Bolivia Itineraries
Classic Bolivia
colonial cities, Jesuit Missions, traditional markets and the world's largest salt flat.
This 16 day itinerary takes in the highlights of the Bolivian Andes, from vibrant historical cities and ancient sites to magnificent salt flats and the highest capital in the world.
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Itinerary summary
Santa Cruz
Days 1-2: The first two nights are spent in Santa Cruz, a pleasant and leafy city founded by Jesuit priests. Visit the site of Samaipata, a pre-Columbian religious settlement built by the pre-Inca Chané people.
The Missions
Days 3-5: The next two nights will be spent on a guided circuit, staying in Concepción while visiting Jesuit missions in this area. Seven of the original missions, which date back to 1691, are still in use today. Return to Santa Cruz for a final night.
Sucre - colonial splendour
Days 6-7: Fly south to Bolivia's legal capital, the 'white city' of Sucre for two nights. This beautiful university town is famous for its colonial buildings. Dinosaur footprints were also found nearby. At 2,750m above sea-level, this will be the first point at altitude
Potosí - deadly silver
Days 8-9: A scenic two hour drive south-west of Sucre is Potosí. At just over 4,000m above sea-level visitors should take it easy on arrival. On the outskirts of the city is the Cerro Rico mine, once the jewel of the Spanish conquest, which helped to fund Europe’s industrial revolution. You will visit the country's first mint (the Casa de Moneda) and explore the city on foot.
Salt flats and the southern deserts
Days 10-12: You will be driven, along winding Andean roads, to the small town of Uyuni, and begin a three night guided 4x4 overland adventure through the Salar de Uyuni and high Andean plateau. This is an arduous, high altitude, bumpy journey but rewarding in its stunning landscapes of coloured lakes full of flamingos, rock formations, salt flats and clear night skies. The final night is spent at a salt hotel on the edge of the salt flats, arriving in time to enjoy sunset across the stunning white expanse.
La Paz
Days 13-15: Fly from Uyuni to La Paz, the world's highest capital at 3,600m above sea-level. The city is famous for the Mercado de Hechecería (witches' market) and has several fine museums documenting the country's colonial past. Spend three nights here.
Days 16: Fly to Santa Cruz to return to the UK or continue you journey elsewhere.
Go further
Overland connections are possible via the salt flats and altiplano to San Pedro de Atacama in Chile. Also from Uyuni via Tarija and Tupiza to Salta in Argentina. From La Paz it is possible to continue north into Peru, via Lake Titicaca.
Gallery
Accommodation options
In the following section you will see our suggested options for possible accommodation.
The estimated flight cost included in this itinerary (assuming international flights from the UK plus any internal flights that are necessary) is £1,450 per person.
Standard - £6,870
Luna Salada
- on the edge of the Uyuni salt flats, the main building is made entirely from salt.
Mi Pueblo Samary
- built in an old colonial house and close to Sucre's main square.
Price and validity notes
We have tried to give you as accurate an idea of prices as possible, including meals where appropriate (but not when there are good local options so you don't pay for a meal that you might not want), accommodation, transfers, and any tours we have included.
All prices are per person based on two people sharing a room and are intended as a guide (local high or low seasons can cause some variation). All prices were correct when published but may vary with exchange rate fluctuations, fuel surcharges, or changes in the general economic situation.