Bolivia

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

Lake Titicaca

Lake Titikaka, the most attractive sight of Bolivia; is a must for any visitor. The Sacred Lake of the Incas, with its unusual deep blue color and a fascinating view of the Andes, is the birthplace of many ancient civilizations. Lake Titikaka, is one of the most enigmatic places in the world, is the highest navigable lake, it combines beautiful sights, culture and history.

Some of the highlights of the lake are the Cradle Of The Inca Empire - Sun and Moon Island . According to the legend the Sun God Inti sent down to earth his son Manko Kapak and daughter Mama Ocllo in order to improve the life of the Andean People. After descending on the Sun Island they founded the Inca Empire. The Islands of the Sun and the Moon represent two of the greatest natural and cultural monuments of South America. Located in the southern side of Lake Titicaca (3810 meters above sea level), the islands house more than one hundred and fifty ancient settlements. During the Inca occupation of the region (around A.D. 1470 - 1532) these islands were the final destination of ritual pilgrimages from all around the empire. However, recently recovered archaeological evidence indicates that the sacred nature of these islands extends back at least to the Tiwanaku Empire (A.D. 600 - 1100). Prior to this time, humans first occupied the islands as early as 2000 B.C., and have continuously lived there for millennia.

Sun Island: Upon arriving at our Yumani harbor you walk up the Inca steps and enjoy a breathtaking view of the lake and the Royal Range of the Andes. From Pilcocaina harbor, you visit the ruins of the Sun Temple and enjoy a panoramic trek with llamas on a real Inca Trail. Additional programs are available, such as: panoramic trek to Chincana Ruins and the Sacred Stone located on the northern side of the island and/or the visit to the local village or relax enjoying the sunrise on the Andean Mountains or the sunset into the lake.

Overnights are available at the Posada del Inca Eco Friendly Lodge, an authentic colonial hacienda turned into a most cozy lodge powered by sun energy. The colonial furniture, the overwhelming panoramas and our native neighbors take you to a past of pastoral and relaxing environment. In Posada del Inca, you can sleep on the top of an historical island and imagine a glorious pre-Hispanic period. Dine at the Uma Kollu panoramic and archeological restaurant. One of the interior walls was built by the Incas and our local "Cholitas" waiters are adding a special color to your lunch or dinners. Next to the restaurant you can visit a small handicraft market. While overnighting at the Posada del Inca you can enjoy the following attractions: The sacred water spring. Pilcocaina and Chincana ruins, different soft treks and interacting: with the direct descendents of the Inca kings.

Moon Island. This visit is exclusive of our operator because they own the only harbor on this island and also due to the speed and seaworthy capability of their hydrofoils. The visit includes the "Inak Uyu" Sun Virgin temple where the most beautiful maids of the Incas were sent to maintain an eternal sacred fire and eventually become the wife of the Inca nobles.

We can offer programs starting in La Paz, Bolivia and ending in Puno, Peru or vice versa,
or you can do roundtrips from either of those cities.

Pick up at your hotel in La Paz. Bus to Huatajata. Your visit includes here the CHULLPAS - mortuary towers of several periods, the Limachi brothers and their new exclusive museum including info about all the reed rafts expeditions of our century and a full size reproduction of the RA II used by Thor Heyerdhal in his epic expedition across the Atlantic. The brothers were builders of the RA II and TIGRIS for Thor Heyerdhal's and other scientist vessel expeditions.The Eco Museum shows the original home of our natives and a later improvement of their life style. A handicraft village where local artisans make the "Chicha" (local drink made out of corn), ceramics, "Abarcas" (native sandals made of old tires), the Melon Hats of the Indian women and the wonderful masks used in their colorful "fiestas". You walk on an Inca trail to a stone village of local fishermen, the mud igloos & floating islands of the Urus Chipayas (a culture dating back to the last glacier period), as well as to the Takanas agricultural terraces and the famous Sukakollos (a man made micro climate system to optimize the harvests). You also see a sample of "Uyuni Salt Lake" and visualize the splendor of this huge sea of salt. A must for everybody. Lunch at the new "Uma Kollu" panoramic and archeological restaurant including the visit to the Inca viewpoint and a local handicraft market. Then take a hydrofoil cruise to Juli, then Bus to Puno.Transfer to your hotel in Puno.
Price per person: US$218

From Sunset to Sunrise on the Sacred lake Titicaca La Paz - Puno or Reverse 2days/1night

Same program as the one above plus one overnight modified American plan at Inca Utama hotel in Huatajata including this cultural program:
• Audiovisual and night visit to "The Mystic World of the Kallawayas". These natural medicine doctors of Bolivia are authorized by law to practice medicine as any other MD and they were using penicillin, teramycin and quinine many centuries ago. They believe that you have first to heal the soul in order to heal the body and our Kallawaya "Tata Lorenzo", will bless visitors and tell a few persons their future, by casting his sacred coca leaves.
• Candlelight dinner. Taste the local Titicaca trout in our “Suma Untavi” Restaurant.
• Welcome drink in a take home ceramic “Keru” .
• Optional: Visit of the “Alajpacha” Native Observatory , to learn from the Aymara cosmology and wonder with the southern constellations, which still guides our neighbors daily life
• Visit our Native Chapel (an authentic expression of the native religion)
Price per person: US$339 single, $307 double

Same program as above plus a 2nd overnight modified American plan at Inca Utama hotel in Huatajata including Tiwanacu, Kalauta Island. Mandatory complements of the Lake Titicaca are the ruins of Tiwanacu. Visit the "Cradle of the American Civilizations" and wonder with their advanced culture, their monoliths, the sun door, etc. Around A.D. 500, the great high plateau state of Tiwanaku emerged as the dominant culture of the region. The capital of Tiwanaku is located in the southern Lake Titicaca Basin in the Tiwanaku Valley of Bolivia. At over 3800 meters above sea level, Tiwanaku ranks as one of the highest ancient imperial capitals in the world. The site was founded around 400 B.C. as a modest village. By A.D. 900, Tiwanaku influence and control extended over 350,000 square kilometers, an area larger than modern Great Britain. During its peak, the capital of Tiwanaku boasted a huge stone-faced pyramid, cut stone enclosures, elite residences, exquisitely decorated buildings, a system of subterranean canals, and at least four

square kilometers of residential buildings, with a population of 100,000. The Tiwanaku imperial economy was based on the intensive utilization of raised fields, camelid pastoralism, terrace agriculture, an extensive exchange and colonial system, and the organization of large numbers of laborers for state projects. There was a rigid social and political hierarchy expressed in elaborate art and architectural styles.
Hydrofoil cruise to Kalauta Island where you visit a mummy's museum, an ancient stone village and the largest necropolis with "Chulpas" mortuary towers of 2 and 3 floors. Enjoy an Aptapi (native picnic) sharing unique moments with the local natives.
Price per person: US$492 double

We can modify the above 2 and 3 day programs to substitute 1 overnight at the Posada del Inca Lodge on Sun Island and include soft treks to Pilcocaina Sun Temple and Chincana Ruins/Sacred Stone. Some of the activities at Huatajata would be deleted in this case.

The Inca Utama Hotel & Spa *****
Facilities you can enjoy at our hotel:
• Huatajata hydro-harbor: The most modern harbor on the lake.
• The 5* Inca Utama Hotel & SPA: The overnight(s) spot: modern, panoramic & clean.
• The "Choza Nautica" restaurant on the water where a candlelight dinner grants a perfect romantic moment to watch the sunset. Taste the Titicaca trout from our own breeding program.
• "Suma Untavi" Panoramic restaurant used for breakfasts and dinners with authentic native folklore shows called "Peñas". The Peñas are provided for groups.
• Kallawayas Natural Spa. A different Spa with millenaries treatments for well being, stress and cosmetology.
• The fireplace at the cozy “Musiña Bar”
• The “Mirador “ Cafeteria in the sky room
• Library (Andean literature and videos)

Early land transfer to Copacabana Sanctuary, board the Catamaran Cruise Ship, lunch while sailing to Sun Island, the legendary birthplace of the Inca Empire. Visit the Inca Garden, steps and fountain then the Inti Wata Cultural Complex including the Ekako Underground Museum, the traditional medicine and the Titikaka Reed Shipbuilders display centers, the Pachamama agricultural Inca terraces, a handicraft center, the Intica lounge and at the Manco Kapac look out the largest variety of Andean cameloids. Also, the Inti Wata Complex at Sun Island includes a unique sailing experience aboard a huge Titikaka traditional vessel visiting the Pilkokaina Inca Palace.

Catamaran Cruise Ship to Copacabana, visit the Sanctuary of Copacabana and transfer to Puno or
Catamaran Cruise Ship to Chua harbor, land transfer to La Paz city

Price: $195 for Puno to La Paz. $3 embarkation fee paid locally.(add $8 for roundtrip transfers from Libertador or Posada del Inca Hotels) . Puno to Puno or La Paz to La Paz is also available.

Early land transfer to Copacabana Sanctuary, board the Catamaran Cruise Ship, lunch while sailing to Sun Island, the legendary birthplace of the Inca Empire. Visit the Inca Garden, steps and fountain then the Inti Wata Cultural Complex including the Ekako Underground Museum, the traditional medicine and the Titikaka Reed Shipbuilders display centers, the Pachamama agricultural Inca terraces, a handicraft center, the Intica lounge and at the Manco Kapac look out the largest variety of Andean cameloids. Also, the Inti Wata Complex at Sun Island includes a unique sailing experience aboard a huge Titikaka Traditional vessel visiting the Pilkokaina Inca Palace.

Catamaran Cruise to Sun Island's isolated Challapampa Village ½ a day of participative tourism, visitors have the opportunity to interact with one of the most unspoiled indigenous Titikaka villages through an innovative program organized with the local community sharing rituals, ceremonies, folkloric demonstrations, visiting their own museums, houses, chapel, school, sailing in their vessels to an Inca holy temple, walking through an Inca trail to "La Chinkana" Inca holy temple and receiving authentic welcome gifts.

Romantic candle light dinner and overnight on board the Catamaran in lake view cabins with private facilities.

Catamaran Cruise Ship sails across the lake enjoying the overwhelming panorama up to Copacabana. Visit the Sanctuary of Copacabana and transfer to Puno. or
Catamaran Cruise Ship sails across the lake enjoying the overwhelming panorama. Land transfer to La Paz city before noon.

Price: per person double = $295 for Puno to La Paz. $45 single supplement. $4.30 embarkation and mandatory insurance fee paid locally.(add $8 for roundtrip transfers from Libertador or Posada del Inca Hotels). Puno to Puno or La Paz to La Paz are also available