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AUTHENTIC
BOLIVIA
A World Heritage Sites Tour of Bolivia |
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Bolivia's
abundance of natural wonders, vibrant Indian traditions,
and mysterious ancient heritage sites makes it one of the
world's most unique and interesting countries. The "Tibet" of
South America, Bolivia is crossed by three Andean ranges
and has a landscape of snow-capped mountain peaks and broad,
windswept high plateaus. With more than half of the population
maintaining traditional values and beliefs, the potent
cultural experience of Bolivia is rivaled only by its magnificent
pre-Inca ruins.
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Tour
Summary
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Map |
Day
|
Place
|
|
01
|
Santa
Cruz |
|
02
|
Santa
Cruz / Sucre |
| 03 |
Sucre
|
|
04
|
Sucre
/ Potosi |
|
05
|
Potosi
/ Uyuni |
|
06
|
Uyuni /
Salt Flat / Oruro |
|
07
|
Oruro / La
Paz |
|
08
|
La Paz/Copacabana/Sun Island/Inti Wata |
|
09
|
La Paz/Tiwanaku/La Paz |
|
10
|
La Paz |
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|
 |
UNESCO
World Heritage Sites Visited
This tour has been tailored to include the following World
Heritage Sites |
|
Bolivia |
|
|
City of Potosi (1987) |
In
the 16th century, this area was regarded as the world's
largest industrial complex. The extraction of silver ore
relied on a series of hydraulic mills. The site consists
of the industrial monuments of the Cerro Rico, where water
is provided by an intricate system of aqueducts and artificial
lakes; the colonial town with the Casa de la Moneda; the
Church of San Lorenzo; several patrician houses; and the
barrios mitayos, the areas where the workers lived. |
| Historic
City of Sucre (1991) |
Sucre,
the first capital of Bolivia, was founded by the Spanish
in the first half of the 16th century. Its many well-preserved
16th-century religious buildings, such as San Lazaro,
San Francisco and Santo Domingo, illustrate the blending
of local architectural traditions with styles imported
from Europe. |
| Tiwanaku
(2000) |
The
city of Tiwanaku, capital of a powerful pre-Hispanic empire
that dominated a large area of the southern Andes and
beyond, reached its apogee between 500 and 900 A.D. Its
monumental remains testify to the cultural and political
significance of this civilisation, which is distinct from
any of the other pre-Hispanic empires of the Americas. |
| Detailed
Itinerary |
Day 01: Arrive
Santa Cruz
Bienvenidos a Bolivia! We are welcomed as we arrive at the
most cosmopolitan city of Bolivia, Santa Cruz. Our afternoon
tour includes the popular local zoo, the San Lorenzo Basilica
and its sacred museum as well as La Casa de la Cultura with
its beautiful sculptures and paintings.
Overnight: Los Tajibos Hotel, Santa Cruz (1 night)
Day 02: Santa Cruz/Sucre (Flight)
This morning we take a short flight to Sucre, the historical
capital of Bolivia. This cultural center was declared a World
Heritage Site by UNESCO in recognition of its rich cultural
history and distinct architecture. Impressive colonial architecture
and museums remind us of the history, culture, and traditions
that thrived in this city located at an altitude of 2,750 Meters
/ 3007 yards above sea level. Afternoon, we explore the Casa
de la Libertad (Museum), the Colonial Convent of La Recoleta
(Museum), the facades of the churches of San Lazaro and Santo
Domingo.
Overnight: Parador Santa Maria La Real Hotel, Sucre (2 nights)
(B)
Day 03: Sucre
An interesting day ahead as we embark on a day excursion to
visit to the Indian Community of Jatun Yampara, situated at
23 km from Sucre. This community is one of the oldest living
cultures in the continent. This project aims to rescue, preserve
and protect the identity and the cultural artistic values of
the Yampara culture. We will observe and participate in the
process of the making of ceramics and textiles, sowing and
harvesting of agricultural produce. We will also have the opportunity
to buy textiles and handicrafts directly from the native artisans.
Enjoy a typical Indian lunch, which will be prepared by the
products grown by the community. (B, L)
Day 04: Sucre/Potosi (Drive)
This morning we take an interesting countryside coach drive
to Potosi, another UNESCO designated site. This afternoon we
visit some of the most important and interesting places of
this city including the San Lorenzo Church, the Casa de la
Moneda Museum, the artisan market and the colonial area of
the city.
Overnight: Coloso Hotel, Potosi (1 night) (B, L, D)
Day 05: Potosi/Uyuni (Drive)
We depart Potosi by private car to Uyuni with a stop at Pulacayo
Mine. Boxed lunch.
Overnight: Hotel Los Girasoles, Uyuni (1 night) (B, L, D)
Day 06: Uyuni/Salt Flat/Oruro (Drive - Train)
Morning head out to visit the Uyuni Salt Flat and Incahuasi
Island, which is located in the heart of the salt flat and
is the largest of a group of islands that represents an isolated
ecosystem. The island populated with cacti species that reaches
an astounding height of up to 8 meters / 26.25 feet, adding
the back ground provided by the salt flat, the panorama becomes
an impressive landscape. Return to the hotel for a day use.
Midnight transfer to the train station to board the train to
Oruro.
Overnight: On board the train (1 night) (B, L)
Day 07: Oruro/La Paz (SIC – Regular Bus)
After an interesting train ride, we are met upon arrival at
Oruro and transferred to the bus station for our trip to La
Paz City. Upon arrival, we are met and transferred to our hotel.
La Paz is the commercial capital of Bolivia that not only offers
excellent shopping, but is also famous for nightly entertainment
and majestic mountain scenery. This afternoon tour starts off
with a visit to the famous Witch Doctor's Market and San Francisco
Colonial Church. The tour continues to Plaza Murillo where
the Cathedral, the Government Palace and the National Congress
buildings are located. Then, we will visit the famous colonial
street Jaen where interesting museums are clustered together,
followed by a visit to the replica of the semi-subterranean
temple of the Tiwanaku Culture. To change scenery the tour
continues to the residential areas of Obrajes, Calacoto and
La Florida. The tour ends with a visit to the unique Moon Valley,
where you will have the opportunity to walk around, and visit
a ceramic workshop with a demonstration of the art of pottery.
Overnight: Hotel Europa, La Paz (1 night)
Day 08: La Paz/Copacabana/Sun Island/Inti Wata Complex (Cruise)
Early land transfer to Copacabana Sanctuary, after breakfast
we board the Catamaran Cruise Ship and sail to Sun Island,
the legendary birth place of the Inca Empire. Visit the Inca
Garden, steps and fountain then the Inti Wata Cultural Complex
including the Ekako Underground Museum, the traditional medicine
and the Titikaka Reed Shipbuilders display centers, the Pachamama
agricultural Inca terraces, a handicraft center, the Intica
lounge and at the Manco Kapac look out the largest variety
of Andean camelids. Also, the Inti Wata Complex at Sun Island
includes a unique sailing experience aboard a huge Titikaka
Traditional vessel for a panoramic visit to the Pilkokaina
Inca Palace. Catamaran Cruise to Sun Island isolated Challapampa
Village, buffet lunch while sailing. Half day of participative
tourism, visitors have the opportunity to interact with one
of the most unspoiled indigenous Titikaka villages through
an innovative program organized with the local community sharing
rituals, ceremonies, folkloric demonstrations, visiting their
own museums, houses, chapel, school, sailing in their vessels
to an Inca holy temple, walking though Inca trails.
Overnight: On board the catamaran (1 night) (B, L, D)
Day 09: La Paz/Tiwanaku/La Paz
After disembarkation, we will be visiting the epic city of
Tiwanaku, capital of an ancient civilization that rose around
700 B.C. Located 72 km away form the city of La Paz and near
the south-eastern shores of Lake Titicaca. During its greatest
times, the capital of Tiwanaku was the largest in the world
and considered to be the Cradle of all American Civilizations.
This pre-Inca ruins started endless archeological debates,
the most recent radiocarbon 14 tests show that this edifications
date back to 1580 B.C. In this ancient breath taking city we
will visit the Kalasasaya (Sun) temple, Semi underground (Earth)
Temple, Akapana Pyramid and the legendary Sun Gate, the tour
also takes us to an impressive museum filled with ancient objects
and tools that stand as proof of just how advanced this civilization
really was.
Overnight: Hotel Europa, La Paz (1 night) (B)
Day 10: Depart La Paz
After an interesting experience of the Authentic Bolivia, we
bid farewell and are transferred to the airport for our departure
flight. (B) |
|
B
= Breakfast
|
L
= Lunch
|
D
= Dinner
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Departure Dates |
|
2010
Every Monday
|
| Prices |
| Season |
Tour
Price US$ |
Single
Sup US$ |
| 2010 |
2380 |
395 |
| Tour
Price Includes |
Tour
Price Does Not Include: |
• Hotel
accommodation as mentioned or similar
• Meal plan as mentioned (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
• All sightseeing and transfers
• Entrance Fees to Museums and Sites
• Services of local multilingual speaking guides
• Train & catamaran tickets
|
•
Any airfares / Departure Taxes
• Personal Insurances
• Visa Fees
• Drinks / Beverages with meals
• Tips / Gratuities to Drivers & Guides |
| Estimated
International Airfare(not
included in tour price) |
| East
Coast |
US
$ 1100 |
| West
Coast |
US
$ 800 |
| Please
note:
This tour operates with a minimum of 02
and a maximum of N/a
participants. |
| Other
Dates / Customized Itinerary / Languages |
In addition to our set programs we are also pleased
to offer customized tours.
Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your
individual needs.
Customized tours can be conducted in English, French,
German, Spanish or Italian. Each departure is conducted
in the designated language only. |
| Contact
Information |
|
|
Fax:
+1-604-264-7774
|
| 206–8678
Greenall Ave |
Phone:
+1-604-264-7378 |
| Burnaby
B.C., Canada |
Toll
Free (US & Canada): 1-800-663-0844 |
| V5J
3M6 |
Email:
bestway@bestway.com |
|
30
years in small group journeys
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Site
updated Jun 01, 2009
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