Uyuni Salt Flats And Potosi

Join in La Paz, drive to Tiahuanaco Ruins

Our journey begins with a pick up from our central La Paz hotel at around 10am (please ensure you advise your reservations consultant of your pre tour hotel details if you have not booked this with World Expeditions). The trip to Tiahuanaco is 72 km/45 miles and takes about an hour from La Paz. The drive takes us through the Bolivian Highlands and provides the opportunity to see the Aymara Indians way of life. It was one of the oldest American cultures, Carbon 14 dating gives us an average age of 1580 BC to 1150 AC. This area is considered the cradle of the American man and one of the most advanced cultures in development at that time.Their main constructions are: the Kalasasaya temple with the main stone work similar to the Gate of the Sun, the monoliths Ponce and Fraile; the Akapana pyramid and the Semi underground temple. We will visit two of the local museums to see the rich pottery and stone work.Overnight: La Paz Hotel Rey Palace (or similar).

By road from La Paz to Oruro and then train to Uyuni

This morning, our journey takes us from the city of La Paz crossing the northern highlands towards southwest to Oruro (3 ½ hours in bus), a big mining centre, where we will stop for lunch. In the afternoon we’ll take the train to Uyuni (6-7 hours), crossing a big portion of the highlands. The train on Tuesday & Friday departs at 14.30 and arrives at 21.30. On Wednesday & Sunday the train departs at 19.00 and arrives 02.00 + 1. Your local guide will join you in Oruro and help you board the train to Uyuni. Your next local guide will greet you in Uyuni and continue on with the group until Day 7 when you fly from Sucre; the first guide will then rejoin you at the airport in La Paz.Overnight: Los Jardines de Uyuni Hotel (or similar).

Full day at Uyuni salt-flats, including Incahuasi Island

We will have a morning trip to Colchani to see locals producing salt, we enter this natural wonder of the nature of salt, with over 10.582 km2, crossing to “Isla Incahuasi” (2 hours). This area has a special habitat of volcanic rocks and giant cactus. From here we continue north through the saltflats to the mummies of Coquesa in the foothills of the Tunupa volcano (1 hour). Finally we return east again to Colchani, to overnight in the first salt hotel in the shores of the saltflats (2 hours). This is the perfect location to enjoy a beautiful sunset!Overnight: Palacio de Sal Hotel (or similar).

By road from Uyuni to the mining town of Potosi, evening city tour

This morning enjoy a trip crossing branches of the Andes Range with great landscapes, old mines and Indian villages en route to the mining city of Potosi (4 hours). In the afternoon we will tour this lovely colonial city, seeing the famous Mint House, colonial churches and have a stroll through town. Potosi is one of the highest cities in the world at 4090 metres and it was the location of the Spanish colonial mint for centuries.Overnight: Patrimonio Hostal (or similar).

Visit a mine in Cerro Rico and travel by bus from Potosi to the colonial city of Sucre

Today you have the chance to visit a mine to see the remains of the silver production in the famous Silver Mountain. The mine is still a working mine and the visit involves going underground into small and cramped tunnels with very low ceilings. This might be an uncomfortable experience for some people and if you are claustrophobic we suggest to take a wander through the city instead. In the afternoon you’ll take a bus to Sucre, descending from the highlands to the lower valleys, crossing the Pilcomayo River, to finally reach the colonial city of Sucre (3 hours).Overnight: Hostal De Su Merced (or similar).

City tour of Sucre

Today you’ll visit the House of the Liberty (Casa de la Libertad), where the Act of Independence of Bolivia was signed in 1825, the Bolivar Park, to see examples of the aristocratic tradition of Sucre, with small replicas of the Eiffel Tower and the Arc of Triumph of Paris. You will also visit the church and museum of La Recoleta, and the museum of Indian Textiles ASUR. The afternoon will be at your leisure.Overnight: Hostal De Su Merced (or similar).

Flight Sucre to La Paz

This morning a transfer will take us to the airport in Sucre for our flight to La Paz. This flight generally departs at around 11 am, arriving at around 1 pm, though schedules can differ. On arrival in La Paz, we will be transferred to our hotel and the rest of the day is free to enjoy the La Paz.Overnight: La Paz Hotel Rey Palace (or similar).

In La Paz, trip concludes

After breakfast, you will have a transferred to the airport for your onward flight.