Day 1
Take the overnight flight to La Paz, Bolivia. Look out for the magnificent views of the city and the Royal Andean Range when landing.
Day 2
La Paz
Upon arrival in La Paz airport, transfer to your hotel. Afternoon, city tour of La Paz. We will go through the colonial part of the city, San Francisco Church, Gold Museum, Murillo Square and the outdoor replica of the Tiahuanaco Temple. We will also visit the street markets, rich in handicrafts, weavings and witchcraft artifacts that represent the traditional beliefs of the Ch’alla (ritual of offerings) and Pachamama (mother earth and symbol of fertility). We will then see the modern part of the city and the dramatic drops in elevation. Finally we leave the city to enter the Valley of the Moon and enjoy its natural geological formations.
Note: check-in is normally after 2 pm. Early check-in may be granted subject to availability (not confirmed).
Day 3
Early pick up from your hotel in La Paz and transfer to Huatajata. The road runs parallel to the Royal Range of the Andes. Arrive to Huatajata to experience the Andean Roots Eco Village: The Altiplano Museum, where a state of the art audio system will explain in your own language the cultural heritage of the Aymaras and the Incas, the colonial time and Jacques Cousteau Expedition to Lake Titicaca. Handicrafts and fisherman villages, the Mud Igloos of the Uru Chipayas; meet the Limachi family, builders of the RA II and Tigris for Thor Heyerdhal epic expeditions across the Atlantic Ocean. Continue with a hydrofoil cruise to Urus-Iruitos floating islands belonging to 500 year old culture with the same name. Here you can also see first hand the Quewaya Sustainable Project, a social project created to assure their survival. Hydrofoil continues to the Moon Island, where we will visit the Sun Virgins Temple Iñak Uyu, and the to Sun Island, visiting the "Pilcocaina" Sun Temple. We will enjoy a soft llama trek to the "Posada del Inca" Ecolodge where we will enjoy lunch. Afternoon at leisure and then enjoy a typical Andean dinner (lunch and dinner included)
Posada del Inca Eco Lodge
Day 4
Morning visit to the Chincana Ruins (the Labyrinth), located about 300 meters (500 feet) southwest of the sacred rock -at the north side of Sun Island. From here we will enjoy impressive views of Lake Titicaca. The Chincana Ruins contain the trapezoidal doors and niches which were lately adapted during the Inca period. They were believed to be a support facility for the Island’s Shrine, housing the maiden who took care of the Shrine. Visit the Inca Staircase and the Sacred Fountain, taking a drink of the water believed to give eternal and happiness. You have the option to trek back, or return by boat. Lunch at the "Uma Kollu" archaeological restaurant and visit the small handicraft market. We will then return to Huatajata and road transfer back to La Paz. Upon arrival transfer your hotel.
Day 5
This morning we will transfer to the airport in La Paz to take the flight to Uyuni. Upon arrival in Uyuni, you will be greeted for airport reception and transfer to your hotel.
Note: This flight does not operate on Wednesday.
Day 6
Uyuni
Tour of the Salt Lake and Isla Pescado (Fish Island). Uyuni, is the largest salt flat on earth, located on the Bolivian Andean Altiplano with 12.000 square Km in size; We will drive to "Isla Pescado" (at a distance this island has the shape of a fish). Its historical name is Inka Wasi, and it is located at the center of the Uyuni salt pan. Nature has bestowed a singular type of here. The surface rocks contain fossils of marine algae. This is the largest island in the group that forms an isolated oasis-type ecosystem within the salt pan; the landscape against the background of the salt pans that extend to the horizon makes it an ideal place for photography. Lunch included.
Day 7
Unuyi to Potosí
Trip crossing branches of the Andes Range with great landscapes, old mines and Indian villages, to Potosí. Afternoon tour of the colonial city, declared by Unesco "the Historical and Cultural Legacy of Mankind. We will visit the The Casa de la Moneda (the Royal Mint), conserving the unique wooden machinery brought in 17th century from Spain, the San Lorenzo church and the most important colonial streets.
Overnight in Potosi.
Day 8
Potosi - Sucre
Today we will transfer to Sucre.
Afternoon city tour, visiting the Recoleta and San Francisco Church, the House of Liberty where Simon Bolivar signed the Independence of Bolivia, the second oldest University of the continent San Xavier and the local colorful market. Overnight at Parador Santa Maria la Real (Suite).
Day 9
Santa Cruz
Transfer to the airport to take the flight to Santa Cruz. Upon arrival in Santa Cruz, transfer to your hotel. Afternoon city tour of Santa Cruz: the museum of the cathedral, the ethnographic museum of El Arenal and the history museum, finally the Zoo to see rich Bolivian fauna.
Day 10
Transfer to the airport to take the flight back home or overlap with the add-on of your choice.
La Paz
Uyuni Salt Flats
Sucre
