From: £2,049
From: $2,728
Today you arrive in Santa Cruz, where you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
Santa Cruz is an ideal starting point for any Bolivia holiday as it lies at lower altitude and welcomes with a very warm climate.
Alternatively fly into La Paz and we start the tour from there.
Many say Santa Cruz is the most diverse of Bolivian cities and while it is of considerable size, it has still managed to retain a laid-back small town feel.
Today we will explore the city and its narrow city centre streets with our guide in the morning, before having time to soak up the atmosphere on our own in the afternoon.
Today you fly to the beautiful city of Sucre, UNESCO world heritage city and constitutional capital of Bolivia.
After checking into your hotel a half-day tour of the city awaits in the afternoon, which shows you the most important monuments such as Casa de la Libertad, the beautiful baroque cathedral and several other churches in the old city (including two museums), you have the evening to experience the vibrant restaurant and pub scene of this dynamic city.
There is plenty to do and see in Sucre so we suggest you spend a day to do just that.
You can choose to have a day on your own, or we can arrange optional tours for you, such as a visit to see the nearby dinosaur footprints, a visit to the traditional and beautiful Tarabuco Market (Sunday only) or the diverse community project of Jatum Yampara where you can see the traditional way of life in rural communities and learn about weaving, llama herding and the challenges the community faces today.
Today we board the public bus to Potosi (four hours on road, 100% asphalt). On arrival we check into our hotel, and have the rest of the day to explore the city.
The “Rich Mountain” that overlooks Potosí is the main source of silver in the area and the mining industry has shaped the city.
We have left the afternoon free for you to explore but can arrange optional tours.
A visit to the Casa de Moneda gives a fascinating insight into the world of silver and coin production that brought riches to the city in the times of the Spanish Conquistadores.
Or if you are interested in learning more about Potosi’s silver mines today, you can choose to visit a mine – but we would like to highlight that visits to the mines are not well regulated in terms of safety and conditions are very crammed and basic, so do ask us for more details if you’d like to go.
Time to climb to yet higher altitudes as we get the bus to the remote town of Uyuni.
Roads are surfaced and the changing scenery will make the 4-hour bus ride pass quickly, with plenty to look at. On arrival you will be met and taken to your hotel.
At 10:00am we’ll start an unforgottable journey through 12.000Km2 of fantastic landscapes of salt. Prepare your camera! The dazzling white mantle of the Uyuni Salt Flat (or Thunhupha) resembles an immense glacier.
In the winter (dry season, from May to October), when the surface hardens, geometrical formations start appearing formed by salt particles conglomerating into polygons.
In summer (rainy season, November to February), the saline desert transforms into a gigantic mirror that melts into the purest sky in America.
We enter the salt flat through Colchani, where we can find the salt factories. We visit one of these and receive an explanation of the family economy of the salt which governs the life of the people on the basis of a cooperative organisation.
Once we end this part of the trip we will visit the salt plains in the part in which the mounds of salt are recollected, from here we will head towards the Incahuasi Island, the tourist centre that has a path to climb to the summit which acts as a special vantage point of 360 degrees.
We’ll have a box lunch at the island and then we’ll head toward the dominant and magic figure of the Volcano Thunupa whose slopes will let us visit the Chantani Museum, with its ceramic sample, in capricious ways of stone that resemble to animals and its silent mummies that refer the old burials in these lands.
Almost immediately departure by car to the town of Chillguilla at north, where we’ll start the climb to the Pucara. We’ll walk for 20 minutes climbing to the impressive site of Pucara Chillima. It is an intimate corner of the Sensual Salt Flat, of incomparable beauty, but also a spiritual presence that emanates from the stone buildings of more than thousand years old, that make us think about the ancestral populations’ way of living.
Return to Tayka Salt Hotel which offers us private bathrooms, hot water and heating.
Today we focus on the lesser known and visited parts of the Salt Flat.
We head by 4×4 to Chiquini, making a stop in a lonely Ojo de Agua (Water Eye) then continue toward “The Cathedral”, a huge cliff facing the Salt Flat and very near the Chiquini Cave.
Here there are strange geological underwater formations, from de time of Lake Michin (300,000 years ago) and Lake Mauca (40, 000 years ago).
Next we have the privilege of crossing from north to south, the most beautiful part in the white desert, far from the usual route of the tourists. We head towards the bay of the Campanas Islands, dominated by the image of the Volcano Caltama.
We leave the salt flat and head to Charagua, a pretty place of corals and goat farmers. It will take us one hour, via a bumpy road, to arrive to the Burnt Town of San Pedro de Quemes, where we will leave the car to go through its small streets and view the buildings whic have inspired the hotel Tayka of Stone.
We take lunch in the Hotel of Stone (optional Shepherding of Llamas trip, spending an hour or so helping a shepherd or shepherdess with the llamas, a vital part of life in the Salar).
In the afternoon we will go toward the lagoons – Cañapa, Hedionda, Chiarkota, Honda and Ramaditas, replete with flamingos happy to be photographed!
Other birds, such as Andean gulls and ducks, accompany the flamingos in these lagoons, which are flanked by snow-capped volcanoes.
Next we enter the deserts of sand. These fantastic deserts are owners of the whole palette of terracottas. Red, oranges, ochers, coffees and beige – every bend in the road there are more colours, fighting for your attention. In front of the most impressive of these palettes of colours is the Hotel Tayka of the Desert, with private bathrooms, hot water and environmental heating waiting for us.
An early start today at 05.30 o’clock, towards the Eduardo Avaroa and Flora and Andean Fauna Reserve and then the famous Stone Tree.
Next to the Red Lagoon to observe its great population of flamingoes, then the Morning Sun Geysers to catch them in their active moments.
This will be the highest point in the route, nearly 5,000m/16,404ft.
Here, noisy fumaroles and puddles make the earth seem to boil in reddish, grizzly, scarlets mud.
The desert and salt flat of Chalviri is another superb scene. It combines the white of the snow, the ochre of the desert, the blue of the water, and, in one of its corners, we can to take a dip in the hot springs of Polques.
It is a day full of highlights, as next is Ladies of the Desert, a masterpiece created by the the wind and the Andean peaks around, with crazily shaped rocks in fantastic colours, all moulded by the winds. Furthermore, nearby is the Green Lagoon, at the foot of the Volcano Licancabur, another pearl of the reserve.
From the Green Lagoon we return to the Red Lagoon, have lunch, and then watch as the shifting sun helps to change its colour from a woody red blood red colour.
We return via Villa Mar to Uyuni, and the tour ends with a night at our hotel.
A flight awaits and we finally touch down in the bustling city of La Paz – after checking in at the hotel we have a guided tour of the city in the afternoon.
Instead of exploring the main tourist areas however, we prefer to take you a little bit off the beaten track and take you on a tour of a different kind. Exploring life of the communities of El Alto, visiting local markets, learning about the traditions of the indigenous Cholitas and hopping on the transport locals travel with every day.
Afterwards you have a real insight into life of the diverse population of Pazenos.
You join a group today (or alternatively we can arrange this in private for you, please ask) for a trip to the stunning Lake Titicaca.
We travel to the town of Copacabana, located on the shores of the lake at 3,810m/12,500ft above the sea level.
To get here you cross the strait of Tiquina which is the narrowest part of the entire lake, dividing the lake in two: the small section known as Wiñaymarka and the large section known as Chucuito.
From the bus you can see agriculture terraces built during the Chiripa, Tiwanaku and Inca civilisations.
Arrival at Copacabana and check in at your hotel.
In the afternoon we sail on a motor boat towards the southern part of the Sun Island, visit the Pilkocaina Temple and hike towards Yumani village enjoying great views of the Mountain Range of the Andes, walk downhill through the Fountain and the Inca Staircase.
Sail back to Copacabana and overnight in town.
This morning there is time to explore Copacabana.
Don’t forget to visit the renaissance style church where you will find the Patron Virgin Mary of Bolivia, the handicraft shops and the local product market.
You can also choose to hike up the “Calvary Hill” where you can see and understand the fusion of different religions in Bolivia.
After lunch we drive back to La Paz and arrive in the late afternoon.
After a busy and diverse two weeks in this beautiful country it is time to say farewell as we take you to the airport for your flight back.
Of course, those with a little more time can explore a little further. Do ask us for possible extensions to your trip.
We use 2-3* hotels in towns and cities, with hot showers and private bathrooms.
Salar de Uyuni – we use hotels made of salt with private rooms and bathrooms.
There is no strenuous activity, but much of this tour takes place at high altitude.
We build in acclimatisation and the fitter you are, the more you will enjoy the trip. Several days involve half or full day tours and so you need to be comfortable with being on your feet and walking around for several hours.
There are some 4-6 hour bus journeys, too. Most buses in Bolivia do not have toilets.
Vegetarians and many other dietary requirements are catered for without problems. Please let us know in advance of any requirements you have.
There are a wide variety of eateries in towns and cities, from chicken and chips or burgers to more traditional fare. Quinoa, rice, potatoes and meats all feature heavily, as do soups.
Meals are provided at hotels – breakfasts usually involve hot drinks, coffee, juice, toast, eggs and fruits. Lunch will either be sandwiches and snacks (if on the road) or a soup with a main meal of rice/pasta.
Dinner usually consists of a soup to start and then a main of rice, pasta, mashed potato etc. Note that Uyuni remains a very remote area and sometimes choice is limited.
Here, fish, fruit and rice play a larger role in people’s diets, so you can expect to be served trout from the lake.
Copacabana town has more international type options.
You will meet bilingual, English-speaking guides as you move around from site to site (tour leader available at extra cost).
They are qualified Bolivian guides and will bring provide you with all the local timings and information.
A breathtaking private journey through Peru and Bolivia, highlighted by a remote Salkantay trek, vibrant culture, and perfect organisation.
Despite snowy detours, Bolivia’s breathtaking landscapes, warm hospitality, and inspiring community-run lodges made this Uyuni and Chalalán adventure far surpass expectations.
Explore Bolivia’s highlights on our two-week small group tour around this wonderful Andean country.
On this guided tour you visit Bolivia’s highlands, where the landscape and culture is as varied as any in South America.
We journey to the famous cities of Potosi, Sucre and of course the Salar de Uyuni salt flats. We then move on to La Paz and the emblematic Lake Titicaca.
From: $3300 per person
Duration
15 days
Being at altitude, especially in the tropics, is usually a pleasure as it isn’t so hot, there are few insects and the air is clear.
However, when gaining altitude, air pressure drops and the amount of oxygen reaching the lungs is reduced. Although we build plenty of acclimatisation time into our itineraries, certain ill-effects are possible. Nevertheless, all of these can be minimised or prevented if care is taken.
On reaching heights above 2,500m (approx. 8,200 ft), especially when ascent has been straight from sea level, heart pounding, mild headache and shortness of breath are normal, especially on exertion.
Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is a syndrome known locally as soroche, whose symptoms can include of bad headache, dizziness and nausea).
To avoid AMS, you should:
Land-locked Bolivia is a country of dramatic landscapes and fascinating native cultures and traditions.
The Altiplano or “High Plain”, averaging 3,800m, is its most populous region. The vast, luminous plateau is flanked to east and west by parallel Andean ranges.
La Paz, the world’s highest capital, lies in a deep canyon at the edge of the Altiplano, and at the foot of Illimani (6,400m). It is a striking city for its dramatic setting and its strong Indian character.
Lake Titicaca is the world’s highest navigable lake. It was sacred to the Incas; according to legend, their founding emperor-gods rose from these waters to give birth to their empire. Just south of the lake stands the sacred pre-Inca site of Tiahuanaco.
Good kit is vital for every trip.
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Bolivia has an incredibly local and varied set of weather systems, which means you need to be prepared for almost every eventuality.
When planning for these changeable climatic conditions you will encounter across Bolivia, layering is the most practical and versatile clothing system.
The sun is very strong throughout the country, so good sun cream, a hat and sunglasses are vital.
It can also get very cold at night time especially in the mountains and in cities like La Paz. Jumpers, fleeces and warms hats – which you can buy there – are also essential.
It can rain at any time, so always have a poncho/waterproof jacket handy.
Give plenty of thought to kit selection, and try to keep weight down.
Below is a more detailed guide.
We strongly suggest that everyone planning to travel to Bolivia visits their local doctor/travel clinic prior to departure for the latest vaccination information.
Malaria risk is present throughout the year in Bolivia’s Amazon areas.
Malaria risk also present in all areas below 2,500m and in the departments of Santa Cruz, northern Beni and Pando, especially in the localities of Guayaramerin and Riberalta.
A breathtaking private journey through Peru and Bolivia, highlighted by a remote Salkantay trek, vibrant culture, and perfect organisation.
Despite snowy detours, Bolivia’s breathtaking landscapes, warm hospitality, and inspiring community-run lodges made this Uyuni and Chalalán adventure far surpass expectations.
