Depart the UK – Santa Cruz

Depart the UK and travel overnight to Bolivia. Upon arrival in the morning, you will transfer with the assistance of a bilingual guide to your hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy a city tour, visit the Ethnic-folkloric Museum, the main square, the Cathedral Museum, the Interpretation Centre of Santa Cruz, the handicrafts expo “Arte-campo” and the principal monuments of Santa Cruz.

Samaipata

After breakfast, depart to the Ruins of Samaipata, about 120 km from Santa Cruz. The road to the ancient Fort leads through the mountainous Andean area called “Volcanes”. This archaeological site was built for magic rites by a pre-Incan culture. Also visit the archaeological museum and bathe beneath the waterfalls: Las Cuevas and El Chorro. Return to Santa Cruz after the visit.

Sucre

After breakfast, transfer from your hotel to the airport for a domestic flight to Sucre. Upon arrival, a visit to the city of Sucre and its Museums is a must to understand the past and present of this unique town. The tour lasts 3 hours and is tailored to your group’s interests. Among others, possible sites included are the House of Liberty, The Monastery of San Felipe Nery, The Monastery of La Recoleta, University Colonial, Anthropological and Modern Art Museum, and Bolivar Park.

Tarabuco

Today you will enjoy a full day excursion to the famous Tarabuco native fair. On Sunday, Tarabuco becomes a most picturesque market well known for its wonderful Indian weavings. The natives still wear leather helmets similar to those used by the Spanish Conquerors. In the afternoon, return to Sucre and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Potosí

After breakfast, depart from Sucre to Potosí by private transfer. Upon arrival, visit one of the most fascinating of Latin American churches, San Lorenzo, followed by the tower of the Company of Jesus or the rooftop of San Francisco. In the afternoon, visit the beautiful Convent of Santa Teresa that offers great insight into religious life in colonial times.

Potosí – Uyuni

In the morning you will visit the Casa de la Moneda (National Mint), where the procedure used for minting coins in different periods can be observed. Continue your journey by visiting the Miner´s market and an active Colonial mine to see the way miners used (and still do) to extract minerals. After lunch, transfer from Potosí to Uyuni.

Uyuni

Following breakfast, visit Colchani and a plant where salt with iodine is processed by the locals. Continue through the “Montones de Sal” (salt hills), “Ojos de Agua”, to Isla Incawasi. After lunch, you will visit the Coquesa mummies at the feet of the Thunupa Volcano before returning to Uyuni.

Uyuni – La Paz

Today you will check out of the hotel and transfer to airport. After your domestic flight to La Paz, you will transfer from the airport to your hotel. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Tiwanaku & Huatajata

In the morning, visit the archaeological site of Tiwanaku (1580 BC-1000 AD). These magnificent ruins of Bolivia belong to one of the oldest civilisations in the Americas. The Sun Gate, the Temple of Kalasasaya and the Pyramid of Akapana are the sample of a glorious past. Tiwanaku culture was an agrarian-based economy with an estimated population of 115,000 inhabitants.

Ccontinue to Huatajata at the shores of Lake Titicaca. On arrival, visit the Andean Roots Eco Village: The Altiplano Museum, Handicrafts village, the Mud Igloos and the mortuary towers of the Urus Chipayas. Meet the Limachi family, builders of the RA II and Tigris for epic expeditions across the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy the elegant vicuñas, llamas, alpacas and the mythical Suri. You will then enjoy an audiovisual and night experience of “The Mystic World of the Kallawayas”, natural healers of Bolivia. They believe that you first have to heal the soul in order to heal your body. Tata Benjo, -their Kallawaya- will bless visitors and answer questions by casting his sacred coca leaves.

Huatajata

Enjoy a hydrofoil cruise to Moon Island, where you will visit the Sun Virgins Temple “Iñak Uyu”. Continue to Sun Island where you will visit the Inca “Grand Stairs” and the Sacred Fountain to taste the water believed to give eternal youth and happiness. Enjoy lunch at the Uma Kollu archaeological Restaurant before visiting the small handicraft market. You will then cruise to Copacabana, located at the shores of Lake Titicaca. Once in Copacabana, visit the shrine and the Dark Indian Virgin before journeying overland to back to Huatajata. In the evening, take part in a nocturnal visit to the Native Observatory Alajpacha where you will learn from the Aymaras cosmos vision and watch the southern constellations.

La Paz

Today you will transfer back to La Paz. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel before a city tour in the afternoon. La Paz and its surroundings can transport you to a mysterious past where any corner, any street, is a hidden treasure where adventure begins; a living history which treasures the pre-Hispanic times with all their traditions and magic rites on its streets. The indigenous, colonial and modern areas, Indian Market, Witch Doctor’s Market & breathtaking panoramas are all framed by the majestic “Illimani” mountain. You will also visit the Moon Valley, a clay formation resembling the face of the Moon.

Return back to the UK

After breakfast, you will transfer to the airport for your overnight connecting flight back to the UK.