Itinerary

Day 1 La Paz

La Paz is the capital, and cultural center of Bolivia. It is served by El Alto International Airport, one of the highest-altitude commercial airports in the world (4000m+). The city features excellent marketplaces and several good museums. Notable sights include; Cathedral of San Francisco, Metropolitan Cathedral, Palacio Quemado, Congress, and the Calle Jaen. It is also located close to the ancient Tiahuanacu ruins.

Upon arrival you will be met by our local representative who will help you locating your vehicle.

Airport transfer with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide.

Kensington Tours donates a portion of proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities.

A modern 15-story building, the Hotel Europa is located in the financial district next to Tiahuanaco Museum, 12 km from the airport. It features 98 guest rooms, each of which offers a spacious area for working and relaxing. With plump feather pillows and the finest cotton bed linen, guests are assured of a most refreshing night's sleep after a hard day of work or play. The hotel also features an excellent health club, including pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, massage and health bar. For those who prefer to indulge in the warm climate, the hotel's outdoor terrace is the ideal place to relax with a cool drink and soak up the sunshine.

Overnight at Hotel Europa.

Day 2 Sucre

Sucre is the constitutional capital of Bolivia. Located in the south-central part of the country, Sucre lies at an altitude of 2750m (9,000ft). The city enjoys a warm temperate climate year-round. In 1991, Sucre became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city attracts thousands of tourists every year thanks to its well-conserved downtown with buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries. Nestled at the foot of the twin hills of Churuquella and Sika Sika, Sucre is the gateway to numerous small villages that date from the colonial era, the most well-known of which is Tarabuco, home of the colorful "Pujllay" festival held each March.

Airport transfer with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide.

Fly from La Paz to Sucre, the flight is approximately 50 minute duration.

Includes airport transfer with private 4x4, driver, and English-speaking guide.

Parador Santa Maria Real is a Colonial 18th century house that has been carefully restored. Guests can enjoy the splendour of Colonial luxury in the comfort of modern times.

Overnight at Parador Santa Maria La Real.

Day 3 Potosi

Potosí city is claimed to be the highest city in the world at an altitude of 4,090 m. It lies beneath the Cerro de Potosí — sometimes referred to as the Cerro Rico ("rich mountain") — a mountain popularly conceived of as being "made of" silver ore, which dominates the city. Founded in 1546 as a mining town, it soon produced fabulous wealth, becoming one of the largest cities in the Americas and the world. It is possible to visit the nearby silver mine and actually set off a stick of dynamite (under supervision). The town itself has a fascinating legacy of mansions and churches.

Enjoy the ride from Sucre to the mining city of Potosi with your own private vehicle with driver and English speaking guide. Once the silver mining capital of South America and at over 13,000 feet above sea level, Potosi is one of the highest cities of its size in the world. With rich colonial architecture and tragic history as a colonial mining town, Potosi has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Visit the working mines of Cerro Rico (Rich Hill) in the company of your English speaking Guide on a private half day tour of the city. The town itself has a fascinating legacy of mansions and churches that attest to its centuries of wealth.

Enjoy a half day city of tour of Sucre the constitutional Capital of Bolivia. Located at 2800m above sea level, Sucre was very much a Spanish city during the colonial era. The narrow streets of the city centre are organised in a grid, reflecting the Andalusian culture that is embodied in the architecture of the city's great houses and numerous convents and churches. Visit the House of Freedom, the Historical Museum or the Textile Asur Museum as well as the Convent of La Recoleta Museum and its viewpoint, the Convent of San Felipe Nery, House of Freedom. At the end of your tour you will be brought back to your hotel.

The Hotel Coloso is located a short distance from the main square and Casa Nacional de Moneda. This low rise hotel is a comfortable option when staying in Potosi with 55 rooms (including 2 junior suites, 2 suites and 2 Coloso Suites). All the rooms are a good size and have en suite facilities (bath with shower), heating, minibar, hairdryer and cable television. Some of the rooms located on the upper floors have views to Cerro Rico Mountain. On the lower floor of the hotel there is a small heated pool.

Overnight at Coloso.

Day 4 Colchani

Salar de Uyuni is estimated to contain 10 billion tons of salt, of which less than 25,000 tons is extracted annually. All miners working in the Salar belong to Colchani's cooperative. Every November, Salar de Uyuni is also the breeding grounds for three species of South American flamingos: the Chilean, James's and Andean flamingos. It is also a significant tourist destination; highlights include a salt hotel and several so-called islands. As it is so flat it serves as a major transport route across the Bolivian Altiplano.

Depart Potosi in private transport for the 5 1/2 hour scenic drive to Uyuni. Along the way pass by villages such as Agua de Castilla where the mine’s of Porco is found, the first mine to be mined from Potosí, during colonial times. Continuing along, arrive at the Cañon de San Juan, with diverse colors of rock formations, where the water from Lake Toro flows. During the drive, stop to visit some villages and see wildlife including Llamas, Alpacas and viscachas which are indigenous to the area. Stop for a picnic lunch along the way, arriving in the town of Uyuni to refuel. Afterwards, continue for approximately 30 minutes to Colchani. The arrival will be just in time to enjoy a spectacular sunset upon the Salar, the highlight of the day.

Located by the Salt Flats borders of Uyuni, in the Colchani area, the Luna Salada Hotel (Salt Moon Hotel) is one of the most extraordinary hotels in the world. The unique hotel is constructed of salt blocks, in the Salt flats of Uyuni in Bolivia. The personalized attention given by the staff offers excellent service while the privileged location gives some of the best view of the Salt Flats, in a peaceful atmosphere.

Overnight at Luna Salada.

Day 5 Tahua

Tahua is a high altitude town on the side of a volcano beside the Salar de Uyuni. A stopover for region tours, there are some rewarding climbs in town - but only for those who are completely acclimatized to the altitude.

In the morning visit the community of Colchani (3660m.) in the company of your private English speaking guide, where you will see the rustic method used to process salt. Afterwards drive to the Salar de Uyuni. Following a brief visit of the salt piles, drive across the salt flat East to West, 98 km towards Chuvica Port. After just over an hour's drive, you will arrive in the vicinity of Aguadquiza, Atulcha and Agencha -small establishments producing Quinoa (sacred cereal of the Andes). After 35 km arrive at Galaxy Cave, a strange and interesting rock formation, a natural phenomenon produced when lava from Thunpa volcano made contact with ocean water over 2 million years ago. Afterwards enjoy the drive to the Salar, where your vehicle is driven right on the Salt Flats south to north for approximately 1 hour to Incawasi Island (also known as Fish Island). The name originates from the fishlike appearance of the island's reflection in the wet season. The island is made of fossilised coral populated by 1000-year-old cacti in the middle of the Salar. These cacti grow at a rate of 1cm per year, so you can easily calculate their age. From here you can hike around the island enjoying spectacular views of the Salt Lake. After a picnic lunch (included) continue the trip crossing the Salt Lake again approximately 30 minutes to Tunupha Volcano for a panoramic view of the Salt Lake. Continue to the town of Tahua for an overnight stay.

As its name describes, the Hotel de Sal is almost entirely made of pure salt from the Uyuni Salt Flats, and is located near the village of Tahua, on the foothills of Thunupa volcano, only 110 km away from the town of Uyuni. The hotel faces the Salt Flats and offers overwhelming views over the surrounding desert of 12,000 square Km and has an intimate feel to it, given that it only hosts 47 guests at a time.

Overnight at Tayka de Sal Hotel.

Day 6 Oruro

Oruro is located almost equal distance between La Paz and Sucre at approx. 3710 meters above sea level. The city was first founded in 1606 as a silver-mining-center in the Urus region. It was eventually abandoned as the mines became exhausted, but was re-established in the late nineteenth century, this time as a tin-mining-center. For a time, the La Salvadora tin-mine was the most important source of tin in the world. Gradually, this resource was also exhausted, and Oruro again went into a decline. The city does manage, however, to attract tourists to its carnival, the Carnaval de Oruro, considered one of the great folkloric events in South America for its masked "devil-dances".

We undertake a trip towards the north of Bolivia to the city of Oruro approximately a 5 ½ hour’s drive in the comfort of your private vehicle with driver and your own English speaking guide. As we leave the Salar de Uyuni you will encounter the Bolivian Altiplano. Along the way we will stop at the crater of Tambo Tambillo, and villages along the way before finally reaching the city of Oruro. Enjoy a typical lunch in a local restaurant (included).

Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.

Villa Real San Felipe is known as one of the best hotels in Oruro. Characterized by its architecture the hotel has a colonial and welcoming rustic touch all around.

Overnight at Villa Real San Felipe.
    
Day 7 La Paz

In the morning drive from Oruro to the city of La Paz, 239 km distance (approximately 3hr drive). Pass by a series of small Aymara communities like Caracollo, Sica Sica, Patacamaya, Tholar, dedicated to cultivating typical crops of the area. Along the way appreciate the Bolivian Altiplano, with views of snow-covered mountain ranges before finally arriving in La Paz.

Depart from La Paz International airport - end of services.

Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart (Int`l Airport) (standard).

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