SIMPLY BOLIVIA

Your first stop in Bolivia is its colourful capital, La Paz. The highest capital in the world and enclosed by the Cordillera Real mountain range. You’ll be staying in a colonial-style hotel just a stroll away from San Francisco Square.

During your stay you will enjoy a tour of the city, taking in the Gold Museum, San Francisco Church, Murillo Square and the Witch Doctor’s Market where you’ll find an interesting array of artefacts, handicrafts and woven textiles.

Stay: Two nights at La Casona Hotel – bed & breakfast

Today you will make the overland journey to the shores of Lake Titicaca – the world’s highest navigable lake – where a hydrofoil cruise will be waiting to take you to Sun Island.

Prior to boarding the hydrofoil, you will have chance to explore the town of Copacabana, where you will visit the shrine of the Dark Indian Virgin. From Copacabana you will cruise to Moon Island, visiting the Sun Virgins Temple “Iñak Uyu”.

Continue to Sun Island, to visit the Pilcocaina Sun Temple. You’ll be staying at a charming eco-lodge at the top of the island where you’ll be surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Andes. After lunch the afternoon is at leisure for you to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Stay: One night at La Posada del Inca Eco Lodge – full-board

The morning is at leisure. Around noon visit the Inca “Grand Stairs” and the Sacred Fountain; taste the water believed to give eternal youth and happiness. Lunch is at the Uma Kollu archaeological restaurant followed by a visit to the handicraft market. From here you will take a hydrofoil to Huatajata. On arrival, visit the Andean Roots Eco Village: The Altiplano Museum; Handicrafts village, the Mud Igloos and the mortuary towers of the Urus Chipayas. Relax in the beautiful grounds with vicuñas, llamas, alpacas and the mythical Suri.

By night, visit the Native Observatory Alajpacha. Learn from the Aymaras Cosmovision and watch the southern constellations.

Stay: One night at the Inca Utama Hotel & Spa – Bed & breakfast

Overland transfer back to La Paz and the thriving city of el Alto. In the 1980s El Alto was the immigrant stop of mainly Aymara’s countrymen, today they’re successful families dedicated to trade, mining, small industry, commerce, and gastronomy, forming new social and economic groups.

With unique trade fairs in the world, visitors will see Truck markets, Yatiris (magic witches), antiques, junkyards and a fascinating new Architecture: “The Cholets”, an icon of the success and opulence of these Aymara’s immigrants. They just don’t want to migrate to richer neighbourhoods, but to build their own palaces in El Alto. Visit one of them, with handicrafts shops, salon de fiestas, native sweets and customs, most painted by Mamani-Mamani the fashion Indian artist; a real symphony of colours and movement.

Stay: One night at La Casona Hotel – Bed & breakfast

Your adventure in Bolivia now brings you to the incredible Salar de Uyuni, which holds the title for the world’s largest salt flat at a staggering 11,000 square kilometres.

Your day starts with a short flight from La Paz to Uyuni, the entry point for Bolivia’s salt flats. This surreal, vast expanse with its blue skies, 12-metre-high cacti and deep lagoons is sure to capture your imagination. Your hotel – built almost entirely from salt – is nearly as impressive.

Over the next two days you will have plenty of opportunity to explore this unique wilderness. You’ll first visit the fascinating Isla Pescado. Situated in the centre of the salt pan, this rocky outcrop is studded with giant cacti and offers a fabulous view of the surrounding salt flats. The following day you will visit the small village of Tahua, situated at the foot of the Tunupa Volcano, and hike to the cave of the Coquesa Mummies.

Stay: Two nights at the Luna Salada Salt Hotel – full-board

Transfer back to Uyuni airport where you will fly to Santa Cruz (via La Paz). Your final stop in Bolivia is the historic city of Santa Cruz. On the outskirts of the jungle, the city has warm and temperate climate and is a relaxing place to end your holiday.

In the afternoon you’ll be taken on a tour of the city, visiting the 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.

Stay: One night at Hotel Los Tajibos – bed & breakfast

Bidding goodbye to Santa Cruz, you will take your flight home.