will be collected from Potosí and taken to the Salt Flats at
Uyuni, a journey of approximately 5 hours. Situated in south western
Bolivia, the town of Uyuni is on the edge of one of the most arresting
sites on the planet - over 10,000 square kilometres of blindingly white
salt. (B,L,D)
Day 12: Uyuni - Oruro
This morning you will be picked up from your hotel early to watch the sun rise over the surreal landscape of
the salt desert before heading out onto the vast, impressive Salar de Uyuni. Your journey will take you to the
local salt factory, the Tunupa volcano, cold-water springs, Fish Island and other smaller islands. You'll also
stop at caves formed by underwater volcanic eruptions and fossilised coral reefs - here you'll find the Coquesa
mummies. You will have day use of a hotel in Uyuni before being transferred to the station for your overnight
train back to Oruro. (B,L,D)
Day 13: Oruro - La Paz
On arrival to Oruro you will be met and privately transferred to La Paz for the final night of your trip. (B)
Day 14: La Paz
Today you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to the airport where your tour will end. (B)
Accommodation
Uyuni and Salt Flats
Luna Salada Hotel
Lake Titicaca Bolivia
Inca Utama Hotel And Spa
Isla del Sol
Posada Del Inca Lodge
La Paz
Rosario Hotel
Sucre
El Hostal De Su Merced
La Candelaria
Hacienda La Candelaria
Potosi
Hotel Cima Argentum