JourneYou, specialists in South American travel, have put together a special 13-day Total Bolivia tour. Stretching from the high-altitude, snow-capped Andean peaks to the rain forest and savannas of the Amazon basin, Bolivia is one of South America’s most diverse nations and must-see destinations. With its six UNESCO World Heritage Sites and Latin Spanish and Inca influences, Bolivia boasts a rich cultural heritage and a blend of traditional indigenous cultures.
Guests who book this tour by March 31, 2016 will save 15% per person for travel through the end of this year. Pricing for this itinerary begins at $2,570* per person, double and includes all accommodations, domestic flights from Santa Cruz to Sucre Uyuni to La Paz, tourist tickets, entrance fees, English speaking tour guide, food and beverages as mentioned in trip description.
* Pricing reflects the 15% discount and excludes international airfare, insurance, gratuities, food not listed and hotel extras and personal expenses. Upgrade on accommodations available upon request.
Highlights of this itinerary include:
- Learn about Bolivia’s rich history while visiting the Samaipata archaeological site, Gate of the Sun temple in Tiahuanaco, Inca ruins in La Chincana, and Iñak Uyu ruins on the Island of the Moon;
- Explore the historic towns of Sucre and Polosi, both of which are designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites;
- Visit Tarabuco village and gain insight into Yampara culture and traditional weaving techniques;
- Discover nature’s magnificence with visits to the Uyuni salt flats, National Reserve Eduardo Abaroa, and the Laguna Colorada’s 30,000 flamingos;
- Explore the fascinating capital of La Paz and the religious epicenter of Copacabana.
Daily Summary Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival Santa Cruz/ Pick-Up Transfer / City Tour
Located in the tropical lowlands east of the Andes Mountains, Santa Cruz stands on the Pirai River. In the afternoon you will embark on a 3 hour tour of the most important historic monuments, visit La Recoba handcraft market and the zoo, where regional fauna and various endangered species can be seen.
Day 2: Santa Cruz / Samiapata / Santa Cruz
A unique archaeological site located about 2 hours southwest of Santa Cruz, Samaipata’s ruins have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ruins are comprised of two clearly identifiable parts – the hill with animal and geometric carvings (believed to have been the Ceremonial Center) and the area south of the hill, used as a ritual center be people belonging to the Mojocoyas culture in as early as AD 300.
Day 3: Santa Cruz / Sucre / City Tour
A short 35 minute flight from Santa Cruz, the colonial city of Sucre is located in the foothills of the Sica Sica and Churuquella in central-south of Bolivia. This historic city has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and contains such attractions as The Casa de la Libertad (House of Freedom) where the Act of Independence of Bolivia was signed in 1825, the Parque Simón Bolívar, Sucre’s most beautiful park, the church and museum of La Recoleta, and the Museum of Indigenous Art ASUR.
Day 4: Full Day Tarabuco
Located about one hour drive from Sucre, the charming, indigenous village of Tarabuco is best known as the home of the traditional “Yampara” culture, famous for its sprawling Sunday market, impressing weaving tradition and the most renowned textiles in all of Bolivia.
Day 5: Sucre / Potosi – Cerro Rico Mines
The city of Potosi was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site because of its rich silver mining history. In the afternoon you will depart on an excursion to Cerro Rico Mines to see the living and working conditions of the Bolivian miners. You will be given protective clothing, helmets, and lamps to tour the underground of the famous silver mine.
Day 6: Potosi – City Tour / Uyuni / Colchani
After visiting the Mint House of Potosi, considered one of the most important civil building of Latin America, and a chance to stroll through traditional colonial streets and visit the San Francisco and San Lorenzo churches, you will depart for Uyuni, passing by old mining centers and villages and Indian communities. You will then travel to Colchani, which is a home to the salt cooperative and the easiest point to access the great salt flat.
Day 7: Uyuni Saltflats / San Juan
Today you drive to Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia’s largest salt lake and explore the village of Colchani, where you will visit an artisanal salt processing plant and watch the salt extraction methods. In the afternoon you will continue to Incahuasi Island, also known as the Fish Island, where you can admire giant cactus. After lunch you will go see the mummies in Coquesa Caves and continue to San Juan.
Day 8: San Juan / REA / Villamar
After breakfast you will depart to National Reserve Eduardo Abaroa and visit Laguna Colorada, where you can admire over 30,000 flamingos. Further, you will visit geothermal fields and geysers of “Sol de Mañana” and pass alongside the hot springs of Challviri lagoon in the shores of Polques. You will then cross through the high desert of Pampas de Dali and reach Laguna Verde in the foothills of the Licancabur Mountain, ending the day in the town of Villamar.
Day 9: Villamar / Alota / Uyuni / La Paz
In the morning you will drive to visit remote cave paintings and the Fort of Tomás Lakjas, the Rocks Valley with its unique rock formations, and continue through Alota and San Cristobal villages. After lunch you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to La Paz, where you stay overnight.
Day 10: Tiwanaku HD / City Tour HD
The expansive archaeological site of Tiahuanaco is located in the Bolivian Andes at a height of over 12,500 ft., including ceremonial complexes. During your visit you will have a guided tour of temple of Kalasasaya, the Gate of the Sun, monoliths Ponce and Fraile, the Akapana pyramid and the Semiunderground temple. After lunch you will return to La Paz, where you will have a guided city tour including a visit to the street market with handicrafts, San Francisco church and the Murillo square with governmental palaces and cathedral.
Day 11: La Paz / Copacabana / Boat to Island of the Sun / Hike to Ecolodge La Estancia
Located 3.5 hours from the city of La Paz, through the highlands, is Copacabana, the main religious center of Bolivia located on the shore of Lake Titicaca. Visit the famous sacred “Virgen Morena”, a 500 year old wooden statue of the Virgin Mary in the Basilica of Copacabana. In the afternoon you will take one hour boat ride to the Island of the Sun. After typical “Aptapi” lunch you will hike for about 45 min. to Ecolodge La Estancia, where you will stay overnight.
Day 12: La Chincana / Island of the Moon / Copacabana / La Paz
After admiring a beautiful sunrise, you will take a boat to La Chincana to see the Incan ruins. Afterwards you will continue to the Moon Island and visit the Iñak Uyu ruins before departing on a boat ride to Copacabana and continuing to La Paz, where you will stay overnight.
Day 13: Transfer to Airport for Departure
For more information and to see the full itinerary, visit: http://www.journeyou. com/en/tours/bolivia/bolivia- total/#content
About JourneYou
Journeyou makes trip planning to South America simple. Specializing in tailor-made trips to Peru, Chile, Bolivia and Argentina, Journeyou offers personal assistance to create customized tours for independent travelers. A variety of pre-arranged itinerary suggestions are available on the website where travelers also have the option of sending an online inquiry for an individual quote on a tailor-made journey. Reflecting the “trip planning made easy” philosophy, Journeyou does not require a deposit for reservations. For more information on the company, itineraries, and sustainable tourism and community practices please see the website; www.journeyou.com.