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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 / Colchani |
|
06
|
Colchani
/ Salt Flat / Oruro |
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07
|
Oruro / La
Paz |
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08
|
La
Paz/Copacabana/Sun Island/Inti Wata Complex |
|
09
|
Sun
Island / Tiwanaku / La Paz |
|
10
|
La
Paz / Depart |
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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. Immediate touring
of the historical side of the city, where we will be able to
appreciate St Lawrence Cathedral (San Lorenzo. Visit to the
Government Palace and the Cultural House. We will also visit
a handcraft center (La Recova) and the Craftsmen's Association
(Artecampo) where we will find regional craft, appreciate textiles,
carved ceramics, and others. Then we will go all over the principal
historical monuments of the city. We will finish the tour at
Monseñor Rivero boulevard, where we can have a refreshment.
Overnight: Los Tajibos Hotel (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. Immediately set out to visit the
archaeological site of Cal Orko, which is located 5 km from
Sucre, where one can find a great variety and quantity of dinosaur
footprints, which lived approximately 65 million years ago.
Overnight: Parador Santa Maria La Real Hotel (2 nights)
(B)
Day 03: Sucre
Today’s tour includes visit to the House of Freedom Historical
Museum or the Textile Asur Museum, the Convent of La Recoleta
Museum and its viewpoint, the Convent of San Felipe Nery, Bolivar
Park and the main historical monuments. After a lunch break,
the excursion continues with visiting Jatun Yampara Community,
which is one of the most ancient cultures of the continent.
We will observe the process of making ceramics and textiles.
Then we will visit the community's Museum of Native Clothing,
and appreciate their archaeology, agriculture and their Medicinal
Herbs exposition. We will also be observing the native constructions
and their customs. (B, L)
Day 04: Sucre/Potosi (Drive)
This morning we take an interesting 3 hours countryside drive
to Potosi, another UNESCO designated site. This afternoon we
visit some of the most important and interesting places of this
city like visiting San Lorenzo Church where we will appreciate
its beautiful façade, Casa de la Moneda Museum, the exterior
of the Tower of Company, the exterior of the Arch of Cobija
and the artisans market in the colonial area of the city .
Overnight: Coloso Hotel (1 night) (B, L, D)
Day 05: Potosi/Colchani (Drive)
Departure towards Colchani town, located in the shores of the
Uyuni Salt Flat. Travel of 5 hours along not paved road. On
route visit the Pulacayo mines. Box lunch.
Overnight: Salt Hotel Luna Salada (1 night) (B, L, D)
Day 06: Colchani/Salt Flat/Oruro (Drive - Train)
After breakfast we depart to visit the Uyuni Salt Flat and visit
the Incahuasi Island, which is located in the heart of the salt
flat and is the greatest of a group of islands that represents
an isolated ecosystem. The island is populated with a cacti
species that measures up to 12 meters high, providing an impressive
overview. The trip continues towards Coquesa village. Box lunch.
After lunch we ascend the Tunupa Volcano to visit the Coquesa
Mummies. Return to the hotel in Uyuni. Dinner at a local restaurant.
Day use of a local hotel. At midnight transfer to the train
station to board the train to Oruro.
Overnight: On board the train (1 night) (B, L, D)
Day 07: Oruro/La Paz (Seat In Coach with other passengers without
guide)
After an interesting train ride, we are met upon arrival at
Oruro at approximately 0700 hrs and transferred to the bus station
for our trip to La Paz City, which is about 3 hrs journey along
paved road. Upon arrival, we are met and transferred to our
hotel. In the afternoon you will be picked up to visit the famous
Witch Doctor's Market, San Francisco Colonial Church and the
typical handicrafts of the Sagarnaga Street. The tour continues
to Plaza Murillo where the Cathedral, the Government Palace
and the National Congress buildings are located. Then, visit
the famous colonial Jaen Street 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 Pilkakaina Inca Palace. Catamaran
Cruise to Sun Island isolated Challapampa Village, buffet lunch
while sailing. Half day of participative tourism, you will have
the opportunity to interact with one of the most unspoiled indigenous
Titikaka villages through an innovative program organized with
the local community visiting their own museum, chapel, school,
a typical house, sailing in their vessels to an Inca holy temple
and walking through Inca trails. Candle light dinner and overnight
on board the Catamaran in lake view cabin with private facilities.
Overnight: On board the catamaran (1 night) (B, L, D)
Day 09: Sun Island/Tiwanaku/La Paz
Catamaran cruise ship sail across the lake enjoying breakfast
and the overwhelming panorama. Visit the Sanctuary of Copacabana,
land transfer to La Paz city. On the way visit the epic city
of Tiwanaku, the capital of an ancient civilization. Located
72 km away form the city of La Paz and near the south eastern
shores of Lake Titikaka. During its greatest times, the capital
of Tiwanku 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, Semisubterranean (Earth) Temple, Akapana Pyramid,
Puma Punku Temple and the legendary Sun Gate.
Overnight: Hotel Europa, La Paz (1 night) (B, L)
Day 10: Depart La Paz
After an interesting experience of the Authentic Bolivia, we
are transferred to the airport for our departure flight. Check
out time is by 1100 hrs. (B) |
|
B
= Breakfast
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L
= Lunch
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D
= Dinner
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Departure Dates |
|
2012
Every Monday
|
| Prices |
| Season |
Tour
Price US$ |
Single
Sup US$ |
| 2012 |
2660 |
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
• Airfare Santa Cruz/Sucre
|
•
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 |
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33
years in small group journeys
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Site
updated Nov 07, 2011
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