Andean Treasures

DAY 1 LA PAZ

Welcome to Bolivia. You are met upon arrival by our Bolivian representative and transferred to your hotel, the first approach that you will have will be the cable car connection from El Alto on the Yellow line. We start off our exploration of the city by looking at the physical structure and syncretism and the striking contrasts of this highland city, we set off to look round the historical centre of the city where we can see the Spanish influence in the two separate cities they set up either side of the river during the colonial period – the city for the indigenous people and the city for the Spaniards. We take a look at the Plaza Murillo with the Legislative and Government Palaces, walk a couple of blocks to the Calle Jaén. We will take a break for a typical lunch, at Ali Pacha (table reservation), meaning Universe of Plants in the native Aymara language, this exciting new restaurant has a menu entirely based on plant products, with the aim of showcasing under-used produce and championing micro-producers from around Bolivia. We will visit the Witch’s Market, where mysterious treasures await around every corner. We leave behind the buzz of the city centre and float down to quiet residential neighbourhoods before visiting the Valley of the Moon to see lunar landscapes and natural geological formations sculpted by erosion. We will visit the workshop of a renowned artist or, if art is not your passion, we can visit the best alpaca and vicuña fashion houses and enjoy the best of Bolivian jewellery. At the end of the afternoon we have a tasting tour of Bolivian coffees and traditional pastries

01 NIGHT IN LA PAZ HOTEL ATIX – CASA GRANDE

DAY 2 LAKE TITIKAKA

After breakfast travel to the world’s highest navigable lake Lake Titicaca while enjoying views out over the Andes and hillsides dotted with small highland houses. On the shores of the lake lies the small sacred town of Copacabana where Bolivians and Peruvians flock to worship the Dark Virgin of Copacabana, after lunch we will take a private boat that will take us Sun Island. Once we arrive to the Island we will discover some arqueological Inca remains as Pilkokaina Palace and the Fountain of eternal Youth, we will walk for around 45 minutes to our Hotel. Amazing sunset from the hotel.

01 NIGHT IN COPACABANA OR SUN ISLAND

DAY 3 SUN ISLAND

This day we will leave very early in the morning to see the sunrise, later we will return to the Hotel to have breakfast and move to Tunupa Volcano and Coquesa Mummies, discover the Salt Flats and appreciate the scenaries, in the case that is rainy season we will provide you boots and discover the wonderful reflect of the Salt Desert, otherwise we will walk to the different villages close Tunupa., In the late afternoon we will enjoy the sunset with champagne. In the evening we will move from the Hotel to take us out into the middle of the salt flats to see the starry sky sparkling above a glittering white carpet. This trip takes about 1½ hours during which you will be able to marvel at the heavens unspoilt by light pollution. (B,L,D)

01 NIGHT IN LA PAZ

DAY 4 UYUNI

01 NIGHT IN UYUNI SALT FLAT HOTEL

DAY 5 UYUNI

A new day dawns and after a enjoying a good breakfast we journey into the middle of the salt flats. For the Andean people, the stars and the hills are alive and are used to read the seasons and weather. Along our way we are watched over by the powerful Tunupa Volcano. This land is the land of the Lipez, a pre-Columbian culture that lived here around 1000 BC. We will visit the Museum of the Mummies of Chantani and Coquesa, see different landscapes within the salt flats and enjoy the scenery. After a traditional buffet far from any civilisation, we will walk to the Chillima look-out point and the Pucará ruins. At the end of the afternoon we will go back to the hotel, and after dinner, if the sky is clear, our guides and drivers will be waiting for us to look at the Milky Way and explain us about Andean astrology best seen in this unpolluted night sky and best appreciated with a cup of frothy hot chocolate warming our hands. (B, L, D)

01 NIGHT IN UYUNI: HOTEL PALACIO DE SAL or LUNA SALADA

DAY 6 AVAROA NATIONAL RESERVE

Set out early for the deserts and lakes of the region leaving the salt flats behind and moving across the majestic highland area to look out at spectacular mountains and hills over whimsical landscapes where the llamas and vicuñas welcome you to wending streams and an insight into the day to day life of the locals of the area. Continue on through the Siloli Desert to the Stone Tree and pass the Blanca, Honda, Hedionda and Chiarcota Lagoons to relax and have lunch prepared by our team.

01 NIGHT IN TAYKA DEL DESIERTO OJO DE PERDIZ

DAY 7 SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA

From Ojo de Perdiz we will go to Laguna Colorada while watching three species of flamingos dance to welcome a new day; later we will discover the Geysers, Sol de Mañana, hot springs of Polques, Desert of Dali and the Laguna Verde in the south of Bolivia almost on the border with Chile. The Licancabur Volcano stands guard over the shimmering emerald-green Laguna Verde which changes with the movement of the sun. Later we will do a connection border with San Pedro de Atacama, to transfer to your Hotel.

PHOTO GALLERY

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