Explore the exciting Andes region of Bolivia on this guided tour
Want to be fully immersed in Bolivian culture? The Highlights of Bolivia Tour shows you the best of the Andes region of Bolivia, from stunning villages and cities to unbelievable landscapes.
The Highlights of Bolivia Tour is full of contrasts, which show you just how diverse Bolivia is. You’ll explore the bust streets of La Paz, and exciting city with great food, art, and culture. Quaint colonial villages like Sucre show you a quieter side of life, and the idyllic countryside will make you feel miles away from everything. Llamas and sheep make your acquaintance as you drive from viewpoint to viewpoint, as will the friendly locals along the way. You’ll walk along the largest salt flat desert in the world, marvel at sky-high volcanoes, and watch flocks of flamingos take flight as you drive up to their remote lagoon.
The Highlights of Bolivia Tour leaves no stone unturned, and it’s the perfect way to experience the wonderful culture and natural beauty of Bolivia.
Highlights of the Highlights of Bolivia Tour
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Highlights of Bolivia Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in La Paz and Moon Valley
Welcome! After being received at the airport, you’ll be driven to your hotel. Toss your bags down and start your Andean adventure with a trip to Moon Valley, a unique clay labyrinth that’s truly nature’s artwork. It’s filled with stalagmites and interesting rock features. Then, head back into the city for dinner.
Overnight Location: Hotel in La Paz (3,600m)
Meals: Breakfast
Day 2 La Paz Cable Car Tour
Begin the first full day by setting off for the historic centre of La Paz after breakfast. The red cable car in the sky is your ride for the day! After you fly around above the city, stop in at different local markets for some souvenirs or snacks. The stalls are carefully prepared as early as 3:30 am, and you can find everything from colourful clothing to fresh produce. Take a breather for a delicious local lunch at Manq’s. Then, you’ll spend the afternoon walking through the city, including the colonial district, the main square, and the many great art galleries along Jaen Street.
Overnight Location: Hotel in La Paz (3,600m)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3 Sucre City Tour
Start the day with breakfast before heading off to the airport for a quick flight. You’ll arrive in Sucre, where a local guide will work with you to individualize the day’s itinerary based on your preferences. Sucre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the intricately designed churches, buildings, and squares are lovely. Take a walking tour, stop in at once of the local museums, or visit the convent of the Recoleta.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Sucre
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 Potosi
After breakfast, spend the morning enjoying any sights in Sucre you didn’t get a chance to see the day before. Once you’re finished, a vehicle will take you to Potosi, a lovely colonial town where you can settle in for lunch and an afternoon walk.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Potosi (4,090m)
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Casa de la Moneda Museum and Uyuni
The next leg of your Andean adventure takes you to Casa de la Moneda, the biggest colonial building constructed by the Spaniards in the Americas. Be ready to take photos of pretty much everything, it’s stunning! Then, you’ll head off in a private transfer to Uyuni for the evening. Enjoy dinner and relaxing in the town.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Uyuni (3,660m)
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Valley of Rocks and Villamar
After breakfast, make your way towards the Lipez region. There’s a neat train cemetery on the way, which you’re welcome to stop in at. Likewise, the church in San Cristobal is a worthwhile pit stop- it was painstakingly rebuilt brick by brick after being relocated to its current spot due to mining. Take another break at the amazing Valley of Rocks, which is full of alien-like rock formations that can reach several metres high. Finally, take a long break to appreciate a panoramic canyon lookout before settling into Villamar in the late afternoon.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Villamar (4,150m)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 Lagoons and the Siloli Desert
The first exciting stop today is the thermal baths near Polques. They’re nature’s hot tubs, so take a swim and admire the Chalviri Lagoon in the distance. Hop back in the car to head towards Chile where the “Dali Desert” awaits. Get ready for a landscape unlike anything you’ve seen before! Ochre-coloured ground and isolated rocks make it feel you’re taking a drive on Mars. Finally, you’ll arrive at the Green Lagoon, which is deep emerald in colour and sits right at the base of the Licancabur volcano. As you then approach the Red Lagoon, you’ll be treated to the sights of a huge flock of pink flamingoes. You’ll be spending the night out here in the refuge, so you’ve got plenty of time to admire the birds and to explore the nearby Siloli Desert, which is full of unique rock formations.
Overnight Location: Hotel near Siloli Desert (4,280m)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 1001 Lagunes and San Juan
Begin today’s Andean adventure with a drive down the “1001 Lagunes” road, which travels alongside a series of unique lakes full of flamingoes. The lakes reflect the colours of the nearby mountains, which makes for a mesmerizing sight. You’ll take a break by the Oliague and Tomasamil volcanoes, and then continue to visit the site of some pre-Inca mummies. Then, it’s off to San Juan for dinner.
Overnight Location: Hotel in San Juan (3,695m)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 Uyuni Salt Flat
Today’s excursion is one of the highlights of the trip. You’ll drive to the Salar of Uyuni, where massive salt flats lie. This is a truly incredible place, with a perfectly smooth, snow-white surface. Take lots of photos! After you’re sufficiently salty, head to the island of Incahuasi, which is home to rare cacti. Finally, you’ll pay a visit to a tiny salt farm in the village of Colchani. At the end of the day, it’s time to start the journey back to La Paz.
Overnight Location: Hotel in La Paz (3,600m)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10 Farewell, Bolivia!
Your Andean adventure ends after breakfast, when you’ll be transferred to the airport to begin the trip home. Safe travels!
Overnight Location: None
Meals: Breakfast
Highlights of Bolivia Tour Price and Dates
This guided tour of the Andean region of Bolivia is always run as a private tour for your group only, and the price depends on the number of travellers in your group.
Prices below are per person:
- Guided Groups of 2: $3,235 USD per person
- Guided Groups of 3: $3,130 USD per person
- Guided Groups of 4: $2,785 USD per person
- Guided Groups of 5: $2,570 USD per person
- Guided Groups of 6: $2,640 USD per person
- Guided groups of 7+: on request
Accommodation on the Highlights of Bolivia Tour
This tour is based in 1, 2 and 3-star hotels and hostels. The hotels offer pleasant rooms with unique design and location. Rooms are double occupancy, and single travellers will pay a supplement.
In some cases, accommodations listed below may need to be substituted for other, comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement of $490 USD to have a private room in a hotel. Contact us and we can try and match single travellers up where possible.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Hotel Rosario in La Paz ★★★
Hotel Rosario is beautiful, and the rooms offer free Wi-Fi and laundry service.
Su Merced in Sucre ★★
Hotel de su Merced is built in a 200-year old home, and the rooms are elegant and comfortable.
Hostal Patrimonio in Potosi ★★
This hostel offers free Wi-Fi, baggage storage, currency exchange, and a lovely garden and patio.
Tambo Aymara in Uyuni ★★
This hotel offers a cozy interior patio and a delicious included breakfast.
Hotel Jardines de Malku Cueva in Villamar
This hotel is rustic, and the rooms are much more luxurious than the outside of the hotel might suggest. Some feature fireplaces, private bathrooms, and air conditioning.
Hotel Tayka del Desierto near Siloli Desert
Hotel Tayka del Desierto is simple and offers spacious rooms. While there are occasionally hot water shortages, the views are exceptional.
Magia de San Juan in San Juan ★
This small hotel offers central heating and a good quality restaurant.
Hotel Rosario in La Paz ★★★
Hotel Rosario is beautiful, and the rooms offer free Wi-Fi and laundry service.
What’s Included in the Highlights of Bolivia Tour?
Meals
10 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 4 dinners are included.
Accommodations
Accommodation for 9 nights is included.
Transportation during the Tour
All required private and luggage transfers, as well as return flights to and from Uyuni and Sucre are included. From day 5 to day 9 you will be travelling in 4WD vehicles (max 3 travellers per one vehicle). The rest of the ground transfers are in private vehicles.
Also Included
- English speaking guide in La Paz, Sucre and Potosi
- Spanish-speaking 4WD drivers and English-speaking local guide from day 5 to day 9
- Entrance fees to national parks and museums
Not included
- Travel insurance
- Lunches and dinners or drinks and snacks not previously mentioned
- Flights to and from La Paz
- Visa if required
- Domestic airport tax ($3 USD per person)
Optional Extras
- Extra night before or after the tour
- Tips for the crew
Frequently Asked Questions about Highlights of Bolivia Tour
Thaki Travel is a boutique tour operator based in Bolivia. Thaki aims to show you the best of Bolivian landscape, cuisine, and adventure. They are known for their professionalism, reactivity, and deep knowledge of each corner of Bolivia.
Thaki Travels aims to go the extra mile and surprise their guests with unexpected experiences and places. They use high-quality equipment to make mountain trips as safe and enjoyable as possible.
They offer exciting alpine adventures and vibrant city tours, providing an unforgettable journey through Bolivia with a serious dose of adventure.
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Local Guide
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Hugo is an IFMGA certified mountain guide and a well-known cultural guide. He has 11 years of experience and, born at the foot of the Illimani mountain, has been fascinated by the mountains since he was a child. He started preparing for the IFMGA curriculum at the age of 23, and passed the exam in 2009. Ever since, he’s been leading groups in his beloved native Bolivia.
- Q: What are guests most surprised about when visiting Bolivia?
- A: When we pass through the more remote villages in the mountain regions of Bolivia, they are very surprised to see how the local communities live in these places. They’re surprised by the difficulty of the seasons, how they cook, and all the traditional methods they have for different aspects of their lives.
- Q: Where do you like to travel on holidays?
- A: To the beach of Mexico! Bolivia is a landlocked country.
- Q: What do your guests say they like best about the tours you lead?
- A: What my guests say cannot really be measured in words. My biggest satisfaction is when they make it to the summit. The tears of pride, happiness, and amazement speak volumes. I love when they hug me and thank me for helping them get there.