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 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
Island of the Sun
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
La Paz to Sucre
Early morning transfer to the airport to take the flight to Sucre. Upon arrival at Sucre airport, transfer to your hotel. Sucre, the official capital of Bolivia, is located at 2,290 meters (9,148 feet) and is considered the cultural center of South America because of its strong cultural influence from colonial times.
Afternoon ciy 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.
Parador Santa Maria la Real (Suite)
Day 6
Sucre to Potosi
This trip starts in Sucre and last 3 and hours, passing the Pilcomayo River at Puente Mendez, where you can see the old steel pending bridge that was used on this road before. There you go up around 5,000 feet to reach the highlands that end in the famous mining city of Potosi. Overnight in Potosi.
Day 7
Tour of Potosi
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. Afternoon, return to Sucre and transfer to your hotel.
Day 8
Sucre-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 9
Transfer to the airport to take the flight back home.
Lake Titicaca
Potosi
Majestic Andes
