Secrets Of South Bolivia

After arriving at La Paz Airport you’ll be warmly greeted by your awaiting bilingual guide and private transportation for the half-hour journey downtown to your chosen hotel. Along the way, your guide will provide their passionate insight into this breathtaking Bolivian city, the highest de facto capital city in the world at 3,650 m (11,975 ft) above sea level.

This afternoon you’ll enjoy a half-day tour of the city’s highlights, including a visit to Moon Valley and chance to take the Teleferico. Beneath the majestic Illimani mountain, La Paz is a chaotic carnival of color and noise, where indigenous, colonial and modern worlds meet and new adventures lurk around every street corner. Explore the local landmarks of its historic center, taking in the bustling squares, palaces and cathedrals, not to mention the mysterious Witches’ Market.

Later, visit the lunar landscape of the nearby Moon Valley – a nickname given by Neil Armstrong himself in 1969 when he came to La Paz after the region reminded him of his famous moonwalk – and admire its colossal clay spires steeped in legend. For the finale, you’ll hop aboard the city’s towering Teleferico for a sky-ride between the depths of Zona Sur to the heights of El Alto, and enjoy the incredible views that only the world’s longest and highest cable-car can afford.

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On day two, you’ll get picked up at your hotel in La Paz after enjoying a delicious continental breakfast. From the city, you’ll take a ride to the gorgeous village of Copacabana, tucked at the bottom of Lake Titicaca. The city houses a shrine to the Dark Virgin, who has performed miracles in the area for centuries. If you’re visiting in early February, you can potentially participate in the local festivals that honor her contributions. You’ll get to spend some time in Copacabana before taking a boat over to La Isla de la Luna (Moon Island) to see the well-preserved Sun Virgins Temple “Iñak Uyu”.

Next, you’ll head over to La Isla Del Sol (Sun Island), which is one of the largest islands in the lake. It has several ruins, including that of the Pilcocaina Palace, which is the supposed birthplace of the sun god. This temple is mostly intact, and has some incredible artwork and carvings for you to enjoy. You’ll enjoy lunch nearby with incredible views of the lake.

After lunch, you can explore the rest of the island before dinner at your hotel. You’ll spend the night on Sun Island so that you can enjoy a magnificent sunrise in the morning.

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Rise and shine and take in the gorgeous sunrise on Sun Island. After breakfast, you can continue to explore the island on your own, or ask your guide for recommendations. Around noon, you’ll visit the Inca Grand Stairs and the Sacred Fountain. Legend says that the fountain can give those who drink from it eternal youth and happiness.

For lunch, you’ll dine at the Uma Kollu Archeological Restaurant, which offers outdoor dining and stunning lakeside views. There’s also a market nearby where you can buy souvenirs and handcrafted items. After lunch, you’ll take the boat to shore at Cocotoni Bay, then ride out to the town of Huatajeta. This city has many historical sites, including the Andead Roots Eco Village, the Altiplano Museum, and relics from the local Urus Chipayas people (who still live in the region).

After Huatajata, you’ll head back to La Paz, where you’ll check into your hotel. If you have time, be sure to explore the city’s nightlife before heading to Sucre in the morning. Since dinner isn’t provided, now is an excellent chance to experience the dining options that La Paz has to offer. You can sample traditional Bolivian dishes or opt for something more modern.

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After breakfast, you’ll take a shuttle to the La Paz airport and head to Sucre. Sucre is the second capital of Bolivia, which is the constitutional capital of the country (although the government runs everything from La Paz).

Once you arrive in Sucre, you’ll participate in a half-day tour that shows you all of the colonial history of the city. Highlights from this tour include the Recoleta Monastery, the House of Liberty where Simon Bolivar made Bolivia an independent nation, and a textile museum ASUR. Sucre is also known as the White City because many of the colonial buildings were whitewashed.

After your tour, you’re free to explore Sucre as much as you like. Be sure to sample some local delicacies before heading back to your hotel for the night. Sucre’s nightlife is bold and exciting, and there are plenty of activities to do. If you love prehistoric parks, you might head up to Cretaceous Park, which has many dinosaur fossils and spectacular cliffs streaked with their footprint trails.

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On day five, you’ll take a ride out to the colonial city of Potosi after enjoying breakfast at your hotel. Although Potosi is small, it was a silver trading hub, thanks to the output of nearby mines. The mountain that housed that silver still towers over the city, providing a jaw-dropping backdrop for any photos you might take. In fact, the town produced so much silver in its heyday that legend says it could build a bridge from Potosi to Madrid.

While you’re here, you’ll visit the Royal Mint, which still has original wooden machinery to create Spanish silver coins. Afterward, you can explore the rest of the city, including the colonial center and the various markets. Potosi is very welcoming to tourists, and you can buy many unique souvenirs and handcrafted items to take back home.

Both Potosi and Sucre have been named “Historical and Cultural Legacy” sites by UNESCO, and the cities wear their colonial heritage with pride. Here is one of the best places to see Spanish colonial architecture and culture alive and well. You’ll get to explore the city yourself and spend the night under the shadow of Cerro Rico (the Rich Mountain).

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After a delicious breakfast in Potosi, you’ll ride for three hours to the city of Uyuni. This town is world-famous because it houses the largest salt flat on the planet. You’ll spend the day exploring Uyuni, including having lunch close to giant Trichocereus cacti, which have stood for hundreds of years. Lunch will be in an oasis called Lake Incahuasa, where you might get to see some local flamingos.

Uyuni is also home to the Luna Salada Hotel, which is entirely made of salt. The hotel is on the eastern side of the flat, and it’s a gorgeous sight to behold. If you’re looking for incredible photos, Uyuni has tons of stunning scenery.

After your full-day tour in the salt flat, you’ll spend the night in Uyuni and have dinner at your hotel. Nighttime in Uyuni is peaceful and serene since there is no urban center nearby. Here is where you can experience the breadth and beauty of the stars, as there are no lights to dim their shine.

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Today you’ll drive towards the Hedionda Lagoon, passing the Canyon on an excursion. The Lagoon is home to flocks of Andean flamingos wading through their shallow waters.

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Day Eight has many natural sights for you to experience. After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll slowly make your way to the Eduardo Avaroa National Park, which is at the southern tip of the country. Along the way, you’ll get to see herds of llamas, vicunas, and other local wildlife. You’ll also stop at the Laguna Colorada, which is just outside of the park. This lake is notable for its reddish waters and flamboyances of flamingos.

Inside the park, you’ll witness the Sol De Manana geysers, which are quite active and will put on a show for you and your group. The whole area is volcanic, so you’ll get to see lots of geological activity during your journey.

Since the park is close to the Chilean border, you’ll get to see the Licancabur Volcano, which straddles the line between the two countries. You’ll also visit Laguna Verde (Green Lake), which has dazzling emerald waters, thanks to a high magnesium content. After the volcano, you’ll make the trip back to Uyuni, with a picnic lunch provided en route. Again this evening you will spend the night in the luxurious comforts of the Luna Salada Hotel, with dinner provided.

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After another breakfast next to the salt flats, you’ll head to the airport to return to La Paz. Upon arrival, enjoy a half-day city tour of La Paz, including a visit to Moon Valley and a chance to take the Teleferico. Explore the local landmarks of its historic center, taking in the bustling squares, palaces and cathedrals, not to mention the mysterious Witches’ Market.

After your guided tour, you’ll head back to your hotel in La Paz.

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Today we bid a fond farewell to Bolivia. After breakfast, you’ll be transferred from your hotel to La Paz Airport, approximately half an hour from downtown, in good time for your international flight home.

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