Bolivia Tours and Travel

Best of Bolivia / La Paz / Lake Titicaca / Sucre-Potosi / Santa Cruz-Missions
Uyuni Salt Lake / Bolivian Pantanal / Madidi National Park / Amazon cruise

ANDES & AMAZONIA

Santa Cruz/ Sucre/Potosi/Salar de Uyuni/ La Paz/ Trinidad/ Santa Cruz

Day 1/ Fri Santa Cruz:
Arrival in Santa Cruz. Meet and assist at airport. Transfer to Hotel Cortez****
Santa Cruz is located in the huge eastern lowlands of Bolivia. The rapid economic development has not affected the colonial character of the old backstreets nor the famous good humor of the city's inhabitants. Free day for optional activities.

Day 2/ Sat Santa Cruz/ Sucre:
Transfer to the airport and flight SRZ/SRE. Meet and assist and transfer to Hostal Sucre ***

SUCRE (Monument of the Americas, Patrimony of Mankind, UNESCO): Sucre is the historic capital of Bolivia. Our half day itinerary includes a visit to the most important monuments such as Casa de la Libertad, the beautiful baroque cathedral and other churches in the old city. (B)

Day 3/ Sun Sucre - Tarabuco
The most authentic street fair of the Andes takes place every Sunday 65 km (40 miles) from Sucre. We will drive a couple of hours to visit the Tarabuco Indian Market. Indians from several communities come to the market to buy animals, vegetables, fruits, crafts, and textiles. The market provides a wonderful opportunity to experience the local culture. Here you can buy ponchos, conquistador-style leather helmets, musical instruments, and other local specialties at reasonable prices. The weavings are some of the best in South America and unique to this part of Bolivia. Return to Sucre in the afternoon. Accommodation in Hostal Sucre ***. (B,L)

Day 4/ Mon Potosí:
Regular bus to Potosi.(3 hours). Arrival and transfer to the Hostal Libertador 3***
The "Rich Mountain" that overlooks Potosí is the main source of silver in the area. The mines have hardly changed since colonial times and you can learn about the customs and traditions of the workers, their strange relationship with the coca leaf, the Earth Goddess Pachamama and Tio, the god of the underworld. Our half day excursion also includes a visit to the miners´ market (calvary).

Day 5/ Tue Potosi:
POTOSÍ (Patrimony of Mankind, UNESCO): During its mining heyday in the 17th century, Potosí was the biggest city in the Americas. Silver from Potosí was taken to Spain and used all over Europe. Now a walk through the streets takes you back to the times of the Spanish conquistadores. Our half day tour includes a visit to the main monuments and churches of the old town. (B,L)

Day 6/ Wen Potosí-Uyuni:
Regular bus to Uyuni ( 6 Hours) and transfer to Hotel La Magia. (B)

Day 7/ Thu Uyuni - San Pedro de Quemez: 4x4 WD expedition.
An unforgettable trip through 12,000 km² (4,500 square miles) of fantastic landscapes. The Isla Incahuasi in the center of the Salar is famous for its particular fauna -rodents and birds- and flora -giant cacti. On this island are some small remnants of the Inca civilization that ruled for about 150 years from 1350 to 1500BC. It is interesting to look at the corals, truly remnants of earlier times when Uyuni was under water. We will stop there for lunch. We will continue to visit Cueva Galaxia crossing the Bahia Mala Mala.
Arrival to San Pedro de Quemez. Accommodation in Hotel Tayka de Piedra. (B,L,D)

Day 8/ Fri San Pedro de Quemez/ Tahua:
We will leave early this morning, with our sun glasses tightly held in our hands. It is important to imagine that one can spend several days driving across this huge expanse of salt with absolutely no vegetation. We will continue to reach the Volcan Tunupa. Visit to the Coquesa Momies. Accommodation in Hotel Tayka de Sal. (B,L,D)

Day 9/ Sat Tahua - Uyuni - La Paz:
Tahua - Mirador Chillguilla - Pukara Chillima.
Arrival to Uyuni. Touristic bus to La Paz. (B,L)

Day 10/ Sun La Paz:
Arrival to La Paz and transfer to Hotel El Dorado 3***
Half day city tour. We will give you a comprehensive introduction to the city of La Paz. Our visit is divided into three parts : Cultural (including the main museums), Panoramic (with the Valley of the Moon), Popular (with the famous witch market). Pm city (B,)

Day 11/ Mon La Paz - Lago Titicaca Copacabana/ Isla del Sol/ Copacabana : Seat in car excursion
Depart to Copacabana and drive along the paved road that crosses the central peninsula. We will pass by small native villages and arrive at Tiquina straight. Astonishing views of the Sacred Lake and of the Royal Range on our way. We will cross the Straight of Tiquina that divides Lake Major (Chucuito) and Lake Minor (Wiñaymarka) and carry on with our excursion. There we will embark for a peaceful ride on a local fishing boat and will be able to chat with our native leader as he takes us across the Sacred Lake. The Island of the Sun stands in front of us shortly after. We will explore the island and its Incan remains - Stairway of Yumani and Sacred Source, Palace of Pilkokaina. Return to Copacabana. Accommodation in Hotel Rosario del Lago 3***. (B,L,D)

Day 12/ Tue Copacabana - La Paz:
We will visit the basilica of the Black Virgin and its museum or wander around the little town and its surroundings. The short walk up the nearby Calvary may result tiring but worth the astonishing views onto the bay. Carry on towards La Paz crossing native villages such as Huarina and Batallas. Beautiful views of almost all of the Cordillera. Arrival in La Paz in the late afternoon. Accommodation in Hotel Dorado *** (B,L)

Day 13/ Wen La Paz - Sajama National Park:
An early departure out of La Paz heading south on a paved highway takes us to Patacamaya where we head west on a modern highway heading to Chile. We should arrive at the turnoff to the village of Sajama in approximately 5 hours from La Paz. Mt. Sajama is Bolivias' highest mountain and can be seen from across the Altiplano on clear days. It is on the western border of Bolivia with Chile in a volcanic chain known as the Cordillera Occidental. It's a volcano that is now dormant but sits by itself in the middle of the Altiplano and creates its own weather system with winds sometimes over 80 miles per hour on its summit. At its base lies the world's highest forest made up of the native tree called Quenua. A beautiful peak that has some wonderful legends attributed to it. A straighforward route brings climbers to the immense summit plateau with the best views of the vast Altiplano region and dozens of volcanoes in the distance. Accommodation In Tomarapi Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 14/ Thu Sajama National Park - La Paz:
After breakfast we'll take a dip in the hot thermal waters situated a short distance from the town of Sajama with awesome views of the north face of Mt. Sajama. Arrival to La Paz . Accommodation In Hotel Dorado *** (B,L)

Day 15/ Fri Departure day:
Transfer to the airport for international flight. (B)

(cf: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)

BOOKING REQUEST

2009 Price per person in $us (overland services): $1495.00. Single supplement $ 322.00

Includes: Services in seat in car/bus, meals mentioned, all the excursions, hotel accommodations as mentioned in the above program.
Does not include: Drinks, tips, flights, airport taxes, personal insurance.

Air Fares per person in $us: $ 75.00 Santa Cruz/Sucre, (not included in base price, subject to change)

Other Information:
Children between 0 and 5 are free of charge
Children between 6 and 11, in the same apartment as the adults, have 50% discount for double apartments.
Drinks not included.

2009 Dates: From/ To 07 to 21 Jul/ 21 Aug to 04 Sep/ 04 to 18 Sep/ 02 to 16 Oct 2009

Guide: English/ Spanish speaking guide
Excursions: Seat in car/bus
Transfers: Regular buses, regular flights
Accommodation: Base double room
Htl Category: 3***(tourist class)

Program Conditions:
Departure with a minimum of 2 people
Hotels mentioned in the itinerary are not contractual. In case of unavailability, other hotels of the same category will be provided.
Reservations should be confirmed with total payment at least 1 month before departure date.

Cancellation fees:
45 to 30 days before departure: 15%
29 to 15 days before departure: 55%
14 to 0 days before departure: 100%

AMAZON BASIN EXTENSION : FLOTEL REINA DE ENIN

Day 15/ Fri La Paz- Trinidad - Flotel Reina de Enín
Transfer to the Airport for Flight LPB/TDD.
Meet and assist at Trinidad airport. Transfer to the port where we´ll embark on our motor boats to reach the Flotel. The Flotel Reina de Enin is simple but comfortable. It offers cabins with fans, private bathroom, buffet style meals, and a well stocked bar. It is the interpretive center of the best ecological path that we have found in our 12 years of operation - the river itself. Overnight on board. (B,L,D)

Day 16/ Sat Flotel Reina de Enin:
Our area of operations (Mamoré and Ibare rivers) encompasses three large bio-geographic regions -the riverside forest, the savannas in Moxos, savannas of palm trees- intermixed with swamps and islands of evergreen humid forest. Today our activities will be oriented towards nature: photo-safari, walks in the jungle, horseback riding, fishing, canoeing in lagoons with native guides... Overnight on board.(B,L,D)

Day 17/ Sun Flotel Reina de Enin:
The presence of over 2,000 vascular plants is estimated, as well as dozens and dozens of mammals and over 400 species of birds. Even though the jaguar, the deer, the anaconda are afraid of man, we´ll have most chances to see alligators, river dolphins, turtles, monkeys or a family of capibaras. And with a little bit of luck we may photograph a jabiru stork or a gray heron or even a band of squirrel monkeys (in danger of extinction) at a distance of less than 20 meters. Overnight on board. (B,L,D)

Day 18/ Mon Flotel Reina de Enin - Trinidad - Santa Cruz:
Maybe a last excursion into the forest, or a visit to an indigenous community and it will be time to navigate back to the port. Transfer to airport and flight TDD-SRZ. For international connection. (B)

Price per person in $us: $ 505.00
Includes: All excursions, meals mentioned in the above program.
Does not include: Drinks, tips, flights, airport taxes, personal insurance.

Single supplement $ 241.00
Air Fares per person in $us: $ 189.00 La Paz/ Trinidad / Santa Cruz, (not included in base price, subject to change)