AUTHENTIC BOLIVIA
A cultural tour of Bolivia

Bolivia's abundance of natural wonders, vibrant Indian traditions, and mysterious ancient heritage sites makes it one of the world's most unique and interesting countries. The "Tibet" of South America, Bolivia is crossed by three Andean ranges and has a landscape of snow-capped mountain peaks and broad, windswept high plateaus. With more than half of the population maintaining traditional values and beliefs, the potent cultural experience of Bolivia is rivaled only by its magnificent pre-Inca ruins

Day 01: Arrive Santa Cruz
Bienvenidos a Bolivia! We are welcomed as we arrive at the most cosmopolitan city of Bolivia, Santa Cruz.  Immediate touring of the historical side of the city, where we will be able to appreciate St Lawrence Cathedral (San Lorenzo.   Visit to the Government Palace and the Cultural House.  We will also visit  a handcraft center (La Recova) and the Craftsmen's Association (Artecampo) where we will find regional craft, appreciate textiles, carved ceramics, and others. Then we will go all over the principal historical monuments of the city. We will finish the tour at Monseñor Rivero boulevard, where we can have a refreshment.
Overnight: Los Tajibos Hotel (1 night)

Day 02:  Santa Cruz/Sucre (Flight)
This morning we take a short flight to Sucre, the historical capital of Bolivia. This cultural center was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in recognition of its rich cultural history and distinct architecture. Impressive colonial architecture and museums remind us of the history, culture, and traditions that thrived in this city located at an altitude of 2,750 Meters / 3007 yards above sea level.   Immediately set out to visit the archaeological site of Cal Orko, which is located 5 km from Sucre, where one can find a great variety and quantity of dinosaur footprints, which lived approximately 65 million years ago.
Overnight: Parador Santa Maria La Real Hotel (2 nights) (B)

Day 03: Sucre
Today’s tour includes visit to the House of Freedom Historical Museum or the Textile Asur Museum, the Convent of La Recoleta Museum and its viewpoint, the Convent of San Felipe Nery, Bolivar Park and the main historical monuments.  After a lunch break, the excursion continues with visiting Jatun Yampara Community, which is one of the most ancient cultures of the continent. We will observe the process of making ceramics and textiles. Then we will visit the community's Museum of Native Clothing, and appreciate their archaeology, agriculture and their Medicinal Herbs exposition.  We will also be observing the native constructions and their customs. (B, L)

Day 04: Sucre/Potosi (Drive)
This morning we take an interesting 3 hours countryside drive to Potosi, another UNESCO designated site. This afternoon we visit some of the most important and interesting places of this city like visiting San Lorenzo Church where we will appreciate its beautiful façade, Casa de la Moneda Museum, the exterior of the Tower of Company, the exterior of the Arch of Cobija and the artisans market in the colonial area of the city .
Overnight: Coloso Hotel (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 05: Potosi/Colchani (Drive)
Departure towards Colchani town, located in the shores of the Uyuni Salt Flat.   Travel of 5 hours along not paved road. On route visit the Pulacayo mines. Box lunch.
Overnight: Salt Hotel Luna Salada (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 06: Colchani/Salt Flat/Oruro (Drive - Train)
After breakfast we depart to visit the Uyuni Salt Flat and visit the Incahuasi Island, which is located in the heart of the salt flat and is the greatest of a group of islands that represents an isolated ecosystem.  The island is populated with a cacti species that measures up to 12 meters high, providing an impressive overview.  The trip continues towards Coquesa village. Box lunch. After lunch we ascend the Tunupa Volcano to visit the Coquesa Mummies. Return to the hotel in Uyuni.  Dinner at a local restaurant. Day-use of a local hotel.  At midnight transfer to the train station to board the train to Oruro.
Overnight: On board the train (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 07: Oruro/La Paz (Seat In Coach with other passengers without guide)
After an interesting train ride, we are met upon arrival at Oruro at approximately 0700 hrs and transferred to the bus station for our trip to La Paz City, which is about 3 hrs journey along paved road. Upon arrival, we are met and transferred to our hotel.  In the afternoon you will be picked up to visit the famous Witch Doctor's Market, San Francisco Colonial Church and the typical handicrafts of the Sagarnaga Street. The tour continues to Plaza Murillo where the Cathedral, the Government Palace and the National Congress buildings are located. Then, visit the famous colonial Jaen Street where interesting museums are clustered together, followed by a visit to the replica of the semi-subterranean temple of the Tiwanaku Culture. To change scenery the tour continues to the residential areas of Obrajes, Calacoto and La Florida. The tour ends with a visit to the unique Moon Valley, where you will have the opportunity to walk around, and visit a ceramic workshop with a demonstration of the art of pottery.
Overnight: Hotel Europa, La Paz (1 night)

Day 08: La Paz/Copacabana/Sun Island/Inti Wata Complex (Cruise)
Early land transfer to Copacabana Sanctuary, after breakfast we board the Catamaran Cruise Ship and sail to Sun Island, the legendary birth place of the Inca Empire.  Visit the Inca Garden, steps and fountain then the Inti Wata Cultural Complex including the Ekako Underground Museum, the traditional medicine and the Titikaka Reed Shipbuilders display centers, the Pachamama agricultural Inca terraces, a handicraft center, the Intica lounge and at the Manco Kapac look out the largest variety of Andean camelids. Also, the Inti Wata Complex at Sun Island includes a unique sailing experience aboard a huge Titikaka Traditional vessel for a panoramic visit to the Pilkakaina Inca Palace.  Catamaran Cruise to Sun Island isolated Challapampa Village, buffet lunch while sailing. Half day of participative tourism, you will have the opportunity to interact with one of the most unspoiled indigenous Titikaka villages through an innovative program organized with the local community visiting their own museum, chapel, school, a typical house, sailing in their vessels to an Inca holy temple and walking through Inca trails.  Candle light dinner and overnight on board the Catamaran in lake view cabin with private facilities.
Overnight: On board the catamaran (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 09: Sun Island/Tiwanaku/La Paz
Catamaran cruise ship sail across the lake enjoying breakfast and the overwhelming panorama.   Visit the Sanctuary of Copacabana, land transfer to La Paz city.  On the way visit the epic city of Tiwanaku, the capital of an ancient civilization. Located 72 km away form the city of La Paz and near the south-eastern shores of Lake Titikaka. During its greatest times, the capital of  Tiwanku was the largest in the world and considered to be the Cradle of all American Civilizations. This pre-Inca ruins started endless archeological debates, the most recent radiocarbon 14 tests show that this edifications date back to 1580 B.C.  In this ancient breath taking city we will visit the Kalasasaya (Sun) temple, Semisubterranean  (Earth) Temple, Akapana Pyramid, Puma Punku Temple and the legendary Sun Gate.
Overnight:  Hotel Europa, La Paz (1 night) (B, L)

Day 10: Depart La Paz
After an interesting experience of the Authentic Bolivia, we are transferred to the airport for our departure flight.  Check out time is by 1100 hrs. (B)

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Departure Dates
2012 English Speaking Departures Every Monday
Inclusions
Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include Hotels as mentioned (or similar) Any airfares & Departure Taxes Meals as mentioned B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner Insurances / Visa Fees All Sightseeing and transfers on seat-in-coach basis Tips/Gratuities to Drivers & Guides Services of local multilingual speaking guides   Entrance fees   Train & catamaran tickets   Airfare Santa Cruz/Sucre
Tour Price
We accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for clients outside North America). Bestway Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf Note: to read this file you must have Adobe Acrobat.
Departure Double Occupancy Single Room Supplement 2012 US $ 2660 US $ 395
Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT included in this tour
Canada - West Coast US $ 1400 USA - West Coast US $ 900 Canada - East Coast US $ 1300 USA - East Coast US $ 800
Participants
This tour operates on a minimum of 02 participants.
Notes
Customised Itinerary If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you. Foreign Language Departures Please contact us for information on French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking departures. You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844.