Holidays with Downtown

Chuquisaca is formed by uncountable tempered valleys and settled by diverse colorful hamlets dedicated to textile production since ancient times. Sucre is the department’s capitals and also the constitutional capital of Bolivia. Know a "Americas White City", because of its white houses and buildings, it was declared cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO, because it is a living museum of what was the life for Spanish aristocracy by the 16th century. South America´s first shout of freedom was heard emanating from its bosom and it was here that the first Constitutional Assembly was held, defining the birth of Bolivia as a free republic.

Day 1: La Paz

After immigration and customs formalities at El Alto International Airport you’ll be met and transferred to your selected hotel in La Paz. This is the highest international airport in the world with an altitude of 13,320 feet above the sea level. The airport is located in the city of El Alto, just 30 minutes from La Paz.

Day 2: La Paz (City tour & Moon Valley)

When you visit the highest capital city of the world, La Paz, you are welcomed by extreme geography, fragrant markets, chaotic streets and colorfully dressed Bolivians roaming around the city. Compared to the countryside, La Paz is an urban jungle where you will be totally blown away by its dynamic and its character. During the city tour you will visit the Plaza Murillo, where the Bolivian government is based, as well as an important and immense cathedral and the Presidential Palace. There are also very interesting markets to visit such as the “Mercado de las Brujas" where community healers will offer an array of medicinal plants as well as potions, powders, incense, amulets and talismans that ensure good health, luck, beauty and fertility and see locals practicing traditional rituals such as reading people’s fortune in coca leaves. Then, we drive to Killi Killi viewpoint for a 360-degree view of the city and visit Moon Valley.  Aptly named, this site is unique for its features of lunar-like landscapes and bizarre geological formations. The Moon Valley is not actually a valley but a maze of canyons and giant spires where strong winds and rains eroded the clay and created sandstone formations. After, you will be driven to the cable car station to enjoy breathtaking views of the city. [B/L]

Day 3: La Paz, Sucre

Morning transfer to El Alto International Airport for your flight to Sucre.  Upon arrival you’ll be met and driven to your hotel. Rest of the day free. Overnight in Sucre. [B]

Day 4: Sucre

Pickup at your hotel for a tour of the old town, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. Visit "La Casa de la Libertad", where the first government signed Bolivia’s Act of Independence, the Recoleta viewpoint, where an old Franciscan monastery is located, San Felipe de Nery Church, Bolivar Park and other historic monuments. Depending on your preference we can visit two of Sucre’s museums that all focus on different topics. Absolute must-see are "La Casa de la Libertad", the Museum of Indigenous Art and the Museum of Treasure, which goes in details about the mining industry of Bolivia and the minerals and metals that are mined. Sucre, also known as the white city, which owes this nickname to the beautiful white painted buildings all around the historic city center, Bolivia’s capital city of. Known at various times as Chuquisaca, Charcas and La Ciudad de La Plata – and thus also as “The City of Four Names” – it has some of the finest Spanish colonial architecture in South America, and enjoys a spring-like climate all year round, thanks to its setting at an altitude of 9,154 feet. After the tour, return to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. [B]

Day 5: Sucre, Cayara, Potosi

A few minutes from the city of Sucre, is the largest deposit of dinosaur footprints in the world. The imposing cliff of Cal Orck'o (Hill of Lime) reveals secrets of various species of these fabulous animals, disappeared 68 million years ago. The Cretaceous Park Cal Orck'o is a unique complex that offers the possibility of knowing one of the best natural scenarios showing three important factors in paleontology: The migration of animals, extinction of these dinosaurs and the limit between the Mesozoic and Tertiary era. In this park we can find replicas of flora and fauna of the last period of the dinosaurs that existed in South America, elaborated on a real scale by expert sculptors under the scientific direction of paleontologists. Among the most outstanding sculptures are the impressive Titanosaurus of 118-foot long and 125-foot high and a replica of an Ankylosaurus battleship whose footprints have been discovered for the first time in South America in the Fachallon of Cal Orck'o, other impressive replicas are the famous Tyrannosaurus Rex, Carnotaurus, Ceratopsian and other species of herbivores, carnivores, reptiles and amphibians of the Cretaceous period. After the visit, a 3-hour drive to Potosi. Check-in and overnight in Potosi. [B]

Day 6: Potosi, Uyuni, Colchani

This morning’s walking tour starts at your hotel and leads to main square, “10 de Noviembre”, where stands the “Basilica Catedral”, a neoclassic style masterpiece built in 1809. Other monuments, such as San Francisco, San Lorenzo and more than 25 churches populate the city’s landscape. The guide will show you “El Templo de la Merced”, “Teatro Modesto Omiste”, “6 de Agosto Square” and “Casona de Doña Josefa L. de Linares”. Potosí is a unique Bolivian city, its history is rich in remarkable events, not only for Bolivia but also of the world. Potosí once was the most crowded city of the world, The city has a variety of symbolic buildings like “La Casa de la Moneda”, considered a representative museum built of rock and cedar wood, which covers 81,483 sq. feet. In the entrance courtyard rests a mask relic from 1868, named ‘’El Mascarón’’. Inside the museum you can see paintings, sculptures, numismatic collections, folklore and objects related to the Spanish colony. After the visit, return to your hotel before a 5-hour drive to Uyuni where we overnight. [B]

Day 7: Uyuni

We start at about 9.30 am with a short drive to the Train Cemetery where we will be able to see the remains of very old wagons and trains from the beginning of the 20th century that offer opportunities for great photos. Later you will have the chance to visit the hand-made Salt factories where, in the surrounding area you’ll find traditional handicrafts made exclusively of salt. The largest salt flat of the world with its 4,085 sq. miles, offers one of the most incredible views that you can imagine. Besides, on the road spread along the salt flats you will see natural breathing conductors name “Ojos de Sal” (salt eyes). At midday, we will visit Incahuasi, an island in the middle of the salt flats coated with the ancient Cactus and a rare ecosystem that has survived the times. In the afternoon we will contemplate the sunset in the middle of the salt lake. Afterwards, return to your hotel.  [B/L/D]

Day 8: Uyuni

Early in the morning, we will pick you up from the hotel and drive down to Tunupa Volcano to start a distressed trekking uphill until a viewpoint to observe the magnificent “Salar de Uyuni”. Later we will visit the Chantani community where rest a number of “Chullpares”, which are pre-Hispanic mommy remains. Before returning to the hotel we’ll make a stop in the middle of the salt flat to watch the sunset. [B/L]

Day 9: Uyuni, La Paz, Copacabana

After breakfast you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight to La Paz and, again, from El Alto International Airport to your hotel in Copacabana on the shore of Titicaca Lake. Today, visit the nearby ruins of Tiwanaku, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000, Tiwanaku is an ancient archeological site named after one of the most important civilizations prior to the Inca Empire. The ruins are made up of impressive architectural structures such as palaces, temples and pyramids, as well as giant monoliths and figurative representations. Tiwanaku remains an enigma for science as much of the stone creations defy explanation, posing more questions to archaeologists than giving answers. For example, the site has enormous strewn blocks of stone weighing up to 25 tons that no known pre-Colombian culture had the technology to transport. Over 28 centuries, the Tiwanakus created some of the most impressive stone monoliths in the world, engineered an ingenious irrigation system and gained advanced understanding of astronomy. Return to Copacabana for overnight across the Tiquina Strait. [B/L]

Day 10: Copacabana, Sun Island

This morning, we’ll explore Isla del Sol, or Sun Island, off the coast of Copacabana. The small, but enchanting town of Copacabana, is considered to be a long-time religious Mecca for both locals and indigenous. The Sun Island you are visiting is home to what is believed to be a fountain of youth. The fountain represents the 3 pillars of the Aymara Culture: Ama Sua, Ama Llulla and Ama Quella, which means, you shall not steal, you shall not lie and you shall not be lazy. During the day absorb an incredible amount of treasured and ancient history. [B/L/D]

Day 11: Sun Island, Copacabana, Cerro Calvario, La Paz

Today, we take the boat to return to Copacabana, on the Bolivian mainland, to visit the Cerro Calvario, which throughout the years became a popular tourist attraction with phenomenal views on the Lake Titicaca. After the visit we drive 4 hours to La Paz for overnight. [B]

Day 12: La Paz

At the appointed time you’ll be picked-up for your transfer to the airport to board your flight back home. [B}

[B] = Breakfast | [B/L] = Breakfast and Lunch | [B/L/D] = Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner