Bolivia is truly one of South America’s most intriguing nations with its otherworldly landscapes, rich cultures steeped in traditions, and proud population.
This Bolivia Tour will literally and figuratively take your breath away with its soaring elevations and stunning landscapes. Experience the awe-inspiring vastness of the largest Salt Flats on the planet, the Salar de Uyuni. From strange cacti-covered islands in a sea of blindingly bright salt to delicately coloured mineral lakes in the Andean mountains, this is an unforgettable Bolivian landscape.
During this Bolivia Explorer Tour, you’ll cross the Bolivian Altiplano where herds of llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas roam. Experience Sucre, the colonial gem of the country, and Potosi which was one of the wealthiest cities in the Americas once upon a time. You’ll end the trip in La Paz, the highest capital in the world, visiting local artisans and brujitas. La Paz is a maze of contradictions, where cobblestones hit concrete, and Gothic spires vie with glassine hotels, La Paz amazes and confounds all those that visit.
This is a sample Bolivia itinerary and can be tweaked to best suit your travel needs. Please contact us for details – info@finisterra.ca
Highlights
STARTS AT
USD per Person
THIS IS A CUSTOMIZABLE ITINERARY FOR GROUPS OF ALL SIZES. PRICES WILL CHANGE DEPENDING ON NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS.
DATES ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.
DAY 1:ARRIVAL DAY SANTA CRUZ, BOLIVIA
At a convenient time, transfer from Santa Cruz airport to the hotel. We will do a short visit to the main attractions as Cathedral, Anthropological Museum, the old part of the city, and Arte Campo a small shop that synthesizes the crafts of the indigenous communities that live in the surroundings of Santa Cruz. In the late afternoon, we will enjoy Santa Cruz pastries.
01 OVERNIGHT IN ALFONSINA HOTEL / LOS TAJIBOS DISTANCE: 15 kms
DURATION: 1 HOUR
MEALS: LUNCH AND DINNER
DAY 2: TARIJA – WINE TOUR
Early in the morning transfer from Santa Cruz hotel to the airport, to take a regular flight to Tarija, the southern city is famous for its wines produced at altitude (at around 1600 to 2400 m.a.s.l.) where the grapes grow under an intense blaze of ultraviolet rays giving them a unique aroma which is then transferred to the wine produced here in Bolivia. Vineyards cover 2490 hectares of Bolivia and 80% is in the valley of Tarija. Hundreds of hectares of vineyards make up part of the colorful landscape. The barrels are leather, oak, or American oak, which has helped Bolivian wine to win different international competitions. The main wines produced here are Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and the amazing Tannat, which has given Bolivia many prizes, being considered during several contests with a double gold and as the best in South America. The soil is eroded which improves the wine’s texture and taste. Visit industrial and gourmet wine factories to taste different types of wine along with homemade production as the one of La Casa Vieja . We will also try some locally- made delicatessen products that pair nicely with the wine: hams, cheeses, pastries, grapes, and blackberry desserts.
01 OVERNIGHT IN LOS PARRALES HOTEL DISTANCE: 199 kms
DURATION: 10 HOURS
MEALS: LUNCH AND DINNER
DAY 3: CINTIS VALLEY TO SUCRE
Early transfer from Camargo to Sucre on the way we will stop at the “Valle de los Cintis” where Bolivia’s national drink singani is produced. Singani is a pomace brandy distilled from white Muscat of Alexandria grapes and is one of a kind. This variety of grape was brought by the Spanish to be eaten but later was used to make communion wine and became part of the traditional diet of the colonizers. Singani was born from the need to combat the extreme cold in Potosí. However, not only singani is produced in the small and exclusive wineries of Los Cintis, but also wines, each one with unique aromas and flavors, we will visit small wineries that have been awarded worldwide and we will enjoy their gastronomy.
We keep driving to Sucre.
01 OVERNIGHT IN SUCRE PARADOR SANTA MARIA / MI PUEBLITO SAMARIY DISTANCE: 468 kms
DURATION: 13 HOURS
MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER
DAY 4: EXPLORE SUCRE
Early in the morning, we will visit this beautiful city has preserved much of its colonial past as seen in its winding streets and carved balconies. The weather is balmy and comfortable. This visit to the city of Sucre allows us to get to know the most representative sites of the capital. In the morning the visit begins with the Recoleta Mirador (lookout point), the Museum of the Recoleta, then the ASUR Textile Museum, which is one of the best collections of textiles in the Bolivian valley region. We will go on to the Metropolitan Cathedral, the museum of the Merced, the Church of San Lázaro,
Santo Domingo, the Casa de la Libertad, the patio of the University of San Francisco Xavier, and the Parque Bolivar where many important monuments are located. Also, after enjoying a traditional lunch in a typical restaurant we will visit the Convent of San Felipe Nery, here we will learn about traditional products as chocolates and hats characteristics of this amazing city. At the end of the afternoon, we will move on to the General Cemetery where we can have a look at different mausoleums containing the remains of famous Bolivians.
OVERNIGHT IN SUCRE PARADOR SANTA MARIA / MI PUEBLITO SAMARIY DISTANCE: 30 kms
DURATION: 8 HOURS
MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH
DAY 5: SUCRE TO POTOSI TO UYUNI
In the morning we will drive from Sucre to Potosi to visit the Royal Mint (Casa de la Moneda) the most important mining center which became the world’s largest industrial complex in the 16th century, stroll down cobbled streets to peer into colonial churches that reflect Potosí’s once wealthy past, we will visit the silver mine to encounter the treasure and the reality of the Bolivian mining inside of it, here at lunchtime we will enjoy Kalapurka a soup with a volcanic stone inside.
Later we will drive to Uyuni enjoying a beautiful highland landscape surrounded by llamas and vicuñas. Upon arrival at Uyuni and after dinner, our team will pick you up for an amazing starry night.
OVERNIGHT IN SALT HOTEL LUNA SALADA IN COLCHANI DISTANCE: 400 kms
DURATION: 10 HOURS
MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, AND DINNER
DAY 6: SALAR DE UYUNI (SALT FLATS)
Breakfast and relax we will go to the salt flats past a small settlement called Colchani where the locals process salt. We will not stop for much time as we are aiming to get to the middle of the salt flats to see the eyes, salt mountains, and salt blocks. This singular route takes us into one of the world’s most isolated areas where we will be alone surrounded by a glittering white landscape. After a couple of hours arrive at Isla del Pescado or Incahuasi Island to look at giant cacti, birds, and vizcachas that have made this island their own.
At midday stop for a buffet of delicious local products in the middle of the salt flats during the afternoon we will discover some small villages nearby San Agustin. Later return to the hotel.
OVERNIGHT IN SALT HOTEL LUNA SALADA IN COLCHANI DISTANCE: 100 kms
DURATION: 8 HOURS
MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER
DAY 7: SALAR DE UYUNI (SALT FLATS)
After breakfast, transfer to the north part of the Salt flat at the edge of the salt flat, we will see the traditions and the lifestyle of local communities. We can enjoy the views of Tunupa Volcano and the Salt Flats. Later you will go through Chantani Community Museum and the Coquesa Mummies, later we take one of the hundreds of routes across the salt flats to watch the sun go down in a blaze of intense colors, our team will be waiting for you in the middle of the salt flat tour with an amazing table of wine, cheese, and delicatessen.
OVERNIGHT IN SALT HOTEL LUNA SALADA IN COLCHANI DISTANCE: 100 kms
DURATION: 9 HOURS
MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER
DAY 8: TRAVEL TO LA PAZ, BOLIVIA
| After breakfast transfer out to the airport to take a regular flight to La Paz . The city of El Alto perched on the brow above La Paz here we will see luxury homes of the Aymara nouveau riche. These “Cholets” (a combination of the word Cholo – an indigenous man who has migrated to the city – and the word Chalet) are built by local entrepreneurs who have accrued a fortune in the informal economy and are a blend of pre-Colombian symbols and vibrant colours. From El Alto set off to explore the amazing Witches Market, where you can listen to some Bolivian myths and legends, brought to life by local people. You will see some of the mystical herbs and potions required when performing daily rituals to glorify Mother Earth (Pachamama), as well as dried llama fetuses and dried frogs. You could also buy less alarming articles like candles, statues and amulets to bring you good fortune – these make great souvenirs to take home with you. After exploring the Witches Market the tour moves on to visit the Kallawayas, or traditional healers, By cable car, we will visit the city from the sky, each line of the cable car transports us to a neighborhood, a social condition, a way of living and a lifestyle. At the end of the afternoon transfer to your hotel OVERNIGHT IN CASA GRANDE/ MET DISTANCE: 25 kms DURATION: 9 HOURS MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER |
DAY 9: LA PAZ TOUR
We start off our exploration of the city by looking at the physical structure and syncretism and the striking contrasts of this highland city, we set off to look around the historical center of the city where we can see the Spanish influence in the two separate cities they set up either side of the river during the colonial period – the city for the indigenous people and the city for the Spaniards.
We take a look at the Plaza Murillo with the Legislative and Government Palaces, walk a couple of blocks to the Calle Jaén where you will find the traditional and authentic approach to the La Paz traditions visit Mamani and Mamani art gallery, and later visit the impressive Museo de Etnografia y Folklore. We will enjoy a typical lunch.
After lunch, we will visit Miraflores area a replica of Tiwanaku temple that shows us the cultural richness of one of the most important civilizations in America. We leave behind the buzz of the city center and float down to quiet residential neighborhoods before arriving to the hotel. Farewell dinner.
OVERNIGHT IN CASA GRANDE / MET
DISTANCE: 25 kms
DURATION: 10 HOURS
MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH
DAY 10: DEPARTURE OR EXTEND TO PERU OR AMAZON
We bid farewell to La Paz and are transferred to the airport or option to extend to the Amazon, Peru, or elsewhere!
Tour Exclusions
IMPORTANT NOTES
PLEASE NOTE: This itinerary is subject to change. Although we always do our best to stick to the itinerary, due to the ever-changing nature of Mother Nature, activities, hotels, and visits are subject to change due to forces beyond our control.
FLIGHTS: Please do not purchase your flights until this tour is confirmed.
PASSPORTS: Must be valid for at least 6 months upon return date to your home country. Proper documentation is the responsibility of each traveller.
VISAS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Responsibility of the traveller.
Travel Insurance
Cancellation, Travel, Flight, and Health insurance are required and are the responsibility of the participant to research and secure the appropriate coverage. Click HERE for a Travel Insurance Quote or please email nicola@finisterra.ca for a quote.
Check with your local travel agent /insurance provider/health plan for advice about traveling overseas.
Waiver Form
All participants will be required to sign a Waiver Form prior to departure.
Santa Cruz – ALFONSINA HOTEL / LOS TAJIBOS
Tarija – LOS PARRALES HOTEL
Sucre – SUCRE PARADOR SANTA MARIA / MI PUEBLITO SAMARIY
Uyuni Salt Flats – SALT HOTEL LUNA SALADA IN COLCHANI
La Paz – CASA GRANDE/ MET
A 25% non-refundable (unless cancelled by us) deposit is required at the time of booking to reserve your place. Please contact info@finisterra.ca for more booking information, Terms & Conditions, and an invoice.
Price is per person based on 2 travellers in twin / double accommodation and subject to change. Contact us for up-to-date pricing.
Credit Card: If you would like to pay by credit card, please contact info@finisterra.ca
Final Payment
Full payment is due 60 prior to departure
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