Bolivia Highlights
12 days from La Paz to La Paz
From $ 1564
Duration12 days

Travel to Bolivia and experience the highlights of this breathtaking region. Explore the best of Bolivia on this adventure through lively cities, breathtaking scenery and colourful market towns. From the extreme elevation of bustling La Paz through the history of Potosi and on to the surreal salt flats of Salar de Uyuni, there's a diverse mix of adventures and activities that deliver excitement, intrigue and pleasure. Discover the highlights of this fascinating part of South America and be swept away by the colour and beauty flourishing in this corner of the earth.

This tour is operated by

  • Duration: 12 days
    Service level: Standard
  • Starts in: La Paz
    Physical Grading: Light
  • Ends in: La Paz
    Ages: 15+
Bolivia Highlights - Tour Map

Itinerary

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Day 1: La Paz

Start place: La Paz

At around 3,600 metres, you’ll feel like you’re on top of the world in La Paz! Although Sucre is the official capital of Bolivia, La Paz is the centre of industry – the country’s brain. Despite the abundance of colonial architecture, La Paz's indigenous roots run deep, and the atmosphere in the market-filled streets is both modern and traditional. After a 6 pm welcome meeting, enjoy an orientation walk with your leader and get to know the winding streets and pokey alleys. If you can't arrange a flight that will have you arrive in time for today's welcome meeting, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please have these on hand.
Day 2: La Paz
Today you’re free to explore the nooks and side-streets of La Paz or, alternatively, venture out of the city in search of crisp mountain air. Perhaps hop on a local bus out to the extraordinary landscape of Moon Valley. Actually a maze of canyons and colossal clay spires, these rugged oddities make for staggering views. If you’d prefer to see some man-made oddities, why not take a cable car to the Mercado de Hechiceria (Witches’ Market)? Though we can’t guarantee the potions, incantations and voodoo dolls will work their magic, the experience is reliably fantastic. This trip is part of a combination trip. As such, some of your fellow travellers may have started their trip in Lima, 15 days ago on Peru and Bolivia Uncovered (GGSUC).
Meals: B
Day 3: Uyuni
Say goodbye for now to chaotic La Paz and begin your 8 am journey into the Bolivian wilderness. At around 9 hours, the drive will take most of the day and fittingly, Uyuni feels a bit like the edge of the world. This remote town sits on the edge of the high altiplano, a wild and rugged terrain that stretches of hundreds of kilometres towards Argentina and Chile. After a brief orientation walk of this quaint town you might want to get some rest – tomorrow you’ll be hitting the salt flats. Make sure you have a hot shower, as you may not have the opportunity over the next few days!
Meals: B
Day 4: Salar de Uyuni
Uyuni is the starting point of your three-day 4WD excursion into Salar de Uyuni and the Andean desert. This morning we will stop by the Train Cemetery three kilometres outside of Uyuni Town, connected to it by the old train tracks, and see where families of geriatric locomotives rust slowly in the sun. The remainder of the day is spent mostly on the salt lake itself. Heaving with around ten billion tonnes of salt, Salar de Uyuni is the world’s largest salt plain. Endless blue skies meet endless white plains, and it's a pretty hypnotic sight - don't forget to snap loads of photos! We will arrive at the Salt Flats dorm at around 6:30 pm. Settle in and enjoy an included dinner.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5: Salar de Uyuni
Continue to trip through this mindboggling locale, reaching an island of cacti in its centre that rises like a jagged reef in the desert. Known as Inca Wasi, or Fish Island, this fossil-strewn outcrop was once the top of an ancient volcano. Visit Laguna Colorado and Laguna Verde, lakes where algae and minerals have turned the waters a vivid red and green, respectively. One of the strangest sights in such arid and inhospitable land is the abundant wildlife, It's truly a photographers paradise. Look out for llamas, flamingos, vicunas, and foxes. Despite all the delights, this trip can be tough going. There will be long travel days in 4WDs on dusty washboard tracks, freezing temperatures, basic toilet facilities and multishare accommodation. However, without a doubt, this amazing journey will be one of the main highlights of your trip to South America.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6: Uyuni
Despite a sunrise wake-up call, you might still feel like your dreaming when you arrive at Sol de Manana geysers. Mud bubbles and geysers spurt like kettles giving off steam across this geothermal field. Descend to Polques and stop by the desert’s natural thermal baths for an optional – though highly recommended – soak. Continue through the Southern desert, making stops at the surreal landscape of suitably named Salvador Dali Valley and Volcano Licancabur. Back in Uyuni town wander around the streets of this outback settlement and chill out after a long day of sights and sulfur.
Meals: B, L
Day 7: Potosi
Catch a local bus for about 4 hours along the scenic route to Potosi, where you’ll arrive in the early afternoon. Potosi has had a turbulent past, centred mostly around its mining successes and failures. Once the predominant supplier of silver to colonial-era Spain, Potosi briefly celebrated life as one of the richest cities in the world. Explore the architectural remnants of this period of industry in an orientation walk, then the afternoon and evening are yours. Perhaps visit the Santa Teresa Convent Museum to observe the art and treasures on display inside the convent’s original walls or the National Mint Museum.
Meals: B
Day 8: Sucre
Arrive in Sucre with the locals after 4 hour bus ride, disembarking in the temperate valley city. Bolivia's official capital, Sucre was declared a Unesco World Heritage site in 1991 and has retained the flavour of its colonial heritage in its churches, museums and ancient mansions. Most of the town's colonial buildings have been whitewashed, earning it the nickname the 'White City'. On arrival, you'll have plenty of free time to explore the city and get your bearings.
Meals: B
Day 9: Sucre
Take a few days to explore Bolivia’s capital. After an orientation walk, compare shoe sizes with a dinosaur at Cal Orcko, where 68 million-year-old footprints have been discovered. This is the largest collection of dinosaur footprints in the world, over 12,000 of them! Then, you might like to visit the Museo de la Recoleta, a 400-year-old convent on top of the hill that provides great views over the city and is home to a fascinating collection of sculptures and paintings. Or maybe head to the Plaza 25 de Mayo to rub shoulders with Sucre's affluent residents and investigate the extravagant interior of the Senora de la Merced.
Meals: B
Day 10: Sucre
Today set out for an included hike along the ancient Pre-Incan path known as the Chataquila trek. The trek is relatively easy being that it is mostly downhill. On the way down enjoy the stunning views of the Andes and the valleys.
Meals: B
Day 11: La Paz
A 40-minute flight delivers you back to La Paz, where you can do as you please. Maybe head to the Mirador Killi Killi Lookout, located on top of a steep hill in the neighbourhood of Villa Pabon, and one of La Paz’s most impressive viewing points. Nearby is the National Museum of Ethnography and Folklore, which exhibits a wide collection of stunning works that takes you through Bolivian history. Perhaps visit the Coca Museum, which isn’t too far from your hotel in the Rosario district. If there’s time, you might like to take part in one of our Urban Adventure tours. When the sun sets and the temperature drops, gather together you travel buddies and join the locals in seeking warmth in a bar or restaurant, and celebrate the end of your Bolivian adventure.
Meals: B
Day 12: La Paz
Your exploration of Bolivia's highlights comes to an end this morning. As there are no more activities planned, you're free to book your departure flights when you like and you can leave the accommodation at any time.

End place: La Paz

Inclusions

Included

  • La Paz - Orientation Walk
  • Uyuni - Orientation Walk
  • Salt flats - Visit to 'Fish Island/Inca Wasi'
  • Salt flats - Altiplano tour including Laguna Colorada and Laguna Verde
  • Potosi - Orientation Walk
  • Sucre - Orientation Walk
  • Sucre - Dinosaur Footprints
  • Sucre - Chataquila Pre-Inca trek
  • Transport

    Plane, 4X4, Local bus, Private Vehicle
  • Accommodation

    Dormitory (2 nights), Hotel (9 nights)

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