7 days & 6 nights
ITINERARY
DAY 1: ARRIVAL TO LA PAZ & COPACABANA
Once you arrive, you will meet the staff of the Travel Agency “Carmen Andina Tours” to have more explanation about the journey.
Transfer In from El Alto International Airport to Copacabana at any time you arrive.
We will go in a northwest direction through the Altiplano, in the way you will see breathtaking views of the Cordillera Real and Lake Titikaka, after about three and a half hours journey, we arrive at this landmark spiritual center of this pleasant town. Have aHotel Night***. (L/D)
INCLUDES:
IMPORTANT: When you arrive in La Paz, the altitude and the lack of oxygen may affect you. It may take a little time to acclimatize to this, but before long you probably will not even notice it. Do not drink alcohol and stop cigarette consumption to minimize the effects. You may also find that your appetite is reduced. This is no cause for alarm, but simply a reaction to the altitude. Be sure to drink plenty of water and do not attempt too much in any given day.
DAY 2: LAKE TITIKAKA
SUN ISLAND & COPACABANA
CAT-COP/FD
Full Day
INTRODUCING: The original name of the Sun Island is Titik’arka and it was considered by Incas as the Cradle of its society.
Copacabana has been a center of tourism and permanent pilgrimage, from before the beginning of the colony. The center of attraction is called the statue of the Virgen Morena, carved by a native of noble lineage, called Tito Yupanqui in the year 1582.
It is not easy to describe the artistic excellence of the sculpture that someone looks at her carefully, awakes strong spiritual emotions.
HIGHLIGHTS:
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Sail on the highest navigable lake in the world, "Titikaka" 3.814 meters over the sea level.
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Visit the sacred Isla del Sol (Sun Island) and also the mysterious ruins of the Fountain of Eternal Youth.
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Visit the emblematic and spiritual center and the dark Virgen of Copacabana.
PROGRAMME: After breakfast, on board a boat, will sail in the waters of the highest navigable lake in the world, Titikaka, at 3,814 m.a.s.l. going straight to the northern side of the famous Sun Island where will see the ruins of the ceremonial temple called Chinkana, Titik’arka Stone and the Sacrificies Table.
After lunch, will sail to the southern part of the sacred Island where will visit two more places: Yumani area where will find the spring that is famous and apparently guarantees Eternal Youth and Pilkokaina a mysterious Inca ruin. On the way we will have countless opportunities to photograph the surroundings.
Once we are back to Copacabana will visit its imposing Cathedral showing us clearly the Moorish influence in its design, with painted limestone walls and multiple ornaments, decorated with tiles of a deep blue color, this temple was originally built by the religious order of the Augustinians to house the miraculous image of the Virgin of Copacabana, which boasts a native feature, dressed in sumptuous costumes finely embellished with silver and gold and topped with a golden halo, the altar of solid gold image Andina is also notable, decorated with silver brought from the famous mines of Potosi and eighteenth century paintings invaluable decorate the interior of the church.
Then, will return to La Paz to be around 21:00 hours. Have a Hotel*** Night in La Paz. (B/L)
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DAY 3: LA PAZ CITY TOUR
LA PAZ CITY TOUR
CAT-LPZCT/FD
6 hours approximately
INTRODUCING: La Ciudad de Nuestra Señora de La Paz (the City of Our Lady of Peace) is a great place to discover on a City Tour.
Founded by Alonso de Mendoza in 1548, is the highest government city in the world, although Sucre is the official capital, La Paz is the Bolivian center of commerce, finance and industry. This is a busy modern city, with its center at the base of a canyon 5 km (3 miles) wide and sprawling spontaneous housing all the way up the surrounding hillsides. The city is at nearly 4000 m (13,120 ft.) above sea level, so visitors should be prepared for cool evenings and mornings.
Explore the city’s many fine museums or its historic ecclesiastical structures, such as the Iglesia de San Francisco, whose architectural details reflect the indigenous and mestizo heritage of modern Bolivia. The city is also renowned for its many markets, including the Mercado de Hechicería (Witches’ Market), where Paceños and visitors may purchase potions and incantations made from all sorts of herbs, seeds, and secret ingredients to cure any number of illnesses (real or imagined) and protect from evil spirits. With streets lined with market stalls and vendors, the pace on the streets and the vibrant atmosphere is an incredible experience. There is also a thriving black market and a Carnaval market, where locals purchase carnival costumes. You’ll also find a wealth of shops selling all sorts of handicrafts, mainly alpaca wool products, silver jewelry, woven textiles and leather goods.
HIGHLIGHTS:
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Singular Topography of the City of La Paz and its viewpoint, Killi Killi.
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Colonial streets, the Government Palace, the Cathedral and Congress.
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The residential area and modern life.
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Take a ride on the Cable Cars.
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La Paz City is one of the Seven Wonder Cities of the world.
PROGRAMME: We start visiting the city at 09:00 hours (you can start at any hour until 14:00 hours only in order to take the bus to Uyuni) walking through the witches market, the craft market, then, an interesting visit to an opened market (mornings only) for fruit and potatoes discovering the social and cultural exchange of Aymaras while doing business.
Then we will go to the main colonial street where we will walk through this oldest street in the city, we’ll take pictures and admire the facades of colonial churches and republican houses of the century.
We will visit the Plaza Murillo where you’ll have a comprehensive explanation about the socio-political situation in Bolivia, the administration system and everything related to its history then will go to a lookout site to observe almost all La Paz area.
Finally we’ll descend through the residential area of our city to the Valley of the Moon where we will have a nice walk observing the erosion caused by the rain during millions of years. This tour can be performed on the reverse it depends on city’s traffic jump.
Have lunch.
Around 14:00 hours we will be transferred to the Cable Car Red Station to be transported to El Alto City from where will have a car to be transferred to the Cable Car Yellow Station to be back to La Paz, this will be a great opportunity to take unforgettable pics.
Then will go back to the hotel to pick our luggage up and to get ready to travel to Uyuni.
Transfer out from the hotel to the Bus Station to take a comfortable bus to Uyuni. (B/L/D)
Approximated distance from La Paz to Uyuni: 462,907 km.
Estimated travel time: 11 hours.
INCLUDES:
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Private Transportation.
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Specialized Tour Guide.
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All Admission Fees.
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Bus Ticket to Uyuni.
DAYS 4 to 6: WHITE DESERT AND COLORED LAGOONS
SALT LAKE OF UYUNI
CAT-UYU/3D2N
3 days 2 nights
INTRODUCING: Despite its isolation and challenging climate (cold and blustery most of the year), the town of Uyuni has earned the nickname of Hija Predilecta de Bolivia (Bolivia’s Favorite Daughter). It is also the starting point for our excursion through the spectacular Salar de Uyuni (Uyuni Salt Flats) in 4x4 vehicles.
Spend three days in the stunning landscapes on the Salar de Uyuni; the salt flats now cover a total area of over 12,000 square kms. (7,440 square miles) and is one of Bolivia's main salt mining centers. Driving across the salt flats is a fantastic experience, particularly for the contrast of piercing blue skies and blinding white salt on the flat lakebed. The area’s unusual landscape of mountains, active volcanoes and geysers is like nowhere on earth. Our groups like to get creative with photography, as the endless white of the salt flats creates some great depth illusions that are fun to play with in photos.
The tour takes us through the impressive large red lagoon of Laguna Colorada the striking blue-green Laguna Verde at 5,000 meters above the sea level; the region's volcanic activity is present as we pass by numerous geysers, boiling mud pools, thermal baths and Licancabúr Volcano.
Surprisingly, both wildlife and flora manage to survive and even thrive in the desolate landscape; this includes vizcachas (of the rodent family), flamingos and assorted varieties of cactus.
Note: During the rainy season the locations visited may change due to some routes being covered by water.
HIGHLIGHTS:
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One of the most beautiful regions of Bolivia.
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The world's largest salt lake with more than 12.000 km2.
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Nominated as the wonder number 1 by international journals.
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The perfect place to enjoy sunsets and surreal landscapes.
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Enjoy the hot springs and fumarole views and volcanic activity.
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Habitat of several groups of pink flamingos and incredible views of colored lagoons.
PROGRAMME:
DAY 4: Around 07:30 hours, transfer from your arrival point to a restaurant to have breakfast.
About 10:30 hours, starts the tour: visiting the Train Cemetery, where we see remnants of this transportation way from the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century, then we'll go Colchani where local people are dedicated to refine the salt using rudimentary equipment. Will visit the first hotel made of Salt, unique and attractive for the use of salt blocks for construction, Inkahuasi Island, attractive by the presence of giant cactus, maybe will see some Andean rodents better known as "vizcachas" the walk in this island will last almost an hour observing the immensity of this salt desert. The development of the programme this day depends on how flooded is the Salt Flats. Have Lunch. Salt Hotel Night. (B/L/D)
DAY 5: In the morning, after breakfast, on board of our vehicle we will visit some Andean lagoons (Cañapa, Hedionda, Ramaditas, etc...) where will see some Andean flamingos and if we're lucky wildlife such as the Andean fox or vicuñas besides different types of birds that live in the area. Have Lunch. In the afternoon will go across the desert of Siloli known for its strange rock formations, such as the Stone Tree. We will arrive to a Basic Lodge at Red Lagoon. (B/L/D)
DAY 6: Will leave very early to visit the area where we find the volcanic geysers (fumaroles and boiling mud craters), then swimming in the hot springs, panoramic view of the Dalí Desert Rocks (from the road), Green Lagoon, panoramic view of Licancabur Volcano, at this point we start our return to Uyuni through the Laguna Colorada, Villa Mar, Valley of Rocks, Alota.
Once we arrive to Uyuni will have dinner and after that will take the bus to La Paz. (B/L/D)
INCLUDES:
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Private Transportation in 4x4.
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English Speaking Tour Guide.
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02 Nights Hotel/Hostel accommodations.
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Bus Ticket to La Paz.
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Transfer In to the Hotel in El Alto (Day Use).
NOT INCLUDES:
DAY 7: EL ALTO
Leaving Bolivia.
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END OF OUR SERVICES
