BOLIVIA

Dates: October 27 – November 10, 2024

Duration: 15 days / 14 nights

Number of participants: 6 – 12

Cost per person:
– 4 150 USD subject to 12 participants,
– 4 290 USD subject to 10 – 11 participants,
– 4 490 USD subject to 9 participants,
– 4 690 USD subject to 7 – 8 participants.

10% early booking discount (in case you book before May 27, 2024)

Everything is included (also 4 domestic flights), except for:
- international flight to La Paz roundtrip,
- international medical insurance,
- visa of Bolivia (not required for Russian and many other citizen),
- some lunches and dinners (around USD 100 in total).

Estimated cost of international flight Moscow – La Paz – Moscow: 2100 USD.
Estimated cost of international flight Istanbul – La Paz – Istanbul: from 1600 USD.
Estimated cost of international flight Madrid – La Paz – Madrid: from 900 USD.
Estimated cost of international flight Amsterdam – La Paz – Amsterdam: from 800 USD.

Single supplement: USD 300 (it is provided along the entire itinerary, but days 3 and 13).




TRAVEL PROGRAM: tour to Bolivia


Day 1. October 27, 2024 (Sunday). LA PAZ

Arrival in La Paz, the economical and actual capital of Bolivia. Landing in El Alto – the highest altitude international airport located on the elevation of 4061 m above sea level. Leaving the aircraft you can easily feel the low air pressure.
Transfer from El Alto airport to our hotel in the city center.
This day we take rest in order to get used to the altitude and get acclimatized.
In the afternoon we can walk around La Paz city center and see its colonial architecture and cultural diversity. Bolivia appears the second ranged country in America (after Guatemala) with the highest level of indigenous people among the entire population of the country.

Accommodation included: El Museo Hotel Boutique or similar
Meals included: no

* Recommended flight to La Paz:
– Flight from Moscow to Sao Paolo via Doha with Qatar Airways, departure from Moscow at 23:50 am on October 25, stopover in Doha 2 hours 50 minutes, arrival in Sao Paolo at 17:45 on October 26. Further flight from Sao Paolo to La Paz with Boliviana de Aviacion via Santa Cruz de La Sierra, departure from Sao Paolo at 14:00 on October 27, arrival in La Paz at 18:25 on October 27,
– Direct flight from Moscow to Istanbul (IST) with Turkish Airlines, departure at 1:35 am on October 26, arrival in Istanbul at 5:30 am on October 26. Further direct flight with Turkish Airlines from Istanbul (IST) to Bogota, departure at 9:40 am on October 26, arrival in Bogota at 15:05 on October 26. Further direct flight from Bogota to La Paz with Avianca, departure from Bogota at 21:15 on October 26, arrival in La Paz at 2:00 am on October 27 (additional night in La Paz hotel may be needed and separately paid),
– Flight from Istanbul to Sao Paolo direct with Turkish Airlines, departure from Istanbul at 13:40 on October 26, arrival in Sao Paolo at 21:05 on October 26. Further flight from Sao Paolo to La Paz with Boliviana de Aviacion via Santa Cruz de La Sierra, departure from Sao Paolo at 14:00 on October 27, arrival in La Paz at 18:25 on October 27,
– flight from Madrid with Avianca via Bogota, departure from Madrid at 12:30 pm on October 26, stopover in Bogota 5 hours 36 minutes, arrival in La Paz at 2:00 am on October 27 (additional night in La Paz hotel may be needed and separately paid),
– any flight arriving in La Paz any time on October 27.


Day 2. October 28, 2024 (Monday). LA PAZ – RURRENABAQUE – BOLIVIAN AMAZONIA

Transfer to El Alto Airport and take a flight to Rurrenabaque at 08:30 (flight schedule may change).
Rurrenabaque located on the bank of Beni river, in Bolivian Amazon. From here we start exploring National park Madidi. Ranging from the glacier-covered peaks of the high Andes Mountains to the tropical rainforests of the Tuichi River, Madidi and its neighbors are recognized as one of the planet's most biologically diverse regions.
Meanwhile, Madidi is considered a top-10 of the most inhospitable and dangerous places on Earth! If you saw "Jungle" movie (filmed in 2017), which followed a true story of Yossi Ghinsberg happened in 1981 in this place, you perfectly know what it means. Our itinerary is based on that real story and film "Jungle", however, thanks to right guides, we will fortunately not face all bad experiences and will only enjoy the wilderness!
After an hour's drive we will make a stop to visit our community, to get to know our way of life.
After a walk through the jungle, we will get to the indigenous community "Villa Alicira" belonging to Tacana tribe, where you will have the opportunity to see and learn about Tacana traditions and customs.
Then we will continue our journey enjoying incomparable landscapes such as the Bala Canyon. Upon arrival at our lodge Mashaquipe we will be welcomed with a refreshing juice, we will settle in our rooms and then we will have lunch.
In the afternoon we will make a tour through Arroyo Seco, a special place for the observation of monkeys, squirrels and others.
We will also be amazed by the gigantic trees that grow in this tropical rainforest. On the way back we will have dinner and then rest.

Accommodation included: Mashaquipe lodge (Eco-lodge in traditional Amazonian community style)
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner


Day 3. October 29, 2024 (Tuesday). MADIDI JUNGLE

We start our journey at 8:00 am. You will be given a sleeping bag, a mat and a mosquito net.
After a good breakfast, we will take our camping equipment (mosquito net and sleeping bag) to spend our first night in the depths of the jungle in the place called Patujusal, during the tour that will take about 4 hours of leisurely walking we will be able to listen to various birds, such as toucans, macaws, and see howler monkeys, spider monkeys and a variety of higher plants. In the afternoon we will walk around Patujusal for about two hours, after dinner we can take a short night walk to look for snakes, insects and hopefully larger animals, such as armadillos, serpents, tapirs or night monkeys.

Accommodation included: Patujusal camp
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner


Day 4. October 30, 2024 (Wednesday). MADIDI JUNGLE

Breakfast at 7:00 and departure at 8:00 am. We will witness and listen to the noisy concert of the howler monkeys during the first hours of the day and to a variety of birds singing as if they were welcoming a new day in the jungle. After breakfast we will pick up our backpacks and head to "Farallon de las Parabas" where we will be able to observe beautiful macaws and other species of parrots.
The next activity will be building our own fluvial transport, the same as it was in the "Jungle" movie. Head to the lodge where lunch will be waiting (about 2 to 3 hours)
Return to the lodge, take a shower, dinner and have a rest.

Accommodation included: Mashaquipe lodge (Eco-lodge in traditional Amazonian community style)
Meals included: breakfast, buffet lunch, dinner


Day 5. October 31, 2024 (Thursday). MADIDI PARK – TACANA COMMUNITY IN PILON LAJAS – RURRENABAQUE

At about 6:00 a.m. we will have breakfast, then we will move to the Tuichi river, to navigate the raft approximately one hour to the Quiquibey river to be able to live with the community Asuncion de Quiquibey which is in Pilon Lajas. This Tacana people belong to Mosetenes and Chimanes community and appear one of the most native community that we can find in these places, who still live in a simple and authentic way. Even in 1981 Yossi Ghinsberg and his fellows were not able to find any non-contact or low contact tribe, as such Indian tribes did not exist any longer at that moment in this part of the world.
We remain there until noon, and then return to the lodge to have lunch at 13:30. Pick up the backpacks to take the boat at 15:00 to arrive at Rurrenabaque at 16:30 or so.
Night in the hotel in Rurre.

Accommodation included: hotel Maya or similar
Meals included: breakfast, lunch


Day 6. November 1, 2024 (Friday). RURRENABAQUE – LA PAZ – VALLE DE LA LUNA – LA PAZ

After breakfast, flight back to La Paz. Arrival around 09:40 am (flight schedule can be changed), transfer to the hotel. Meeting with the guide and starting exploring La Paz city.
La Paz, located in the crater of extinct volcano at the elevation from 3600 to 4000 meters above sea level, is the highest capital city in the world.
The geography of La Paz (in particular the altitude) is marked by social differences. The more rich and affluent people, the closer to the city center and, therefore, at the lowest altitude they live. The ideal way to see La Paz is the one from the viewpoint of K'illi K'illi which offers a magnificent perspective of La Paz and the majestic Nevado Illimani.
We visit vibrant and colorful Sagarnaga street and the Witches' Market also known as El Mercado de las Brujas, is a popular tourist attraction. Here you can see local witch doctors wearing black huts and selling everything, starting with potions, medical plants and amulets and finishing with dried frogs and llama fetuses. These llama fetuses are buried under the foundations of many Bolivian houses as a sacred offering to the goddess Pachamama.
In the afternoon we visit the Moon valley (Valle de la Luna), labyrinth formed by strange sandstone formations.
Discover the colorful markets, the colonial quarter and San Pedro's food market.
Possibility of taking the cable car (known as not only the highest, but also the longest urban cable car network in the world) to enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the city.

Accommodation included: El Museo hotel or similar
Meals included: breakfast


Day 7. November 2, 2024 (Saturday). LA PAZ – DEATH ROAD – LA PAZ

After early breakfast in the hotel, at 07:30 a.m. we will be picked up and delivered to the office of Free Bikes Tour Operator.
Today we make one of the most amazing things not only in Bolivia but globally – we drive by bikes on the Death Road which is considered the most dangerous road in the world. If you brake effectively and do not hurry up, you will enjoy very much! On our side, we give you the bikes with full suspension and hydraulic disc brakes, and also the safety equipment (helmet, cycling gloves, elbow-knee pads, jacket, vest, trousers) to feel warm and confident. We will be accompanied by very experienced and professional English speaking cycling guides.
At 08:15 a.m. departure on the way to La Cumbre where we begin our journey, at a height of 4700 m above sea level in the Bolivian highlands between mountains with snowy peaks, descending slowly by a paved road until reaching a height of 2800 m, where the most dangerous road in the world begins, observing an astonishing tropical landscape with a lot of vegetation, and small waterfalls that are in the way until arriving at Yolosa where we finish to handle the bicycle and enter the Amazon forest at a height of 1185 m above sea level. Thus for 4 hours we descend from 4700 m to 1185 m, losing 3500 meters of elevation for 1 ride!
Around 1 – 2 pm we arrive to Yolosa and go to a hotel for having the buffet lunch, shower and swimming pool. Thus, besides bringing warm closing and extra closing, pick up with you bathing suits, sun blocker and sunglasses.
At 4 pm start way back to La Paz with the arrival in La Paz between 7 to 8 pm.
After getting DVD with the photos and videos and a T-shirt in the office of Free Bikes Tour Operator, we make short walk back to the hotel to have rest. We can have dinner in the city center or on route to our hotel.

Accommodation included: El Museo hotel or similar
Meals included: breakfast, buffet lunch, snacks on the way


Day 8. November 3, 2024 (Sunday). LA PAZ – LAKE TITICACA – ISLA DEL SOL

After early breakfast in the hotel, at 7.30 a.m. departure by private transport to reach the Altiplano with the backdrop of the Cordillera Royale (3,5 hours driving in total). In the middle of the morning, a boat crossing the Strait of Tiquina then continuation of the road to reach the extreme west of Bolivia. Late morning arrival to the small town of Copacabana nestled on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Titicaca is the highest on Earth navigable lake, situated as high as 3812 m above sea level.
We navigate by motorboat (2 hours) to the cave of Lourdes and walk on the peninsula to the village of Yampupata.
We make trip by private boat to the Pilkokaina site on the Island of the Sun (Isla del Sol). Isla del Sol is one of the largest islands of the lake. Geographically the terrain is harsh; it is a rocky, hilly island. There are no motor vehicles or paved roads on the island. The main economic activity of the approximately 800 families on the island is farming, with fishing and tourism augmenting the subsistence economy.
We make short walk to the village of Yumani located at the elevation of 4000 m above sea level.

Accommodation included: Tacana lodge or similar
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner


Day 9. November 4, 2024 (Monday). ISLA DEL SOL – ISLA DE LA LUNA – COPACABANA

After breakfast in the hotel, we set off on foot for hiking and exploring archeological sites of the island. There are over 180 ruins on the island. Most of these date back to the Inca period about 15th century AD.
We visit the ancient Inca ruins of Pilcocaina where God Viracocha gave birth to his son Manco Capac, the first Inca. We walk approximately 1 hour until we reach La Fuente del Inca (The Fountain of the Inca).
Finally a short traverse brings us to Isla de la Luna (Island of the Moon), where we visit the temple of the "Ñustas", or temple of the Virgins.
After having a typical Andean lunch, we return by boat ( 2 hours) to Copacabana at the end of the afternoon, check-in in the hotel Las Olas on the lake shore and having a dinner. The hotel looks like a fairytale and immerse us to a very special atmosphere.

Accommodation included: hotel Las Olas
Meals included: breakfast, lunch


Day 10. November 5, 2024 (Tuesday). LAKE TITICACA – TIWANAKU – LA PAZ

After breakfast, farewell from Copa at 07:00 to visit the Tiwanaku site (3,5 hours driving). We drive along Lake Titicaca and the Royal Cordillera before branching out to the Tiwanaku site, a pre-Inca civilization called Pukina that dominated the southern half of the central Andes between the 5th century BC and the 11th century. It is believed that at times Tiwanaku had a territory of 6 square kilometers and population of 40 thousand people. In ca. 1180 it was left by its inhabitants after Pukina were defeated by Aymara. From year 2000 Tiwanaku is listed as UNESCO World Heritage site.
We will walk among ancient ruins, have a lunch looking at kids and women playing football on the railways near Tiwanacu and, if we have a chance, we play with them.
Way back to La Paz (1,5 hours driving). Overnight in La Paz in our lovely hotel.

Accommodation included: El Museo hotel or similar
Meals included: breakfast, lunch


Day 11. November 6, 2024 (Wednesday). LA PAZ – UYUNI – SALAR DE UYUNI – TUNUPA VOLCANO – INCAWASI ISLAND

Today begins our 4 day jeep adventure into the impressive world of salt deserts, volcanoes and lagoons… We visit a small village where the process the salt by hand, admire ancient cacti and feel the endless expanse of the largest salt desert in the world.
Flight from La Paz to Uyuni at 7:40 (flight schedule can be changed). Arrival in Uyuni around 9 a.m. and having breakfast. Picking up at the bus station and meeting with the crew in the office, we start our Altiplano expedition at 9.00 a.m. We visit train cemetery of old locomotives that worked with coal and arrived to Bolivia in 1889 with the purpose of transporting minerals. It is interesting to take pictures, with a blue sky and a radiant sun.
We head to Colchani original community, its inhabitants are engaged in salt industry and textile crafts with llama and alpaca wool.
We cross Salar de Uyuni that covers an area of 11 000 sq km at an elevation of 3 656 m above sea level and appears the largest salt lake and the biggest salt deposit in the world with an approximate 390 million tons. It has ideally flat surface which serves for the purposes of satellites calibration.
Salar with its salt pyramids, Ojos de Sal (Salt eyes) and pictograms with the backdrop of the blue sky appears one of the most amazing sites in Bolivia.
Arriving at Tunupa volcano (5321 m), we will visit the Chullpas (mummies), which are of pre-Inca origin and naturally preserved by time. The legend says that these mummies are from an era where it is said that the sun did not exist in this region, but when the sun was created, the mummies were burned and currently remain as mummies.
Trekking to Tunupa volcano (to the second viewpoint) starting at 4200 meters and climbing up to 4500 meters, enjoy an incredible view of the Salar.
After descending we continue our journey towards Incawasi island – natural wonder is located in the middle of the white Salar. Incawasi in Quechua language means House of the Inca. On this island, we admire the candelabra cacti with more than 10 meters' height.
We visit Hotel de Sal, built with blocks of salt is the first salt construction. It currently works as a museum, overnight is not allowed there.
We see the sunset on the Salar de Uyuni, and arrive for the overnight to the salt hotel Crystal Samaña. Everything here is made of salt and it looks like a palace.
Overnight in salt hotel Crystal Samaña.

Accommodation included: hotel Crystal Samana or similar
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner


Day 12. November 7, 2024 (Thursday). SALAR DE UYUNI – THREE VOLCANOES – LAGUNA CANHAPA – LAGUNA HEDIONDA – SILOLI DESERT – LAGUNA COLORADA

Wake up early in the morning to meet the sunrise at Salar de Uyuni. Start at 05:30 a.m.
After breakfast in salt hotel we continue our trip to the south of Bolivian Altiplano. The Altiplano is the area where the Andes are the widest. It is the most extensive area of high plateau on Earth outside Tibet. The bulk of the Altiplano lies in Bolivia. The Altiplano was the site of several pre-Columbian cultures, including the Chiripa, Tiwanaku and the Inca Empire.
We leave in the direction of three volcanoes: Callejon Cañapa (5882 m), Cerro Tomasamil (5890 m) and Ollague (5868 m). Visit the viewpoint of Ollague active volcano and observe its fumaroles. Ollague volcano is situated right on the border of Bolivia and Chile.
To the south from Callejon Cañapa we explore amazing lagunas (lakes): Laguna Cañapa, Laguna Honda and Laguna Hedionda. In these lakes we can observe three different species of flamingos: Andean, Jamessi and Chilensis.
Stop at Laguna Ramaditas with a high content of minerals such as, among others, borax, magnesium, sulfur, and enjoy impressive views of volcanic mountains around and flamingoes.
We pass Cañón del Inca, where we can observe a medicinal plant called "chachacoma" and the famous plant of the Andes, "yareta" that is a moss and serves as fuel, but nowadays they are protected.
We drive through surrealistic Altiplano landscapes of Montaña de Colores and Siloli desert, an inhospitable desert with the presence of mountains of volcanic origin with many different colors as it would be another planet. If we are lucky we can come across some animals such as vicuna or rhea ostrich.
Here we also can see well known Arbol di Piedra (Stone tree), a volcanic rock formed by wind erosion.
After this long journey we finally enter the Eduardo Avaroa reserve and come to Laguna Colorada (Red lake) which is located at the elevation of 4278 m and considered one of the most beautiful sites in the region. It has a high concentration of salt and minerals that is suitable for the creation of red microorganisms that appear the favorite food for flamingos.
Check-in and overnight at Tayka Del Desierto hotel.

Accommodation included: Tayka Del Desierto hotel
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner


Day 13. November 8, 2024 (Friday). EDUARDO AVAROA NATIONAL RESERVE – SOL DE MANHANA – SALAR DE CHALVIRI – DESIERTO DE DALI – LAGUNA BLANCA – LAGUNA VERDE – QUETENA CHICO

After early breakfast at 6.00 a.m. we head to the south to get acquaintance with Sol de Mañana, a geothermal field which extends over 10 square km, between 4800 m and 5000 m height. This area is characterized by intense volcanic activity and the sulfur springs field, not geysers as sometimes it can be read, is full of mud lakes and steam pools with boiling mud. The major mud lakes are located at 4850 m. We start early in the morning as in the early hours volcanic activity here is stronger.
Travelling further to the south we visit another big salt lake, Salar de Chalviri (or Laguna Polgues), located at the elevation of 4398 m above sea level. On the banks of the lake we find small natural pools with clean and hot water from the volcanoes. The water as hot as 37 degrees Celsius and has medicinal effect. Taking bath.
We continue to the east and arrive to Desierto de Dali (Desert of Salvador Dali), a colorful desert with a very impressive view on volcanic rocks seem carved structures but in reality they are all natural. It is so surrealistic and resembles paintings by Salvador Dali, that is why it has such a name.
We drive to the extreme south of the country where right before the border with Chile at height of 4350 m we find two more amazing lakes: Laguna Blanca (White lake) with a colony of flamingos and some rare vicunas around and Laguna Verde (Green lake) situated at the foot of Licancabur volcano (5995 m) and characterized by its unique emerald green color. Such a color is resulted by oxidation of minerals such as copper, sulfur, magnesium and other minerals. Due to high level of arsenic, nothing lives in this beautiful lake.
We pass unearthly plains with bright green moss and clean rivers populated by bizarre birds and chinchillas.
Finish the day in Quetena Chico, the village where indigenous people exclusively deal with raising llamas. Located as high as 4300 m above sea level, Quetena Chico is the good overnight point for right acclimatization before ascend to Uturuncu volcano. Dinner and overnight in hostel with basic accommodation.

Accommodation included: guest house in Quetena with very basic conditions
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner


Day 14. November 9, 2024 (Saturday). QUETENA CHICO – UTURUNCU VOLCANO SUMMITING – SAN CRISTOBAL – UYUNI

Wake up early in the morning and at 5.00 a.m. depart by our SUVs to Uturuncu volcano.
With a height of 6 008 m, Uturuncu is considerably higher than neighboring mountains, and the tallest peak in the region. Uturuncu has two summits, with a fumarole field between them. The volcano was sporadically active during the Pleistocene, with the most recent eruption dated at 271 thousand years ago. Since then, Uturuncu has displayed fumarolic activity. Starting in 1992, satellite observations have indicated a large area of regional uplift centered on Uturuncu, which has been interpreted as an indication of large-scale magma intrusion under the volcano. This might be a prelude to large-scale volcanic activity, including "supervolcanic" activity and caldera formation. In 2012 the large eruption of Uturuncu was predicted that would paralyze all flight connection across the globe, but it did not happen (btw, exactly in 2012 we climbed the summit of this volcano!).
By 4WD cars we reach up to 5500 meters above sea level, and the real ascent is only five hundred meters or so. This distance is usually covered in 3-5 hours. From the top we can see more than 40 small and large lakes. We make a short rest, then we undertake the descent that takes an hour approximately.
Then by cars we start our descent to Quetena Chico and way back to Uyuni. On the way we stop in some beautiful place to have lunch. In the afternoon we head back to Uyuni with short stops in San Cristobal and other places.
Overnight in the hotel partially made of salt.

Accommodation included: Hotel Nido del Flamenco or similar
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner


Day 15. November 10, 2024 (Sunday). UYUNI – LA PAZ – RETURN FLIGHT

Flight from Uyuni to La Paz with estimate arrival at 10:15 am (flight schedule may change!).
Connecting flight from El Alto airport of La Paz to your country (better to plan after 4 pm).

Accommodation included: no
Meals included: breakfast

* Recommended flight from La Paz:
– Flight to Sao Paolo with Boliviana de Aviacion via Santa Cruz de La Sierra, departure from La Paz at 11:05 am on November 10, arrival in Sao Paolo at 17:25 am on November 10. Further flight from Sao Paolo to Moscow via Doha with Qatar Airways, departure from Sao Paolo at 1:10 am on November 11, stopover in Doha 11 hours 20 minutes, arrival in Moscow at 14:40 am on November 12,
– Flight to Sao Paolo with Boliviana de Aviacion via Santa Cruz de La Sierra, departure from La Paz at 11:05 am on November 10, arrival in Sao Paolo at 17:25 am on November 10. Further direct flight from Sao Paolo to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines, departure from Sao Paolo at 4:10 am on November 11, arrival in Istanbul at 22:45 on November 11,
– Direct flight from La Paz to Bogota with Avianca, departure from La Paz at 3:05 am on November 10, arrival in Bogota at 5:50 am on November 10. Further direct flight from Bogota to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines, departure at 16:25 on November 10, arrival in Istanbul (IST) at 16:30 on November 11. Further direct flight from Istanbul (IST) to Moscow with Turkish Airlines, departure at 22:25 am on November 11, arrival in Moscow at 2:20 am on November 12,
– flight to Madrid with Avianca via Bogota, departure from La Paz at 3:05 am on November 10, stopover in Bogota 9 hours, arrival in Madrid at 6:30 am on November 11,
– any flight departing from La Paz no earlier than at 16:00 on November 10.