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Blog - Jim's Thoughts

Bolivia

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

Santa Cruz, Samaipata and the Missions

In the 16th Century, Jesuits established missions in the Chiquitania region, north of Santa Cruz in the low lands of Bolivia. Each mission became an experiment in community life, the churches with an incongruous architecture were intended to represent a Christian voice in the wilderness. Architectural jewels of the 17th Century that have been declared by UNESCO as "Cultural Patrimony to Humanity". Several of the former Jesuit Missions have been restored in the towns of San José de Chiquitos, Concepcion, San Miguel, San Rafael, Santiago, Santa Ana and San Ignacio. The churches are some of the most beautiful in Bolivia and the hard labor of the indigenous Chiquitanos can still be found in the decorations and the precious sculptures.

Located in the remote mountains of central Bolivia, 120 kilometers from the town of Santa Cruz, the ruins of Samaipata are one of the most enigmatic ancient sites in all of South America. Perched at 6500 feet above sea level (1949 meters), the site was first discovered by the early Spanish and named ‘El Fuerte’ as it was believed to have military significance. Archaeologists no longer believe in the military use of the site but consider that it had religious significance. The ruins of Samaipata consist of two parts: 1) the stone hill with many fascinating carvings of jaguars, snakes, other zoomorphic and geometrical figures, a water tank with conduits, and a curious seating arrangement, and 2) an area to the south of the stone hill that seems to have been the administrative and residential district.

DAY 1: Arrival transfer from airport. P.M. City Tour. Overnight at the hotel including buffet, breakfast for two nights.
DAY 2: Full day tour to Samaipata ruins. Lunch included.
DAY 3: Transfer to airport for your return or continuing flight.

2008 Price per person in US$

Extension to The Jesuit Missions (2days/1night)

DAY 1: Pick up at your hotel in Santa Cruz and drive to San Ignacio and Concepcion. Visit the local mission. Overnight at local hotel. Meals included.
DAY 2: Return to San Ignacio for lunch. Visit the older mission. P.M. return to Santa Cruz.

2008 Price per person in US$ $811 single, $485 double, $365 triple

Extension to Santa Cruz San Javier - Concepción - San Ignacio San Rafael -
San Miguel - Santa Ana 3 days · 2 nights

DAY 1 Santa Cruz - San Javier - Concepción - San Ignacio
Departure from Santa Cruz in a comfortable bus in the direction of the villages Cotoca, Pailas, Pailón and
Los Troncos. Refreshments on the road. Arrival in San Javier, visiting the oldest church built by the Jesuits (1691). Continuing the trip to Concepción (approximately 1, 5 hour), where we will assess the different formats of Granite Rocks in the middle of the palms and Jungle Isles.Arrival in Concepción. Lunch.
Departure in the direction of San Ignacio. An interesting trip which makes us observing lagoons, swamps and full forests with a variety of wild fauna. Refreshments on the road. Arrival in San Ignacio, check in Hotel La Misión. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 2 San Ignacio - San Miguel - San Rafael - Santa Ana - San Ignacio - Concepción
Breakfast. Departure to the most isolated villages of the mission, where the genuine traditions are remained. We will visit the churches of San Miguel and San Rafael, where we will meet with the diligence of the indigenous Chiquitanos expression in decoration and the precious sculptures conserved over there. We will follow our trip to the Santa Ana church, which conserves the most the old missionary spirit. Return and lunch. Departing with the return to Concepción interfering the colorful vegetation in the landscape discerning herons, Gallaretas and other birds. Arrival in Concepción, check in Hotel Concepción.
Dinner. Overnight

DAY 3 Concepción - San Javier - Santa Cruz
Breakfast. Visit the church of Concepción the authentic Jewel of the 18th century and the missional museum where we will observe the different wood sculptures which the Chiquitanos made for the support of the church. Refreshments on the road. Departure in the direction of San Javier. Lunch. Departure to Santa Cruz, on the road we will visit the Mennonite communities and the cultivation centers. Refreshments on the road. Arrival in Santa Cruz.

Includes: Transport in a private bus · full board · guide during the whole trip · accommodation based on double or triple rooms · all mentioned excursions.

2008 Price per person in US$ $1254 for 1 person, $630 each for 2, $471 each for 3, $390 each for 4. $40 single supp.