8 Days • 7 Nights
Bolivia Colonial & Culture: Sucre & Potosi
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- Dramatic, high-altitude La Paz
- Whitewashed colonial Sucre
- The silver-mining history of Potosi
- The Casa de la Moneda mint
- The surreal Uyuni salt flats
- Andean markets, artisans and culture
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 8-day journey.
Met at El Alto airport and transferred down into La Paz. Take it easy to acclimatise, with a gentle welcome dinner.
A guided tour of dramatic La Paz, the cable-car Mi Teleferico, the Witches' Market, colonial churches and the Valle de la Luna, with views of Illimani.
You fly to Sucre, Bolivia's beautiful whitewashed constitutional capital and a UNESCO World Heritage city. Explore its grand Plaza 25 de Mayo and colonial architecture.
A day exploring Sucre, its churches, the House of Freedom where independence was declared, the vibrant Tarabuco textile culture, and the extraordinary Cal Orcko wall of dinosaur footprints.
You travel to Potosi, once the richest city in the Americas, whose Cerro Rico silver mountain financed the Spanish empire. Visit the fascinating Casa de la Moneda mint and colonial streets.
You travel to Uyuni and begin your 4x4 salt flats adventure, taking in the train cemetery and driving onto the dazzling white expanse for a sunset over the endless salt.
A full day exploring the surreal Salar de Uyuni by 4x4, the blinding-white salt, cactus-covered Isla Incahuasi, perspective photos and, in the wet season, the astonishing mirror effect.
A final morning on the salt flats before flying out via La Paz for your onward connection, full of Bolivia's history and wonder.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 7 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and full board on the salt flats
- Airport and internal transfers
- Touring, sightseeing and activities as per itinerary with expert English-speaking guides
- Domestic flights or 4x4 transport as specified
- National park and attraction entry fees as per itinerary
- a La Paz tour, a Sucre city tour, a Potosi and Casa de la Moneda visit, a 4x4 Uyuni tour and domestic flights
Exclusions
- International airfare
- Visa or tourist card fees where applicable
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa & entry: Requirements vary by nationality, many (including UK and EU) do not need a visa for short stays, while others, including US citizens, do; a passport valid for at least six months and, sometimes, proof of onward travel and a yellow fever certificate for jungle areas are required. We advise you fully
- Altitude: Much of Bolivia sits very high, La Paz is around 3,600 metres and the Uyuni salt flats over 3,600 metres, so altitude sickness is a real consideration; we build in acclimatisation, and you should ascend gradually, rest, stay hydrated and avoid alcohol at first
- Currency: The currency is the Boliviano; carry cash, especially in rural areas and the salt flats, as cards are accepted only in cities and larger hotels. US Dollars in good condition can be exchanged
- Best time to visit: The dry season (May to October) is best for the highlands and the salt flats, with clear skies; the wet season (November to March) can turn the Uyuni flats into a spectacular mirror but may limit access to some areas
- The salt flats: Uyuni is explored by 4x4 with local drivers over remote terrain; conditions are basic in places, temperatures swing from hot days to freezing nights, and we brief you on what to pack and expect
- Health: A yellow fever vaccination is recommended (and sometimes required) for the Amazon lowlands; bring sun protection for the intense high-altitude sun, warm layers for cold nights, and drink bottled or purified water
- Getting around: Bolivia's distances and terrain mean itineraries combine domestic flights, 4x4s and boats; roads can be rough and journeys long, which is part of the adventure, and everything is arranged for you
- Culture & power: Bolivia has a strong indigenous Aymara and Quechua culture; please ask before photographing people and respect local customs. Power is 220V with type A and C plugs, so bring an adapter
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we go inside the Potosi mines?
Guided visits into the working cooperative mines of Cerro Rico are possible for the adventurous, offering a sobering glimpse of the miners' harsh conditions, but they are dusty, cramped and not for everyone. We can arrange it or focus on the Casa de la Moneda and colonial history instead; just tell us.
Is Sucre affected by altitude?
Sucre sits at a more moderate altitude (around 2,800 metres) than La Paz or Potosi, so it is a comfortable place to spend time, though still elevated. We pace the itinerary to help you acclimatise throughout.
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included, along with any meals named in the itinerary such as a welcome dinner and full board on the salt flats and jungle sections where dining options are limited. Other meals are left free with our recommendations.
How serious is the altitude in Bolivia?
It is a genuine consideration, as La Paz and Uyuni sit very high. We build in time to acclimatise and pace the ascent, and you should rest, stay hydrated and take it easy on arrival. We advise fully and can suggest precautions; those with heart or lung conditions should consult a doctor.
Do I need a visa for Bolivia?
It depends on your nationality, many do not need one for short stays, while some, including US citizens, do. We confirm exactly what you need, along with any yellow fever certificate for jungle areas, when you book.
When is the best time to visit Bolivia?
The dry season (May to October) is best for the highlands and salt flats with clear skies, while the wet season can create the famous Uyuni mirror effect but may limit some access. We advise on timing for your chosen route.
What is the Uyuni salt flats experience like?
Uyuni is explored by 4x4 with local drivers across a vast, otherworldly white expanse, with lagoons, geysers and cactus islands. Conditions are remote and basic in places, and nights are cold, but it is one of the most extraordinary landscapes on earth.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. We can adjust the balance of highlands, salt flats, jungle and colonial cities, add Lake Titicaca or the Amazon, change the pace and tailor accommodation to your comfort and budget.
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