Bolivia is like a multi-faceted gem…
It is the country with the largest Indigenous population on the continent. Isolated at the heart of South America, Bolivia receives little outside influence, which explains why its culture and traditions are so strongly preserved.
We discover Tiwanaku, whose civilization goes back over 3500 years. The Empire’s decline after it’s peak about 1000 years ago, left room for the Aymara lords, soon overthrown by the Inca invaders from Cusco. This New Empire, extending all the way to the fort of Samaipata, which was erected to repel the attacks of the Guarani Indians- was nonetheless rapidly devastated by the new intruders: the Spanish "conquistadores".
While the Quechuas labored in the silver mines of Potosí, a more pacific invader confronted the Indians from the low lands: the Jesuit missionaries who would unify them in the famous "reducciones" of the Oriente. As for the Aymaras, the few centuries of Inca domination on the Altiplano territories never managed to completely subjugate them. This is why still today, the traditions and the Aymara language survive with a surprising vigor.
An historical journey to reveal the tumultuous past of the New World, this circuit also traverses some of the most astounding natural landscapes. Bolivia offers an unsuspected wealth…

Airport pick up (flight ? at ?) and transfer to the Hotel.
We meet in the Hotel at 2 p.m. for the tour of Santa Cruz : Plaza of 24 de Septiembre, cathedral, Casa de la Cultura and museum of contemporary art, zoological park.
Lunch and dinner open. Hotel ***.

Departure from the hotel, in our private vehicle at 8:30 a.m. for San Javier, first stop of our trip (3 hours on a paved road). First Jesuit Mission, founded in 1691, it also hosted the first music school, as well as a workshop dedicated to the fabrication of violins, harps, harpsichord… After lunch, we get back on the road and head towards the village of Concepción, 70km to the East (1h30).
On the way, we stop at the “Piedras de Paquió”, geological formations or balanced rocks.
End of the day open.
Lunch and dinner included. Hotel **.

In the morning, visit of the church and the Mission’s museum, located in the house in which was born General Hugo Banzer (dictator then President of Bolivia in the 70th and the 90th). Lunch in Concepción. Then return to San Javier and to Santa Cruz at the end of the afternoon.
Lunch included. Dinner open. Hotel ***.

Departure from our hotel at 8:30 a.m., in our private vehicle, for the Inca fortress of Samaipata. Beautiful area located between the Amazon and the Andes where we find the remains of the most isolated Inca fortress of the empire, erected to control the invasion of the Guaranis Indians.
Visit of the site. Return to Santa Cruz at the end of the day. On the way, stop at the waterfall of Cuevas for a cooling bath.
Lunch and dinner open. Hotel ***.

Private transfer from the hotel to the airport 2 hours before take off. Flight Santa Cruz – Sucre (time depending on the days of travel). Pick up at the airport and transfer to the hotel. End of day open.
Lunch and dinner open. Hotel ***.

Jatun Yampara is a success of ecotourism and sustainable development. This indigenous community chose to preserve its traditions as well as its “Yampara” culture. Two different ethnic groups have chosen to live there: Jalq´as and Tarabuco famous for their weaving and ceramics.
Departure from the hotel at 9 a.m. in our private vehicle. We discover the daily life and the customs of this community by visiting the workshops, the ancient tombs called “chullpas”, the school… We then walk around the area to discover the fauna (it is not rare to spot condors) and the local flora used by locals for their medicinal properties.
If this day is a Sunday, we will go all the way to the village of Tarabuco hosting one of the most renowned indigenous markets of the continent. Return to Sucre at the end of the day.
Lunch included. Dinner open. Hotel ***.

We meet in the hotel hall at 9 a.m. for a guided visit of the colonial city registered as a World Heritage city by UNESCO. Amongst others: ethnographic textile museum (ASUR), Casa de la Libertad (closed on Sunday afternoons and Mondays), Recoleta convent, cathedral and San Felipe Nery monastery…
Departure from the hotel at 4 p.m. with our private vehicle. We cross the peculiar Río Pilcomayo Bridge (further south, this river separates Argentina and Paraguay). We then leave the Chuquisaca Valleys for the high plateau of Potosí (el. 4100 m.a.s.l.) where we arrive at the end of the day (3-hour; paved road).
Lunch and dinner open. Hotel ***.

We dedicate this day to the discovery of Potosi, nominated as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.
At 9 a.m., we meet in the hotel lobby to visit the mines of Cerro Rico where we can meet miners in their environment. In the afternoon, we visit the Casa de la Moneda (closed Sunday afternoons and Mondays), where the Spanish minted the coins for the crown until the 19th century.
Lunch and dinner open. Hotel **.

We dedicate this day to the discovery of Potosi, nominated as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.
At 9 a.m., we meet in the hotel lobby to visit the mines of Cerro Rico where we can meet miners in their environment. In the afternoon, we visit the Casa de la Moneda (closed Sunday afternoons and Mondays), where the Spanish minted the coins for the crown until the 19th century.
Lunch and dinner open. Hotel **.

9 a.m. departure from the Hotel with our 4WD for the Salar de Uyuni (el. 3650 m.a.s.l.), the world’s largest salt desert.
On the way, we visit the salt exploitation of Colchani and the Salt Hotels (closed since November 2001). We then stop in the heart of the Salar on the Island of Incahuasi. This island is of volcanic origin and covered with stromatolites and giant cactuses (Stomatolites are fossilized bacterial colonies, first traces of life on earth). In the afternoon, we head north to the village of Tahua, located on the border of the Salar, at the foot of volcano Tunupa.
Cold lunch. All included. Hotel ****.

With guide – No technical difficulty – Good physical condition required
Early departure for the ascent of the volcano that dominates the whole Salar (our 4WD drops us off at the end of the dirt road above the village). In about 4 hours, we reach the viewpoint (el. 4700 m.a.s.l.) that offers an exceptional panorama. The summit (el. 5400 m.a.s.l.) can’t be attempted because of the potential danger due to the necessity of climbing over some cliffs. Return to Jirira in the afternoon and arrival in Uyuni by early evening, after visiting the Salt Hotels and the salt factory of Colchani.
- Monday and Thursdays, departure of the train Wara-Wara for Oruro at 1:45 a.m. (Tuesdays or Fridays morning). Arrival in Oruro the next morning at 9:10 a.m., then bus to La Paz (4h trip. You need to buy the bus ticket yourself and do the transfer train / bus in Oruro. No one will be waiting for you at the bus station in La Paz).
- Wednesday and Saturday, departure of the train Expreso del Sur for Oruro at midnight. Arrival in Oruro the next morning at 7 a.m., then bus to La Paz (4h trip. You need to buy the bus ticket yourself and do the transfer train / bus in Oruro. No one will be waiting for you at the bus station in La Paz).
- Sundays, departure of the night bus at 9 p.m. This comfortable bus is direct to La Paz. Arrival in La Paz towards 7 a.m. Pick up and transfer to the Hotel.
- Tuesdays and Fridays, departure of the bus for Oruro at 8 p.m. Arrival in Oruro at 4 a.m. Immediate bus change. Departure at 4:30 a.m. Arrival in La Paz at about 8 a.m. (the ticket Uyuni-La Paz will be given to you in Uyuni. No one will be waiting for you at the bus station in La Paz).
Cold lunch (included). Dinner open (bar-restaurant La Loco recommended). Hotel ** available until the train departure.
Ascent time: 7 h; Elevation gain: +850m/-850m

We pursue our travels on a paved road from where, if we are lucky, we may spot some dirt devils, as we exit Oruro. Arrival in La Paz before noon. Rest of the day open.
Lunch and dinner open. Hotel ***.

Departure from the hotel at 8:30 a.m. in our private vehicle, to discover the most spectacular viewpoint over the city, unbelievably located in the “pit” of the Choqueyapu river canyon, with the Royal Mountain Range “Giants” as the background: Huayna Potosi, Mururata and Illimani.
This tour, particularly designed for photo lovers, first takes us to the Jach´a Apacheta Mirador, on the edge of the precipice of the city of El Alto. Then we go to the K´Illi K´Illi Mirador and to the Laykakota Park, on the Northwestern side of the city. Afterwards, we cross the Americas Bridge to go to the “Plaza de España” Mirador, in the colonial neighborhood of Sopocachi. From there, an abrupt descent leads us to the “South Zone”, passing through Llojeta and the “Garden Cemetery”, and finally to the Valley of the Moon, a place where we will be able to walk between psychedelic looking limestone formations.
In the afternoon our vehicle brings us back to the City Center and drops us off in the heart of the colorful and animated Andean market of La Paz. Return to the hotel on foot, accompanied by our guide.
Lunch and dinner open. Hotel ***.

Departure from the hotel at 8 a.m. in our private vehicle for the archeological site of Tiwanaku (1 ½ hour). Guided tour of the pre-Colombian vestiges counting amongst the most important of the continent. Then we follow Lake Titicaca and the Cordillera Real to Copacabana. Visit of the most interesting sites in town: Horca del Inca, cathedral…
We climb up the hill of the Way of the Cross to watch the sunset over the lake (bring a headlamp for the descent).
Lunch and dinner open. Hotel ** / lake views.

In the morning, a motorboat takes us to the Northern extremity of the Isla del Sol (Island of the Sun) (2 to 3 hours depending on weather conditions). Visit of the Inca site of Chincana and of the Sacred Rock of the Incas, from where God Viracocha gave birth to his son Manco Capac, the first Inca. We return to our boat to head back to the South of the island and La Fuente del Inca (The Fountain of the Inca). Finally a short traverse brings us to La Isla de la Luna (Island of the Moon), where we visit the temple of the “Ñustas” or temple of the Virgins. Return by boat to Copacabana in the afternoon, where our private vehicle awaits to take us back to La Paz (about 3h30).
Cold lunch (included). Dinner open. Hotel ***.

Pick up at our hotel in a private vehicle, 3 hours prior to flight departure time, for transfer to airport / international flight number and time to be confirmed.