Summary
Short description
A tailor-made tour taking in the historical highlights and natural splendours of Bolivia
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Highlights
- Experience natural wonders in the world's largest salt flats
- Discover Bolivia's lost kingdoms in its ruined cities and archaeological sites
- Visit remote indigenous communities
- Explore the world's highest navigable body of water – Lake Titicaca
- Combine Latin American flavour with colonial grandeur in charming towns and the atmospheric capital
In Brief
- 1 Night Santa Cruz
- 2 Nights Sucre
- 2 Nights Uyuni Salt Flats
- 2 Nights Lake Titicaca
- 2 Nights La Paz
In pictures
About
Recommended for:
Best of holidays | City | History & culture | Natural world
For those fortunate enough to have travelled extensively through the vast continent of South America, it's often Bolivia, a country relatively small in size compared to its neighbours Peru, Brazil and Chile, which is remembered with the most fondness. On this luxury Bolivia holiday you'll take in the best the country has to offer. You'll explore the whitewashed streets of Sucre's colonial centre, search for silver in the mines of Potosi and play with perspective on the Salar de Uyuni, the world's largest salt flat and a photographer's dream. Then, on South America's largest body of water, Lake Titicaca, you'll visit both the Sun and Moon Islands, from which, says local legend, the Inca civilisation emerged 1,000 years ago. Lastly, you'll soak up the sights, sounds and market stalls of the colourful capital, La Paz.
Day by day itinerary
Day
1
Depart UK
Start your trip with included airport lounge access before an overnight flight to Santa Cruz in Bolivia, arriving on day two.
Day
2
Santa Cruz
Arrive in the city of Santa Cruz, where you'll be met and transferred to your accommodation, located in the heart of the city. After settling in to your hotel, enjoy a half day cultural city tour to explore the city's palm-tree lined plazas and grand colonial cathedrals. If you choose to extend your stay, perhaps spend a day exploring Fuerte de Samaipata, a UNESCO World Heritage Site about 120km from the city. The ceremonial site was built by a pre-Inca civilisation in the early 4th century and consists of two parts: the hill with its many carvings and its surrounds.
Stay: Hotel Los Tajibos (Superior)
Days
3-4
Sucre
Fly to Sucre, Bolivia's most beautiful city, where narrow streets are lined with ornate churches, poems are hand-painted onto wall tiles and colourful flowers hang from wooden balconies. A city tour will take in many of Sucre's most important buildings, including the 16th century San Francisco Church and the House of Freedom, where Simon Bolivar declared Bolivian independence. The following day, visit the nearby village of Tarabuco, whose Sunday market is know for its distinctive Indian weavings. Lunch is included on day four only.
Stay: Parador Santa Maria la Real, Sucre (Superior)
Meals: B L
Day
5
Potosi/Uyuni Salt Flats
Drive from Sucre to the silver-mining town of Potosi, a colonial gem whose mines are said to have produced enough ore to build a solid silver bridge from Potosi to Madrid. Dominated by its mountainous surrounds, it's a truly atmospheric destination that has been declared a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site. In the afternoon, after a short Potosi city tour, continue on to Uyuni where you'll stay in one of its renowned salt hotels, constructed almost entirely out of its surrounds. Or, for something a little different, why not consider booking an Airstream Deluxe Camper for the chance to explore the salt flats with freedom and enjoy secluded spots under the stars. This deluxe option includes sunset and sunrise tours and a stargazing experience.
Stay: Hotel Luna Salada, Uyuni (Standard) or Palacio del Sal, Uyuni (Standard) or Airstream Deluxe Campers, Uyuni (Superior)
Meals: B L D
Day
6
Uyuni Salt Flats
Spend the day on the world's largest salt flat, the Salar de Uyuni, where giant pentagons of crystalline salt stretch endlessly to the horizon. Here, you'll find colourful lagoons, strange islands and even bright pink flamingos. Spectacular at any time of year, it's especially surreal when seasonal rains coat the flats like a mirror, reflecting the giant blue ribbon that is the Andean sky. You'll start by visiting Isla Incahuasi, an oasis where giant cacti grow up to 12 metres high over their 100 year lifespan. After lunch, you'll make your way to Tunupa, a dormant volcano on the desert's northern side. Standing at 5,321 metres tall, it's a majestic, steepled counterpoint to the great white expanse. Next you'll visit the Coquesa Mummies where eerie caves play host to dried skeletons and ancient ceramic archaeology.
Stay: Hotel Luna Salada, Uyuni (Standard) or Palacio del Sal, Uyuni (Standard) or Airstream Deluxe Campers, Uyuni (Superior)
Meals: B L D
Day
7
Lake Titicaca
Wake early to transfer to the airport for your flight to La Paz where you'll be met and transferred to Tiwanaku Archaeological Site. Dating back to between the 16th century BC and 11th century AD, these magnificent ruins tell the story of one of the Americas' oldest civilisations. In the Sun Gate, Temple of Kalasasaya and the Pyramid of Akapana you'll see the sights of a city that once hosted 115,000 inhabitants. After lunch, you'll continue on to Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable body of water. Much more than its astounding natural beauty – great waters front rolling hills and Andean peaks – it's home to a collection of rich cultures. You'll visit handicraft markets, mud igloo houses, historic mortuary towers and local shipbuilding families as you call into eco villages and alpaca farms. Come the evening you'll visit the Kallawayas, Bolivia's tribal healers, who'll find answers to your questions in sacred coca leaves.
Stay: Inca Utama Hotel (Superior)
Meals: B L
Day
8
Lake Titicaca
This morning you'll board a hydrofoil cruise out to explore the lake itself. Start with Copacabana, a pilgrim town made famous by its shrines and market before heading out to Isla de la Luna (Moon Island). Here, you'll be treated to the excavated Iñak Uyu Temple and the ruins of what's thought to be an Incan nunnery. Move on to the Isla del Sol whose harsh geography hosts nearly 200 ruins, including the Sun Temple. A completely unmotorised island, a 45 minute llama trek will bring you to your hotel, set among tiered gardens overlooking the lake.
Stay: Posada del Inca, Lake Titicaca (Standard)
Meals: B L D
Day
9
Lake Titicaca/La Paz
Spend the morning at leisure to take in yet more of those gorgeous lake views; perhaps head out on a short trek from the hotel. Around midday, you'll then visit the Inca's Grand Stairs where steps are built dramatically into the hillside before moving onto the Sacred Fountain where you'll have the chance to taste the waters believed to grant eternal youth and happiness. After lunch at the Uma Kollu Archaeological Restaurant, you'll visit a handicraft market before a hydrofoil cruise takes you to Huatajata where you'll transfer to La Paz.
Stay: Casa Grande Hotel, La Paz (Deluxe)
Meals: B L
Day
10
La Paz
The City of La Paz is a veritable treasure trove of living history. Indigenous, colonial and modern architectural delights all come together to be framed by the majestic Illimani Mountains. Start by exploring the Witch Doctors' market before calling into its cathedrals, museums and basilicas. You can also head out to into its picturesque surrounds for dramatic clay formations in Moon Valley and cable car rides that bring you to summit vistas.
Stay: Casa Grande Hotel, La Paz (Deluxe)
Meals: B
Day
11
Depart for UK
Transport to La Paz Airport to board your flight home.
Meals: B
Day
12
Arrive UK
Arrive back in the UK to continue your onward journey home.
Map
Pricing
Any element of this itinerary can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.
Accommodation rating:
12-day tailor-made holiday
from £4,280 pp incl. flights
Superior (Uyuni salt hotel)
Low Season
from £4,280 pp. incl. flights
High Season
from £4,790 pp. incl. flights
Includes:
- Complimentary UK airport lounge access
- Return flights from London to Santa Cruz and from La Paz to London
- Domestic flight from Uyuni to La Paz
- Private transfers
- 6 nights accommodation in a mixture of 3* (Standard), 4* (Superior) and 5* (Deluxe) hotels on a B&B basis
- 3 nights accommodation in 3* (Standard) hotels on a full-board basis
- Private touring including 4 lunches
Terms & Conditions
Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room; prices are subject to availability and possible change; normal booking conditions apply.
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