The Best of Bolivia - Salar de Uyuni, Sun Island og La Paz

Join us on a journey through a tapestry of colors, cultural depth, historical intrigue, sophisticated architecture, and exquisite wool. Bolivia promises unforgettable adventures amidst dried-up salt lakes, Lake Titicaca, the Inca Empire, the Andes mountains, and the vibrant cities of La Paz and Santa Cruz.

Exquisite wool from llamas, alpacas, and the wild vicuña can be found at the famous Witches' Market in Bolivia's high-altitude capital, La Paz, where you can easily enjoy the breathtaking views of the surrounding snow-capped peaks on a ride in "Mi Teleferico" - the city's famous cable car system. Santa Cruz, on the other hand, is known for its towering buildings, dynamic economy, and renowned culinary scene — a bustling metropolis that blends a village atmosphere with hectic modernity.
But it is one of nature's captivating wonders, Salar de Uyuni — better known as the salt desert — that will enchant you with water (from December to April) from the surrounding mountains and the world's largest mirror or the endless salt crust that you will forever associate with this colorful South American country.

On Sun Island (Isla del Sol), we dive into history while stepping directly into it: Ruins on the lake shore and the islands are more than 1,000 years old, and witness to one of America's oldest cultures. According to the legend, a temple on Isla del Sol marks the spot where the Sun sent the founder of the Inca dynasty to earth. Part of the islands, like the surrounding high plateau, is densely populated by Aymará Indians, who, among other things, grow barley, quinoa, potatoes, and legumes on fields laid out before the arrival of the Incas. Here, it truly makes sense to talk about the whir of history

The tour ends with another powerful experience when we visit the impressive excavations at Tiwanaku and Puma Punku. Here, archeology provides a unique insight into the sophisticated architecture and astronomical knowledge of the pre-Inca civilization.

Tour highlights:
♦ La Paz and Santa Cruz - metropolises respectively political center and capital
♦ Uyuni and Salar de Uyuni - colorful mineral lakes, surreal lunar landscapes, volcanoes, geysers and endless salt flats
♦ Lagoons - e.g. the pink Laguna Colorado
♦ Titicaca and Sun Island – the cradle of the Inca Empire
♦ Tiwanaku and Puma Punku – impressive UNESCO excavations

 

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Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival in Santa Cruz
Arrival in Santa Cruz. Here, we meet the guide who will present the tour details. Transfer for the group to the hotel. Overnight stay in Santa Cruz. (-/-/-)

Day 2: Santa Cruz
Today, we will take a closer look at the beautiful city of Santa Cruz, one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. We will walk through the city along the so-called "rings," roads that divide the city, and pass through beautiful squares and historical monuments. There is an opportunity to have the traditional "coffee" accompanied by pastries from the region. You can also visit a museum of your choice: Regional History Museum, Sacred Art, or House of Culture (closed on Mondays). Return to the hotel. The afternoon is at your leisure. Overnight stay in Santa Cruz. (B/-/-)

Day 3: Santa Cruz – Uyuni
After a very early breakfast at the hotel, there will be a pick-up and transfer to the airport to board the domestic flight to the town of Uyuni. The tour starts in the village of Colchani, where we will see the processing of salt (drying, grinding, and packaging of salt) and have the opportunity to buy handicrafts made of salt. We will then be able to see the salt mounds (the first stage in salt processing is drying), the water eyes (groundwater that flows to the surface), the salt museum built of salt, and visit Incahuasi Island (a rocky island) in the middle of the salt flat, where we can see giant cacti, some of which are over 100 years old. From the top, you can see the world's largest salt flat. Lunch is provided. You will also enjoy a spectacular sunset in Uyuni Salt Flat. Return to Colchani and overnight stay at a salt hotel. (B/-/-)

Day 4: Uyuni – The Salt Desert
Breakfast at the hotel. We start by visiting the Train Cemetery (old steam locomotives used to transport minerals). Next, we visit the village of San Cristobal, the Ollague Volcano viewpoint at 5,865 meters above sea level, and the lagoons of Cañapa, Hedionda, Honda, Charcota, and Ramaditas. Lunch is on the way (not included). Overnight stay in the Siloli Desert at 4,300 meters altitude. (B/-/D)

Day 5: The Salt Desert – Uyuni
Breakfast at the hotel. Early in the morning, we start visiting the Stone Tree (a geomorphological formation from the mushroom rock type caused by erosion from the wind. It stands out from a set of volcanic rocks), the Red Lagoon, where its waters are red due to sediments from algae, zooplankton, and phytoplankton, which have the particular ability to change with temperature, and the geysers (lava boiling intensely and steaming up to 50 meters high). The area here is almost surreal, and with good reason, Dali appears in many descriptions of the area. We stop at the hot springs in Polques, where we can enjoy nature and a refreshing and energetic bath in the middle of the desert. Lunch is on the way (not included). Then we visit the Green Lagoon, where we can see its impressive emerald color and the 6,000-meter-high, sacred Licancabur Volcano for the Atacama people. Return to Uyuni and overnight stay at a salt hotel. (B/-/-)

Day 6: Uyuni - La Paz
After breakfast and at a predetermined time, there will be a group transfer to the airport to board the domestic flight to La Paz. Arrival and transfer to the hotel, after which the rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight stay. (B/-/-)

Day 7: La Paz – Copacabana – Sun Island – La Paz
Very early breakfast at the hotel, after which we drive to the bus station to board the tourist bus to Copacabana at 3,810 meters above sea level. The trip takes about 3-4 hours. On the way, we cross the Tiquina Strait by motorboat (20 minutes). Arrival in Copacabana at the shore of Lake Titicaca and transfer by boat to Sun Island, where we visit Pilcokaina Palace and enjoy a delicious lunch dish called Apthapi. It is prepared with potatoes, dried potatoes, broad beans, peeled wheat, cold cheese, bananas, boiled eggs, or fried eggs, etc. Afterward, we take a panoramic walk to the Yumani settlement, where we visit the famous Inca Garden, Sacred Fountain of the Incas, and Yumani Stairway. We then return to Copacabana to visit the Catholic church and the local market. The trip back to La Paz is by local bus, followed by a transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay. (B/L/-)

Day 8: La Paz, Tiwanaku og Puma Punku
After breakfast, the last experiences of the tour begin, perhaps the most mysterious and overwhelming, in Tiwanaku, the capital and sacred and political center of the Tiwanaku culture (500-900 BC and before the Spanish colonization) and protected by UNESCO. We see the ruins of a series of stone structures, including a terraced platform mound (Akapana), the underground temple with fascinating face carvings (Kalasasaya), a Sun Gate, and several temples. We end the visit at the Puma Punku complex. From here, we return to La Paz, where the remaining afternoon and evening are at your leisure. Overnight stay. (B/-/-)

Day 9: Departure from La Paz
The tour program is over, and after breakfast, there will be a fixed-time group transfer to the airport. (B/-/-)

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Price Includes:
8 nights in shared double room with own facilities in Tourist class hotels (2 in Santa Cruz; 2 in Uyuni; 1 in the Desert; 3 in La Paz)
Meals according itinerary (B=breakfast/L=lunch/D=dinner)
Transfer IN & OUT: Santa Cruz,Uyuni,Desert & La Paz
Excursions as per itinerary: Private or seat in a bus as part of a group
Entrances fee according the itinerary
English speaking local guides

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Not Included:
Flight to Santa Cruz and from La Paz
Domestic flight Santa Cruz-Uyuni-La Paz
Meals not mentioned
Optional sights and eventual photo fees
Drinking
Tips
Personal expenses
Eventual visa
Vaccination Yellow fever
Travel insurance

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Additional Services:
Domestic flights and/or hotels of higher category: Please ask for a quote
Additional fee at 2-3 pax: 485 EUR pp (2024)/499 EUR pp (2025)
Additional fee at 5-6 pax pp for 2 cars during desert excursion (recommended): 95 EUR pp (2024)/105 EUR pp (2025)

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