Bolivia Itineraries
Classic Bolivia
cities in the clouds, colonial towns, traditional markets, a sacred lake and the world's largest salt flat
This 11 day itinerary takes in the highlights of the Bolivian Andes, from vibrant historical cities and sacred lakes to magnificent salt flats.
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Itinerary summary
La Paz
Days 1-2: La Paz is the world's highest capital. Built 3,600m above sea-level and nestled high in the Andes, it is famous for the Mercado de Hechecería (witches' market) and also has several fine museums documenting the country's colonial past. Spend two nights here taking time to acclimatise.
Lake Titicaca
Day 3: The drive north to the small town of Copacabana, on the shores of Lake Titicaca, takes just under two hours, with a chance to visit the enigmatic pre-Inca site of Tiahuanaco (or Tiwanaku) on the way. Titicaca is the world's highest navigable lake and is considered sacred by the people who inhabit the area.
Sucre - colonial splendour
Days 4-6: Travel by boat to the remote and unique Sun Island, home to a number of small Inca sites. Return to La Paz via the straits of Tiquina and the following morning board a short flight south to Bolivia's legal capital, the 'white city' of Sucre for two nights. This beautiful university town is famous for its colonial buildings and you can visit the nearby village of Tarabuco, with its lively Sunday market.
Potosí - deadly silver
Day 7: A two hour drive south-west of Sucre is Potosí, just over 4,000m above sea-level. On the outskirts of the city is the Cerro Rico mine, once the jewel of the Spanish conquest, which helped to fund Europe’s industrial revolution. You will visit the country's first mint (the Casa de Moneda) and it is also possible to visit the mine itself, where an estimated 8 million native people lived and died throughout its tragic 300 year history.
Salt flats and the southern deserts
Days 8-10: You will be driven, along winding Andean roads, to the small town of Uyuni, and begin a three night guided 4x4 overland adventure through the Salar de Uyuni and Andean plateau, visiting Isla Pescado, the Chiguana desert, pink flamingos at Laguna Hediona, the coloured rock formations of the 'Salvador Dali' desert and Laguna Verde. The final night is spent at a salt hotel on the edge of the salt flats.
Day 11: Fly from Uyuni to La Paz for onward connections.
Go further - connections to Chile
Overland connections are possible to San Pedro de Atacama in Chile.
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Accommodation options
In the following section you will see our suggested options for possible accommodation.
The estimated flight cost included in this itinerary (assuming international flights from the UK plus any internal flights that are necessary) is £1,585 per person.
Standard - £4,590
La Estancia
- a simple but homely lodge on Isla del Sol, with wonderful views over Lake Titicaca.
Luna Salada
- on the edge of the Uyuni salt flats, the main building is made entirely from salt.
Mi Pueblo Samary
- built in an old colonial house and close to Sucre's main square.
Price and validity notes
We have tried to give you as accurate an idea of prices as possible, including meals where appropriate (but not when there are good local options so you don't pay for a meal that you might not want), accommodation, transfers, and any tours we have included.
All prices are per person based on two people sharing a room and are intended as a guide (local high or low seasons can cause some variation). All prices were correct when published but may vary with exchange rate fluctuations, fuel surcharges, or changes in the general economic situation.