Bolivia’s extreme geography of deserts, mountains, canyons, and jungle hide untold mysteries waiting to be uncovered. In the most isolated country in the Americas, visit the delightful colonial city of Sucre, enjoy family hospitality at an old hacienda, and visit the homes of the some of the finest Andean weavers. Next, it’s off to the historic mining town of Potosi and then a trip through twisting canyons to the largest salt desert in the world. Discover the stunning contrasts of Bolivia and meet the warm people of this uncharted Andean nation.
Highlights
Visit and meet several weavers in the village of La Candelaria
Try your wits with local vendors at the Tarabuco Market
Explore the streets and mines of Potosi, a World Heritage Site
Journey through canyons and villages to the Salt Desert of Uyuni
Arrive to La Paz where you are met and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy your first day free to explore the city on your own. You can also arrange for a guided day tour today!
A short flight brings you to the colonial city of Sucre. At 9200 feet above sea level, Sucre enjoys the perfect spring climate year round. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch and enjoy a tour of Sucre. The afternoon city tour includes visits to the House of Liberty, the museum of La Recoleta, San Lazaro church, the courtyard of the Universidada Mayor de San Francisco Xavier and the Convent of San Felipe Nery. From its terraces you can observe the city and more.
Sunday is market day in the village of Tarabuco, where farmers and weavers from the countryside join together in a festive atmosphere to trade foodstuffs, fine weavings, and exchange gossip with far away friends and relatives.
Enjoy lunch and transfer on to Hacienda Candelaria. Visit indigenous homes where you are able to see the way men and women artisans live and work. Visit to the local community museum where they display and sell their textiles. Visit the Colonial Hacienda of Candelaria, including the storage rooms and chapel. If time allows, enjoy a short walk to the Inca Bridge and return to Sucre in the evening.
After breakfast this morning, travel by bus from Sucre to Potosi (approx. 3 hour journey). Transfer from the bus station in Potosi to your hotel.
At over 13,000 feet above sea level, Potosi is the highest city of its size in the world. After the discovery of silver in Cerro Rico (Rich Hill), Potosi grew into the largest and most opulent city in the Americas. The city’s rich colonial architecture and tragic history as a colonial mining town has earned recognition from UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Your time here is free to explore the cobblestone streets and possibly visit the working mines of Cerro Rico. With no mechanization in the mines, a visit into the maze of tunnels is sure to leave a lasting impression.
This morning you are free to continue exploring the city. A walk through the streets offers an interesting glimpse back to the city's golden age including a visit to the famous National Mint, which is Potosi's star attraction.
After breakfast, journey for 4 hours from Potosi to Uyuni. Travel through tortured canyons and past adobe villages where time seems to stand still. Cross a 15,500 ft. pass before arriving to your hotel in the town of Uyuni.
The Uyuni Salt Lake is surreal and unmistakable, so large that it can even be seen from space. Exploring the amazing empty white landscape, the largest salt flat in the world, is an incredible experience and a must-do while in Bolivia.
The first day, visit the Train Cemetery and continue to Colchani in the Salar de Uyuni. Here, observe the rustic process of table salt production in the local factories. See the pyramids of salt and the eyes of salt, big holes in the salt flat where subterranean rivers flow. Visit the old salt hotel (today a museum) and enjoy panoramic views of the landscape. Later, visit the foot of the Tunupa Volcano near the town of Coquesa, where flamingos can be observed. Enjoy the view from a 4200m-high viewpoint. End the day by visiting the Mummies of Coquesa and the Chantani Museum. Overnight in the Luna Salada Hotel, a historic hotel actually built of salt.
The second day in the Salar, visit the Inca Huasi Island, which has many caves and gigantic cactuses about 8-10 meters high. Later, visit the Galaxias Cave in the town of Aguaquiza. This sub-aquatic cave was formed when the Salar was still covered by water. These are very unique caves where stalactites, stalagmites, and petrified algae have formed. Head to the archaeological museum of Atulcha where some mummies can be found, and then back to the open Salar.
Take an early morning flight back to La Paz and say good-bye to your guide. The rest of the day is free to spend as you like exploring La Paz. We are happy to arrange a guided tour for you this day.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is $400, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Kate was great to work with in the planning stage. She was prompt, helpful, and efficient. Our tour guide, Edwin, was knowledgeable and passionate. We were very happy to have traveled with Adventure Life, it made the trip easy and a true pleasure. We could concentrate on enjoying the experience rather than the details of travel.