Days 1-2 La Paz You can arrive at any time on day 1 as there are no activities planned until the important welcome meeting tonight. Your leader will leave a note at reception telling you where and when this important meeting will take place. Please ask a member of reception for this information. After the group meeting there is the option of joining the group for dinner.
Your leader will collect your local payment at this meeting. Please bring notes/bills in large denominations.
At around 3,600m (12,000ft) La Paz feels like the top of the world. It's not far from it, and vies with Tibet for title of highest capital in the world. Although Sucre is the official capital of Bolivia, La Paz is the centre of commerce, finance and industry. Despite the abundance of colonial architecture, La Paz's indigenous roots run deep and the atmosphere in the market-filled streets is both modern and traditional.
La Ciudad de Nuestra Senora de La Paz (the City of Our Lady of Peace) is a great place to discover on foot. Wander through spacious plazas, visit the beautiful San Francisco Cathedral or the Coca Museum, for a look at a plant that has become an essential part of life in the Andes. The city is also renowned for its many markets, including the Mercado de Hechiceria or Witches' Market. Browse through the weird and wonderful stalls here which sell everything from potions to incantations made from herbs, seeds and unidentified bits and pieces to cure any ailment. There is also a Carnaval market selling colourful carnival costumes. If vibrant ponchos, gloves and hats are your thing, there are many shops selling mostly alpaca wool products and leather goods.
When you first arrive in La Paz, the altitude and resulting lack of oxygen may affect you. It is quite common to feel nauseous, have headaches, a lack of appetite and to sleep poorly. This is your body adjusting and it may take a little time to acclimatise. Just take it easy for the first day or two, drink plenty of water and cut back on alcohol and cigarette consumption to minimise the effects. Before long you probably won't even notice it.
Our hotel in La Paz is very central (only 2 minutes walk from Witches Market) and features cable TV and very helpful staff.
Our second day here we have a full free day to explore and then in the late afternoon we jump on an overnight bus (approx. 9-10 hours) to Sucre.
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Days 3-4 | SucreWe arrive in Sucra this morning from our overnight bus.
Most of Sucre's colonial buildings have been white-washed, earning the city the title Bolivia's 'White City'. Head to the Plaza 25 de Mayo to mingle with Sucre's well-heeled residents and have a look at the beautiful interior of the Iglesia de la Merced. For something completely different, compare shoe sizes with a dinosaur at Cal Orko where 60 million year old footprints have been discovered.
For great views of the city head up to Recoleta, an old convent on top of the hill. From here you will be able to see how many of the colonial buildings are still in existence and why the city is also known as the 'White City'. Enjoy a drink at the cafe's terrace or visit the Museo de los ninos Tanga Tanga with its interactive education exhibits.
Your leader might also be able to arrange a visit to a local orphanage for you. You could buy some clothes, toys, pens, balls, etc beforehand to donate to the children.
The indigenous people of the region are renowned for their beautiful weavings, and there are plenty for sale in the city.
In Sucre we stay in a very central hostel in a Spanish-colonial style house. You are able to use the kitchen and there is also cable TV, movie rental, laundry service and money exchange.
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Days 5-6 | PotosiA journey by public bus takes us to Potosi (approx. 3 hours).
Potosi has had a turbulent past, centred mostly around its mining successes and failures. During colonial days, the extensive mining of Potosi's silver-rich Cerro Rico was said to have kept Spain running for 300 years. During this time Potosi, briefly celebrated life as one of the richest cities in the world. However, working conditions in the mine were appalling and huge numbers of indigenous people died. African slaves were brought in to replace them and fared no better - as many as 8 million people died in the mines during the Spanish era. In the 1800s the supply of silver declined, as did the market price, and the city started to suffer.
Today, Cerro Rico's mines yield tin and on our visit to the city we have the opportunity to tour them. This optional trip underground is uncomfortable and sometimes distressing. It is, however, an incredibly eye-opening experience.
Going underground is not everyone's cup of tea and for those who choose to stay firmly above ground, Potosi has a wealth of colonial art and architecture to explore. Try the local markets at Mercado Central or the Casa Nacional de Moneda (the mint).
In Potosi we stay in a central hotel.
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Days 7-11 | Uyuni/Salar de Uyuni/TupizaA scenic bus ride takes us to Uyuni (approx. 6 hours) for a night, before we start a 3 day trip through the southmost area of Bolivia. Accommodation in Uyuni is at a simple hotel with hot showers and a warm bed.
Explore the strange and stunning landscapes between the Salar de Uyuni and the Atacama Desert in Chile by 4WD. The massive salt plains of Bolivia are an incredible sight and offer plenty of opportunities for bizarre, perspective-defying photos. Endless blue skies meet endless white salt on what was once a prehistoric lake. Despite the harshness of the landscape, and the mostly cold weather, Bolivians have nicknamed the flats 'Hija Predilecta de Bolivia' - Bolivia's Favourite Daughter. The only people who call this region home, however, are the salt miners. Aside from the salt plains, we discover mountains, active volcanoes and geysers. We stop by Laguna Colorado, a rich, red lake and Laguna Verde, a striking blue-green lake, both vividly coloured by algae and rich minerals. The strangest sight in the region however, must be the abundant wildlife and we see everything from llamas to flamingos. Apart from providing geysers and snow-capped volcanoes, the volcanic landscape also gives us the chance to relax in the region's thermal baths.
Be aware that Salar de Uyuni adventure can be tough going. There will be long travel days in 4WDs on dusty washboard tracks, freezing temperatures, basic toilet facilities and multishare accommodation. However, without a doubt, this amazing journey will be one of the main highlights of your trip to South America.
Please note the Salar de Uyuni can experience extremely cold weather, particularly at night.
Accommodation in Salar de Uyuni is basic. The first night will be spent in 5-bed dormitories. Hot water is available after sunset but there is a charge. There is electricity available for a couple of hours after sunset. On the second night the accommodation will be more basic. There are no showers and electrcity is generated by solar panel so not enough to charge electronic devices. In Tupiza we stay at a simple hotel.
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Days 12-15 | SaltaToday is a long travel day as we cross the border between Bolivia and Argentina (approx. 10 hours drive), finishing in Salta for the evening.
Salta's rich history, colonial architecture, surrounding natural attractions and friendly locals make this town of half a million people one of Argentina's main attractions. We spend the following two days discovering why Argentineans refer to this town as: Salta the Pretty. The central square, Plaza de Julio, has been called the nicest plaza in all of Argentina, with is lush gardens, fountains, statues and bounded by the beautiful white Cabildo, Cathedral, "Casa del Gobierno" and elegant Colonial Hotel. Make sure you visit the magnificent Church of San Francisco, with its brilliant, cardinal-red church and stand-alone bell tower.
For the active, why not hike to the top of Cerro San Bernardo, the massive green mountain that looms over Salta. There are 1070 steps to the top, starting at the Monument to Don Martin de Guemes and passing Stations of the Cross along the way. Its a rugged and tiring hike but the view from the top is spectacular and there is a cafe for a nice refreshing drink. If you are not so active, there is a gondola! This is an amazing place to watch the sunset from. There is also all manner of adventure activities available, such as rafting, bungee jumping and horse riding, or stroll the streets, take a paddleboat on the lake, or pop into one of the many museums.
In the afternoon/evening of our last day in Salta we travel by comfortable local bus to Mendoza (approx. 19 hours).
Accommodation in Salta is at a well located simple hostal.
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Days 16-18 | MendozaUpon departing from Cafayate en route to our Estancia stay it is possible to visit the ruins at Quilmes as well as to possibly visit the National Jesuit Museum at Rio Ceballos, both of which come highly recommended. We drive for about 7 hours (370km) today to reach a bush camp for the evening.
Our overnight bus arrives in Mendoza about midday. After a hectic travel day, there is no better way to spend the afternoon as going for a gentle stroll around Mendoza's tree lined streets. Choose a cafe along Sarmiento pedestrian street and watch life pass by sipping a coffee.
Mendoza is Argentina's most important grape growing region, producing 70% of the country's wine. Its exceptional climate produces excellent grapes, the region's signature variety is the Malbec. The city centre is beautifully landscaped and full of trees, squares and parks.
Spend the day tantalising the tastebuds; tour the wineries and learning about the region's wine making history while sampling crisp whites and robust reds.
At night head out to Aristides Villanueva Street which has lately become on the starting point of Mendoza's night life. Tonight why not try the most popular drink in town: Fernet with Coke, a bitter (very) alcholic cocktail.
Optional activities abound in town, from winery visits to skiing in the winter months there is something here for every one.
In Mendoza we stay in a centrally located hotel.
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Days 19-20 | SantiagoTravelling by bus (approx. 7 hours), crossing the spectacular Andes we reach Chile and its capital, Santiago. Your leader will show you around some of the main sites.
Although Santiago covers a large area, the city centre is quite compact and easy to get around. The city's centre is roughly triangular in shape and in the centre is the Plaza de Armas, the chief plaza and home to the cathedral. Panning out from here are wall-to-wall shops, restaurants and parks. For a more serene look at Chilean life, head out to the barrio Bella Vista, Santiago's 'Paris Quarter' or take a cable car up to Cerro San Cristobal. If the weather permits you'll have impressive views over the city and the peaks of the Andes.
Our hotel in Santiago is located in a safe area, and has small rooms with toilet and TV.
There are no activities planned for day 20 and you are able to depart the hotel at any time.
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Itinerary DisclaimerPlease note: occasionally our itineraries are updated during the year to incorporate improvements stemming from past travellers' comments and our own research and may change with no prior notice.
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