Best of Bolivia in 12 days

Itinerary:

Day 1. Arrive Santa Cruz
Arrival to Santa Cruz and transfer to your hotel for overnight.

Day 2. Santa Cruz de la Sierra
You will start the tour visiting Bolivia’s vibrant tropical heart. It is unique for a blend of indigenous, mestizo and international influences. It is very much unlike the other Andean cities of Bolivia, it is one of the fastest growing cities in South America. Walks through different avenues called “rings” which divide the city passing through beautiful squares and colonial era cathedrals and monuments. You will taste the traditional “Coffee” accompanied with pastries from the region.B/-/-

Day 3. Lomas de Arena
Morning at leisure for personal activities or you can visit a museum of your choice: Regional History Museum, Sacred Art or House of Culture (Mondays are closed).
Stop for lunch or a walk and local drink at the locals’ favorite picturesque Rinconada eco park just out of Santa Cruz. Today we are heading towards the golden sand dunes of the Lomas de Arena that rise and roll as far as the eye can see touching the rim of the tropical forest. Feel the thrill of sandboarding down the slopes, hike to the top of the tallest dunes for breathtaking panoramic views as the sun sets down.B/-/-

Day 4. Santa Cruz - Sucre
Pick up and transfer to the airport to board the domestic flight to the highlands: illustrious and heroic city of Sucre, a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and the constitutional capital of Bolivia known as the “white city” (la ciudad blanca) for its white colonial buildings. Here try some of the local culinary specialties chorizos and salteñas - the best in the country at 2,800 meters (9,186 feet).
You will visit The Liberty House and Asur Museum. Return to the hotel.B/-/-

Day 5. Sucre - Potosí
After breakfast drive to Potosí, the bus ride taking 4 hours. Potosí - Bolivia’s Silver Legacy, one of the highest cities in the world (4,090 meters (13,420 feet) and a place where every street tells a story. Explore the legendary Cerro Rico mines, walk through colonial architecture frozen in time, and feel the spirit of a city that fueled centuries of adventure and wealth.
City tour including Plaza 10 de Noviembre, San Lorenzo Church and National Mint of Bolivia (Moneda nacional de Bolivia). The enormous, famous National Mint of Bolivia was constructed between in the 1753. It was not just used as a mint where Indians and slaves minted silver coins from the Cerro Rico, but also served as a prison, a fortress and was the base of the army. Nowadays, the building is a museum exhibiting scale models, coins, and other artifacts”. Return to the hotel. Overnight. B/-/-

Day 6. Potosí mines - Uyuni
We begin this tour with a safety briefing and equipment explanation. On our way through Potosí, we come through the local mining market, where we can see mining materials and you can buy small gifts to give to the workers, like coca leaves (optional). Afterwards we are guided to the mines, where we can enter and explore the work environment together with our professional guide. Before entering the mines, you will be equipped with a safety jacket, pants, rubber boots, helmets as well as an electric lamp. On the tour inside the tunnels of Cerro Rico, we can see the statues that miners pray to for protection, learn about the daily work in the mine and talk with miners as they go about their work. After the tour through the mines, we will head back to the starting point.
Drive to the town of Uyuni (3-4 hours) for overnight B/-/-

Day 7. Uyuni Salt Flat
Breakfast at hotel. Start the tour to the village of Colchani, the gateway village for the Uyuni Salt Flats, where the processing of salt can be observed (drying, grinding and packaging of salt) you will also have the opportunity purchase handicrafts made of salt. Eyes of water (groundwater that flow to the surface), the Salt Museum built from salt and visit of the Incahuasi Island (a rocky island in the middle of the salt flat where we can observe giant cactuses, some of them are more than 100 years old. From the top you can see the salt flats in its entirety. Lunch in the salt flat. Return to Colchani and overnight in a salt hotel, from there you will enjoy a spectacular sunset and sunrise of Uyuni salt flat.B/-/-

Day 8. Uyuni Salt Flat - Desert
Breakfast at hotel. Start the tour with the Train Cemetery (old steam locomotives that were used to transport minerals). Visit San Cristobal village with its authentic Bolivian spirit where we can interact with locals, stop at lagoons where we may view Andean flamingos. Then we reach the high altitude desert and the Stone Tree formation. Optional glimpse towards Ollague Volcano viewpoint from a distance (5865 m). The viewpoint gives a breathtaking view of the Andes. You may see Andean flamingos, vicuñas, and other high-altitude fauna. Lunch on route. Siloli desert. Dinner included. Overnight. B/-/D

Day 9. Desert - Uyuni
Breakfast at hotel. Early in the morning we will start the visit to the Stone Tree (geomorphological formation from the mushroom rock type, due to the erosion caused by the wind. It outstands from a set of volcanic rocks), the Red Lagoon where the red of its waters is due to sediments from algae as well as zooplankton and phytoplankton which have the peculiarity of changing with the temperature, the Geysers (lava boiling intensely and steam which reaches up to 50 meters high), stop at the Hot Springs of Polques where we can enjoy nature and a refreshing and energetic bath in the middle of the desert. Lunch on route. Then, we will visit the Green Lagoon where we can see its impressive emerald color and the Licancabur Volcano. Return to Uyuni and overnight in salt hotel.B/-/-

Day 10. Uyuni Salt Flat - La Paz
Breakfast at hotel. At fixed time, transfer to the airport to board the domestic flight to La Paz. Arrival and transfer to hotel.
In the afternoon, continue the excursion to La Paz. City Tour: Pedro Murillo Main Square, The Cathedral, Legislative Palace (outside), Precious Metals Museum (only Monday is closed) and Killi Killi Viewpoint where you will have a panoramic view of La Paz city.
Then, we will visit the southern part of the city to visit the Moon Valley, impressive formations, composed mainly of clay and were created by the persistent erosion of mountains by the area’s strong winds and rains. Also, you will have the opportunity to take the Cable Car “public transportation” to visit the Witcher´s Market. Optional but top of the cake: booking for a show of the iconic flying cholitas just out of town. Return to the hotel. Overnight.B/-/-

Day 11. La Paz - Copacabana - Sun Island - La Paz
Very early breakfast at hotel. Pick up and transfer to the bus station to board the tourist bus to Copacabana 3810 m. This trip takes 3-4 hours approx. On the way, we will cross the strait of Tiquina by motor boat (20 minutes). Arrival to Copacabana and transfer by boat to Sun Island where you will visit Pilcokaina Palace and enjoy a nice lunch that is called Apthapi, it is prepared with: potato, dried-potato, broad bean, husked wheat, cold cheese, banana, boiled or fried egg and others. To then have a panoramic walk to the Community of Yumani where we will visit the famous Inca Garden, Sacred Fountain of Incas and Yumani Stairway. Then, we will return to Copacabana to visit the Catholic Church and Local Market. We will return to La Paz by local bus and transfer to the hotel. Overnight.B/-/-

Day 12. Departure or extended Bolivian Amazonia
For one of the most authentic Amazon experiences, the Bolivian Amazonia and Madidi National park. Less touristy and more wildlife than Brazil. The package includes a return flight La Paz-Rurrenabaque, a boat ride into the Amazon’s jungle, the heart of Madidi national park, two nights at an Eco Lodge (jungle cabins) with full board and guided rain forest walks, wild life spotting and activities.
English-speaking guide of Indigenous origin who is an expert in jungle interpretations. Around the ecolodge, there are about 40 km of trails.
Not included: national park fees due at the park gate (~30 USD)