Travel in Bolivia, Peru , Ecuador and throughout South America . Small Group & Tailormade, personally arranged itineraries with Arc Journeys
TRAVEL IN BOLIVIA with Arc Journeys |
BOLIVIA
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Bolivia is a delightful country to travel in. From the first dramatic moments of arriving into the highest capital City of the world to the moment you leave, the people, scenery and history will fascinate you. In the cities there is a balance of old and new, Indians sell traditional potions next to shiny offices and their traditional dress contrasts with the modern clothes and designer sunglasses of the young people. Women can be seen sitting by the dusty roadside, waiting for a bus, spinning their llama fibre and whilst the latest cars cruise the main plaza. Colonial history of the boom era can be seen in well preserved towns and Indian markets are hardly changed since the conquest. They are well stocked with brightly dyed wool, sacks of coca leaves and fruit from the lowlands and potatoes from the mountains. (There are 350 types of potato grown in the Andes).
Although tourism in Bolivia is has not yet become a big industry we have very reliable and efficient contacts who will look after you well. In Bolivia we can arrange anything from a 3 night extension from Peru to 1 month round trip which would include Lake Titicaca, the Andes, colonial towns, Inca sights and the jungle. We can arrange accommodation ranging from luxuriously restored colonial mansions to rustic haciendas. Transport can either be by private transfer or on longer journeys over the Andes a flight is usually more convenient. Apart from the destinations covered below we also have specialised programs for those interested in weaving, archaeology natural medicines and more. There is also some excellent trekking in Bolivia on remote Inca trails but it would be necessary to have a few days in La Paz to acclimatise. Bolivia makes an excellent combination with Peru by crossing Lake Titicaca or flying to Cusco and can also be combined with Chile or Argentina.
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LA PAZ & VICINITY
LA PAZ (3600 m)
Whether you arrive in La Paz by air or overland from Peru or Chile you will be impressed by its extraordinary location. It is set in a basin below the high plateau and surrounded by the 6000m snow clad peaks. The cluttered old city sits side by side with modern multi-storey buildings and the main boulevard. Just a few minutes drive down the canyon is the extraordinary landscape of the Valley of the Moon where the rich have their villas at 1000m lower than the city. If you have trouble with the altitude you can stay here to acclimatise.
LAKE TITICACA
More like an inland sea, crossing this massive high altitude lake is an experience in itself an is a good way of travelling from Bolivia to Peru. In the clear air the waters reflect the blue skies and snow capped peaks of the Andes.
Isla Del Sol
It is possible to stay the night at this small island on the lake. There are Inca ruins and a Sacred Rock considered to be the birthplace of the first Inca. There are lovely half day walks and the views extend to the snow-capped mountains on the mainland. Accommodation is at a simple but comfortable restored hacienda.
Copacabana
The pilgrimage town of Copacabana is famous not only for the Virgin of Candelaria but more recently by Michael Palin's visit. The Cathedral housing the statue has an impressive Moorish design. There is an optional walk to the Cerro Calvario via the Stations of the Cross.
Huatajata
A chance to get an overview Bolivian history and culture at the "Andean Roots Cultural Complex" where you can stay on the lake. You can even have your fortune read in the coca leaves by a traditional priest.
TIWANAKU
This is the most significant ruin in Bolivia. It is that that it was constructed around 1600 BC by a civilisation that may have had 20,000 people making it the largest city in the world at that time. The ruins are an enormous complex including a sunken temple, a pyramid and the Sun Gate. The carving of huge monoliths is very fine.
THE YUNGAS
This is the name given to the lush forests between the Cordillera Real and the Amazonian jungle. The 3 hour adventurous journey from La Paz takes you over the barren La Cumbre Pass at 4725m down into the lush valleys. The picturesque town of Coroico is at 1525m and offers delightful walks through orange groves and a warmer climate.
SUCRE & VICINITY
SUCRE (2800 m)
This pleasant colonial city is the official capital of Bolivia but one wouldn't think so by its size and pace of life. It has a more relaxed atmosphere than La Paz and has only one tenth of its population. The centre of the city has been preserved as a classic Spanish colonial town with white-washed walls and orange roof tiles. Many buildings date back to the 16th and 17th centuries such as the Casa de la Libertad, the Cathedral and the first South American university founded in 1624. Being a university town there are many young people and the town comes alive in the early evenings. There are several museums which recall the history of Sucre and Bolivia as well as one dedicated to the local weaving styles and festivals. There are many churches and old monasteries that we can arrange for you to visit such as San Felipe Neri which has lovely courtyard and a view from the roof over the town.
POTOSI (4070 M)
Cerro Rico is a huge bare mountain that stands behind Potosi town. The silver found within this mountain gave rise to the biggest silver mine in the world at that time and also to the city of Potosi. The Spanish founded the city in 1545 and legend has it that there was enough silver taken from the hill to build a bridge from there to Spain. It certainly made Bolivia one of the richest regions of the world. When most of the silver had been taken the city became a ghost town leaving it preserved in its colonial state. It was the demand for tin that re-vitalised the city and now silver, tin, copper and lead are also mined. The working conditions have never been very good and the mine has a tragic history. It is indeed an eerie experience to visit the mine but fascinating to watch the techniques employed to work the mountain. The city of Potosi itself has 2000 colonial buildings. Some of the grander ones such as the Mint , the Cathedral, and several churches with Baroque-Mestizo facades are impressive but most of the others are run down. The town itself is not as picturesque as Sucre.
TARABUCO INDIAN MARKET
About one and a half hours drive from Sucre is the village of Tarabuco. Not much happens there except on Sundays when the place is transformed by the weekly market. Women and men wearing an extraordinary selection of hats, woven skirts and cloaks throng the streets or haggle for supplies. Some hats have pom-poms sticking up from the top, others are made in Spanish Conquistador style. Weavings are the popular choice for tourists and locals alike although much other produce is available such as vegetables, coca leaf, dyes or coloured thread, machetes, kitchen utensils.
CANDELARIA
Not far from Tarabuco (but the road is rough) is the Hacienda La Candelaria. This 300 year old hacienda has been transformed into a simple guesthouse. The emphasis on a stay at the hacienda is on local experiences rather than a luxury stay. We can arrange demonstrations and workshops on local weaving styles, traditional cooking, dance performances as well as walks to neighbouring villages and pre-Inca sites. You will see traditional meals prepared over a simple wood stove and dinner is by candle light.
UYUNI SALT LAKE
This lake is an extraordinary sight. The vast glistening surface reflects the stars at night.The people in the nearby town of Uyuni have adapted to harsh conditions and still extract the salt by traditional methods. Even the hotel you stay in is made of salt!
THE JUNGLE
There are vast areas of lush tropical forest in the north and east of Bolivia. Including the Amazon basin and the pantanal wetlands. Although deforestation is occurring at alarming rates the government is trying to control it with the help of UNESCO. It is still possible to cruise the massive rivers of the jungle or stay at lodges to see birds, wildlife and the dense entanglements of the lianas and strangling figs.
SANTA CRUZ
Santa Cruz is the fastest growing city in Bolivia. It has a warm tropical climate and a vibrant night life. There is a mix of colonial and modern architecture and the central plaza is home to several sloths! East of Santa Cruz are the Jesuit Missions built in an extraordinary blend of Spanish and rustic local styles. It is possible to visit the schools and stay overnight to get a sense of living out history. The Samaipata Ruins are the "Bolivian Kuelap"; Inca ruins that have been little explored and present quite an adventure to get to.
These are just examples - we can arrange tailormade itineraries to suit your interests, budget and time available.
A Brief Encounter -4 days
Day 1- Arrive in La Paz and transfer to your hotel. After a chance to relax we embark on a 3 hour city tour visiting Indian markets, including the "witch-doctor's" market, museums and the Moon Valley with it's dramatic landscape. Overnight La Paz.
Day 2- Drive to Huatajata on the shores of Lake Titicaca and board the hydrofoil for Copacabana. We visit Sun Island before arriving in Copacabana in time for lunch. We then return to Huatajata for a visit to the Andean Roots Complex and an introduction to the mystic world of the Kallawayas. Overnight Hotel Huatajata overlooking the lake and with views of snow-capped peaks.
Day 3- After breakfast we take a bus to the Tiwanaku site. We have all morning to explore the site which is considered to be the "Cradle of American Civilisation". In the afternoon we return to La Paz. Overnight in La Paz.
Day 4- Transfer to the airport.
HIGHLIGHTS OF BOLIVIA 14 days
Day 1- Arrive in La Paz and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day free.
Day 2- In the morning we visit the pre-Inca ruins of Tiwinaku. Later in the afternoon there is a City Tour that incorporates the main features of this fascinating city, including the markets, museums and the Valley of the Moon. Overnight La Paz.
Day 3- Transfer to the airport for a spectacular flight to the charming city of Sucre. After lunch we visit some of the important sights such the anthropological museum, the Casa de la Libertad, Church of San Felipe Neri and the university. Overnight Sucre.
Day 4- We travel into rural Bolivia. Small compounds made of mud and straw house people and their animals. Depending on the time of year the fields will be green with crops or bare of vegetation. If it is a Sunday we will stop at Tarabuco to visit the market. Then we drive, along fairly rough roads to Candelaria. Here we spend the night in a restored Hacienda. We will be treated to a local dance performance and the meals will be cooked in the traditional way. Overnight Candelaria.
Day 5- A journey into the real heart of Bolivia takes us to a small community where people still use traditional methods of weaving and farming. Overnight Candelaria.
Day 6- After breakfast we leave our rustic setting for "the big smoke" of Sucre. (If it is Sunday we can stop at Tarabuco). The rest of the day is free to sip a beer overlooking the main plaza or do some shopping for local crafts. Overnight Sucre.
Day 7-The road to Potosi is now paved all the way cutting the journey time to 3 hours. It is a scenic route and passes some highland villages. A 2 hour tour of the Cerro Rico silver mine is optional. After lunch we have a tour of the historical buildings including The Mint. Overnight Potosi.
Day 8- An early start for our journey to Uyuni salt lake. We visit the towns of Chaquilla and Tika Tika on the way. After lunch we watch artisans working on iodised salt! After dinner a walk to see the stars reflected in the lake is recommended. Overnight in the Salt Palace Hotel.
Day 9- After breakfast, drive through the great salt flat to the "Isla Pescado" where a unique species of cactus grows. We then return to Potosi. Overnight Potosi.
Day 10- In the morning we return to Sucre and after lunch transfer to the airport for our return to La Paz. Be sure to sit on the right side of the plane for spectacular views of Illumani and Illampu. Overnight La Paz.
Day 11- Finally a chance to visit the sacred Lake Titicaca! We drive to Huatajata to board the hydrofoil to Copacabana. After lunch and sightseeing we transfer to Sun Island. Overnight in the restored hacienda on Sun Island.
Day 12- We visit the Inca Steps and the Sacred Fountain and the Sacred Rock where the first Inca is believed to have been born. From here you can walk back to the hacienda (approx. 3 hours) or take the boat.
Cross the lake once more to stay at Huatajata and visit the Andean Roots Complex. Overnight Huatajata.
Day 13- After breakfast we return to La Paz. There is time to do any last minute shopping. Overnight La Paz.
Day 14- Transfer to the airport.
SAMPLE EXTENSIONS
Extension 1: JUNGLE CRUISE
We can offer fully inclusive packages for 4 or 5 days cruising on the Rio Mamore with your own cabin. Side trips to villages and walks into the jungle are included.
Extension 2: SANTA CRUZ
Santa Cruz offers excellent accommodation trips to Samaipata Ruins and the Jesuit missions at San Javier and Concepcion.
Extension 3: TREKKING
There are several 3 or 4 day treks out of La Paz that follow Inca Trails from high in the mountains to the lower valleys. The high altitude treks are off the beaten track and offer a great variation in scenery. More extensive treks are also available.
Extension 4: THE YUNGAS
A popular escape from the city of La Paz but beware of the road! A relaxing stay in very comfortable accommodation.
HEALTH
Statutory Health Requirements: There are no mandatory vaccination requirements unless coming from a Yellow Fever area but the normal precautions apply e.g. typhoid, hepatitis, malaria as described in the booklet Health Advice for Traveller's obtainable free from Doctors or by phoning 0800 555 777. The effects of altitude need to be respected and you should rest until you acclimatise.
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This is a brief description of the regions we cover, go to the MAIN INDEX for links to Dossiers on each destination.
South East Asia
Visit ancient temples and traditional villages, relax in exclusive hideaways, witness colourful festivals, learn about textiles, local cooking or music and dance, cruise jungle rivers, meet orangutans or trek the jungles and volcanoes .... We are acknowledged experts on this region; this is what the Indonesia, Malaysia & Singapore Handbook says about us: "Arc Journeys have excellent cultural and natural tours run by people who understand and care for the country, its people and environment."
Australasia
Meet the koalas & 'roos, visit the wineries, stroll deserted beaches, dive The Reef, climb The Rock, experience the open spaces and untouched wilderness. Escape the crowds. Accommodated self-drive, treks, 4WD tours, gourmet cycle tours...indulge in the Aussie way.
India and The Himalayas
Walk through small villages among 8000m peaks, receive blessings from a Buddhist Lama, stay in magnificent palaces, search for rhino and tiger. Himalayan treks, rail journeys, camel & horse safaris, palace hotels, houseboats or homestays...
Africa
Meet the curious lemurs, look out for the Big 5, climb Kilimanjaro, visit villages where time has stood still. Luxury lodges or camping expeditions, Self-drive or escorted 4WD safaris, horseback safaris, rail journeys, treks, fly- in tours ......
South America
Discover the mysteries of the Incas, explore colonial towns and Indian markets, hear the music and festivals, trek the Andes, take great train journeys, cruise the Amazon and the Galapagos, meet blue footed boobies and giant turtles. Small group tours and tailormade itineraries.
The Arctic
Dog sledding, polar bears, birds & whalewatching, cruise Alaska, Greenland or rivers, touch an iceberg, see the Northern Lights or midnight sun, experience the wilderness of the Arctic. Small group tours and tailormade itineraries.
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