Uyuni Salt Flats and Potosi

Our journey begins with a pick up from our central La Paz hotel at around 10am (please ensure you advise your reservations consultant of your pre tour hotel details if you have not booked this with World Expeditions). The trip to Tiahuanaco is 72 km/45 miles and takes about an hour from La Paz. The drive takes us through the Bolivian Highlands and provides the opportunity to see the Aymara Indians way of life. It was one of the oldest American cultures, Carbon 14 dating gives us an average age of 1580 BC to 1150 AC. This area is considered the cradle of the American man and one of the most advanced cultures in development at that time.Their main constructions are: the Kalasasaya temple with the main stone work similar to the Gate of the Sun, the monoliths Ponce and Fraile; the Akapana pyramid and the Semi underground temple. We will visit two of the local museums to see the rich pottery and stone work. Overnight: Ritz Apart Hotel, La Paz (or similar).

Meals:  B

This morning, we transfer to La Paz Airport for our flight to Uyuni. Note the flights are unescorted and operate only on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Your second local guide will greet you in Uyuni and continue on with the group until Day 5, when you catch the regular bus from Potosi to Sucre. Upon arrival into Uyuni, we will have a morning trip to Colchani to see locals producing salt, we enter this natural wonder of the nature of salt, with over 10.582 km2, crossing to “Isla Incahuasi” (2 hours). This area has a special habitat of volcanic rocks and giant cactus. We return to Colchani, to overnight in the first salt hotel in the shores of the salt flats. This is the perfect location to enjoy a beautiful sunset. Overnight: Palacio de Sal Hotel (or similar).

Meals:  B,L

After breakfast, we drive through the salt flats to the pre-Columbian fort ruins of Pucara Ayque, to visit the mummies of Coquesa in the foothills of the Tunupa volcano. Return to our hotel for overnight. Overnight: Palacio de Sal Hotel (or similar).

Meals:  B,L

This morning enjoy a trip crossing branches of the Andes Range with great landscapes, old mines and Indian villages en route to the mining city of Potosi (4 hours). In the afternoon we will tour this lovely colonial city, seeing the famous Mint House, colonial churches and have a stroll through town. Potosi is one of the highest cities in the world at 4090 metres and it was the location of the Spanish colonial mint for centuries. NOTE - Museums in Potosi close on holidays, Saturday and Sunday afternoon and all day Monday. Time permitting, any museums that cannot be visited on the scheduled day of the Potosi city tour, can be visited the next day at no extra cost. If this cannot occur, we will substitute with visits to alternative attractions. Overnight: Hostal Colonial (or similar).

Meals:  B

Today you have the chance to visit a mine to see the remains of the silver production in the famous Silver Mountain. The mine is still a working mine and the visit involves going underground into small and cramped tunnels with very low ceilings. This might be an uncomfortable experience for some people, and if you are claustrophobic we suggest to take a wander through the city instead. In the afternoon you’ll take a regular bus to Sucre (non-escorted), descending from the highlands to the lower valleys, crossing the Pilcomayo River, to finally reach the colonial city of Sucre (3 hours). Your third local guide will greet you in Sucre and be with the group until Day 7 when you fly from Sucre; whereby the first guide will then rejoin you at the airport in La Paz. Overnight: Hostal De Su Merced (or similar).

Meals:  B

Today you’ll visit the House of the Liberty (Casa de la Libertad), where the Act of Independence of Bolivia was signed in 1825, the Bolivar Park, to see examples of the aristocratic tradition of Sucre, with small replicas of the Eiffel Tower and the Arc of Triumph of Paris. You will also visit the church and museum of La Recoleta, and the museum of Indian Textiles ASUR. The afternoon will be at your leisure. NOTE - Museums in Sucre close on holidays, Saturday and Sunday afternoon and all day Monday. Time permitting, any museums that cannot be visited on the scheduled day of the Sucre city tour, can be visited the next day at no extra cost. If this cannot occur, we will substitute with visits to alternative attractions. Overnight: Hostal De Su Merced (or similar).

Meals:  B

This morning a transfer will take us to the airport in Sucre for our unescorted flight to La Paz. This flight generally departs at around 11 am, arriving at around 1 pm, though schedules can differ. On arrival in La Paz, we will be transferred to our hotel and the rest of the day is free at leisure to enjoy La Paz. Overnight: Ritz Apart Hotel, La Paz (or similar).

Meals:  B

After breakfast, you will have a transferred to the airport for your onward flight.

Meals:  B