Santa Cruz, Bolivia: to the Best of Bolivia

Itinerary: 12 Days / 11 Nights

DAY 1: SANTA CRUZ

Reception at the airport in Santa Cruz and transfer to the hotel. Begin the city tour by visiting the Zoo where they have a big number of exclusive species in the region, ethnic-folkloric, main square (Plaza 24 de Septiembre), museum in the cathedral, and we will visit Santa Cruz which is the centre of regional handicrafts (Artecampo) the principal monuments of Santa Cruz. Accommodations in Santa Cruz.

DAY 2: SANTA CRUZ

(Breakfast)
A Full Day visit to Samaipata ruins, only one and a half hour drive from Santa Cruz, where you can see strange carvings on a giant rock representing a snake and many other enigmatic figures. These ruins generated countless archaeological debates, and have inspired Erick Von Daenicken in his extraterrestrial theories. UNESCO also declared the Samaipata ruins: "The Historical and Cultural Legacy of Mankind". Accommodations in Santa Cruz.

DAY 3: SANTA CRUZ / SUCRE

(Breakfast)
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Sucre. Arrive in Sucre airport and transfer to your hotel. The city tour of Sucre, the constitutional capital of Bolivia, is a living expression of both colonial and modern times. The Cathedral, churches and cloisters of La Recoleta, San Felipe and Guadalupe, the House of Liberty, where Simon Bolivar signed the Declaration of Independence, the Freedom Bell at San Francisco cloister, the second oldest university in South America, San Francisco Xavier, as well as the university Museum offer fine examples of anthropological research, colonial and modern art. Sucre and Potosi are the most representative examples of the colonial times. The art in the Andes and a visit to these cities takes you back to the 17th century. Sucre was also declared by UNESCO as "The Historical and Cultural Legacy of Mankind". Accommodations in Sucre.

DAY 4: SUCRE / POTOSI

(Breakfast)
Transfer to Potosi. During this 3 hour drive (paved road) from Sucre, you reach Potosi, the famous Colonial City, and source of silver during colonial times. The rich mountain towers over the city, and according to legend, it has produced enough silver to build a solid silver bridge from Potosi to Madrid. The Cathedral, the church of San Francisco and The Casa de la Moneda (Royal Mint), with its wooden machinery used to make the silver coins for Spain during the colony and a visit to a mine are the main local attractions. Potosi was also declared by UNESCO as "The Historical and Cultural Legacy of Mankind". Afternoon city tour. Accommodations in Potosi

DAY 5: POTOSI / UYUNI

(Breakfast)
Early in the morning depart to Uyuni, the tallest and largest salt lake in the world (10,000 kms) surrounded by an impressive panorama. On the edge, visitors can see natives extracting salt with lost in time methods. Drive to "Isla Pescado" an oasis with unique fauna and flora in the middle of the Salt Lake. Lunch. Return to Uyuni. Dinner. Accommodations in Uyuni.

DAY 6: UYUNI / SUCRE

(Breakfast)
Travel by land to Sucre. Lunch. Accommodations in Sucre.

DAY 7: SUCRE

(Breakfast)
A full day visit to Tarabuco`s Market (Sundays only). On Sunday, Tarabuco becomes a fantasy of colors, Indian costumes, and a fabulous market. The natives in Tarabuco still use leather helmets similar to the one used by the Conquerors. Lunch. Return to Sucre by mid afternoon. Accommodations in Sucre.

DAY 8: SUCRE / LA PAZ

(Breakfast)
Transfer to the airport for your flight to La Paz. Arrive in La Paz airport and transfer to Huatajata. Before arriving to our Huatajata Harbour you can enjoy the most spectacular panorama of the lake, mountains and the impressive Royal Range of the Andes. Visit the Chullpas mortuary of several periods. At the handicrafts and folkloric area, meet the Limachi family, who were builders of RA II and TIGRIS for Thor Heyerdhal epic expeditions; you can see a full size reproduction of RA II, and the famous ABORA II which has time had one of the Limachi family on board. Admire the mud igloos of the Chipayas Pamper our llama, alpacas and shy vicuñas. Visit the "Altiplano Museum" with its state of the art audio equipment gives a presentation on our past legacy as well as the colonial and modern times, in your own language. Visit the "Mystic World of The Kallawayas", which believed that you have first to heal the soul in order to heal the body. Current medicine is accepting this idea. Meet "Tata Benjo" and have your future told while casting his sacred coca leafs. Accommodations in La Paz

DAY 9: LA PAZ / LAKE TITICACA

(Breakfast)
After breakfast board a hydrofoil and start your Lake Titicaca experience. First, stop is Moon Island where you can visit "Iñak Uyu" Sun Virgins temple, where the most beautiful virgins of the Incas were conserving a sacred fire dedicated to their Gods. This temple is considered to be one of the most important ruins on the Lake. Continue your cruise to Sun Island. Visit the Inca Stairways and Sacred Fountain believed to give eternal youth and happiness. Lunch at the archaeological and panoramic "Uma Kollo" restaurant which interior wall is a "Takana", an authentic Inca scenery with a breathtaking view of Sacred Lake Titicaca and the Royal Range of the Andes. In the afternoon, return to Huatajata, visiting Urus Iruitos & Quewaya, on the way. Visit their authentic island and learn about the 5,000 years of history of this culture. Continue to Huatajata. A night visit to "Alajpacha". Meet with the Aymara constellations in our Native Observatory and learn about their cosmology. Accommodations in Lago Titicaca.

DAY 10: LA PAZ

(Breakfast)
Travel to La Paz by bus, visiting Tiwanacu ruins, during its splendor period was the largest city in the World and it is considered to be "the Cradle of the American Civilization". The Sun Gate, the Monoliths, the temples of Kalasasaya and Kontiki, the Akapana artificial Pyramid and their metal and ceramic art work are some examples of the advanced development achieved by this culture. Box Lunch. Accommodations in La Paz.

DAY 11: LA PAZ

(Breakfast)
Half Day City Tour of La Paz and Moon Valley. La Paz is known as "the City of contrast" and it is a unique blend of cultures and races. Located within breathtaking panoramas. We will visit native, colonial, modern areas; Indian Market, Open Air Museum in Tiwanacu, Witch Doctor's Market, and Moon Valley. Accommodations in La Paz.

DAY 12: LA PAZ

(Breakfast)
At the agreed time transfer to the airport to board departure flight.

NOTES:

Season: All year
All meals and services, entrance fees, as indicated, are included
Bilingual (Spanish - English) guide
Services: Private Services & S.I.B. (Shared services)

Prices are per person, in Canadian Dollars:

(Expires: Dec 31, 2008)

LOS TAJIBOS / PARADOR SANTA MARIA / COLOSO COPAJIRA / LUNA SALADA / INCA UTAMA / EUROPA: $ 2740 (DOUBLE); $ 3198 (SINGLE)
CORTEZ HOTEL / DE SU MERCED HOSTEL / CIMA ARGENTUM / LOS GIRASOLES / INCA UTAMA / PRESIDENTE: $ 2592 (DOUBLE); $ 2929 (SINGLE)
LAS AMERICAS / LA POSADA / SANTA TERESA / LOS GIRASOLES / INCA UTAMA / PLAZA: $ 2535 (DOUBLE); $ 2790 (SINGLE)

Important:

Prices are subject to change based on availability at the time of reservation. All routes are subject to change without notice, due to unexpected circumstances or weather conditions. Please refer to the 'Terms & Conditions' section of our website www.chilepros.com