Diversity of climates and landscapes
9-Day Travel Program, from the Altiplano to the Amazon
The most iconic destinations in Bolivia combine urban culture, sacred lakes, salt deserts, Amazonian jungles, and snow-capped peaks: the vibrant capital La Paz, located at 3,600 m a.s.l. and famous for its historic district and cable cars that connect the city with the surrounding hills; Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world (3,812 m a.s.l.) that separates Bolivia and Peru and houses floating communities of the Uros; the Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt flat on the planet (≈ 3,656 m a.s.l.) with more than 10,000 km² of surface that transforms into a water mirror after rains; the Madidi National Park, an Amazonian reserve of ≈ 18,958 km² that protects more than 3% of higher plant species and 3.75% of the planet's vertebrates, becoming one of the most biodiverse protected areas in the world; and Mount Chacaltaya, which reaches 5,421 m a.s.l., was the site of the world's highest ski resort and today preserves the high-atmosphere laboratory and the highest restaurant recorded by Guinness. Each of these places offers unique experiences, from pre-Columbian history and local craftsmanship to otherworldly landscapes and adventure opportunities in the Andes.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in La Paz ➔ City Tour in La Paz
- We await you at the airport for your transfer to the chosen hotel.
- Tour through the historic center of the city; we will walk through typical markets and the famous "Witches' Market."
- We will have fantastic panoramic views from the Cable Car that crosses the city to the southern zone, then heading to the Valley of the Moon.
Day 2
La Paz ➔ Copacabana ➔ Island of the Sun ➔ La Paz
- Departure from your hotel at 7:00; after a 3½-hour journey through the Bolivian Altiplano, we arrive at the town of Copacabana where we will make a brief visit to the town and the Church where the "Brown Virgin" is located.
- Then we board a boat toward Isla del Sol, of great importance for the Inca Empire; there is located "The Inca's Palace" or "Pilcocaina."
- Return to La Paz.
Day 3
La Paz ➔ Uyuni Salt Flat ➔ La Paz
- Early in the morning, transfer to the airport to take your flight to Uyuni.
- Arrival at Uyuni airport; we will have some time to do some shopping in the town. Initially, we will visit the Train Cemetery and the town of Colchani, places to learn about the mining past and artisan present of Uyuni. Then we enter the wonderful Salar de Uyuni and arrive at the "Salt Hotel."
- Observation of optical illusions that are accentuated during the rainy season (between December and March), and also the "Water Eyes," salt eruptions that will help us understand the formation process of this infinite salt sea.
- At midday, we arrive at Incahuasi Island in the center of the salt flat, where we can observe large populations of cacti and spectacular views of the Salar.
- Sunset on the Salar and return to your hotel.
Day 5
Rurrenabaque ➔ Ecolodge Chalalán
- Start of the journey by outboard motorboat to the Ecolodge. The boat trip takes approximately 5½ hours, navigating the Beni and Tuichi rivers; the journey is an opportunity to enjoy and appreciate beautiful landscapes such as the Bala Canyon, tropical rainforest landscapes, animals, and birds during the trip until reaching the Chalalán port.
- From the main port, we begin a 25-minute walk to reach Chalalán Lake where the Ecolodge is located. In the afternoon, after lunch, we will take a short walk along one of our thematic trails, where the local guide will interpret the tropical rainforest and its traditional use.
- Return by canoe to observe some species of monkeys and birds. Dinner.
- At night, we will take a short walk to observe the nocturnal life of animals, especially a variety of insects.
Day 6
Chalalán Ecolodge ➔ Madidi National Park
- 3 to 4-hour hike through the Amazonian forest, where you will learn more about the rainforest and ecological processes.
- In the afternoon, visit a viewpoint to observe the beautiful landscape of Chalalán Lake and the extensive primary tropical rainforest of Madidi National Park.
- Nighttime canoe ride, an activity to observe the reflection of eyes from caimans and other animals.
Day 8
Rurrenabaque ➔ La Paz ➔ Chacaltaya
- Transfer to the airport to take the return flight to La Paz.
- In La Paz, from the airport, we begin the journey toward Chacaltaya, where you can observe fascinating views of snow-capped peaks and small lagoons formed by melting ice. The path to the base is 200 meters, reached via a road built in the 1930s; we ascend by vehicle to the shelter at Chacaltaya at 5,300 m a.s.l., from where you have a panoramic view of the Real Cordillera of the Bolivian Andes, and a unique panorama that you will never forget.
- Chacaltaya (5,421 m a.s.l.) is a mountain located in the Andes cordillera 30 kilometers from the city of La Paz, neighboring the Huayna Potosí snow-capped peak. This snow-capped peak once served as Bolivia's only ski center, notable because it was the world's highest ski slope as well as the closest to the Equator line. The snow disappeared due to melting caused by climatic changes from global warming, although the climate is still cold.
- The views are extraordinary; you can observe the snow-capped mountains of the cordillera which are: Huayna Potosí, Mururata, and Illimani, as well as part of Lake Titicaca. Return to La Paz.
Important notes
Availability:
✅ Tours are available every day of the week.
Requirements:
🪪 You may be asked to present identification, such as your passport.
Important data:
⛰️ The boat trip from Rurrenabaque to Chalalán takes approximately 3 hours; however, travel time may vary depending on the season of the year. We will keep you informed about all program timings according to your travel date.
Health information:
⚠️ Make sure you are in good health and have enough stamina to participate without difficulty.
💡 Our recommendation:
Optional Visits
➔ Bufeo Route
Departure from your hotel in the city of Trinidad - Beni. 15-minute transfer, by local private transport, to Puerto Ballivián, where we will board toward the mouth of the Mamoré River, the largest in Bolivia, where we prepare for the observation of the river dolphin (inia boliviensis). During the journey, you can observe a lot of wildlife from the Ibare - Mamoré Protected Area zone, such as herons, monkeys, lizards, and river turtles, among others.
➔ Sampaya
Sampaya is a picturesque village 15 km from Copacabana, along the road toward the Yampupata Peninsula. It preserves its pre-Columbian stone architecture with thatched roofs and offers beautiful views of Lake Titicaca; the visit allows you to learn more about Aymara culture.
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From the Altiplano to the Bolivian Amazon
9 days
