7 days / 6 nights from
$4865
per person share twinInternational flights are additional
Handpicked Bolivia
Be dazzled by the magic of an ever-changing vista and swept away by the wealth of authentic culture in this unforgettable land of contrasts. Travel across Lake Titicaca and discover the birthplace of the Incas, explore La Paz’s cobblestone streets, fascinating witchcraft markets and the Moon Valley with its amazing geological shapes. Travel to the Uyuni Salt Flat, a true paradise for photographers with its magnificent sunsets.
Includes
✔ 6 nights accommodation
✔ Meals as per itinerary
✔ Sightseeing with an English speaking local guide
✔ Transfers and flights as specified
International flights are additional
7 days / 6 nights
From $4865 per person share twin
Departs: Daily
Itinerary Highlights
• Sail across Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world and the legendary birthplace of the Inca Empire.
• Witness magnificent sunsets at the breath-taking Uyuni Salt Flat while staying at a hotel built out of salt blocks.
• Explore the unique Valley of the Moon, a large formation of clay monoliths resembling the face of the moon.
Itinerary
Day 1: Puno - Lake Titicaca
This morning depart on an overland journey from Puno, the capital of Peruvian folklore, to Copacabana, located at the shores of Lake Titicaca.
Lake Titicaca is one of the most fascinating lakes in the world and situated at 3,800m above sea level. Once in Copacabana board your catamaran and sail to Sun Island, the legendary birthplace of the Inca Empire, and home to over 180 Incan ruins. In Incan mythology, Lake Titicaca is the place from which the world was created from, when the god Viracocha came out of the lake and created the sun, the stars and the first people.
Explore Challapampa Village, where you will have the opportunity to learn about one of the local indigenous communities. Visit the museum, some of their houses, the chapel and school. Enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner on board the catamaran, where you will spend the night.
Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2: Lake Titicaca - La Paz
Continue sailing across Lake Titicaca, enjoying the stunning views. En-route visit the Inca garden covered with Pachamama Terraces, authentic agricultural Inca terraces that contain a wide variety of Andes crops and medicinal herbs.
Travel to the Inti Wata Cultural Complex which includes a unique sailing experience to the Pilkokaina Inca Palace aboard a traditional Titicaca vessel. The only large reed vessel that plies the entire lake, it is an unforgettable experience that uses almost extinct Titicaca navigational techniques to cruise the lake. While at the cultural complex, participate in agricultural work and learn about Andean agricultural technology, traditional medicine and ancient healing rituals.
Visit Ekako, a unique underground museum that contains the largest collection of Sun Island’s archaeological items and Andean mummies.
Disembark the catamaran after lunch and transfer to El Alto city to experience one of the best cable car rides in the world. Known as “Mi Teleferico” it is the highest and longest cable car system and the world’s first example of urban cable cars being used as a primary transport network. It offers unbelievable views of the city and the snow-capped Andes, travelling over neighbourhoods built into the mountain, shanti towns, and the fascinating Cholets - a unique Bolivian style of architecture, combining the word chalet and chola (indigenous woman). The buildings are characterised by colourful, over-the-top facades and have become a status symbol for a new class of rich Aymara indigenous people in El Alto. After your cable car ride, you will be transferred to your hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: La Paz - Uyuni - Salt Desert of Uyuni
This morning there is an early flight to Uyuni. Upon arrival, you will be met and taken to the “Train Cemetery”. Set on the outskirts of town, this eerie site is an abandoned railway complex from the 19th century, which makes for an interesting start to your Salar de Uyuni (Uyuni salt flat) experience. Afterwards, you will explore the quaint village of Colchani, where an estimated 25,000 tonnes of salt are processed annually. Here you will be able to observe the salt being extracted by hand and browse unique handicrafts made from salt.
From Colchani you will start your journey into the heart of the salar, a vast expanse of white, glistening salt that stretches across 10,582 square kilometres. See the extraordinary ‘eyes of salt’, openings where subterranean rivers flow beneath the salt flats, before enjoying a delicious picnic lunch. After lunch, head north towards the Tunupa volcano and visit the archaeological site of Conquesa, which holds the remains of a family group of mummies preserved for more than 500 years. Your day ends with magnificent views over the salt flats from a lookout at Tunupa and a visit to the Chiquini cave, where you will be able to admire beautiful stalagmites and stalactites.
At the end of the day, disconnect and relax in one of the most extraordinary places on earth. Enjoy the remoteness at a unique hotel built of salt blocks. Colourful Andean furniture and art add charm, while sweeping panoramic views of the salar will take your breath away.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Salt Desert of Uyuni
At an altitude of about 3,600m, the salt flats of Uyuni are part of the Bolivian Altiplano and the largest salt flat in the world. This part of the Bolivian Andes offers amazing views and experiences that you won’t find anywhere else on earth. During the dry season you can drive across the flats and admire their vastness; yet for a few months of the year, during the rainy season, a thin layer of water covers the salt transforming the flats into a huge mirror and making them impassable.
Today you will visit the famous Galaxy cave with its extraordinary stalagmites and stalactites, the Devil’s cave sacred burial chambers and Incahuasi Island. The island lies in the heart of the salar and its name ‘house of the Inca’, highlights the importance the island had to the Incas. Its hilly and rocky terrain is covered with giant cacti, which are hundreds of years old and can reach over 10 metres high. Surrounded by a sea of salt, ancient coral-like structures around the island are a reminder that the largest salt flat in the world used to be part of a gigantic lake.
With salt pans, lagoons, clear skies, giant cacti and colourful flamingos dotting the landscape, the salar is a photographer’s dream. On your way back to the hotel you will enjoy the stunning sunset that provides great opportunities to capture the most incredible photos.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Uyuni - La Paz
This morning transfer to the airport for your flight to La Paz, where you will stay for the next two nights. The rest of the day is at leisure so you can wander around and discover this fascinating city.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 6: La Paz
La Paz and its surrounds will transport you to an enigmatic past. Every corner and every street is a hidden treasure. Explore the famous Witch Doctor’s market, San Francisco Church and the traditional Sagarnaga street market with its exquisite handicrafts. Your trip continues to Plaza Murillo where you will appreciate the fine colonial architecture of the Cathedral, the Government Plaza and the National Congress building.
La Paz sits in a deep valley surrounded by steep hills and one of the best ways to experience this city is by taking a ride in a cable car. Soaring above, in an eight-person cabin, the birds eye view of the sprawling city is breath-taking.
After an exciting cable card ride, you will conclude your exploration with a visit to the unique Moon Valley. Just outside La Paz, a clay formation resembling the face of the Moon that has been eroded over years by the dry winds of southern Bolivia. It is also an important site for the famous Dia de los Muertos festivity (Day of the Dead).
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 7: La Paz
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Meals included: Breakfast
Contact your local House of Travel for further information on the best travel dates and prices to match your holiday.
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Terms and Conditions
Sales until further notice • New bookings only. Advertised packages are subject to availability at time of booking. Min/max stays apply. Pricing has been based on dynamic hotel pricing and is correct as at 24 Nov 2022 • Prices are thereafter subject to change without notice until time of confirmation. Prices are a 'from' price and may vary due to a number of factors including tax and surcharge increases, exchange rate movements and availability • Prices are per person in NZ dollars based on two people travelling together, for cash or eftpos purchase only. Deposit is required and this will be advised at time off booking. • Bedding configurations may vary on twin share option • Valid for travel commenced and completed as specified. Some surcharges and closeouts may apply • Amendment and cancellation fees apply – please ask your House of Travel consultant • Offer may be withdrawn at any time without notice. • Meals, unless specified, admission fees and surcharges are not included. • Please ask your House of Travel consultant for full details.
HOT Code: ADVWORLD