Highlights of Bolivia - 9 days

Welcome to Bolivia, upon arrival you'll be met at La Paz airport and transferred to your hotel in the city. The rest of the day is at leisure for you to independently explore the highest capital city in the world.

Today you'll enjoy a full day tour of the scenic city of La Paz - visit world-class museums like the Gold, Murillo and Costumbrista, explore traditional street markets and head up to the Mirador de Killi Killi for fantastic views over the city. Later you'll marvel at the geological formations of the Valley of the Moon, located 10km outside the city.

Travelling through the Bolivian Highlands, you get the opportunity to see the Aymara Indian's way of life - one of the oldest American cultures. It is considered the cradle of the American man and one of the most advanced cultures in development at that time. Their main constructions which you will visit are the Kalasasaya Temple to see its Gate of the Sun, the monoliths Ponce and Fraile, the Akapana pyramid and the Semi underground temple. Visit the old colonial village of Tiahuanaco, where you can see the use of stones from the ruins in their constructions. You also visit the Puma Punku Temple, an example of extremely high quality in stone carving. Tonight we travel by overnight bus to Potosi.

Arriving early on day 4, transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, you depart to the miner’s market “Calvario”, where you will be able to buy coca leaves and cigarettes, which can be given to the miners. You’ll continue to the silver mines where you can visit the private, cooperative mines and watch the miners at work. Exploration of the silver began in the colonial period and is maintained today using the same working tools. You shall see the traditional rites where the miners pray to Tata Ckajcha or make the “Ch’alla” to the “Tio“(God of the mines, owner of the silver).

Enjoy a guided tour of colonial Potosi, dating from the days when this city, the highest in the world, was larger than either London or Paris. A gorgeous example of native artwork with many pretty churches and temples including the church of San Lorenzo. Also visit the National Mint of Bolivia before transferring to Uyuni. On day 6 depart for the incredible salt flats of Uyuni. Arrive into Colchani which is the best place to observe the methods of salt extraction from the salar. Included today is a trip to Fish Island, a unique oasis with giant cacti reaching 10m high. There’s also time to see the cemetery of trains where the remains of 19th century steam locomotives rest. Enjoy lunch out on the salt flats. Lunch is taken in the middle of the Salt Flats and later on continue to the archaeology museum of Coqusa and on to the exclusive Hotel Palacio de Sal built entirely of salt. This evening opt for a night stroll through the eerie surroundings.

Transfer to Villa Mar enroute visiting the colonial church of San Cristobal, the villages of Culpina and Alota and the famous rock formations of the Valley of the Giants. You’ll also visit local cave paintings and the fort of Tomas Lakjas

On the morning of day 8 visit the multi-coloured Laguna Colorada where James Flamingos flock. The rich red colouration is derived from algae and plankton, which thrive in its minerals. Continue to Laguna Verde where the Licancahur Volcano looms large. Along the way visit the Sol de Manana geysers, the Chalviri thermal waters and the Valle de Dali. This is a site of intense volcanic activity. After lunch cross the border into Chile and enjoy the impressive views of the Atacama Salar with a beautiful view of the Licancábur Volcano of 5916 meters of altitude as you transfer to the oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama. Rest of the afternoon is at leisure.

Today marks the end of services with a departure transfer to Calama Airport.