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El Alto · La Paz · Bolivia
14 Day Essentials of Bolivia Journey
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From $13,215.18 per person
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The Experience
What your day looks like
If you're eager to uncover Bolivia's treasures but have limited time, this tailor-made program is perfect for you! After a gentle acclimatization in La Paz and Lake Titicaca, you'll explore the vast Uyuni Salt Flats and the stunning hues of the Colored Lagoons of Lipez. Your journey will conclude with a relaxed exploration of colonial cities.
Highlights
Why travelers choose this experience
- La Paz: a cosmopolitan city full of contrasts
- Lake Titicaca, magical and mystical
- The colonial and imperial cities of Sucre and Potosí
- Salar de Uyuni, the largest Salt Flats on earth, and colorful lagoons
Your Itinerary
Your day, step by step
Day 1
El Alto
Welcome to Bolivia! Reception at the airport, and transfer to the hotel (available from midday. Consult us if you need availability from the morning).
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La Paz
Leisure. La Paz: Rest of the day free.
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El Alto
Accommodation: Atix - La Paz. Overnight at hotel
Day 2
La Paz
City/Town Tour at Plaza Murillo. La Paz: Meeting at 9h00 at your hotel lobby with your guide. He will adapt the day to your desires; don’t hesitate to talk with him as soon as you meet. This day is dedicated to La Paz City so that you can feel the ambiance in the city. Visit the coloured markets, the colonial district, Murillo Square, or Jaen Street.
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La Paz
Sightseeing. Cable car: We may take the cable car (The highest in the world) and enjoy an incredible view over La Paz City.
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El Alto
Meals included: Breakfast.
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El Alto
Accommodation: Atix - La Paz.
Day 3
El Alto
Archaeological Exploration at Tiwanaku Archaeology. Tiwanaku: Departure in the morning to the Tiwanaku archaeological site, located 71 km from La Paz. Tiwanaku was the main The civilization of the central Andes between the 5th and 11th centuries. Visit the Akapana pyramid and its famous Door of the Sun, the Kalasasaya or the Beneth and Ponce monoliths, which some archaeologists compare to Moais Statues of Eastern Island.
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El Alto
Local Flavor. Museum visit: Visit the small museum before lunch. In the afternoon, transport to Copacabana. If we have time, we will climb the Way of the Cross, or “Calvario”, and see the sunset on Lake Titicaca (Bring a lamp torch).
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El Alto
Meals included: Breakfast.
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El Alto
Accommodation: Rosario del Lago Hotel – Copacabana. On the shore of Lake Titicaca, Hotel Rosario del Lago is built in a colonial style that perfectly matches well with the magic of the place. Offering a beautiful view on the lake and peaceful gardens, this charming hotel presents a pleasant and warm rest while allowing you to enjoy the excitement of the city of Copacabana. As part of a recent environmental and responsible tourism initiative, the Rosario del Lago hotel now sorts its waste and has undertaken social and training actions at the local level.
Day 4
El Alto
Boating at Copacabana, Bolivia. Rural Bolivia: Departure in the morning to Copacabana harbor, from where we’ll take a motorboat to the Lourdes Cave. We will walk on the peninsula following the shore and reach the village of Yampupata. Immersion in rural Bolivia, with the snowy peaks of the Royal Cordillera and surrounding islands in the background. It is possible to make a detour to the authentic rocky village of Zampaya (Alt. 4000 m). Crossing by boat to the wharf of Yumani, at the extreme south of the Sun Island. Then, we’ll walk to the heights of the island and arrive at our accommodation.
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El Alto
Meals included: Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
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El Alto
Accommodation: Ecolodge La Estancia – Isla del Sol. On the Isla del Sol, facing the Cordillera Real and surrounded by Lake Titicaca, Ecolodge La Estancia was built with the aim of combining comfort and local traditions, while protecting the surrounding nature. Its management principle promotes sustainable and fair tourism. The use of solar panels, water recycling, selective sorting, a clever system of natural heating, as well as restoration of pre-Inca terraces, helps to preserve the environment. You will be accommodated in warm, individual huts above Lake Titicaca, with breathtaking views of the Cordillera Real.
Day 5
El Alto
Local Flavor at Isla del Sol (Bolivia). Sun Island: Descent to the wharf, using the Inca’s stairs, where the Inca’s springs can be found.
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La Paz
Local Flavor at Pillkukayna. Moon Island: Visit the Pilcocaina Temple and cross by boat to the Moon Island. Visit the Temple of the Inca’s Virgins, and back to Copacabana. Return to La Paz in the afternoon.
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El Alto
Meals included: Breakfast.
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El Alto
Accommodation: Atix - La Paz.
Day 6
El Alto
La Paz to Uyuni: Departure to La Paz airport. Flight La Paz – Uyuni. Reception at Uyuni airport, and departure to the Lipez Region.
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Uyuni
Sightseeing at San Cristóbal de Lípez. San Cristóbal de Lípez: First, we will visit the train cemetery on the outskirts of the city. We will cross San Cristobal, a village relocated after the arrival of a mining company. Anecdote, the church has been rebuilt stone by stone, for a cost of approximately half a million dollars. We will stop at the Rocky Valley, where erosion carved strange shapes several meters long, lying on the sandy soil, as if by magic. Before reaching our destination, we’ll stop to enjoy a nice view of a canyon. Arrival at Villamar by late afternoon.
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El Alto
Meals included: Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
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El Alto
Accommodation: Hacienda Cayara – Potosí. Located some 20 km from the historic city of Potosi, the 16th-century Hacienda Cayara, also considered a museum, is a unique place steeped in history. You will appreciate its peaceful setting. The rooms are comfortable and well-maintained.
Day 7
El Alto
Hot Springs at Polques Hot Springs. Polques Hot Springs: The track leads to the thermal springs of Polques (Alt. 4.000m). The bravest may enjoy a dip with a view of the Chalviri lagoon.
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El Alto
Sightseeing at Salvador Dalí Desert. Dali Desert: Heading now toward the Chile border. On the way, we will cross the famous Dali desert, and its supernatural landscape with ochre tones dotted with isolated rocks.
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El Alto
Sightseeing at Laguna Verde (Bolivia). Laguna Verde: Finally, we will arrive at the very end of Bolivia, at the White Lagoon, and most of all the Green Lake (Alt. 4300 m) with its emerald colour and the Licancabur Volcano in the background. Take care: the wind can be very strong there.
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Uyuni
Sightseeing at Sol de Mañana. Sol de Mañana: We go back by the same track. Then we will go through a pass at almost 5.000m of altitude, before arriving at a place called “Sol de Mañana” (Alt. 4850 m), a place with an important geothermal activity, many geysers, fumaroles, or mud ponds.
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El Alto
Sightseeing at Laguna Colorada. Laguna Colorada: We continue toward the Laguna Colorada (Red Lagoon). Finally, we can see it in the distance. A long break is necessary to enjoy this exceptional lagoon. It hosts many pink flamingo colonies, which strut around before our eyes.
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Uyuni
Sightseeing at Siloli Desert. Siloli Desert: The track goes through the Siloli Desert, where you can see many geomorphological structures, one of them being the famous “Stone Tree”. The surroundings are also stunning with multicolored mountains. After a few more kilometres, we will arrive at the Desert Hotel.
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El Alto
Meals included: Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
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El Alto
Accommodation: Hotel del Desierto Tayka – Ojo de Perdiz. Built in the middle of the Siloli Desert, in front of the mountain of 7 colors, in the heart of a hostile environment, but windy, cold and magic at the same time. The Desert Hotel comes as an unexpected oasis and will offer you an almost supernatural rest. Specially designed to withstand the elements and offer maximum comfort to its customers, the staff has learned to live in great autonomy. Solar energy provides central heating (be careful, the heating switches off from 10:00 pm), a generator takes over if necessary, the water is controlled, and food arrives once a week from "the city".
Day 8
El Alto
Sightseeing at Chiguana Salt Flat. Chiguana: The trip continues following the track of the 1001 lagoons, a series of many beautiful lakes (Honda, Ch’arkota, Hedionda and Cañapa), some of them hosting pink flamingos’ colonies... Stunning. In the background, the The surroundings are also gorgeous with multicolored mountains. During this trip, each part will bring its specific landscape and eclectic facets. Later, we will stop to stretch our legs and contemplate the Ollague and Tomasamil volcanoes. Then we’ll cross Chiguana Salt Flat, which will conclude this marvellous day. By late afternoon, we will arrive at San Pedro de Quemez.
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El Alto
Meals included: Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
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El Alto
Accommodation: Hotel de Piedra Tayka – San Pedro de Quemes. The Stone Hotel is entirely built out of volcanic stones and sand, local materials, and features of the area. Its bright patios are conducive to a well-deserved relaxation after a long day of 4WD, while the solar panels that equip it provide central heating in all rooms.
Day 9
Uyuni
Sightseeing at Salar de Uyuni. Salar de Uyuni: First, we make a small detour to visit the Galaxies Cave, a very unique place... We take the road to Uyuni Salt Flat. Expected, eagerly awaited, or even seen in photos, it goes utterly beyond the bounds of anyone’s imagination, with its pristine surface, a virgin terrain for imagination. Dotted with “islands” which will turn into viewpoints for observing, taking photos, picnicking, and meditating on the world’s beauty. We will discover the Incahuasi Island, with an approximately 45-minute walk on an equipped trail. There you’ll find a forest of cactus, laid there as by magic... Unspeakable. In the afternoon, we will drive toward the village of Colchani. We may visit a small exploitation of salt. Sunset on the salt flat.
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El Alto
Meals included: Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
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El Alto
Accommodation: Hotel de Sal Luna Salada – Colchani. Almost entirely built with salt blocks, the Sal Luna Salada Hotel offers rooms with views of the Salt Flats. Decorated with exposed salt blocks, the rooms at Luna Salada include heating, a living area, and a private bathroom. The restaurant prepares specialities from the Andean cuisine. Guests also have access to the SPA and a game room with billiards and table tennis. Luna Salada is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful salt hotels in Colchani. The decoration is made with taste and finesse. Not to be missed!
Day 10
El Alto
Local Flavor at Villa Imperial de Potosí. Potosí: We depart in the morning for the imperial city of Potosí.
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Uyuni
Sightseeing at Pulacayo. Pulacayo: On the way, we will visit the mining center of Pulacayo, based around Huanchaca, the second biggest silver mine in the world. Arrival in Potosí in the afternoon. After lunch, we will visit the “Casa de la Moneda” (Closed on Sundays afternoons and Mondays). It’s a massive colonial building, built by the Spanish in America. An impressive structure with lots of history. Back to the hotel in the afternoon.
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El Alto
Meals included: Breakfast.
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El Alto
Accommodation: Coloso Hotel – Potosi. The best hotel in Potosi. Located in the heart of the city, this hotel will offer you all the comforts and conveniences of a good category hotel: heating, swimming pool, sauna, restaurant, and internet. Its baroque and heteroclite style perfectly represents the notion of post-colonial luxury. It has 50 comfortable rooms.
Day 11
El Alto
Local Flavor. Potosí: Meeting with your guide at 9:00 am in the lobby of your hotel. Departure in private transport to the miners' market.
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El Alto
Sightseeing at Cerro Rico. Cerro Rico: Then, we will discover the mines of the Cerro Rico (Activity reduced on Saturdays and Mondays, no visit on Sundays). Back to the city center in the afternoon.
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El Alto
Potosí to Sucre: Departure at 2:00 pm in private transport for Sucre (Approx. 3h drive).
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El Alto
Leisure. Afternoon: Free end of the day.
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El Alto
Meals included: Breakfast.
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El Alto
Accommodation: Samary – Sucre. Housed in a colonial house with local artwork, Mi Pueblo Samary Hotel offers rooms with a private balcony and views of Spanish patios and galleries. Sucre’s city center is 4 blocks away.
Day 12
El Alto
City/Town Tour at Sucre. Sucre: Meeting with your guide at 9:00 am at the lobby of your hotel. Your guide will adapt the day's activities according to your wishes; don’t hesitate to talk with him as soon as you meet. This day is dedicated to discovering the « white city » on foot, a city listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. You can visit the Recoleta convent, the ethnographic museum of textiles (ASUR) in the highlands of the city, the 25th of May square, and the “Casa de la Libertad” (House of Liberty, closed on Sunday afternoons and Mondays), or San Felipe Nery monastery. Back to the hotel in the afternoon.
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El Alto
Meals included: Breakfast.
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El Alto
Accommodation: Samary – Sucre.
Day 13
El Alto
Sucre to La Paz: Departure by private transport to the airport of Sucre. Flight Sucre - La Paz (flight with stopover according to schedule). Reception at La Paz airport and transfer to your hotel.
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La Paz
Leisure. La Paz: Free time for the rest of the day. Free time for the rest of the day. Free time for the rest of the day.
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El Alto
Meals included: Breakfast.
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El Alto
Accommodation: Atix - La Paz.
Day 14
El Alto
Transportation: Transfer out to El Alto’s international airport in a private vehicle. (3 hours before the international flight departure time). We hope you enjoyed your trip with us!
Planning Details
Before you go
Included
English-speaking local guide in La Paz, Lake Titicaca, Sucre, and Potosí Private transport mentioned in the program The supervision for your 4WD expedition with a Spanish-speaking driver from day 6 to day 10 (4 clients per vehicle) Hotel accommodation in double / twin room or triple Meals described in the program Flight La Paz – Uyuni, Sucre – La Paz Entrance fees to National Park, historical sites, museums, churches, etc
Not Included
Travel insurance Rescue or medical expenses that may occur during the trip Hotel overnight in a single room Roundtrip international flight Visa Tips for local guides Drinks or meals not mentioned in the program
What to Bring
Camera Sunglasses Sunscreen & Hat Bag for Essentials Comfortable clothing and footwear
Meeting & Pickup
Pick up at El Alto International Airport
Planning Notes
Hotel pickup offered: Yes Confirmation: Manual By Business
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