bolivia: highlights of bolivia 6 DAYS
Santa Cruz - Sucre - Santa Cruz

itinerarY, prices & Inclusions

Day 1: Flight from Sao Paulo to Santa Cruz (flight tickets are not included)
Arrival to the Viru Viru international airport and transfer to your hotel. Overnight at Hotel Camino Real Santa Cruz.

Day 2: Santa Cruz - Sucre by flight (flight tickets are not included)
At convenient time transfer to the airport in Santa Cruz (Viru Viru). Flight to Sucre (Plane tickets are not included). Contact at the airport in Sucre.

Dinosaur footprints
Tour time: 3 hours approx.
Transfer to the largest fossilized dinosaur footprints deposit in the world, which is a source of fascination and study for paleontologists and dinosaur admirers. The site is called Cal Ork'o, in the Quechua language, and it’s the largest cement quarry in Bolivia. It is located 5 km away from the city of Sucre. There you may see several thousand footprints of more than 200 prehistoric species dating from 65 to 70 million years ago, among which we can mention: the Titanosaurus, the largest animal that existed on the planet, Carnotaurus and Anquilosaurus among others that inhabited this place until the end of the Mesozoic era. In Cal Ork’o you may enjoy the tour of a theme park with life-size representations of different dinosaurs that have become a symbol for Sucre. The visit to the dinosaur tracks is only possible from Tuesday to Sunday (10:00 to 15:00). On Mondays it is closed.

Half day city tour on Sucre (3 hours).
Tour time: 3 hours approx.
Enjoy a tour in Sucre admiring the colonial and republican streets of French style visiting the most important architectural and urban monuments of the so-called "white city" such as the convent of La Recoleta, the museum of textile art of ASUR where you can see the craft work of textiles made by rural ethnic groups in the region. You will also visit the main square 25 de mayo, the famous Casa de la Libertad Museum and Bolívar Park which use was reserved only for aristocracy. On Sundays, museums are closed except for Casa de la Libertad (Sat./ Sun. from 9:00 to 13:00), so the city tour on Sundays will be operated visiting only exteriors. At the end of the tour transfer to your hotel. Overnight at Parador Santa Maria La Real Hotel.
Includes: Breakfast, lunch (without beverages).

Day 3: Sucre - Potosi - Yuuni drive
Private transfer from Sucre to Potosí (3 hours) Departure from Sucre (2700 meters above the sea level) to Potosí (3 hours approx.). On the way we cross Pilcomayo River that separates the departments of Chuquisaca and Potosí. There we can see the Mendez Bridge, a suspension bridge with neo-Gothic stone towers from the mid-19th century. We continue to Potosí appreciating the change in the landscape as we reach to an estimated height of 4,000 meters above sea level. From a route viewpoint we appreciate the beautiful mountain range and the horizon and the Equezana high plains. At appropriate time, arrival to Potosí.

Half day city tour in Potosí
Tour time: 3 hours approx.

Enjoy a walking tour through the “Villa Imperial” Potosí, admiring the colorful squares and colonial streets which bring us to different architectural monuments that are an amazing vestige of the opulence of the wealth that has existed due to the silver extraction of the mines. On our tour through the historic center, we pass by the main historical and religious decorated portals among which we will find San Lorenzo, La Merced and San Francisco churches as well as La Torre de la Compañía de Jesús, and old church turned into governmental building and theatre. You will also visit the main square and the majestic Mint House Museum which has become the most important museum and historical archive in the city, there you will appreciate the remains of the significance that this city had, since it was most populated and considered the most important in the world, when it was in its greatest splendor. (Note: Tour may vary depending on client’s interests, access to specific places and availability on holidays or weekends, although, the guide could skip or add some spots coordinating with the clients.)

Mine tour
Tour time: 3 hours approx.
Departure in private transportation to El Calvario, the miners’ market, where the miners every day begin their job. There you can learn about the importance of the use of coca leaves, alcohol and dynamite that can later be purchased for the visit to the mine. We are going to continue with the visit to one of the mines dependent on the private mining cooperatives that are in current exploitation. A few meters from the entrance to the mine, we leave our fears behind, while we go through sections where the work has not changed much since the colonial era, where the use of the chisel and the hammer is still very important. At one point of the visit, we stop to learn about the practice that accompany the intense work of the miner and to observe their rites and ceremonies, especially the reverence or “Ch’alla” to the "Tio" (God of the mines and owner of the wealth), and also to the "Tata K'ajcha" responsible for the miners’ safety. Then, the heat of the mine goes down as we return to the outside and in the light of day, we are able to breathe an air of admiration for the miners. On Sundays and holidays, entrance to the mine is allowed, but it might be possible that there are no miners working due to weekend and holiday. Includes: Mining safety equipment.

Private transfer from Potosí to Uyuni (4 hours)
Departure by private transport to Uyuni. Along the way in the distance we can see the Porco mining center, the oldest in Bolivia from which minerals have been extracted since the Inca era (approx. 700 years ago). We continue to see the Challajteri cave paintings and intriguing rock formations that accompany the road when we reach the bridge of San Juan River. We continue through Chaquilla from where we see an extensive wetlands where llamas graze serenely. We continue on route and pass through Tica Tica and its colorful surroundings to continue to Pulacayo, another important mining center from the 19th and 20th centuries. At appropriate time, arrival to Uyuni and transfer to your hotel. Overnight at Jardines de Uyuni Hotel
Includes: Breakfast, lunch (without beverages) and dinner (without beverages).

Day 4: Uyuni
At 10:00, departure to the train cemetery where you can see the remains of 19th and 20th century steam locomotives, from this time we head to the Great Salt Flat, visiting the village of Colchani along the way, where we will spend time in the artisan market and visit a local salt processing plant. We get into the salt flat, passing through the waterholes, in addition to observing the way salt is extracted in blocks and piles. We will also visit the well-known Flags Monument in the middle of the salt flat and the Giant Salt Sculptures. We continue to Incahuasi Island (also known as Fish Island) where you can see giant cactus up to 10 meters high. Apthapi lunch (an Andean traditional way of sharing meals) will be served in the middle of the Salt Flat. After having time to enjoy the magic and energy of the salt flat and playing with perspective photos we will drive south to watch the sunset at the shore with a glass of wine, chips and nuts. Overnight at Palacio de Sal Hotel, the best and most luxurious hotel made of salt in the world (Standard Room)
Check in: 15.00 / Check out 12.00
Includes: Lunch (with beverages) and dinner (without beverages)
Schedule approx.: From 10:00 to 19:00.
Approx. traveled distance: 200 km
Notice about services in rainy season (From December to March)

Day 5: Uyuni - Santa Cruz by flight (flight tickets are not included)
Transfer to the airport to take your flight to Santa Cruz (plane tickets are not included). Arrival and transfer to your hotel. Overnight at Camino Real Santa Cruz Hotel (Habitación standard).
Check in: 14:00 / Check Out 12:00.
Includes: Breakfast.

Day 6: Depart Santa Cruz
Transfer to the airport Viru Viru to take your international flight (plane tickets are not included).
Includes: Breakfast

Departure dates: Daily

INCLUSIONS
• Hotels and meals as described in the itinerary.
• Private transportation in cars with GPS and radio communication.
• Specialized guidance.
• Satelital phone for emergencies.
• Entrance fees for described sites.
• Accident insurance

EXCLUSIONS
• Personal expenses, International airfare, Visa fees
• Customary gratitude to your guide and driver.