11d9n Discovering Bolivia

11d9n Discovering Bolivia

Pukina Travel invites you to explore the most beautiful landscapes of Bolivia: cities that keep a rich culture, traveling on routes rich in discoveries and authentic encounters with living culture. This complete program is carried out with professionalism and quality in services. The tours start once you arrive to Santa Cruz city and among the most representative attractions you will visit: The Jesuit Missions, the city of Sucre, the historical capital of Bolivia, the Imperial Villa of Potosí, and the best natural tourist attraction in South America, the Uyuni salt flats, finishing in the city of La Paz full of contrasts, being the most cosmopolitan in Bolivia

 

Day 1: Country of origin 

Departure from the country of origin and scheduled flight to Santa Cruz. Overnight on board.

Meals: - / - / -

Day 2: Arrival in Santa Cruz de la Sierra.

Arrival and transfer to downtown, free time to rest. The beginning of the discovery of the "East Capital" of Bolivia, with its original concentric ring city planning, Santa Cruz is now the second most important city in Bolivia. We visit the Zoological Garden, where you will be able to appreciate the great number of exclusive species of the region, the main square 24 de Septiembre, the Museum of Sacred Art of the cathedral (open Thursdays and Sundays), the Art Museum, Craft Center "La Recoba" " and Artecampo, with its main monuments.

Overnight stay in Santa Cruz

Meals: Lunch

Day 3: San Javier and Concepción

At 07:00am departure from the hotel in Santa Cruz by private transportation to the villages of Cotoca, Pailas, Pailón and Los Troncos. Refreshments on the road and arrival to San Javier village about noon, visit to the beautiful Church of San Javier, the oldest mission founded by the Jesuits (1,691). After half a day, we will continue to Concepción (approximately 1 ½ hours of travel), where you will be able to appreciate the different granite rock formations between palm trees and jungle islands.

At 13:30, Arrival to Concepción village and lunch. Visit to the Church of Concepción, a true jewel of the 18th century and artisan workshops, where the locals “Chiquitanos” elaborate the pieces for the maintenance of the churches

15:00 Departure back to Santa Cruz

20:30 Arrival in Santa Cruz

Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Day 4: Santa Cruz de la Sierra - Flight - Sucre.

Breakfast and transfer to the airport "Viru Viru" and assistance in the boarding procedures to take the flight to Sucre. Arrival and transfer to the center. The discovery of the official capital of Bolivia, a city considered among the most attractive in Latin America, and today declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Visit to the ASUR museum, which exhibits an exhibition of indigenous fabrics. View point of La Recoleta, with views of the entire city. Later, we visit the main square where you can admire the facade of the cathedral, the Prefecture, the City Hall and the "House of Liberty" where the Independence of Bolivia was declared. Finally, visit the roofs of the convent of San Felipe Neri to enjoy another breathtaking view of the city. Overnight in Sucre

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5: Sucre - Potosí.

165 Km = around 3h30

After breakfast, private transfer to Potosí village. Visit of a small mine, exploited by miners of indigenous origin, who still worship “El Tío", the devil, divinity that protects the depths of the mountain. Dressed in a raincoat, boots, a helmet and a carbide lamp, they walk inside the mine where the harsh conditions of work and life have remained almost unchanged over the centuries: In the afternoon we continue with the discovery of the "Villa Imperial de Carlos V", the first Bolivian city classified as a Cultural and Natural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, whose history and splendor are closely related to silver. Visit the historical "Real Casa de la Moneda", one of the most valuable monuments in Latin America, and where the Indian and African slave’s coins were minted with silver extracted from the famous Cerro Rico, during the Spanish domination. We continue with a walk through the main square and the streets to admire the facades of the churches of San Lorenzo and San Francisco. Overnight in Potosí

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6: Potosí - Salar de Uyuni 250 km around 4 hours - Villa Mar

Early departure towards the “Salar de Uyuni”, considered as the largest salt desert in the world (approximately 10,500 km2). Stop at Colchani and Uyuni.

We start the day by heading to the south of the city of Uyuni by the road that links Uyuni to Ollague (Chile) to visit the Pre-colonial Church of the community of San Cristóbal, in whose community the second largest mining company is located. Afterwards we find the community of Villa Alota in which we will appreciate a swamp area  inhabited by birds of the place such as "wallatas", ducks and sometimes flamingos. We continue the journey to find quinoa fields the golden grain (September - March ), to then arrive at Valle de Rocas. We continue with the visit to Laguna Katal. On the walk we will appreciate llamas (lama glama), and sometimes Vizcachas, a high-altitude and very charismatic rodent; then we will visit Laguna Vinto where you can see flamingos and then we continue to see rock formations such as the World Cup, Lost Italy before reaching the community of Villa Mar where the night will be spent.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Villamar - Laguna Verde - Huallajara

Early in the morning we start the tour entering the Eduardo Abaroa Flora and Fauna Reserve, making our first stop at the Termas de Polques, - hot springs. Then we head to Laguna Verde through the desert of Salvador Dalí. After half a day we will visit the geyser of Sol in the morning, already ending the day going through the Siloli desert to go to the lodge to spend the night, in Huayllajara refuge.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Día 8: Huayllajara – San Juan

Boarding the vehicle we will visit Laguna Colorada and Arbol de Piedra, to continue our journey through the Siloli desert. We will reach the Altiplánicas lagoons (Laguna Honda, Laguna Hedionda and Laguna Cañapa), before we go to the viewpoint of the Ollague Volcano. From here we continue visiting the Salar from Chiguana, and at the end of the afternoon we will arrive in San Juan, to a hostel built with blocks of salt, where we will spend the night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: San Juan- Uyuni.

The last day we start the trip to the majestic Salar de Uyuni, where we will be able to enjoy its incomparable beauty. In the distance we will see Isla Inkahuasi. Upon arrival we will make the journey through it where we can appreciate even more the majesty of the salar from the top. In the afternoon, there will be a photo session, before we visit Colchani, then the train cemetery and finally we will return to the city of Uyuni thus concluding the tour.

Accommodation in Uyuni

Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Day 10: Uyuni - La Paz

Arrival at the airport in La Paz. We will go down by cable car to the center of the city of "Nuestra Señora de La Paz", seat of the Government of Bolivia. Walk to the "Plaza Murillo", Main Square, visit the craft market, sorcery market, lunch and transfer to the hotel in La Paz.

Meals Breakfast and lunch

Day 11: La Paz - Transfer to the airport for scheduled connection

Meals: Breakfast

Lodging: Not included

 

INCLUDED IN THE TOUR:

• All the transfers
• All the accommodation base double occupancy
• Four wheel drive vehicles, for the visit of the salar and desert of south Lipez
• City tours in Santa Cruz (3 hours)
• All park fees and permits for participants according to description
• Meals according the the day by day program
• Assistance of specialized local guides for the visits
• Drivers Spanish speaking for the visit of the salt flats and desert of south Lipez

HOTELS

• 2 Nights in Santa Cruz 3 *
• 1 Night in Sucre 3*
• 1 Night in Potosí 3*
• 1 Night in Villamar, superior lodge
• 1 Night in Huayllajara, lodge
• 1 Night in Salt made hostel
• 1 Night in Uyuni 3*
• 1 Night in La Paz

Does Not Include:

• International round-trip airfare to Bolivia
• Local flights: Santa Cruz - Sucre and Uyuni - La Paz
• Dinners in the main cities of : Santa Cruz, Sucre, Potosí, Uyuni and La Paz. (Expect between 12 to 22 usd per dinner, not included)
• Extra costs for "early check in or late check-out" at the Hotels
• Medical or evacuation insurance
• Bottled or alcoholic beverages
• Charges not liable to PUKINA TRAVEL, we recommend having insurance for unforeseen expenses
• Tips and gratuities
• Extras not specifically described in "Included in the Tour"

 

Prices depend on the number of clients

Please contact us at this email to discuss budget:  info@pukinatravel.com  or WAPP +591 73088333