Discover the timeless country of Bolivia on this 11-night tour. Depart Miami for Santa Cruz, the largest city in Bolivia, where you can view rock art discovered in the foothills of the Bolivian Andes. Fly to Sucre to visit the Cathedral and Freedom Bell, and find examples of traditional weaving at the Tarabuco market. Visit a local cooperative mine in Potosi and observe salt extraction at the largest salt lake in the world, Salar de Uyuni. In La Paz, visit the Tiwanaku ruins, the Sun Gate, temple of Kalasasaya, and pyramid of Akapana. Finally, explore the Urus Iruitos Floating Island and the “Inak Uyu” Sun Virgins temple at Lake Titicaca, and the Inca Stairways at Sun Island. Starting from $4810, including air, with guaranteed weekly departures.
Day 1, Thursday - Miami/Santa Cruz
Depart Miami via Avianca Airlines for Santa Cruz, the largest city in landlocked Bolivia. Upon arrival at Santa Cruz, enjoy a brief tour of Santa Cruz with its mixture of colonial and modern architecture. (Cortez/Camino Real)
Day 2, Friday - Santa Cruz
Today explore the enigmatic remains of the UNESCO site of Samaipata. Located in the eastern foothills of the Bolivian Andes, the gigantic rock art is believed to represent a unique example of rock art in pre-Columbian America. (B/L)
Day 3, Saturday - Santa Cruz/Sucre
Transfer to the airport for a short flight to Sucre, the constitutional capital. The city tour include the Cathedral, the churches and cloisters of La Recoleta, San Felipe, the Freedom Bell at San Francisco cloister, the second oldest university in South America (San Francisco Xavier), and the university museum. (Hostal de Su Merced/Parador) (B)
Day 4, Sunday - Tarabuco
Today visit the Sunday market at Tarabuco, famous for its traditional weaving with rich colors. Mingle among the locals as they buy and sell, and maybe even pick up a bargain in the stalls of beautiful handmade textiles. Return to Sucre in the afternoon. (B/L)
Day 5, Monday - Sucre/Potosi
Leave Sucre in the morning by road (approx. 3 hrs) for Potosi, a silver-mining town. Arrive and visit a local cooperative mine and the Miner's Market. Afternoon, visit the Santa Teresa convent museum and the church of San Francisco. (Cima Argentum/Coloso) (B/L)
Day 6, Tuesday - Potosi/Salar de Uyuni
Visit the Royal Mint, which minted coins for Spain during the colonial period. Travel overland on unpaved roads to Uyuni (5-6 hours). Salar de Uyuni is the highest and largest salt lake in the world. See the local people extracting salt with methods lost in time. Dinner and overnight at your hotel, which is built of salt. (Salt Hotel) (B/L/D)
Day 7, Wednesday - Salar de Uyuni
Full-day tour of the Great Uyuni Salt Lake. Start with a visit to a local handicraft salt factory in Colchani. Visit Isla Pescado, famous for its giant cactus and fauna. Lunch at Isla Pescado. Return to Uyuni. (B/L)
Day 8, Thursday - Salar de Uyuni/La Paz
Fly to La Paz and transfer to your hotel. (Presidente/Europa) (B)
Day 9, Friday - La Paz
La Paz climbs from 9,800 feet up to 13,000 feet in elevation and is the country's administrative capital. Your morning city tour includes streets of the indigenous, colonial and modern areas, Indian Market, Witch Doctor's Market, Moon Valley and a vantage point of breathtaking panoramas framed by the majestic Illimani mountain. (B)
Day 10, Saturday - La Paz/Lake Titicaca
Travel to the outskirts of La Paz to visit magnificent Tiwanaku ruins, from one of the oldest civilizations in the Americas. The Sun gate, the temple of Kalasasaya and the pyramid of Akapana are examples of a glorious past. After a box lunch, continue to Huatajata Harbor on the shores of Lake Titicaca. View the exhibits and projects at your hotel complex, including the handicrafts and folkloric area. Visit the Altiplano Museum and experience the Mystick World of the Kallawayas, natural medicine doctors and coca leaf fortune tellers. (Inca Utama) (B/L)
Day 11, Sunday - Lake Titicaca
After breakfast board a hydrofoil and start your Lake Titicaca experience. Visit the Urus Iruitos Floating Island and Quewaya sustainable project. Continue to Moon Island. and see the "Inak Uyu" Sun Virgins temple. Cruise to Copacabana, and visit the Shrine of the Dark Virgin and town. Disembark at Sun Island, where you visit the Inca Stairways and the Sacred Fountain. Lunch at Uma Kollu panoramic restaurant. In the afternoon return to Huatajata. This evening, tour the Alajpacha native observatory. (B/L)
Day 12, Monday - Lake Titicaca/La Paz/Miami
Transfer to the airport for your Avianca Airlines flight to Miami. (B)
