CLASSIC BOLIVIA
Season 2017
7 nights program
SANTA CRUZ / LA PAZ / SUCRE / POTOSI / SALAR
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
- Flights – We recommend to reserve domestic flights with BOA and AMASZONAS. QUIMBAYA BOLIVIA can book these flights for you. Outside the recommended flights, extra charges for private transfer schedules can be applied (Attention: La Paz-Santa Cruz flight that connects with Santa Cruz-Madrid flight can be issued with the international flight)
- Formalities – Passports must be valid at least six months after the date of return to your country.
- Health – No vaccine is mandatory. The majority of the trip steps in altitude (La Paz 3700m; Potosi 4080m). Arriving in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, in the plain, enables a smoother adaptation to altitude.
- Weather – The dry season runs from May to November. In the Andes region weather is cold from July to September, but it is a great time to enjoy light and clear skies. The rainy season runs from January to March.
- Services- The service of local guides speaking English in each city will be provided.
- Hotels – Hotels proposed in this quotation have a good quality/ price ratio. Hotels mentioned will be confirmed in priority or similar, depending on availability at the time of confirmation of your group. We have included 1 night at a Salt Hotel.
- Transportation – All the land routes are provided on private transportation. For base 2 and 3, services are on regular service.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Please take note of the operational days of trains, museums (National Museums are closed on Mondays). Please considerate the day of arrival recommended in our program.
HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR TRIP
- Discover the tropical Bolivia (Santa Cruz de la Sierra).
- Visit the historic center, the street Los Andes and the Witches market in La Paz.
- Discover the major sites of Bolivia: Tiwanaku and the Island of the Sun, legendary birthplace of the Incas.
- Navigation on Lake Titicaca, the highest in the world (over 3400 meters).
- Visit the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Copacabana, the Mecca of Latin American pilgrimage.
- Visit of Potosi and Moneda Museum.
- Visit of two major historic cities Sucre and Potosi.
- Exploring the Salar de Uyuni, the vast pristine salt lake in the Bolivian Altiplano.
- One night at a Salt Hotel.
- Typical dishes.
HOTELS
Santa Cruz
Hotel Cortez (****)
Located only 5 minutes away from downtown, the Cortez is a swiss chalet style hotel with a tropical environment that has three bungalows, eleven suites and 75 rooms equipped with air conditioning, cable TV, minibar and room service. A swimming pool, sauna, beauty saloon a cafeteria and the restaurant “La Poza del Bato” are some of the many facilities that guests can enjoy.
Web Site: www.hotelcortez.com
La Paz
Casa de Piedra (*Hotel Boutique)
Built in an ancient XIX century restored house. It is located near to the most important tourist area of La Paz city, and just a few steps from San Francisco church. It has 15 rooms with private bathrooms, TV, phone and room service. There is also a restaurant and Internet.
Web Site : www.casadepiedrahb.com
Copacabana
Gloria Copacabana (***)
Located on the shores of lake titicaca, this hotel offers 32 rooms with private bathrooms, a restaurant with international and national cuisine, gardens and a playground area. A comfortable and cozy hotel, perfect to enjoy your stay.
Web Site: www.hotelgloria.com.bo
Sucre
Hotel Samary (*Hotel Boutique)
Located in downtown Sucre and 4 blocks away from the main square, the hotel Samary invites you to discover the atmosphere of a traditional village, with its architecture, its traditions … all with the comfort & quality of a high standard venue. You will find the village square, a little church, a charming café and colorful walls that decorate the hotel. At breakfast time you can enjoy homemade bread and “api” (a traditional beverage made from corn) while gazing Sucre from the terrace. All rooms are equipped with: private bathroom, telephone, cable, central heating, mini bar, Wi-Fi, room service (07.00 – 22.00).
Web Site: www.samaryhotel.com
Colchani
Luna Salada (*Hotel de Sal)
Located on the edge of the Salar de Uyuni, in Colchani village at the top of a small hill giving it the best view of the salt fields. It is built enterily with salt bricks. Rooms are equipped with private bathrooms, hot water and heating. A very particular and exotic hotel, well appreciated by demanding travellers.
Web Site: www.lunasaladahotel.com.bo
Day 1 – Arrival in Santa Cruz
Morning arrival at the international airport of Viru Viru Santa Cruz.
Meet your guide and transfer to the center.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, visit Santa Cruz, the economic capital and most populated city in Bolivia.
Promenade on the Plaza “24 de setiembre” to admire the historic buildings that surround it as the Basilica Menor de San Lorenzo and the Casa del Gobierno, and the streets and houses in the architecture arena.
Dinner not included.
Overnight at the hotel CORTEZ**** or SIMILAR
Day 2 – Santa Cruz / La Paz
Breakfast.
Transfer to the airport. Flight to La Paz (Flight not included). Meet your guide and transfer to the centre.
Tour of the historic center of La Paz, capital of Bolivia that touches the clouds (located at 4000m altitude). Enjoy the excitement and atmosphere of its bustling colonial streets. Walk on the Murillo Square to admire the cathedral and the presidential palace. Then visit the curious “Witches market” where you will find amulets, potions for Aymara rituals and many souvenirs. Visit the San Francisco church, built in 1745, considered the most beautiful colonial building in La Paz. Its imposing baroque facade features Métis style influences. Trip to the Valley of the Moon, lunar landscape located south of La Paz. It is known for its rock formations eroded by wind and rain, which form a series of craters, pits and carved columns.
Lunch in a local restaurant.
Dinner not included. Overnight at hotel CASA DE PIEDRA*** or SIMILAR
Day 3 – La Paz / Tiwanaku / Copacabana
Breakfast.
Route to Tiwanaku through El Alto, a city populated by the Aymara.
Discover the magnificent ceremonial centre of Tiwanaku, which offers an impressive testament to the history of this pre-Inca civilization.
Walk between the temples and statues of this mystical site and visit the Regional
Museum which houses the monumental pieces found at the site.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Departure to Copacabana, a village on the edge of Lake Titicaca and one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Latin America.
Visit the sanctuary where Bolivians come to worship the Virgen Morena, the country’s patron saint. Walk in the village to soak up its mystical atmosphere.
Dinner not included.
Overnight at the hotel GLORIA COPACABANA*** or SIMILAR.
Day 4 – Copacabana / Sun Island
Navigation on Titicaca Lake to the Sun Island, legendary sacred place of the creation of the world and the first Incas.
Visit the Inca Palace, Pillkokaina, with superb views of both the lake shore.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Return to Copacabana and departure to La Paz.
Dinner not included.
Overnight at the hotel CASA DE PIEDRA or SIMILAR.
Day 5 – La Paz / Sucre
Breakfast.
Transfer to the airport El Alto. Flight to Sucre (Flight not included). Arrival and transfer to the centre.
Visit the textile Asur museum exposing the artisanal production of local indigenous communities, as works of high aesthetic value and traditional art. Sucre impresses with its collection of historic buildings where you can admire the view of Recoleta. Walk through the historic centre, visit the Cathedral, administrative buildings and Freedom House, the birthplace of the Bolivian independence. Then, visit of the Bolivar park, public garden where Sucre people come to walk.
Visit the convent of San Felipe Neri, from the terrace you can enjoy a splendid panorama of the city and its churches.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Dinner not included. Overnight at the hotel boutique SAMARY or SIMILAR.
Day 6 – Sucre / Potosi / Uyuni
Breakfast.
Departure to Potosí. Approximately 3h30 route.
Lunch in a local restaurant.
Discovery of Potosi, one of the most important cities of the colonial period in Latin America thanks to mining and silver of Cerro Rico.
Visit the Casa de la Moneda, the building used for the crafting of silver.
Continue to the main square and the surrounding streets to enjoy the facades of the churches of San Lorenzo, San
Francisco and the refined architectural ensemble.
Continue to Uyuni.
Dinner not included.
Overnight at the hotel LUNA SALADA or SIMILAR
Day 7 – Uyuni / Salar / Incahuasi / Uyuni – La Paz
Breakfast.
Visit of Trains Cemetery.
Early departure for the memorable crossing of the Salar de Uyuni! Crossing this dazzling salt desert of shimmering white, one of the most magical places of our planet. You will be dazzled by this singular place that fantasize almost all travelers and lovers of beautiful scenery.
Visit the island of Incahuasi, nicknamed the “Isla del pescado” lost in the middle of the salt desert. This is the most visited of the Salar de Uyuni. The place is covered with cactus, some exceed ten meters.
Lunch in the middle of the Salar.
Continue to the village of Colchani, where the community works that extracts nearly 20 000 tonnes of salt per year. Return to Uyuni. Transfer to the airport and departure to La Paz (flight not included).
Arrival to La Paz. Transfer to the hotel.
Dinner not included.
Overnight at the hotel CASA DE PIEDRA or SIMILAR.
Day 8 – La Paz / Santa Cruz – OUT
Breakfast.
Transfer to the airport. Flight to Santa Cruz and connection with the international flight. (Attention: La Paz-Santa Cruz flight that connects with Santa Cruz-Madrid flight can be issued with the international flight).
La Paz- Santa Cruz 10h00 – 11h00 (Immigration control is done at La Paz). Santa Cruz – Madrid 12h55 +05h00
FLIGHT NOT INCLUDED.
END OF OUR SERVICES.