Santa Cruz, Concepcion, Sucre, Potosi, Uyuni, La Paz & Lake Titicaca
History & Culture, Off the Beaten
Landlocked in the heart of the South America, this rugged and highest Latin American Republic straddles across the soaring Andean peaks, the highest navigable lake of Titicaca, mesmerizing white salt flats of Uyuni, charming colonial towns and spectacular wildernesses.
The striking geographical variations combined with the lifestyle of the unique locals which has changed little since the times of the Spanish conquistadors make a trip to Bolivia a truly unique adventure!
Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel to rest. Depending on your arrival time, you may want to explore the city at your own place or enjoy a brief orientation of the city’s vibrant culinary scene.
Depart early 125km/2.5h southeast to Samaipata (altitude 1,650m) in the Cordillera Oriental foothills. Enjoy a 2-hour exploration of El Fuerte (UNESCO), a grand Inca fortress ruin from pre-Hispanic times. Proceed to Samaipata town for lunch and archaeological museum visit. En route with a 1-hour cave waterfall visit before returning to Santa Cruz.
Transfer 225km/4h to San Javier. Visit two ornate Jesuit Missions of Chiquitos towns, declared UNESCO Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Continue to San Javier’s baroque missionary church, sacred museum, stone of the apostles, and if they are open, Jesuits wood workshop galleries. Head to Mirador “Piedra del Bibosi” (natural lookout point) and “Piedras de los Apóstoles”, where the pinocas natives used to honor Ñupayaré god. Late afternoon, transfer 1h via palm tree savannahs and Parados Las Piedras’s granite rock formations to Concepción.
Start at the Concepción Church, considered a jewel in the region and the region’s most complete museum about the Jesuit Missions. You will enjoy lunch in Concepción before driving 5h back to Santa Cruz.
Fly Santa Cruz/Sucre – Z8170 0800/0840 (40m)
– OB582 0905/0950 (40m)
Visit La Recoleta hilltop monastery with its arched city view, Cal Orck’o Quarry paleontological site (opens 12-1pm) where over 5,000 dinosaur footprints were discovered. Return to Sucre for lunch and enjoy a tour of this historic white city (UNESCO) and visit House of Liberty where Simon Bolivar secured the nation’s independence.
Drive 3h to the heart of Central Highlands at Potosi (4,060m). Take it slow to acclimatize as we show you this UNESCO city’s colonial churches, cobblestoned alleys, Casa de la Moneda (Royal Mint) filled with wooden machineries used to make Spanish colonies’ coins, Santa Teresa Convent and South America’s finest baroque carvings at San Lorenzo Church.
OPTIONAL: Private Cerro Rico mine tour (2.5h). It is said there was enough silver to build a bridge from Potosi to Madrid, and enough people died to build a bridge of bones back. Important: Not recommended if you have breathing problems, claustrophobia, panic attacks or uncomfortable in dark spaces.
Meet your new specialist guide and 4WD to head 205km/3.5h southwest to Uyuni. Visit the late 1800s Antique Train Cemetery, Salt Hotel Museum and Incahuasi salt flat oasis dotted with fossils, algae formations and thousands of giant cacti with 360° Salar view. Spend a night at a unique salt hotel near Tahua with a stargazing tour.
OPTIONAL: Camp under the stars by spending 2 nights in a deluxe Airstream Camper Van or an eco-luxury white dome pod of Kachi Lodge on all-inclusive basis, including full board and private schedule activities.
Depart early to Chuvica and Galaxia Cave. Continue to Chiguana desert, surrounded by volcanoes and Ollague Volcano (5,840m) lookout point. Head to the colourful lagoons of Cañapa and Hedionda where 3 flamingo species and Andean seagulls call home. Visit Laguna Chulluncani, surreal Valley of the Rocks, San Cristobal colonial town and Colchani for another stargazing tour. OPTIONAL: Upgrade to Kachi Lodge or campervan.
Fly Uyuni/La Paz – OB303 1005/1105 (1h)
– Z8303 1045/1135 (1h)
Upon arrival, drive 64km/1.5h to Tiwanaku “Cradle of the American Civilization”. Among the oldest Andean archaeological sites, its remains are surprisingly monumental and decorative. Continue 79km/2.5h back to La Paz, nestled in the rim basin of a deep-sided bowl high in the Andes.
Drive via the affluent La Florida and Calacoto neighbourhoods to Moon Valley, a maze of canyons and spires in beige, red and purple hues. Next, enjoy La Paz colonial waking tour to view the famous Plaza Murillo and colonial street Jaen. Sample local salteña snack and make a stop at Mirador Killi Killi. Visit Museum of Folklore and Ethnography for insights on Bolivian culture and traditions, Witches Market to browse traditional remedies and witchcrafts. After a gourmet plant-based lunch, you will ride the world’s highest cable car towards El Alto. Enjoy an architectural El Alto tour focusing on colourful and flamboyant Cholets buildings.
Drive 3h to Copacabana on the shores of Lake Titicaca for a private 1.5h motorboat to Sun Island. Take a 1.5h stroll to Ecolodge La Estancia for highland Apthapi lunch. Late afternoon, we recommend a Pallacasa viewpoint hike (50m) for magnificent sunset views!
Enjoy Sun Island tour, visiting Pilkokaina Palace and Great Inca Stairway to underground Sacred Spring granting youth and eternal happiness. Board your private boat to Moon Island to visit the unspoiled Temple of the Virgins of the Sun or Iñak Uyu before lunch at Copacabana and transfer by road back to La Paz (154km/3.5h).
Today, we will transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Not ready to say goodbye yet? Consider a 4-day adventurous extension to Toro Toto National Park, Bolivia’s “Jurassic Park” known for its incredible natural caves, waterfalls and dinosaur footprints.
Casa Patio Santa Cruz • Gran Hotel Concepción • El Hotel de Su Merced or Hotel Villa Antigua Sucre • Hotel Colonial Potosi • Tayka De Sal Tahua • Cristal Samana Colchani • Atix Hotel La Paz • Ecolodge La Estancia Lake Titicaca
The largest and best hotel in town, this colonial-styled hotel is located right on the plaza. Rooms take on the Jesuit tradition with a wooden cross on the wall and minimal decoration with air condition, ceiling fan, en-suite bathroom and cable TV, set around the courtyard and open up into the garden and pool.
El Hotel de Su Merced: A charming family-run hotel in the centre of Sucre, originally an 18th-century Spanish colonial mansion. Rooms are traditionally decorated with antiques and family heirlooms, as well as breathtaking city views so opt for a room on the higher floor! (Rooms: 23)
Hotel Villa Antigua: Located just steps from Sucre’s central square, this hotel is set on a colonial 1860s mansion, tastefully restored with red and white exteriors built around a central patio and herb garden. The spacious and bright rooms are simply furnished with hand-carved furniture. (Rooms: 24)
Located in a colonial building near the main plaza, this guesthouse offers modest size rooms with windows onto a central courtyard, minibars, cable TV and en-suite bathroom. (Room: 11)
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Located at the foot of Thunupa Volcano on the edge of the salt flats, this local community-owned hotel is made entirely out of blocks of salt with traditional straw roof. The hotel faces the Salt Flats (Salar de Uyuni), while its spacious rooms come with en-suite bathroom. Solar energy provides heated water, although not 24 hours as the gas heating is switched off at night. (Room: 11)
Located close to the edge of Salar de Uyuni, the hotel is made of rock salt and is the only hotel in Bolivia designed using Feng Shui principles. All rooms come with en suite bathrooms, with heat and hot water supplied from solar energy. Facilities include a restaurant / bar and an astrological observatory. (Room: 29)
A member of Design Hotel on the upscale Calacoto neighborhood, La Paz's first design-centric hotel doubles as an art gallery. Room amenities include TV, minibar, free WiFi, security box, locally made Alpaca blankets and bath amenities. (Opened: 2016. Rooms: 53)
Set on the Island of the Sun, this rustic eco-lodge is built on terraces for restored agriculture by members of the Aymara community. Each adobe cottages are sustainably designed in simple Andean style with en-suite bathrooms, black stone floors to accumulate heat, water recycling programs and straw roofing. While this is still a basic hotel in terms of facilities, it is one of the best option on the island. Please note that there is no motorised vehicle on the island. (Rooms: 15)
View MoreMarriott Santa Cruz • Gran Hotel Concepción • Mi Pueblo Samary Hotel Sucre • Hotel Coloso Potosà • Tayka De Sal Tahua • Luna Salada Colchani • Casa Grande Hotel La Paz • Ecolodge La Estancia Lake Titicaca
Marriott Santa Cruz de la Sierra Hotel: A modern international hotel surrounded by local attractions and Ventura Mall with its trendy stores and leisure activities.
(Refurbished: 2017; Rooms: 153)
The largest and best hotel in town, this colonial-styled hotel is located right on the plaza. Rooms take on the Jesuit tradition with a wooden cross on the wall and minimal decoration with air condition, ceiling fan, en-suite bathroom and cable TV, set around the courtyard and open up into the garden and pool.
Located in the heart of Sucre, this boutique hotel replicates a colonial village featuring colonial and local Indigenous architectures, decorated with sculpted woods and colourful tapestries. Spacious rooms come with modern bathrooms, WiFi, flat-screen cable TV, free toiletries, hairdryer and minibar. (Rooms: 18)
The city’s only 5-star option comes with spacious rooms and modern amenities, though far from what we usually expect from a 5-star hotel.
Located at the foot of Thunupa Volcano on the edge of the salt flats, this local community-owned hotel is made entirely out of blocks of salt with traditional straw roof. The hotel faces the Salt Flats (Salar de Uyuni), while its spacious rooms come with en-suite bathroom. Solar energy provides heated water, although not 24 hours as the gas heating is switched off at night. (Room: 11)
Located on the edge of Salar de Uyuni salt flats, this salt hotel is almost entirely constructed of rock salt. Floors are strewn with colourful woven rugs over rock salt gravel and much of the furniture is carved from salt mined nearby. All rooms comes with en-suite bathroom and solar power heating system. (Room: 46)
Set in Calacoto and known for its minimalistic architectural design with open spaces and glass accents, all contemporary rooms come with city or mountains view. Facilities include indoor heated pool, garden, in-room pillow menu and spacious rain showers. (Rooms: 65)
Set on the Island of the Sun, this rustic eco-lodge is built on terraces for restored agriculture by members of the Aymara community. Each adobe cottages are sustainably designed in simple Andean style with en-suite bathrooms, black stone floors to accumulate heat, water recycling programs and straw roofing. While this is still a basic hotel in terms of facilities, it is one of the best option on the island. Please note that there is no motorised vehicle on the island. (Rooms: 15)
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The first permanent luxury lodge of its kind at the Salt Flats The solar-powered lodge boasts 30sqm bedroom domes with private bathroom, heating and plush bedding with views of the salt flats, as well as an oversized lounge dome where guests mingle and meals are taken courtesy of chefs from La Paz’s multi award-winning restaurant. Your stay is on fully inclusive basis , including all private excursions, accommodation and meals in the salt flats. (Rooms: 6)
One of the most unique way to see the Salar de Uyuni is aboard this comfortable and stylish campervan, featuring either a double or twin beds (with the option of a third traveller on a sofa-bed) and comes with electric blankets, en-suite bath with hot shower, heater, iPod port and fully stocked mini-bar, as well as your exclusive tour guide and an experienced chef who accompany you in a separate vehicle. Meals are served under an umbrella in the salt plains at day and in your campervan at night. Breakfast may include fresh orange and pineapple juices, sweet papayas and coffee, while dinner offers juicy steak served with Bolivian red wine. Your stay is on fully inclusive basis, including all private excursions, accommodation and meals in the salt flats. (Camper Vans: 3)
Located at the top of Isla del Sol, a former colonial hacienda has been charmingly restored into simple but charming rooms in a traditional building, complete with tiled roof and gardens. Each room comes with en-suite bathroom, hot water and electric blankets. There is no Wi-Fi, TV or radio here, which is a good time to hike around the island and listen to the peaceful sounds of nature (Rooms: 20)
Kindly call us at (852) 2885 2181 if you require any immediate assistance.
Call us at (852) 2885 2181 or email us at enquiry@intriqjourney.com to start planning for a holiday that is completely tailored to your preferences.
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