Date
01 AUG - 13 AUG
About This Tour
Bolivia may just be the greatest mystery of South America. It is a landlocked country in the heart of the Andes Mountains. It’s remoteness and (until recently) inaccessibility has allowed it to keep its cultural heritage intact, much as it has been for centuries. Bolivia offers an authentic slice of Latin American life. Any challenges faced getting to, and traveling in, Bolivia are more than compensated by the country’s staggering breadth of contrasts. One day you’re in the steaming jungle. Another finds you exploring a vast silver mine. Then you’re in the otherworldly salt flats. Finally, you’re made breathless by the sight of Lake Titicaca and the grandeur of the Andes Mountains (not to mention the high altitude). Bolivia has everything that Toto Tours looks for in a destination – it is unique, unknown to most people, and a treasure trove of visual wonders and history.
Tour Highlights
- Santa Cruz
- Samaipata Fortress *
- Historic City of Sucre *
- Dinosaur Park
- Mining Town of Potosi *
- Uyuni Salt Flats
- Lake Titicaca
- Historic City La Paz * UNESCO World Heritage Sites
ITINERARY
DEPART HOME BOUND FOR SANTA CRUZ
When making an internet search for the best airfare and schedule, use the airport code VVI for Santa Cruz, Bolivia, returning from La Paz (code LPB). Some flights may arrive late this evening, while many others (especially American Airlines from Miami) arrive very early tomorrow morning. We provide a hotel room for you tonight in Santa Cruz, but no other planned activities. (Meals Aloft)
SANTA CRUZ DE LA SIERRA
Since your flight arrived late last night or very early this morning, we’ve planned a relaxing day to allow you to get some rest. Santa Cruz de la Sierra, more commonly known as just Santa Cruz, is the most populous city in Bolivia and one of the world’s fastest-growing. It is located not far from the easternmost extent of the Andes Mountains which are visible from most parts of the city. For those who wish to explore, our hotel is a short walk from the city center. In the early evening, we gather in our hotel lobby for cocktails and introductions, followed by a Welcome Dinner at a nearby restaurant. Overnight in Santa Cruz. (Dinner included)
SANTA CRUZ SIGHTSEEING / TRANSFER TO SAMAIPATA
In the morning take a city sightseeing tour of Santa Cruz, visiting the Main Square 24 de Septiembre, the Cathedral and some of the city’s traditional neighborhoods. We take lunch in town and then drive out to the Samaipata Fortress. Our journey takes us through beautiful landscapes on the edge of the Andes Mountains, enjoying stops along the way to stretch our legs and take photos of the scenery. Upon arrival, we check in to our lodge, enjoying dinner and a free evening. Overnight in Samaipata. (All Meals)
SAMAIPATA FORTRESS
Today, we explore Samaipata Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site consisting of two parts. The hill, with its many carvings, is believed to have been the ceremonial center of the old town here (14th–16th centuries), while the area to the south of the hill formed the administrative and residential district. After lunch we return to Santa Cruz for one more night. Dinner and overnight in Santa Cruz. (All Meals)
FLY TO SUCRE
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for our morning flight to Sucre, the Capital of Bolivia and its most beautiful city. At just over 9,000 feet altitude, we will have two nights here to acclimatize for the higher elevations to come. Upon arrival we transfer to our Parador for lunch, followed by an afternoon sightseeing tour of this historic city which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our tour includes Independence Hall, the Main Square, the textile and ethnographic Museum Asur, La Recoleta Square and viewpoint. We return to our hotel, which is a restored courtyard mansion. Dinner and overnight in Sucre. (All Meals)
DINOSAUR PARK / SUCRE
Today we continue our exploration of the wonderful UNESCO city of Sucre. Just 3 miles from the city center, Parque Cretácico protects one of the world’s largest areas of dinosaur footprints (over 5,000 of them) found on the site of a local cement company. This anthropological gold mine has become one of Sucre’s most important historical sites. Afterwards, we return to the city to visit the cemetery, Parque Bolivar, a “Central Park” of sorts in the heart of Sucre, and lunch. Our afternoon is free for personal exploration or to relax and enjoy the spa and sauna at our hotel. Dinner and overnight in Sucre. (All Meals)
POTOSI
This morning we depart Sucre and make the 3-hour drive, climbing through beautiful mountain landscapes to the old mining town of Potosi, a World Heritage Site, and one of the world’s highest cities at 13,420 feet above sea level. The city lies beneath the Cerro de Potosí—sometimes referred to as the Cerro Rico (rich mountain)—which provided much of the Spanish Empire’s silver. After lunch, our sightseeing tour includes the Royal Mint, the main square, the cathedral, and beautiful colonial streets. Dinner and overnight in Potosi. (All Meals)
SILVER MINES / SALT FLATS
After breakfast, tour Potosi’s great silver mine, seeing the deep shafts, how ore is extracted today much as it has been throughout history, the veins containing the minerals and how the ore is carried to the surface and then on to the concentrating mills. After lunch, embark on our drive to Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat, located in southwest Bolivia near the crest of the Andes Mountains and at an elevation of nearly 12,000 feet. Upon arrival, check in to our five-star hotel made out of salt. Dinner and overnight at Uyuni Salt Flats. (All Meals)
UYUNI SALT FLATS
Enjoy a full-day 4×4 jeep tour on the Uyuni Salt Flats. Our first stop this morning is Colchani, a small mining town where we see how the miners extract and process the salt. Proceed to Playa Blanca (white beach) to see the first hotel made entirely of salt that now serves as a museum. As we drive on the salt flats, which cover more than 10,000 square kilometers, we enjoy plenty of photo stops and visit the Inca Wasi Island, known for its towering great cactus measuring up to 40 feet in height and providing the best view of the flats. Finally, we see the extinct Thunupa Volcano as we proceed to visit local villages of the Aymara people. We stop to enjoy sunset over the salt flats before finally returning to our hotel in the evening. Dinner and overnight at Uyuni Salt Flats. (All Meals)
LAKE TITICACA
We fly this morning to La Paz, where we transfer by private coach to the picturesque town of Copacabana, the main town on the Bolivian shores of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable fresh water lake in the world. Copacabana has a large 16th-century basilica shrine to the country’s patron saint, which makes this Bolivia’s most important pilgrim town. The evening is free to enjoy sunset at the lake, with dinner at our hotel. Overnight in Copacabana. (All Meals)
LAKE TITICACA / LA PAZ
This morning we take a hydrofoil to Sun Island, one of the largest in the lake and site of more than 180 Incan ruins. Visit the Pilcocaina Sun Temple and Yumani Stairs, historic sites dating from the Inca period. In the afternoon we return to Copacabana and board our private bus for the overland transfer back to La Paz. The road runs parallel with the Royal Range of the Andes. Dinner and overnight in La Paz. (All Meals)
LA PAZ / FAREWELL DINNER
Enjoy a sightseeing tour of La Paz, the official seat of the Bolivian Government. The city has treasures hiding around every corner and on every street. The indigenous, colonial and modern areas, Indian Market, Witch Doctor’s Market, and breathtaking panoramas are all framed by the majestic “Illimani” mountain. We visit the San Francisco Church, the Main Square, and the Parliament. Stroll the narrow, cobble-stoned Jaen Street, which will be a walk back in time to Colonial days. Returning to our hotel, we have some rest before our evening festivities. Toto Tours hosts a Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in La Paz. (All Meals)
DEPARTURE
The tour officially ends after breakfast this morning. Please arrange your departure at any convenient time today. We provide your transfer to the airport. If you wish to extend your stay in La Paz, please let us know on your reservation form so that we can keep your room available for another night. (Breakfast)