12d11n Uyuni via Sajama and Colonial Cities

12d11n Uyuni via Sajama and Colonial Cities

This expedition begins in La Paz visiting the Sajama National Park; the Salar de Uyuni and also the most beautiful colonial cities in Bolivia.

Highlights:

• Discover the natural wonders of the first National Park and the highest peak in Bolivia: Mount Sajama (6542 m)
• Observe pink flamingos in Laguna Colorada
• Excellent views of the Andean lakes with local fauna.
• Admire the views of two salt flats: Salar de Coipasa and Salar de Uyuni.
• Enjoy natural hot springs and boiling lava geysers.
• Rejoice in the wide views from Incahuasi Island in the middle of the salt flats and cross the deserts of the Eduardo Avaroa Reserve.
• Get to know the cultural heritage in the colonial cities of Potosí  

Day 1: La Paz - Sajama National Park - Tomarapi

At 07:30 am, departure from the city of La Paz, towards the National Park of Sajama. On the way we will visit the Church of Curawara, located in a small town, to visit its beautiful chapel, unique for the presence of several colonial paintings on the walls inside the temple. On the way we will see ancient Aymara tombs, known as the “chullpas”, before arriving at the Sajama National Park. The park is located in the southwest of the department of Oruro in the Sajama Province, and borders the department of La Paz to the north and west with the Lauca National Park of Chile. 5 hours of travel approximately.  Then we will continue to the Huaynacota lagoon where there are several highland birds such as Andean gulls, ferrets, wild ducks and with luck we will see vicuñas and the Rhea, as well as the Andean fox.

(-Snack /dinner)

Night: Eco-Lodge Tomarapi, with private bathroom and hot water

Day 2: Tomarapi - Chullpas Lauca River - Huachacalla

Early start, today we will visit the burial site of the Lauca River, where we will find the Chullpas located in the limits of the Park, in the mountain range of the Andes and borders the Republic of Chile, passing through Patacamaya and Tambo Quemado.  Still inside the Sajama National Park, there are several rocks (conglomerado) of pre-Columbian tombs, among them one built of stone, and many of them polychrome. These Andean tombs make up remains of old fortress or “pucaras” and settlements, among them those of the Carangas culture that had its peak between 1,200 and 1,450 after Christ.

(breakfast-snack -dinner)

Night: Hostel Huachacalla, private basic with private bathroom, no hot water

Day 3: Huachacalla - Salar de Coipasa - Jirira

Early we continue our journey to the town of Jirira, passing through the Salar de Coipasa. Its name comes from the Aymara voice Qollpa with 2218 square km of extension and located at an altitude of 3680m.a.s.l  belongs to the province Sabaya. In the municipality of Coipasa, which has almost 80% of its territory surrounded by the salt of the same name. This salt is part of the intervocalic route; it has an impressive natural landscape and cacti flora. In its proximity is the crater of "Ulo" which is a depression caused by the impact of a meteorite on the earth's surface. This depression is surrounded by slopes where you can take walks and the heights of these slopes offer a very interesting natural viewpoint. In the zone where the Ulo Crater is located, you can see a columnar cactus forest that grows on the slopes of the crater. The plains of the crater are sandy soil where they grow mostly herbs of altitude. Among the species of fauna, the presence of Andean cats, vizcachas and llamas has been recorded.  At the end of the afternoon, we will arrive at the town of Jirira to spend the night in a basic hostel built entirely with blocks of salt, "Hotel de Sal", at the foot of the Tunupa volcano.

(breakfast-snack -dinner)

Night: Hostel in Jirira, basic private with private bathroom and hot water

Day 4: Jirira - Salar de Uyuni - Lagoons - Siloli Desert - Lag Colorada

It is recommended to take advantage of the sunrise very earlyt. After breakfast we continue with the entrance in the vastness of the Salar de Uyuni. With more than 10.000 square km, it is estimated that the salt flats contains 10 billion tons of salt, of which 25 000 tons are extracted each year. It also has 140 million tons of lithium. Visit the Andean lagoons where you can see three species of South American flamingos: the Chilean, James and Andean distributed in the lagoons: Kañapa, Hedionda, Chiar Qota and Honda, we will reach our lodging in Huayllajara.

(breakfast-snack-dinner)

Night: Hostel in Huayllajara, basic private with shared bathroom service, without hot water.

Day 5: Laguna Colorada - Laguna Verde - Uyuni

We will depart at dawn in the direction of the volcanic area Sol de Mañana, where we will find the geysers (fumaroles and boiling mud craters) and the Green Lagoon. We will observe a panoramic view of the Licancabur Volcano, before we will return to the north to take advantage of a good soak in the hot springs. At this point we begin our return to Uyuni, by Villa Mar and Valle de Rocas, where we will find a formation that resembles a stone tree. In the afternoon we will pass through the town of Alota, passing near the town of San Cristobal, before arriving in Uyuni.

(breakfast/lunch-)

Night: Hotel in Uyuni, 3 *

Day 6: Uyuni - Salar de Uyuni

Today we will visit the Incahuasi Island where we can walk for about an hour. Giant cacti and the spectacular viewpoint are the attraction of this site, the largest continuous salt desert in the world. It has a powerful attraction for photography lovers and we will have time for a session of photographic games that will leave immortalized moments of memory sponsored by very striking optical illusion effects. Then on the banks of the salar we will visit the Colchani population where we can also appreciate the sale of souvenirs made of salt, ands the process of salt drying, and preparation for local consumption. We will finally reach the cemetery of trains that once transported minerals from the Andes to the Pacific ports, after 1940 and when the mining industry collapsed. Many of the wagons were abandoned forming this cemetery; Then we will arrive at the town of Uyuni.

(breakfast/lunch-)

Night: Hotel in Uyuni, 3 *

Day 7: Uyuni - Potosí

In the morning transfer from Uyuni to Potosí, one of the highest cities in the world 4070m.a.s.l. In the afternoon you will be free to explore its streets and enjoy a colonial atmosphere. During the XVIII y XIX  centuries Potosí was considered one of the largest and richest cities in South America.

(breakfast-)

Night: Hotel in Potosí 3 *

Day 8: Potosí – Silver Mine visit - Free afternoon in Potosí

In the morning we visit one of the famous silver mines of Cerro Rico. Upon entering you can experience what the life of the miners was a few centuries ago, which still lasts to this day. The visit takes approximately four hours, and at the first stop you will be provided with the necessary implements to enter the mine. From there we will stop by the "mining market", where it is advisable to take a series of items to give to the miners, such as water, coca leaves, cigars and other gifts that can be obtained in this market. The tours in the tunnels can be uncomfortable if you suffer from claustrophobia, in addition to the penetrating smell of sulfur and other minerals, but the experience is well worth it.

Free afternoon

(breakfast-)

Night: Hotel in Potosí 3 *

Day 9: Potosí - Sucre

In the morning we will move to Sucre, 156.4 kilometers and approximately 3 hours away, Sucre is the legal capital of Bolivia.

It is known as the city of the 4 names "Charcas" until 1538, "La Plata" from 1538 to 1776, "Chuquisaca" from 1776 to 1825 and "Sucre" from the year 1825 until today.

* note: Tarabuco only offers its fair on Sundays.

(breakfast-)

Night: Hotel in Sucre 3 *

Day 10: Sucre - Cretaceous Park - Free afternoon in Sucre

A few minutes from the city of Sucre, the largest deposit of dinosaur footprints in the world is located. The imposing cliff of Cal Orck'o (hill of lime) reveals secrets of various species of these fabulous animals that disappeared 68 million years ago. It is the only site that concentrates the footsteps of a wide variety of dinosaurs that lived at the end of the Cretaceous period. Around 5055 individual tracks of dinosaurs of at least 8 species and 462 continuous traces are conjugated in a cliff, 1,500 meters long by 110 meters high, remaining unscathed.

Free afternoon in Sucre.

(breakfast-) Night: Hotel in Sucre 3 *

Day 11: Sucre - City Tours

Sucre it is listed as one of the World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. The city attracts many foreign visitors every year and thanks to its well-preserved center with its buildings of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. We will visit La Casa de la Libertad (where the declaration of independence of Bolivia was signed on August 6, 1825), the museum of La Recoleta (this place served as a convent, barracks, prison, and museum) and the indigenous market.

(breakfast-)

Night: Hotel in Sucre 3 *

Day 12: Sucre - La Paz

Transfer to the airport to take the domestic flight to La Paz, time to be confirmed. Upon arrival, transfer to the city, to your hotel.

(breakfast-)

Night: Hotel accommodation not included

The tour includes:

Lodgings to be confirmed at the time of booking; similar accommodation will be provided, based on double twin accommodation.

• 1 night in Tomarapi hostel
• 1 night in Huachacalla hostel
• 1 night in hostel Jirira
• 1 night in Huayllajara hostel
• 2 nights at the Tambo Aymara hotel in Uyuni
• 2 nights at the Colonial hotel in Potosí
• 3 nights at the Marino Royal hotel in Sucre

Guide:

• Professional escort guides provided

Meals:

• According to the descriptive day to day (it is suggested to provide between 8 to 12 usd for food not included in the program)

Land Transport:

• Private transportation.

Visits:

• All the visits described, according to the description of the program
• All entrance fees, to the descriptive of the program

Not included in the program: 

• International and local flights
• Cost for transfers from the airport to the hotel and from the hotel to the airport outside the agreed times.
• Lodging in La Paz
• Food outside of the regular itinerary
• Medical insurance, travel cancellation evacuation or others.
• Expenses incurred as a result of changes or delays in itinerary beyond the control of Pukina Travel. It is recommended to have insurance that covers any unexpected expense.
• Tips /gratuities
• Alcoholic or bottled drinks.
• All hotel, food and transportation expenses in case the expedition concludes before the stipulated in the itinerary.

• Charges not liable to PUKINA TRAVEL, we recommend having insurance for unforeseen expenses

 

Prices depend on the number of clients

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