The great open spaces in Bolivia

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arrival in Santa Cruz

  

  Welcome at the airport and transfer to the hotel (available from noon. Please contact us if you wish to have the room from the morning). Rest of the day at leisure.

• day 2

  Santa Cruz, the heavy waterfalls and the caves of Samaipata

  

  We set off to reach the village of Samaipata. Visit to the "Fort of Samaipata," a UNESCO World Heritage site, an archaeological site that brings together the architecture of the Chânés, Inca, and Spanish cultures. This enormous carved rock is a unique testimony to pre-Hispanic traditions and beliefs... A must for archaeology enthusiasts. After the visit, 20 kilometers of road are needed to reach the "Cascadas de Cuevas" park. Refreshing walk along the developed trails, with the highlight being three magnificent waterfalls. Return to Samaipata at the end of the afternoon.

• day 3

  Samaipata, forest of giant ferns, Amboró park and volcano refuge.

  

  We start the day by discovering the giant fern forest. It is one of the only places in the world where it is possible to observe several varieties of wild orchids and, above all, 17 species of giant ferns. Some of them can reach a height of around ten meters. Then, we get back on the road to reach the volcanoes refuge, located in Amboro National Park. After settling in at the refuge, walk in the Serrania canyon and swim in the natural pool created by the Quebrada Elvira.

• day 4

  Volcano refuge in Santa Cruz

  

  Morning allowing you to stroll around the refuge and enjoy its unique and exceptional setting. After lunch, return by private vehicle to Santa Cruz.

• day 5

  Santa Cruz - Sucre

  

  Departure in a private vehicle to reach Santa Cruz airport. Flight Santa Cruz - Sucre (times vary depending on the day of the week). Reception at Sucre airport and transfer to the hotel. Meet at 2:00 pm in the lobby of your hotel with your guide. The guide will adapt the afternoon visit according to your wishes, do not hesitate to let them know as soon as you meet. Walking tour of the "White" city, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. With the Recoleta convent and the ethnographic textile museum (ASUR), located in the heights of the city, the 25 de Mayo square and the Casa de la Libertad (closed on Sunday afternoon and Monday).

• day 6

  Sucre - Tarabuco Market - Candelaria - Sucre

  

  We leave by private vehicle for the Quechua town of Tarabuco. We will visit the traditional market, whose operation has remained unchanged for centuries. It offers an extraordinary range of products: varieties of fruits, vegetables, Andean cereals... and of course ethnic weavings. After lunch, departure for the village of Candelaria, where we are welcomed by a family of weavers. In the afternoon, visit to the small textile museum of the community and a walk around the village, with the hacienda dating from the 19th century. Return to Sucre at the end of the day.

• day 7

  Sucre - Inca Route - Maragua - Sucre

  

  We will set off to reach the village of Chataquila (3725 m alt.). From there, we will begin our hike along an ancient Inca trail to the village of Chaunaca… The surrounding landscape is magnificent. Then, we will continue by vehicle to reach the Rio Chaunaca to enjoy a country picnic. After lunch, we will set off to reach the village of Maragua. This village is nestled in the middle of the Cordillera de los Frailes mountains, a geological gem resulting from a compression effect... We will discover the Devil's Gorge waterfall, located a few meters from the village. In the afternoon, walk in the crater to the hamlet of Irupampa. Return by vehicle to Sucre. On the way, stops at the Maragua viewpoint, which overlooks the crater, and at the viewpoint overlooking the city of Sucre.

• day 8

  Sucre - Potosi - Tupiza

  

  Departure at 08:00 from the hotel to reach the imperial city of Potosi (4,090 m). Arrival in Potosi at the end of the morning. Free time to quickly discover the city center of Potosi and have lunch on your own. Departure at 14:00 to head to the city of Tupiza (about 3 hours by road).

• day 9

  Hiking in Tupiza

  

  Today, we will take a beautiful and pleasant walk through the gorges, canyons, and geological curiosities around Tupiza: Devil's Gate, Valley of the Machos, Inca Canyon, Quebrada Seca, Toroyoj, the Tower, Entre Ríos, El Angosto…

• day 10

  Tupiza - Samawa

  

  We will leave in a private 4x4 vehicle to the Quebrada de Palala (4200 m), to discover large multicolored vertical walls, with a breathtaking view of the surrounding hills as a backdrop. A little further on, we will stop at the "Sillar" site, a magnificent canyon sculpted by rain and wind. Then, a detour will take us into the depths of the Lipez. We will descend into a valley to the small village, with its church half-buried by mud. We will climb back up to the heights, into a mining region with a tortuous landscape. You will descend again into the valley; the landscape changes completely with the appearance of cacti... A real western movie setting. The road taken follows the sides of the valley, to reach a valley with ochre tones, with its small village and red earth houses... It feels like another planet. Climb back up to the ridges passing through a small stone village. Then, descend into the sumptuous Samawa valley, which closes this unique day, rich in colors.

• day 11

  Samawa - Colorful stroll - Guadalupe

  

  We will set off for a lovely hike in the colorful hills facing the village. The morning light allows us to appreciate the flamboyant colors of this canyon reminiscent of the Argentine Northwest. We will gently climb up to a pass that serves as a border with Argentina. The view opens up to the distant Cerros Nevada and Bonete. From the pass, we will be able to observe all the colorful canyons below. Then, our guide will take us on a tour right in the middle of the geological formations, before descending along a valley containing gigantic hoodoos. We will get back on the road in the early afternoon to cross landscapes with equally flamboyant colors. We will reach the village of Guadalupe at the end of the day.

• day 12

  Guadalupe - City of Roma and Thola Mayu - San Pablo de Lípez

  

  We will leave in the morning to reach the magnificent site of Ciudad Roma (about 45 minutes). Ciudad Roma is without a doubt one of the major and still little-known sites of the Lipez region. Erosion has sculpted columns of rock several dozen meters high, thus creating natural citadels. Lovely walk in this maze of rocks. A little further on is Thola Mayu, an area scattered with enormous rock sculptures where imagination knows no bounds. Road to reach the village of San Pablo de Lipez.

• day 13

  San Pablo de Lipez - Valley of the Rocks - Villamar

  

  We head west on a very good road to the village of San Cristobal. Village relocated following the arrival of a mining company. Crossing the village of San Cristobal, village relocated following the arrival of a mining company. On the way, we will discover the Valley of the Rocks where erosion has created strange shapes several meters high, placed on the sandy ground as if by magic. Before reaching our destination, a short stop to enjoy a magnificent panoramic view from the Cascada canyon. Arrival at the village of Villamar at the end of the afternoon.

• day 14

  Villamar - Green Lagoon - Colorada Lagoon - Desert Hotel

  

  The track runs along the Salar de Capina, exploited for its borax. We then continue to the Polques hot springs (4,000 m). The bravest can enjoy a bath with a view of the Laguna Chalviri. Heading towards the border with Chile. On the way, we will be able to see the famous "Dali Desert" with its supernatural landscapes in light ochre tones, dotted with isolated rocks. Finally, arrival at the very end of Bolivia with the Laguna Blanca and especially the Laguna Verde (4,300 m), with its emerald color, set against the backdrop of the Licancabur volcano. We will cross a pass at nearly 5,000 m altitude before stopping at the "Sol de Mañana" site (4,850 m altitude). Discover this area characterized by numerous geysers, fumaroles, or mud pools. We will continue our journey to reach the Laguna Colorada. This one is home to many colonies of pink flamingos parading before our eyes. The track then takes the road through the Siloli desert. The latter is composed of many geomorphological formations, including the "Stone Tree"... the local celebrity. The surrounding landscape is equally impressive with multicolored mountains. A few more kilometers are needed before reaching the desert hotel.

• day 15

  Desert Hotel - 1001 Lagoons - San Pedro de Quemez

  

  The path continues north, along the border with Chile, via the "1001 Lagoons" route. A succession of several splendid lagoons (Honda, Ch’arkota, Hedionda, and Cañapa), some of which are home to colonies of magnificent pink flamingos. In the background, the surrounding landscape is equally impressive, with multicolored mountains. Throughout the day, each section brings its share of splendid scenery. Further on, a break to stretch your legs and admire the Ollaguë and Tomasamil volcanoes. Crossing the Salar de Chiguana, which concludes this magnificent day. Arrival at the village of San Pedro de Quemez at the end of the afternoon.

• day 16

  San Pedro de Quemez - Galaxy Caves - Salar de Uyuni Tahua

  

  First, a small detour is necessary to visit the little Galaxies cave, a rather unusual place... We continue our journey to reach the Salar de Uyuni. Even though it was hoped for, eagerly awaited, even though it had been glimpsed in photos, it surpasses the imagination. Its immaculate surface is a blank canvas for everyone's dreams, dotted with rare islands that will serve as lookouts for observing, photographing, picnicking... and above all, meditating on the beauty of the world. Discover Incahuasi Island with a short walk (about 45 minutes) on a marked trail. It is home to many cacti placed there as if by magic. If timing allows, discover a small salt operation in Tahua and the little museum of Chantani. Night in the village of Tahua. Sunset over the Salar.

• day 17

  Tahua - Coquesa - Hike to the Tunupa viewpoint - Tahua

  

  In the morning, we will leave by vehicle to reach the neighboring village of Coquesa, located at the foot of the Tunupa volcano. First, visit the site of pre-Columbian mummies dating from around 700 years after A.D. Then, a gradual hike up to the viewpoint (about 2h00 of ascent). Splendid view of the crater of the Tunupa volcano, an explosion of colors with shades of sulfur yellow and volcanic ochre. Below, the Salar de Uyuni reveals its immensity. Descent by the same path in about 1 hour. If time permits, possibility to return to the Salar de Uyuni. Return to the hotel in the afternoon.

• day 18

  Tahua - Quillacas - Turco - Pumiri - Tomarapi

  

  Departure to the north to reach Sajama Park. We first follow the edge of the Salar to the village of Salinas, then continue to Quillacas. From there, we follow Lake Poopo to Copacabanita. Throughout the journey, we will discover beautiful sand dunes along the almost dried-up shores of Lake Poopo. This long straight road is punctuated by llamas crossing, which forces us to slow down and, at the same time, admire the quinoa fields. If you are lucky enough to be in Bolivia during the blooming season, it is a real patchwork of colors. Then, we will turn west towards Turco. After Turco, you will arrive at the chullpares of Pumiri (3960 m), where you can see magnificent rock formations forming what looks like a stone city. The place is perfect for exploring this valley, taking a nice hike through the maze of rocks, or even trying bouldering on the rock blocks. A beautiful, restful stop. We will then set off again for Sajama Park, which we will reach in one more hour.

• day 19

  Tomarapi - Geysers - Hikes to the lagoons - Tomarapi

  

  We will leave by 4x4 to the geysers and their bubbling baths. We will gradually climb up the valley to the Khasiri lagoon (4850 m alt.), at the Chilean border. Beautiful views of the Pomerape. At the edge of the lagoon, we will observe giant coots (Ajoya in Aymara), whose nests are made of large floating platforms of algae and grass. Steeper ascent to a plateau where the beautiful Sorapata lagoon (4960 m alt.) is nestled. View of the Condoriri Grande massif (5542 m) with its sulfur colors. Descent back to the geysers. Transfer by vehicle to the hot springs. Night in the village of Tomarapi.

• day 20

  Tomarapi - Curahuara de Carangas - La Paz

  

  Departure in the morning for the crossing of the Altiplano to La Paz. On the way, discovery of the Chullpas (Carangas tombs) and visit of the church of Curahuara de Carangas.

• day 21

  La Paz - Discover the city on foot or by cable car.

  

  This day is dedicated to discovering the city of La Paz on foot, so you can experience the atmosphere of the city. Visit the colorful markets, the colonial district, Murillo Square, or Jaen Street. The guide will adapt this day according to your wishes. We can take the cable car (the highest in the world) and enjoy an incredible view of the city of La Paz. Note: we recommend that you leave your valuables and documents at the hotel.

• day 22

  La Paz - Airport for the return flight

  

  Departure from the hotel for a transfer to La Paz airport (3 hours before the international departure time).