| Along the way… |
Bolivia is a jewel…
Located at the heart of South America, and still difficult to access even today, Bolivia has preserved its culture and strong traditions. It is also an inestimable natural treasure. From the Amazonian Basin to the highest summits of the Andes, the whole range of ecosystems is represented.
We discover Amboro National Park and its immeasurable wealth, the immense and deserted Altiplano, and Lake Titicaca and its legends, before finishing the expedition in the Amazonian Pampa. The fauna that we meet along our peregrinations is exotic: toucans, Howling monkeys, capihuaras, ñandus, vicuñas, marabous, tapacarés…
On our way, we also visit the important Bolivian Colonial historical sites: the imperial cities of Sucre and Potosí, witnesses of a sumptuous past.
What a beautiful place Bolivia is !! |
| |
 |
| |
| PROGRAM |
| |
Day 1 :SANTA CRUZ / ARRIVAL – BUTTERFLY PARK |
 |
Airport pick up (flight ? at ?) and transfer to the Hotel..
Once settled in the hotel, we leave for the Güembé Park, 15 minutes away from Santa Cruz. This beautiful park of 35 acres where we find tropical forest and lagunas with crystalline water, hosts the World’s largest butterfly aviary as well as a collection of Orchids. Short guided visit of the premises (aviary, butterfly reproduction laboratory, Orchid Temple, Termite Castle…) then rest of the day open. Options to bathe or to hike on nearby trails. A real Paradise!
Lunch and dinner open. Hotel ***. |
| |
Day 2 :SANTA CRUZ – SAMAIPATA |
 |
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.
Lunch and dinner open. Cabañas ***. |
| |
Day 3 :SAMAIPATA – AMBORO PARK – GIANT FERNS - SAMAIPATA |
 |
Departure at 8:30 a.m. for the forest of the Amboro park, where we will be able to observe a few species of giant ferns found nowhere else in the world (Dicksonia Sellowiana and Alsophila Incana) as well as many wild orchids varieties. Excursion on foot before returning to Samaipata.
Cold lunch (included). Dinner open. Night in lodge ***.. |
| |
Day 4 :SAMAIPATA – VOLCANO SHELTER – CUEVAS – SANTA CRUZ |
 |
Departure at 8 a.m. for Sillar (the Mirador). Panoramic view over the Amboro Park. Excursion on foot to the volcano’s shelter (4 to 5-hour walk) then transfer to Bermejo. Short hike to the Cuevas waterfall. Possible bath in a dreamscape...
Return to Santa Cruz in the afternoon.
Cold lunch. Dinner open. Hotel ***. |
| |
Day 5 :SANTA CRUZ – SUCRE |
 |
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 ***.
|
| |
Day 6 :SUCRE / QUATALLA VALLEY AND 7 WATERFALLS (One day excursion on horseback or mountain bike) |
 |
3-4- hour horseback ride. Level: easy / 16 km, about 4 hours on a mountain bike. 1-hour hike Meeting at 9 a.m. in the hall of the hotel. We start our ascent above town before descending in the Quatalla Valley where we find the 7 waterfalls.
We leave our horses or our bikes for a hike along the River. We can climb to the highest waterfall or swim in the pool of the first one (always full even during the low season).
After we fully enjoy this wonderful area, we return to Sucre on horseback or on bikes.
Cold lunch (included). Dinner open Hotel ***. |
| |
Day 7 :SUCRE / CITY TOUR – POTOSI |
 |
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 ***. |
| |
Day 8 :POTOSÍ / TOUR (4100 m.a.s.l.) |
 |
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 **. |
| |
Day 9 :POTOSÍ – UYUNI |
 |
Departure at 10 a.m. by local bus (option 4WD). We cross the Frailes Mountain range to reach the village of Uyuni (6 hours of dirt track). End of afternoon and evening open.
Lunch and dinner open (bar-restaurant La Loco recommended). Hotel ***.
|
| |
Day 10 :UYUNI – SAN CRISTOBAL - VILLAMAR |
 |
4WD expedition from Uyuni to Uyuni.
We depart at 9:30 a.m. to visit the train cemetery on the outskirt of town. We then head south. On the way, we visit various villages, including the modern urbanization of Culpina K. We have lunch in San Cristobal where we can visit the beautiful colonial church if it is open. We then traverse Rio Grande, area home to numerous vicuñas and ñandus (of the ostrich family) and arrive in Villamar at the end of the day.
Cold lunch. All included. Lodging with local host in Villamar (basic comfort). |
| |
Day 11 :VILLAMAR – LAGUNA VERDE – LAGUNA COLORADA |
 |
We head south for Laguna Colorada. . This laguna owes its intense red-brick color to the presence in its water of millions of shellfish Artemia, well-studied by scientists for their incredible adaptability in saline areas. We keep heading south for an excursion to the Sol de Mañana Geysers (el. 4850 m.a.s.l.) a volcanic crater from which escapes sulfuric fumes and heavy water. We then stop for breakfast in Polques before skirting Laguna Salada and crossing the Dali Desert (named after the scenery reminiscent of one of his paintings). We reach the lagunas Blanca and Verde, at the foot of volcanoes Juriques and Licancabur (el. 5960 m.a.s.l.) at the end of the afternoon. Curious phenomenon: when the wind picks up, the waters of Laguna Verde change to a spectacular emerald color.
Return to Laguna Colorada at the end of the afternoon.
Cold lunch. All included. Night in shelter (basic comfort). |
| |
Day 12 :LAGUNA COLORADA – “ROUTE OF THE JEWELS” - SAN JUAN |
 |
We head north through the magnificent landscapes of the Siloli desert and its famous “Arbol de Piedra” (Stone Tree) where we may be able to spot some viscachas. We then skirt the Chilean border following the “Route of the Jewels”: lagoons Ramaditas, Honda, Ch’arkota, Hedionda and Cañapa, a sanctuary to 3 different types of flamingoes. We stop at the viewpoint of volcano Ollague. This active volcano hosts the world’s highest sulfur mine.
The track then drops from around 4200 meters above sea level to 3600. We cross the small Salar de Chiguana at the foot of volcano Tomasamil (el. 5900 m.a.s.l.) before arriving in the village of San Juan where are located the spectacular mummies of the “Lipez Lords” (1200 B.C.).
Cold lunch. All included. Lodging with local host (basic comfort). |
| |
Day 13 :SAN PEDRO DE QUEMEZ – SALAR – UYUNI - ORURO |
 |
In the morning, departure for the world’s largest salt desert: the Salar de Uyuni (el. 3650 m.a.s.l.).
The atmosphere is special: the horizon seems to not have any limits and the immensity is overwhelming. We stop at the heart of the Salar on la “isla del pescado” or the Fish Island. An island of volcanic origin, it is covered with stromatolites and giant cactuses. We also visit the touristy island of Incahuasi (often confused with its larger neighbor) before returning to Uyuni. On the way we visit the Salt Hotels (Closed since November 2001) and the salt exploitation 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 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 Cold lunch (included). Dinner open (restaurant La Loco recommended). Hotel ** available before departure.
Note: No guide (unless option English guide) |
| |
Day 14 : ORURO – LA PAZ |
 |
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 ***. |
| |
Day 15 :LA PAZ / PHOTO AND PANORAMIC TOUR – VALLEY OF THE MOON – ANDEAN MARKETS |
 |
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 ***. |
| |
Day 16 :LA PAZ – COPACABANA – TREK ISLA DEL SOL - YUMANI |
 |
Departure from the hotel at 7:30 a.m. with a private 4WD. We skirt Lake Titicaca and the Cordillera Real before descending towards Copacabana (around 3 ½ hours). From there a motorboat takes us to the Northern extremity of the Isla del Sol (island of the Sun), a 3-hour trip.
From the ruins, we start the trek following the crest of the island until we reach the village of Yumani in the South (a 3 to 4-hour hike).
Cold lunch. All included. Night at Maria and Ismaël’s house (Basic comfort).
Note: During the following 2 days a boat will be at our disposal to transport the group as well as the backpacks during the walks
.Hiking time: 4h; Elevation gain: +200m / -100m |
| |
Day 17 :YUMANI – YAMPUPATA – TREK – COPACABANA – LA PAZ |
 |
In the morning we descend the 500 steps to the pier of the Fuente del Inca (Fountain of the Inca), where our boat awaits us to take us to the peninsula of Yampupata (20 minutes). Trek along the peninsula to the Virgin of Lourdes, by way of the remote village of Zampaya (about 4 to 5h). We then get back on our boat for the return journey to Copacabana and then to La Paz with a private vehicle (3h30).
Cold lunch (included). Dinner open. Hotel ***.
Hiking time: 4h; Elevation gain: +100m / -200m |
| |
Day 18 :LA PAZ - RURRENABAQUE |
 |
Pick up at the hotel for a private transfer to the airport (morning or evening depending on the day of the week). Flight La Paz – Rurrenabaque (1h). Pick up at the Rurrenabaque airport and transfer to the hotel
End of the day open in the capital of Beni.
Lunch and dinner open. Hotel ***
|
| |
Day 19 :RURRENABAQUE – BALA CAMP |
 |
Departure from the hotel at 9 a.m. in our private 4WD. After about two and a half hours on a dirt road (depending on the state of the road), we reach Bala camp, on the banks of Rio Yacuma by way of the village of Santa Rosa. In the afternoon, motorboat trip to observe wildlife: we will see quantity of animals. Amongst others: many different species of birds (toucans, parrots, tapacarés, king fishers, marabous, herons and other wader birds…), soft water turtles, caimans, monkeys (howling, whittlers and chichiloes)…
We return to the camp at the end of the day, dinner, then a night walk to observe nocturnal habits of the local fauna.
Hot lunch. All included. Night at the eco-lodge. |
| |
Day 20 :BALA CAMP |
 |
In the morning, we follow a local foot-path to search for the sicuri, the famous anaconda that can reach a length of up to 12 meters and live to be a hundred years. During this hike, we can also see some capihuaras (the biggest rodent in the world), tapirs (if we have a lot of chance) and discover medicinal plants, still in use by the local inhabitants.
In the afternoon, we leave for another canoe or motorboat excursion. Upon return to camp, we can safely bathe in the Yacuma River in company of the Bufeos (pink dolphins) populating the almost totality of all the waterways of the great Amazonian basin
Cold lunch. All included. Night at the Eco lodge. |
| |
Day 21 :BALA CAMP – RURRENABAQUE – LA PAZ |
 |
Return in 4WD to Rurrenabaque. Along the way, we stop on the riverbanks and with light fishing rods attempt to catch some piranhas or bentons, small carnivorous fish prisoners of the lagunas after the rainy season.
Transfer at the airport for the return flight Rurrenabaque – La Paz in the afternoon.
Pick up at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Afternoon open
Lunch and diner open. Hotel ***. |
| |
Day 22 :DEPARTURE |
 |
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. |
| |