Highlights of Bolivia – Jungle to Desert

From £3750

Trip Details

 wildlife ,yungas and saltflats!

Bolivia is a land of striking contrasts, where high-altitude cities, vast salt flats and remote mountain landscapes sit alongside lush Amazon rainforest and winding rivers. From the dramatic setting of La Paz, steeped in Andean traditions, you can travel through the Altiplano and down into the misty Yungas cloud forests towards Coroico. In the lowlands, Rurrenabaque offers access to rich Amazon wildlife and river exploration, while the surreal Uyuni salt flats showcase some of the country’s most unique scenery. Throughout, colourful markets and strong indigenous cultures bring the landscapes to life.

Domestic flights not included

 

 

Trip Highlights

a living andean history

 

  • La Paz, world’s highest city steeped in Andean traditions
  • Trekking to Coroico from Altiplano into misty Yungas cloud forests
  • Rurrenabaque gateway to Amazon wildlife and river exploration
  • See Uyuni salt flats showcase surreal landscapes
  • Colourful Bolivian markets and culture

 

Trip Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in La Paz - Moon Valley

Private transfer from airport to hotel – Night time

English speaking guide (20:00 to 06:00)

     Includes: Private transport + Guide + Tips for airport porters.

City Tour, Moon Valley and Cable Car – PM

English speaking guide

     Includes: Private transport + Guide + Entrances + 3 Cable Car lines.

Half day City Tour in La Paz. The City and its surroundings can transport you to a mysterious past where any corner, any street, is a hidden treasure where adventure begins; a living history which treasures the pre-Hispanic times with all their traditions and magic rites on its streets. The indigenous, colonial and modern areas, Indian Market, Witch Doctor’s Market and breathtaking panoramas are all framed by the majestic Illimani mountain. Visit the Moon Valley, a clay formation resembling the face of the Moon, as well as a 21st century cable car that offers you a unique bird view of the city of La Paz concluding this experience.

 

Casa Grande Hotel

King Executive Room / Buffet Breakfast incl. (07:00 to 11:00)

Day 2

Yungas Excursion

Yungas excursion – Coroico/Senda Verde – FD

English speaking guide

     Includes: Private transport + Guide + Entrances.

Enjoy an incredible full day journey over the Andes, winding down on a road from the glaciers to the sub-tropical area of the Yungas in only two hours. In Coroico you will appreciate a unique ethnical and cultural symbiosis, between Afro-Bolivians and Aymara indigenous. Coroico is a picturesque village with gorgeous panoramic sceneries. Visit Senda Verde Wildlife Sanctuary. Take part on the tour of the sanctuary and the one to see bears and felines. Lunch will be at the sanctuary and in the afternoon return to your hotel in La Paz.

Meals Incl.: B/L/-

Casa Grande Hotel

King Executive Room / Buffet Breakfast incl. (07:00 to 11:00)

Day 3

2d/1n Sun Island on lake Titicaca

Package Sun Island Escape – Local Tour – 2D/1N (R)

English speaking guide (R)

Includes: Land transport and hydrofoil cruise on shared basis + Guide + Entrances.

Shared overland journey from your hotel in La Paz to Huatajata, located at the shores of Lake Titicaca. Short overland drive to Cocotoni Bay and Hydrofoil cruise to Moon Island. Visit the Sun Virgins Temple “Iñak Uyu”, an important sacred place on Lake Titicaca where the insistent beating of the waves whispers memories of the past. For the Inca State, women were fundamental, achieving a textile, agricultural, cultural and religious development. Thanks to the dedication of these young maidens, today we can count on dehydrated derivatives of different types of potatoes, such as “chuño” and “tunta”. The temple is characterized by its forward vaulting technique and its trapezoidal and stepped elements. Continue to the mythical Sun Island, a pastoral paradise. In the way to the Posada del Inca Eco Lodge, visit the Pilcocaina Palace, made up of stones joined with mud with Tiwanakota technology, implementing principles of Andean cosmology. Once in the Posada del Inca, a healthy coca tea will be served in the garden. Lunch is included at the Posada. In the afternoon walk to explore the surroundings where time has stood still.

Meals Incl.: B/L/D

Posada del Inca Eco Lodge

Standard Room / American Breakfast incl. (06:00 to 09:30)

Day 4

To La Paz via Copacabana

The morning is at leisure. Around noon visit the Inca “Grand Stairs” and the Sacred Fountain; taste the water believed to give eternal youth and happiness. Lunch at the Uma Kollu archaeological Restaurant; enjoy the small handicraft market. Hydrofoil cruise to the picturesque village and harbor of Copacabana, visit to the shrine and the Dark Indian Virgin, as well as the local market. Shared overland journey to Huatajata, crossing the Tiquina Straits by motor boat. On arrival visit the Andean Roots Eco Village: The Altiplano Museum; Handicrafts village, the Mud Igloos and the mortuary towers of the Urus Chipayas. Meet the Limachi family, builders of the RA II and Tigris for epic expeditions across the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy our elegant vicuñas, llamas, alpacas and the mythical Suri. Shared overland journey from Huatajata to your hotel in La Paz. The road runs parallel to the most fascinating snow-capped mountains of the Andes.

Meals Incl.: B/L/-

Casa Grande Hotel

King Executive Room / Buffet Breakfast incl. (07:00 to 11:00)

Day 5

Fly from La Paz to Rurrenabaque ( not incl)

Package Program 3D/2N

English speaking guide

Includes: Incluidos pendiente

Pick us up from the airport and then we departure by motor boat from Rurrenabaque to the Madidi National Park. The trip up the Beni and Tuichi Rivers takes 3 hours and is a great opportunity to see the fauna and impressive landscape of the Amazon, such as the Bala Canyon. Arrival to Madidi Jungle Ecolodge and accommodation in our traditional style cabins. Lunch and an opportunity to relax in the hammocks. After lunch we prepare for a 3-hour guided hike along the Tareche Trail. This is an opportunity to observe a variety of bird species, mainly macaws and parrots, and to appreciate the surrounding tropical rainforest. There is the chance also to observe different species of mammals. The common animals observed include the white-lipped peccary, the brown capuchin monkey and the red howler monkey. After watching the landscape and hiking along the Aguapolo river bank, we return to the Ecolodge by the Wabu Trail.

19:30: Dinner at the Ecolodge. After dinner you will have the opportunity to experience a short night hike to feel the nocturnal wildlife. During this walk you will be able to see amphibians and many insects,

Meals Incl.: B/L/D

Overnight at Ecolodge Madidi Jungle

 

 

Day 6

Rurrenabaque and Trek

After breakfast we prepare for a 3-hour guided hike along the Biwa Trail, where black spider monkeys are often encountered. This is an opportunity to observe a variety of ecosystems and to connect with deep nature. Along this trail you will stop at the natural Madidi scenic viewpoint, where you will have an ideal panoramic view of the rainforest´s canopy. Return to the Ecolodge along the Tareche Trail. Lunch and an opportunity to relax in the hammocks. We will go on a 3-hour guided walk by the Mapajo and Almendrillo Trails. Along these trails, you’ll appreciate the Giant Kapok Tree, Almendrillo Tree and the Strangler Fig Tree. Accompanied by a local guide, you will be provided with an in-depth explanation of the diverse species of plants used for medicinal purposes and ancestral benefits. It is a great opportunity to understand, appreciate and learn about the Amazon ecosystems, while observing the pristine environment and different species of wildlife. Return to the Ecolodge along the Dati Trail.

19:30: Traditional dinner Dunucuabi (catfish wrapped in leaves) at the Lodge, and free time.

Meals Incl.: B/L/D

Overnight at Ecolodge Madidi Jungle

 

Day 7

Tuichi River Trail

 

After breakfast we will take a boat upstream along the Tuichi river, arriving at the Serere Trail. Hike by the floodplain jungle to the Piraña lagoon where you will have a chance to see yellow squirrel monkeys and the opportunity to try and fish for piranha. After the fishing activity, you will arrive into a large, recently discovered mammal salt lick, where you will have the opportunity to learn about animal behavior. Return to the Ecolodge by boat. When lunch is over you will have some extra free time to enjoy before returning to Rurrenabaque. Return to Rurrenabaque. On the way back to the town, you will have the option to visit Caquiahuara where you will have the chance to observe the red and green macaws and other species of parrot. Bird sighting can be done anytime during the year; however, it is more frequent from May to December. The trip is a great opportunity to see some exotic species such as the capybaras, tapirs, turtles and caimans. The return trip takes only 2 hours. Arrival to your hotel in Rurrenabaque.

Meals Incl.: B/L/-

Maya de la Amazonia Hotel

Standard Room / Buffet Breakfast incl.

Day 8

Flight to La Paz ( not included)

Flight Rurrenabaque/ La Paz (Not included)
Private transfer from airport to hotel – Day time

English speaking guide (06:00 to 20:00)

     Includes: Private transport + Guide + Tips for airport porters.

Casa Grande Hotel

King Executive Room / Buffet Breakfast incl. (07:00 to 11:00)

Day 9

Fly To Uyuni Salt Flats ( not included)

 

Private transfer from hotel to airport – Night time

English speaking guide (20:00 to 06:00)

     Includes: Private transport + Guide + Tips for airport porters.

Flight La Paz / Uyuni (Not included in the final rate)
Package 3D/2N Uyuni Salt Flat Adventure

English speaking guide – 3 Pax per Jeep

Includes: Private land transport + Guide + Entrances + Mentioned meals.

Arrival to Uyuni, pick up from the airport or bus station and visit the Train Cemetery. Continue to a salt processing workshop in Colchani, entrance town to the Uyuni Salt Lake. Immediately start the amazing excursion to the Salt Lake and Isla Incawasi. Uyuni Salt Lake is the largest Salt Flats on Earth, located on the Bolivian High-Plateau with over 10.000 Km2. On route visit the Salt Museum and stop at the Cold Water Springs “Ojos de Agua”. Arrive to Incawasi Island, an oasis with formations of algae and fossils. This island is covered by thousands of giant columnar cacti, some of them over a hundred years old, growing to a height of over 12 meters. The Bolivian Andes offer stunning sceneries which can be hardly matched. The sound of silence makes the heart beats faster and the surreal pentagons of crystalline salt, the pure sky and the cacti, certainly makes you feel that there is no other place like this in the whole world. The landscape against the background of the salt pans extending to the horizon makes it an ideal place for photography hunters. Transfer to your hotel.

Rainy season program (usually from December to April)

Arrival to Uyuni, pick up from the airport or bus station and visit the Train Cemetery. Continue to a salt processing workshop in Colchani, entrance town to the Uyuni Salt Lake. Immediately start the amazing excursion to the Salt Lake. Uyuni Salt Lake is the largest Salt Flats on Earth, located on the Bolivian High-Plateau with over 10.000 Km2. Visit the Salt Museum and stop at the Cold Water Springs “Ojos de Agua”. In the afternoon enjoy the water mirrors and walk at the borders of the Salt Lake. The Bolivian Andes offer stunning sceneries which can be hardly matched. The sound of silence makes the heart beats faster and the surreal pentagons of crystalline salt and the pure sky, certainly makes you feel that there is no other place like this in the whole world. The landscape against the background of the salt pans extending to the horizon makes it an ideal place for photography hunters. Transfer to your hotel. Kindly remember that during rainy season, and due security reasons, some highlights in the area are not reachable. We need your shoe size to provide waterproof boots to be used during all the tour.

Meals Incl.: B/L/D

Luna Salada Hotel

Dinner (Fix Menu) + Soft Drink at restaurant Tunupa

Luna Salada Hotel

Deluxe Room  with view to the salt flat / Buffet Breakfast incl. (07:00 to 10:00)

Day 10

Uyuni Salt Flats

Today enjoy a full day excursion over the Salt Lake. Drive to the small village of Coquesa at the foot of Thunupa Volcano, the guardian of Uyuni Salt Lake. The stone corrals that seem as chess-board, decorate the slopes, as shepherds walk slowly with their llamas, or either plant quinoa in the fertile volcanic soil. Towards the crater, layers of sediment with a fantastic variety of colors appears under a clean blue sky. From here have one of the most beautiful views of the Uyuni Salt Flats. Stroll through the village and hike to the cave of the Coquesa Mummies. In the afternoon return to your hotel.

Rainy season program (usually from December to April)

Enjoy a second day on the Uyuni Salt Lake. This time of the year is perfect for those who love playing with the mirror effect and want to get astonishing pictures. If we get rewarded by the weather, we might get a splendid clear blue sky contrasting with the whiteness of the Salt Lake.

Kindly remember that during rainy season, (usually from December to April) and due security reasons, some highlights in the area are not reachable. We need your shoe size to provide waterproof boots to be used during all the tour.

Meals Incl.: B/L/D

Day 11

Fly back to La Paz

Flight Uyuni / La Paz (Not included in the final rate)
Private transfer from airport to hotel – Day time

English speaking guide (06:00 to 20:00)

     Includes: Private transport + Guide + Tips for airport porters.

Meals Incl.: B/-/-

Casa Grande Hotel

King Executive Room / Buffet Breakfast incl. (07:00 to 11:00)

Day 12

Transfer from hotel to La Paz

At the scheduled time, the driver will pick us up from the hotel to take us to Punta Arenas airport

Expert Summary

Rafe Director of Pioneer Expeditions

There is nothing contrived about Bolivia. It’s one of those “what you see is what you get” destinations. What you find is a fiercely proud Indigenous people, steeped in tradition, living in a very high and strikingly beautiful country. The capital, La Paz, is the highest in the world, where state-of-the-art buildings sit alongside witches’ markets selling snake oil. Look north and you’ll find yourself in a surreal salt desert; head south and you encounter jungle-clad, death-defying roads. Bolivia was one of the first countries I visited in 1991 and, to be honest, little has changed.

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