Our varied itinerary leads us to the discovery of Bolivia and its contrasts, from the intermediary valleys and their Mediterranean climate to the stark deserts of the Altiplano, by way of the tropical forests of the Yungas and the highest volcanoes of the Western Cordillera.
After a short acclimatization trek on Lake Titicaca, a place laden with history and myth, we head towards the orchards of Cochabamba and the sunny hills of Sucre.
We then have to climb up the slopes of the Cordillera to discover Potosi a city with a rich history and registered as a World Heritage City by UNESCO. Arriving in Uyuni, entryway to the Deserts of Lipez and their amazing lagunas and to the world’s largest salt flat, the Salar de Tunupa (also called Salar de Uyuni).
More to the East, we travel to the Yungas an intermediate region where the Cordillera drops into the Amazon Basin. We enter denser tropical vegetation, contrasting with the harsh climate of the high plateau. A few kilometers away, the Giants of the Cordillera await our return.

Pick up at the airport (flight number and arrival time to be confirmed) and transfer to hotel.
At 2 p.m. we meet at the reception of the hotel for a guided tour of La Paz, city located at almost 4000 m.a.s.l.: Sagárnaga street and its local handicraft market (one of the most famous of South America), the witches’ street, San Pedro's food market, the historical center and the colonial neighborhood.
Lunch and dinner open. Hotel ***.

Departure from the hotel at 8:30 a.m. in our private vehicle, to discover the most spectacular viewpoint over the city, unbelievably located in the “pit” 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 K´Illi K´Illi Mirador and to the Laykakota Park, 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 sandstone formations.
Return downtown in the afternoon.
Lunch and dinner open. Hotel ***.

Departure from the hotel at 7:30 a.m. with a private 4WD. We skirt Lake Titicaca and the Cordillera Real before descending towards Copacabana (around 3 ½ hours). From there a motorboat takes us to the Northern extremity of the Isla del Sol (island of the Sun), a 3-hour trip.
From the ruins, we start the trek following the crest of the island until we reach the village of Yumani in the South (a 3 to 4-hour hike).
Cold lunch. All included. Night at Maria and Ismaël’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 backpacks during the walks.
Hiking time: 4h; Elevation gain: +200m / -100m

In the morning we descend the 500 steps to the pier of the Fuente del Inca (Fountain of the Inca), where our boat awaits us to take us to the peninsula of Yampupata (20 minutes). Trek along the peninsula to the Virgin of Lourdes, by way of the remote village of Zampaya (about 4 to 5h). We then get back on our boat for the return journey to Copacabana and then to La Paz with a private vehicle (3h30).
Cold lunch (included). Dinner open. Hotel  ***.
Hiking time: 4h; Elevation gain: +100m / -200m

4WD expedition from La Paz to Paz (Altiplano and Yungas)
8 a.m. departure from the hotel, with a private 4WD, for Cochabamba (about a 6-hour trip on a paved road). We head South before turning towards the East following a valley at moderate altitude.
End of day open in Cochabamba, culinary capital of Bolivia.
Lunch on the way (included). Dinner open. Hotel ***.

3 to 4-hour horseback ride. Level: easy / 16 km, about 4 hours on a mountain bike. 1-hour hike.
Meeting at 9 a.m. in the hall of the hotel. We start our ascent above town before descending in the Quatalla Valley where we find the 7 waterfalls.
We leave our horses or our bikes for a hike along the River. We can climb to the highest waterfall or swim in the pool of the first one (always full even during the low season).
After we fully enjoy this wonderful area, we return to Sucre on horseback or on bikes.
Cold lunch (included). Dinner open Hotel ***.

We meet in the hotel hall at 9 a.m. for a guided visit of the colonial city registered as a World Heritage city by UNESCO. Amongst others: ethnographic textile museum (ASUR), Casa de la Libertad (closed on Sunday afternoons and Mondays), Recoleta convent, cathedral and San Felipe Nery monastery…
Departure from the hotel at 4 p.m. with our private vehicle. We cross the peculiar Río Pilcomayo Bridge (further south, this river separates Argentina and Paraguay). We then leave the Chuquisaca Valleys for the high plateau of Potosí (el. 4100 m.a.s.l.) where we arrive at the end of the day (3-hour; paved road).
Lunch and dinner open. Hotel ***.

We dedicate this day to the discovery of Potosi, nominated as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.
At 9 a.m., we meet in the hotel lobby to visit the mines of Cerro Rico where we can meet miners in their environment. In the afternoon, we visit the Casa de la Moneda (closed Sunday afternoons and Mondays), where the Spanish minted the coins for the crown until the 19th century.
Lunch and dinner open. Hotel **.

Departure from the hotel at 9 a.m. in a private 4WD. We cross the Frailes Mountain range to reach the village of Uyuni (5 to 6 hours of dirt track). Afternoon open.
Lunch on the road (included). Dinner open (bar-restaurant La Loco recommended). Hotel ***.

4WD expedition from Uyuni to Uyuni.
We depart at 9:30 a.m. to visit the train cemetery on the outskirt of town. We then head south. On the way, we visit various villages, including the modern urbanization of Culpina K. We have lunch in San Cristobal where we can visit the beautiful colonial church if it is open. We then traverse Rio Grande, area home to numerous vicuñas and ñandus (of the ostrich family) and arrive in Villamar at the end of the day.
Cold lunch. All included. Lodging with local host in Villamar (basic comfort).

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 escapes 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).

We head north through the magnificent landscapes of the Siloli desert and its famous “Arbol de Piedra” (Stone Tree) where we may be able to spot some viscachas. We then skirt the Chilean border following the “Route of the Jewels”: lagoons Ramaditas, Honda, Ch’arkota, Hedionda and Cañapa, a sanctuary to 3 different types of flamingoes. We stop at the viewpoint of volcano Ollague.  This active volcano hosts the world’s highest sulfur mine.
The track then drops from around 4200 meters above sea level to 3600. We cross the small Salar de Chiguana at the foot of volcano Tomasamil (el. 5900 m.a.s.l.) before arriving in the village of San Juan where are located the spectacular mummies of the “Lipez Lords” (1200 B.C.).
Cold lunch. All included. Lodging with local host (basic comfort).

A 2-hour trip from San Juan will take us to the Salar de Uyuni (el. 3650 m.a.s.l.), the largest salt desert in the world. The atmosphere is special: the horizon seems to not have any limits and the immensity is overwhelming. We head north to the Island of Incahuasi. This Island is of volcanic origin and covered with stromatolites (fossilized bacteria representing the first traces of life on earth) and giant cactuses.
In the afternoon we cross the Salar to reach its Northern extremity, at the foot of volcano Tunupa. We stop in Coquesa, a small village on the shores of the salar, known for its Chipaya mummies, before arriving at Jirira.
Cold lunch. All included. Night at Doña Lupe and Don Carlos in the Aymara village of Jirira (basic comfort).

With guide – No technical difficulty – Good physical condition required
Ascension accompagnée –Early departure for the ascent of the volcano that dominates the whole of the Salar (our 4WD drops us off at the end of the dirt road above the village). In about 4 hours, we reach the viewpoint (el. 4700 m.a.s.l.) that offers an exceptional panorama. The summit (el. 5400 m.a.s.l.) can’t be attempted because of the potential danger due to the necessity of climbing over some cliffs. Return to Jirira in the afternoon.
Cold lunch. All included. Night at Doña Lupe and Don Carlos’ (basic comfort).

Early departure for our long crossing of the Altiplano (8 to 10-hour journey). At around noon, we arrive in the village of Challapata, where the dirt road ends and the pavement starts.
Lunch on the way (included). Dinner open. Hotel ***.

Departure at 8:30 a.m. from our hotel in a private 4WD, direction la Cordillera Real. After passing the Cumbre a pass at 4750 m of altitude, the Andes, literally seem to drop below our feet. A few hundred kilometers lower as the crow flies and we are the Amazonian basin! Welcome to this incredible intermediate region called the Yungas, named after an ancient pre-Incan tribe that used to live on its steep slopes.
We enter in the Unduavi Valley, by a winding and exposed dirt road. As we drive down the twisting road, the scenery becomes more lush, the air more humid and the wind warmer...
All of a sudden, perched on a promontory, appears the shadow of a medieval castle. This building, surely one of the most peculiar in Bolivia, was erected by Paraguayans prisoners, during the Chaco war (1932), to satisfy the whim of the Bolivian president. Lunch at the castle. Recommended hike to the river below.
We get back on the road at the beginning of the afternoon, and follow the river until we reach the village of Puente Villa. We set up camp away from the village, in a green tropical paradise, at only 1200 meters of altitude.
End of the afternoon open. Option to bathe in the river or in the swimming pool or to go for a stroll.
Lunch on the way. All included. Hotel *** / swimming pool.

At 9:30 a.m., we continue our trip to Chulumani, a charming village surrounded by coca plantations, and capital of the South Yungas province. We pass the village and head to the Apa Apa Eco Lodge.
After lunch, a local guide will take us for a 3-hour walk to discover the marvels of nature specific to this area. At our return to the lodge, fresh fruit juices and homemade tropical ice cream await us.
All included. Night at the Eco Lodge Apa Apa.

Departure at 10 a.m. We are in a practically unknown part of the Yungas in a region of rolling hills. Coca fields, coffee plantations and orchards alternate along our way to Irupana (2h of dirt road).
We take possession of our cabañas, located in the middle of a sweet lemon and tangerine plantation.
After we take our lunch by the pool, a local guide will take us to the discovery of the secrets of the surrounding nature.
Lunch included. Dinner open. Hotel *** / spectacular views / swimming pool.

From Irupana, our track first leads us to the remote village of La Pazuela (el. 1000 m.a.s.l.), a paradise for mango lovers. We then slowly ascent to a pass at 4500 elevation, between the Mururata and Illimani “nevados”, two of the Giants of the Cordillera Real (Royal Mountain Range). After 6 h of dirt road, we arrive at the village of Tres Ríos, nested at the bottom of a valley at the foot of the Bolsa Negra mine.
Cold lunch. All included. Camping or Lodging with local host (basic comfort).

Early morning departure from tres Ríos. We follow the valley towards the next village, Tututal Pampa, a few minutes away by car. From there starts a beautiful and almost unknown trek. We hike from one laguna to the next until we reach the base of Mururata’s glacier (el. 5870 m.a.s.l.). We then return to Tutural Pampa. Return to La Paz at the end of the day (3 ½-hour drive).
Cold lunch (included). Dinner open. Hotel  ***.
Hiking time: 5h; Elevation gain: +400m / -400m

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.