Bolivian History And Wines

Day 1-Welcome to Santa Cruz!

Overnight stay: Santa Cruz (Bolivia)

 

At designed time, pick-up from the airport and transfer to your hotel to take a good rest. In the afternoon, you will have a short city tour visiting the historical center of this beautiful and warm city.

Meals: Breakfast (until 10:00am)
Accommodation: Tryp Hotel / Alfonsina Hotel Boutique

 

Day 2-Santa Cruz / Tarija

Overnight stay: Tarija (Bolivia)

 

Pick-up from the hotel and transfer to the airport to take the flight to Tarija. Upon arrival, we will go to Santa Ana and visit the distillery “Casa Real”, where the famous singani is produced. We will learn more about the process of making singani and we will taste delicious chuflay and other exotic drinks. Then, we will visit Aranjuez or Kohlberg winery (upon availability). We will learn a bit of the history of how these wineries were born and taste some of the best-selling wines. Finally, if time permits, we will visit one more winery.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Accommodation: Los Parrales Hotel

 

Day 3-Tarija / Camargo / Villa Abecia

Overnight stay: Villa Abecia (Sucre, Bolivia)

 

In the morning we will take a private transportation and travel to Camargo (3 hours) and will visit an old hacienda and winery where we can learn the history of the emblematic Bolivian drink, “singani”. We will enjoy a delicious lunch and learn more about the history of the Cintis Valleys. In the afternoon, we will visit a small boutique winery, a walk-through centuries-old vineyards where we can find the so-called "heritage varieties" (Alejandría muscatel, Vischoqueña and Misionera) that were brought by the Spanish approximately 450 years ago. Finally, we will continue to Villa Abecia (30min) where we will spend the night and take a rest.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Parador Viña de Pereira

 

 

Day 4-Villa Abecia / Tupiza

Overnight stay: Tupiza (Potosi, Bolivia)

 

In the morning, and depending on the season, we will be able to go to "Las Pozas", where we will see some waterfalls of crystal clear water that form small natural pools (rainy season) or we will have a short hike in the surroundings where we will see rock formations thanks to the erosion. Then, we will take the road and travel to Tupiza (3 hours) known as Bolivia's "Wild West", because of its red rock canyons and frontier feel. We will have the rest of the afternoon free to take a rest.

Meals: Breakfast and boxlunch
Accommodation: Mitru Hotel

 

Day 5-Full day Uyuni Salt Flats

Overnight stay: Colchani (Uyuni, Bolivia)

 

After breakfast, we will travel to Uyuni town (3 hours). Upon arrival, our 4x4 will be waiting for our next adventure! Today's journey begins with a visit to the salt-harvesting village of Colchani to see how the locals produce salt. Then, we will enter to the great Uyuni Salt Flats, visiting the Incahuasi Island that is covered in enormous cacti and from where we get an amazing view of the flats. We will enjoy a beautiful sunset in the middle of the endless expanse of glittering salt and then return to our hotel.

**Rainy Season (December to March): the salt flats are flooded with water and visit to Incahuasi may not be possible
**Winter Season (June, July August): water may freeze in the pipes and could take several minutes to heat up

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Luna Salada Hotel / Palacio de Sal Hotel

 

Day 6-Colchani / Tunupa and Coquesa

Overnight stay: Colchani (Uyuni, Bolivia)

 

Today we will visit the community of Coquesa and hike up and along the base of the Tunupa volcano, with its fields of quinoa and mixed herds of llamas and alpacas and spectacular views toward the cone on one side and toward the flats on the other. You’ll walk as much as time, interest and ability permit and will be able to visit a chamber containing ancient mummies. From various viewpoints, we will be able to appreciate the strong colors of the landscape and the immense whiteness of the flats. Return to the hotel to take a rest.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Luna Salada Hotel / Palacio de Sal Hotel

 

Day 7-Uyuni / Potosi

Overnight stay: Hacienda Cayara (Potosi, Bolivia)

After breakfast this morning, a driver will pick you up from your hotel and take you on a four-hour journey to the colonial city of Potosí, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Once you arrive, we'll take a walking tour of the city, which includes traditional colonial streets, the artisan market, and a visit to the famous National House of the Mint (Casa Nacional de la Moneda). We will spend the night at Hacienda Cayara, located 30min from the city. While most of the haciendas that fed them are gone, Cayara Hotel-Museum is a restored hacienda that preserves many of the practices of colonial life and farming.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Hacienda Cayara

 

Day 8-Potosi / Sucre

Overnight stay: Sucre (Bolivia)

In the morning we will take a private transportation to Sucre. Also known as the "White City", Sucre is a UNESCO recognized World Heritage Site due to the extensive preservation of colonial buildings that grace the small city's streets. In the afternoon, we will walk through the city, visiting La Casa de la Libertad, where Bolivia's proclamation of independence from Spain was signed. We will also go to La Recoleta and visit Asur Museum, a "living" museum that shares the rich history of textiles in the southern Andes as well as art by indigenous groups from the region. Finally, we will visit San Felipe de Neri rooftop, from where we will enjoy an amazing panoramic view of the city.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mi Pueblo Samary Hotel / Parador Santa Maria la Real Hotel

 

Day 9-Sucre

Overnight stay: Sucre (Bolivia)

In the morning, we will visit the "Para Ti" chocolate museum; a visit full of flavors where you will learn about the production process of one of the most recognized products in Sucre. Then, we will go to the Glorieta Castle, located 5Km. from the city. This castle belonged to a rich couple who couldn't have children and had the idea of adopting orphans, building the castle and giving them a place to grow. Here you will see different architectural styles, from Gothic, Baroque, Rococo, among others. Rest of the day will be at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Accommodation: Mi Pueblo Samary Hotel / Parador Santa Maria la Real Hotel

 

Day 10-Sucre / La Paz

Overnight stay: La Paz (Bolivia)

Pick-up from the hotel and transfer to the airport to take the flight to La Paz. Upon arrival, we will enjoy a city tour of La Paz, we will take the cable and enjoy a wonderful panoramic view of the city. Then, we will visit the Historic Center of La Paz the Witches´ Market (here, we will understand the Andean way of thinking and the mystery) and have lunch in a local restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Accommodation: MET Hotel / Atix Hotel

 

Day 11-Moon Valley of La Paz

Overnight stay: La Paz (Bolivia)

In the morning, we will make an excursion to the Moon Valley with its impressive formations, composed mainly of clay that were created by the persistent erosion of mountains by the area’s strong winds and rains. We will have some free time to take pictures, explore the area and search for martians and UFOs. Then, we will visit the workshop of the local ceramist Mario Sarabia (5min from the Valley). Here, we will learn about his life, his clay technique using material from the surrounding area and visit a small gallery with some of his best work.

At night, we will enjoy a delicious dinner at Ancestral (5 steps) or Gustu (3 steps), both considered part of the Best Restaurants in Latin America.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: MET Hotel / Atix Hotel

 

Day 12-Transfer from La Paz to La Paz Int. Airport (LPB)

It's time to say goodbye to Bolivia! A driver will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the airport to catch your flight home.

INCLUDED:

• Private transportation.
• Accommodation in double or single rooms with private bathroom.
• English-speaking local guides.
• Meals as mentioned in the program.
• Tickets and entrance fees.
• Domestic flight tickets Santa Cruz / Tarija and Sucre / La Paz.

 

NOT INCLUDED:

• Tips.
• Beverages during meals.
• Anything not mentioned in the program.