10 Days Breathtaking & Bizarre Bolivia

Arrival in Bolivia

Upon arrival in Santa Cruz de la Sierra (Elevation: 400m), you would be transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may rest or explore the neighbourhood at leisure. Note that an early check-in (before 2pm) will have an additional cost.

Santa Cruz City Tour (Half-Day)
Explore Santa Cruz, a fascinating blend of colonial history and natural heritage in the eastern lowlands of Bolivia. Visit Plaza 24 de Septiembre, a bustling square surrounded by colonial buildings and the impressive Catedral Metropolitana Basilica Menor de San Lorenzo. You may also discover some museums (closed Sat & Sun) or La Rinconada (closed Mon), a beautiful ecological park just outside of the city.

Transfer: Hotel to Airport
You would be transferred to the airport for your flight to Sucre.

Flight: Santa Cruz to Sucre
Take a ~45 minutes flight from Santa Cruz to Sucre airport.

Afternoon at Leisure
Upon arriving in Sucre (Elevation: ~2,790m), enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before being transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day in Sucre, also known as the “White City”, at leisure. Take the time to acclimatise to the city’s relatively higher altitude.

Sucre City Tour (Full-Day)
In the morning, visit La Recoleta Viewpoint, located near the Recoleta Monastery, for panoramic views of Sucre city. We then explore the nearby Asur Textile Museum and Church of Saint Lazarus, before visiting the General Cemetery and Simon Bolívar Park.

After lunch, embark on a walking tour through Sucre’s historical city centre (UNESCO) and visit the Casa de la Libertad (now a museum), where Bolivia signed its declaration of independence. Admire the eclectic exterior of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Sucre before visiting the Treasure Museum, the Central Market, and the Church of San Felipe de Neri, from which you may enjoy scenic rooftop views of the “White City”.

Transfer: Sucre to Potosi
Drive ~3 hours to Potosi (Elevation: ~4,060m), a small UNESCO city of rich cultural significance due to its extensive silver mining history.

Potosi City Tour (Half-Day)
Acclimatise to the elevation of one of the highest cities in the world as you wander through Potosi’s colonial churches and cobblestoned alleys, and visit the National Mint (Casa Nacional de la Moneda). The beautiful building is still home to many historical treasures, such as the wooden machinery that minted colonial coins from silver, and a selection of religious paintings. Visit the historic Arch of Magdalena de Cobija and the Church of Saint Lawrence of Carangas, amongst other attractions.

Alternative Option: Private Cerro Rico Mine Tour (~2 hours)
Alternatively, you may visit the adjacent Cerro Rico Mountain, also known as the “mountain that eats men”. It is said there was enough silver in Cerro Rico to build a bridge from Potosi to Madrid, and enough people who died taking out the silver to build a bridge of bones back.

Today, Cerro Rico’s mines are still in use, but for tin, copper, and zinc. Learn about mining customs and Cerro Rico’s tumultuous history from one of its silver mines, and visit its peak for panoramas of the city. (Important: This experience is not recommended if you have breathing problems, claustrophobia, panic attacks or get uncomfortable in dark spaces.)

Transfer: Potosi to Uyuni
After breakfast, drive about ~3½ hours to Uyuni (Elevation: ~3,700m), with sightseeing along the way.

Pulacayo Mine & Train Cemetery
Visit Pulacayo Mine and the Train Cemetery near Uyuni to kickstart your Uyuni adventure. The train graveyard is home to the first locomotives of Bolivia and features numerous antique train carriages that have been deserted and left to rust. After lunch, the rest of the afternoon is yours to explore at leisure.

Salar de Uyuni (Full Day)
In the morning, visit a salt factory in Colchani before heading into the Uyuni salt flats. Spanning 10,583 sq km, Salar de Uyuni is the largest salt flat in the world, and is considered one of the most remarkable vistas of South America.

Visit Chiquini cave and discover its interior cathedral and ruins, before heading to Isla del Pescado (Fish Island) for lunch. We then explore Incahuasi Island, which sits in the middle of the salt flats, to see its giant cacti and petrified rock formations. If you’d like, you may also opt for more unique experiences, such as biking on the salt flats or to go on a short llama farm tour, at additional cost. We end the day by visiting the Playa Blanca Museum before watching the sunset over the salt flats.

Note: During the rainy season (Dec – Mar), you may not be able visit some attractions, such as Incahuasi and Fish Island, depending on the water level. However, you will be able to experience the famous mirror effect.

Stargazing Experience
At night, enjoy a unique stargazing experience in the Uyuni salt flats. Far from light pollution, the stars and Milky Way seem brighter than ever.

[Upgrade to 3 Nights in Explora Uyuni]

For active guests who would like to do hiking and biking excursions, we can arrange for an optional upgrade to stay at the all-inclusive Explora Uyuni (with a minimum stay of 3 nights). The exact itinerary may differ, please speak to one of our friendly Travel Specialists for more information.

Transfer: Hotel to Airport
After breakfast, you would be transferred to the airport for your flight to La Paz.

Flight: Uyuni to La Paz
Take a ~1 hour flight from Uyuni to La Paz airport.

Tiwanaku Ruins
Upon arrival at La Paz (Elevation: ~3,640m), drive ~1½ hours to Tiwanaku, believed to be the “Cradle of American Civilisation”. Tiwanaku was one of the most significant Andean civilisations in the past and is said to be the most important archaeological site in Bolivia.

La Paz City Tour & Moon Valley
In the morning, drive to Moon Valley located just 10km from downtown La Paz, a unique area featuring lunar landscapes and bizarre geological formations.

Then, head back to La Paz for a walking tour, during which we’ll visit the famous Plaza Murillo and stroll along the most colonial street Calle Jaén. Try a local Salteña snack and visit Mirador Killi Killi for scenic city views, before visiting the Museum of Folklore and Ethnography and the Witches Market, where you can browse local handicrafts and eclectic traditional remedies. Ride the world’s highest cable car to El Alto, where you can enjoy an architectural tour about the area’s colourful and flamboyant Cholets buildings.

Explore Lake Titicaca (Bolivia Side)
In the morning, drive ~3½ hours to Copacabana, a quaint town on the shores of Lake Titicaca, before we take a private ~1½ hour motorboat ride to tranquil Isla del Sol (Sun Island). At an elevation of ~3,812m, Lake Titicaca is also known as the highest navigable lake in the world.

Lunch & Hike to Palla Khasa
For a taste of the serene and slow-paced island life, staying overnight at the remote and picturesque Isla del Sol (Elevation: ~3,976m) is a must. The peaceful island sits on the Bolivian side of Lake Titicaca and offers stunning views of the lake.

Upon arrival, take a ~1½ hour stroll to your lodge for a highland Apthapi lunch, before embarking on a short, scenic hike to Palla Khasa for magnificent sunset views of Inca terraces and the deep blue of Lake Titicaca all around.  

Sun Island & Moon Island Tour
Tour Isla del Sol, which enchants with its quiet charm and slow-paced lifestyle. Visit the Incan ruins Pilko Kaina Palace and the Great Inca Stairway, as well as the underground Sacred Spring, said to grant youth and eternal happiness. Then, board a private boat to Moon Island to further explore its Incan ruin treasures, such as the well-preserved Temple of the Virgins of the Sun (Iñak Uyu).

Transfer: Copacabana to La Paz Airport
After lunch at Copacabana, you would be transferred back to La Paz for your flight home.