During this very extensive journey you will be able to appreciate the diversity and the wealth of Bolivia, of its people and its history as well as its magnificent natural landscapes.

Pick up at the airport (flight number and arrival time to be confirmed) and transfer to hotel (check in time 12 p.m.; if you wish to have a room upon arrival, it is possible to pay for one extra night, check with us).
Rest of the day open.
Lunch and dinner open. Hotel.

Meeting in the hotel hall at 9 a.m. for a discovery, in private transportation, of the most spectacular viewpoint over the city, unbelievably located at the bottom of the Choqueyapu river canyon, with the Royal Mountain Range “Giants” as the background: Huayna Potosi, Mururata and Illimani.
This tour, particularly designed for photo lovers, first takes us to the Jach´a Apacheta Mirador, on the edge of the precipice of the city of El Alto. Then we go to the K´Illi K´Illi Mirador and to the Laykakota Park (closed on Mondays), on the Northwestern side of the city. Afterwards, we cross the Americas Bridge to go to the “Plaza de España” Mirador, in the colonial neighborhood of Sopocachi. From there, an abrupt descent leads us to the “South Zone”, passing through Llojeta and the “Garden Cemetery”, and finally to the Valley of the Moon, a place where we will be able to walk between psychedelic looking limestone formations.
In the afternoon our vehicle brings us back to the City Center and drops us off in the heart of the colorful and animated Andean market of La Paz. Return to the hotel on foot, accompanied by our guide.
Lunch and dinner open. Hotel.

Departure from the hotel at 9 a.m. in our private vehicle for the archaeological site of Tiwanaku (1h30). Guided tour of the pre-Colombian vestiges counting amongst the most important of the continent.
We then return to our vehicle to reach the community of Chojasivi for lunch. There, the association ADETUR has developed a communitarian project named Pacha Ayamara. Meaning “Aymara times”, this project is based on the developing of communitarian tourism. There, the community has built an Ecolodge from local materials such as totora, stone and mud.
After a typical Andean meal, the community inhabitants and their mules take us on a stroll on the lakeshores. We then visit artisan shops (weaving, totora made objects.).
Evening traditional dances.
All included. Night in the Ecolodge. (Limited to 8 persons)

Early morning, we raise the sails of our authentic colorful fishing boat and start our pleasant expedition on the minor part of the lake. We follow the village inhabitants gone on the lake to collect the totora, necessary to feed the animals as well as to be used as construction material.
The winds take us to the Island of Pariti in the late morning. Completely preserved, surrounded by a picturesque mesh of  “totora” (reeds used to build the boats typical to Lake Titicaca), the island shelters a small museum exhibiting some of the most beautiful ceramics of the Tiwanaku culture, collected during a recent excavation on the village plaza.
Crossing towards the Straights of Tiquina, separating the minor and major part of the lake. After a 3 to 4-hour cruise (motorboat). We reach the Southern shore, not far from the village of Tiquina, where our private vehicle awaits us to take us to Copacabana (45-minute).
We climb the Way of the Cross to watch the sunset.
Cold lunch (included). Dinner open. Hotel / lake view.

The trek continues along the crest of the Yampupata Peninsula. We cross the timeless village of Zampaya.  We reach Yampupata after a 4/5-hour walk. A boat takes us to the Isla del Sol (Island of the Sun), where we disembark at the old Inca Palace of Pilkokaina.
A 30 to 40-minute walk brings us to the village of Yumani, from where there is a magnificent view of the lake.
Cold lunch. All included. Lodging at María and Ismael’s house (basic comfort).
Note: During the following 2 days a boat will be at our disposal to transport the group as well as the gear during the walks.
Hiking time: 5h; Elevation gain: +550m/-350m

From Yumani, we start the trek by following the crest of the Island to the North where we find the vestiges of the Inca ruins of Chincana, the labyrinth in Aymara (3 to 4-hour walk).
Our boat takes us back to Copacabana after lunch. Return to La Paz in private transport (3 to 4h).
Cold lunch (included). Dinner open. Hotel.

Departure at around 8:30 a.m. from La Paz (or Copacabana) towards the Cordillera Real, wall culminating at 6400 meters of elevation and separating the Amazon Basin from the Altiplano. After a 3-hour trip, we arrive at the Aymara village of Tuni, the families of the TUNI-TERRA project (community tourism – valorizing the Andean and Aymara inheritance) await us. We visit the village, settle and then enjoy a very typical Andean lunch.
In the afternoon, a local guide shows us some of the medicinal and very nutritive plants that can be found in the Condoriri mountain range and explain us during a little hike how the local Aymaras use them.
Andean dinner (it is possible for you to help in the preparation of the meal) then traditional Andean evening including local live music. You are then invited to try the local dances and to relax by a fireplace.
Note: Lodging in bungalows respecting the Aymara habitat while offering the comfort necessary to Westerners: (toilets, showers, fireplace fueled by llama excrements, proper hygiene, etc…).

PROJECT TUNI-TERRA – ROYAL CORDILLERA AT THE BASE OF THE CONDORIRI RANGE
The ultimate goal of this project is to share with Westerners a slice of Andean life.
Tuni is a small Aymara village of the Royal Cordillera, perch at about 4300 meters (12,900 feet) above sea level. Tuni is a tight community, proud of its Aymara culture, entertaining genuine ambitions, with which we have established a true relation based on trust.
The village is located 2 1/2 –hours away by 4WD from La Paz, tucked between Lake Titicaca and one of the most impressive ranges of the Royal Cordillera: the Condoriri range. It is therefore accessible not only by seasoned trekkers but also by a wider public, even familial. The inhabitants of this small community (about 50 inhabitants) share their daily life in the heart of the Cordillera, this life happening at the rhythm of the “pastoreo” of the llamas, the collection of medicinal plants, the legends associated with all the surrounding summits (and there is no lack of them!), the traditional cooking, work in the mines and more…

Note: The result of long years of friendship between the members of the community (some of them are guides, muleteers or cooks on our treks since the creation of the agency) this project of Eco Lodge as for goal to accompany the community of Tuni in the valorization of the life style of the traditional Andean culture, through the practice of a true responsible tourism. (project information available on demand)

After an Andean breakfast (local products), we follow our local guide on an excursion in the village surroundings (stroll at the foot of the Andes) that will take us to an active tin mine, located at an altitude of about 4500 m.a.s.l. This is the opportunity to understand the importance of the mountains for the Aymaras (natural resources, their relation to them, traditions et legends)
Return to the village at mid-day. You will be invited to participate in the preparation of the meal following local methods, in the company of the village women. The meal is based on local and seasonal products (dried llama meat, sheep milk, quinoa, chuño, potato, local herbs,). You will be pleasantly surprised by the originality of the Andean “table”.
In the afternoon, the ones in need of a digestive rest can stroll in the village. The others will leave for a new excursion near the village where they will learn about the importance of the llama in the local lifestyle (portage, wood, dried meat, heating, etc…).
Dinner will be accompanied by a group of musicians from the nearby village of Chuñawi. Authentic evening and why not… a little dancing.
Meals included. Night in the shelter or in a local’s home.

In the morning, we share the village life and learn about the local activities: The importance of the llamas, the education of the children, beliefs and ceremonies, social organization of an Aymara village.
We leave the community at 2 p.m. in our private vehicle, after taking a nice Andean lunch. We skirt Lake Titicaca and the Cordillera Real until we arrive in El Alto and starting our impressive descent into La Paz (2-hour about).
Cold lunch (included). Dinner open. Hotel.

We head south for Laguna Colorada. . This laguna owes its intense red-brick color to the presence in its water of millions of shellfish Artemia, well studied by scientists for their incredible adaptability in saline areas. We keep heading south for an excursion to the Sol de Mañana Geysers (el. 4850 m.a.s.l.) a volcanic crater from which escape sulfuric fumes and heavy water. We then stop for breakfast in Polques before skirting Laguna Salada and crossing the Dali Desert (named after the scenery reminiscent of one of his paintings). We reach the lagunas Blanca and Verde, at the foot of volcanoes Juriques and Licancabur (el. 5960 m.a.s.l.) at the end of the afternoon. Curious phenomenon: when the wind picks up, the waters of Laguna Verde change to a spectacular emerald color.
Return to Laguna Colorada at the end of the afternoon.
Cold lunch. All included. Night in shelter (basic comfort).

Private 4WD expedition from La Paz to La Paz / Spanish-speaking driverWe leave the hotel at 8 a.m. for the long traverse of the Altiplano (7 to 9 hours) in our private 4WD. We can admire some of the highest summits of the cordillera: Illimani (el. 6432 m.a.s.l.), Mururata (el. 5868 m.a.s.l.) and Huayna Potosi (el. 6088 m.a.s.l.), formidable guardians of La Paz.
After Oruro, we skirt lake PooPo and Uru-Uru and arrive in Oruro, then at Challapata we leave the asphalted road and follow on towards the Salinas before reaching Alcaya.
Lunch on the way (included). All included. Lodging with local hosts (Basic comfort)
Note: option to take an alternative road to the West of Lake Poopo depending of the state of the road construction).

In the morning we go visit the impressive pre-Inca site of Alcaya. There we will see the most preserved mummies of the area as well as a city perched high above the salar, which secrets have not been revealed yet...
We then return to our vehicle to reach the foot of Volcano Tunupa. The most motivated can climb to the Mirador (el. 4700 m.a.sl.) reachable in 3 to 4 hours. They will be rewarded by a magnificent view of the Salar de Uyuni.
In the late afternoon we arrive at the village of Tahua, on the shores of the Salar.
All included. Night in a shelter (basic comfort).
Hiking time: 7h; Elevation gain: +850m / -850m

We enter the Salar de Uyuni (el. 3650 m.a.s.l.), the largest salt desert in the world. The feeling is unique: the horizon doesn’t seem to have any limit. We stop in the heart of the Salar on Incahuasi Island of volcanic origin and covered with stromatolites and giant cacti (stromatolites are fossilized bacterial colonies, first traces of life on earth. In the late afternoon, we follow towards the South to reach the Salt Hotel of Aguaquiza. Typical meal cooked under the earth. 
Cold lunch. All included. Night in a Salt hotel.

In the morning we visit the two small museums of the village as well as a handicraft shop. The small archaeological museum “Chullpas” shows us a panorama of the life style of pre-Colombian civilizations (Lipeña culture) of the area. We follow by the visit of the “cave of the galaxy”, sub-aquatic geological formation, which will make us feel like we are thousands of leagues under the sea (petrified coral) and the visit of the “Devil’s cave”. We finish by visiting the handicraft shop, where we can see first had the meticulous work of sculptors working on cactus wood or quenua.
Then 15 to 20 minutes in our 4WD take us to Atulcha, community where is located the museum of the Quinoa and the cave of Quatinchu.
We take our lunch in the community before heading for the archaeological site of Laqaya (fortress), built around the year 1300 to protect the local inhabitants form the various conflicts and war raging through the country at that time. In the late afternoon we leave for San Juan where are located the spectacular mummies of the “ Lords Lipez” (1200 A.D.) and a small archaeological museum. Folkloric musical show organized by the inhabitants of the community.
Warm lunch prepared by the Atulcha or the Aguaquiza community. Option of folkloric dances in San Juan in the evening, depending on the day of the week. All included.
Hotel.

Morning departure towards San Agustin, a village of the area of Lipez producing and transforming la Quinoa into a finished product. Visit of the village and of its productions methods then return to Uyuni. In the afternoon, we approach Uyuni and visit its locomotives cemetery, located on the outskirts of town.
Cold lunch (included). Dinner included. Hotel.

8 a.m. departure from the hotel for a long drive. We need to cross the Altiplano. This is an experience in itself as we watch unroll some of the most remote parts of Bolivia through our windows. After 4 to 5 hours of swampy dirt road, we encounter pavement in the village of Challapata. An hour and a half more and we are in Oruro, town famous for its local carnival, the biggest in South America after the one in Rio de Janeiro. Arrival in La Paz in the afternoon (3 hours of paved road from Oruro).
Lunch on the way (included). Dinner open. Hotel.

We meet in the hotel hall AT 9 A.M. for a morning dedicated to the encounter with local craftsmen. Presentation of the project of the craftsmen and exchange.
Afternoon open.
Lunch and dinner open. Hotel.

Day open. Lunch and dinner open. Hotel.

Pick up at our hotel in a private vehicle, 3 hours prior to flight departure time, for transfer to airport / international flight number and time to be confirmed.
Meals open.