10 Days Essential and natural Bolivia: from Santa Cruz to the salar de Uyuni

Upon arrival at Viru Viru Airport in Santa Cruz, we will transfer you from the airport to the hotel. At the agreed time, we will tour the Old Town. We will visit the Metropolitan Cathedral, Manzana 1, La Recova craft center, or Arte Campo, and stroll along the different avenues known as Anillos, which divide the city, passing by beautiful squares and historical monuments. Continuing with our program, we will visit the Equipetrol business district and cross the Urubó Bridge, a residential area of Santa Cruz. We will enjoy a typical coffee accompanied by pastries from our region.

We will leave the hotel and head to the Volcanes refuge, where we will begin a hike along the “Los Loros” or “Cóndores” ecological trail. We have lunch and continue our hike along the trails, where we will come into direct contact with nature as we explore the surroundings of the Volcanes Refuge and pass by the Cristalinas Waterfalls, where you can take a refreshing dip if you wish. The rest of the afternoon is free

After breakfast, we set off for Samaipata. We arrived at the archaeological ruins of the iconic Samaipata Fortress. We had lunch and visited the town of Samaipata, touring the Craft Center, Archaeological Museum, Plaza, and surrounding areas. In the afternoon, we visited the Cuevas Coffee plantation, where we saw the coffee seedlings, the beans in their different stages, the roasting process, and tasted high-altitude coffee. Finally, we return to Santa Cruz.

We take our flight to Sucre. We will explore the colonial city of Sucre, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. We will visit some of the city's most emblematic museums: the ASUR Textile Museum, which exhibits traditional and original textiles; San Felipe de Neri, a former convent that now offers impressive panoramic views; the Monastery of La Recoleta, also a panoramic viewpoint; and the House of Liberty, where Bolivia's Declaration of Independence was signed. It is a day to connect with Bolivia's fascinating past and cultural heritage.

We depart in private transportation for the city of Potosí, located at the foot of the great Cerro Rico mountain, also declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. We will visit the Casa de la Moneda, one of the most important museums in the country, as it was here that the coins used during the colonial era were minted. We continue directly to Uyuni, where we will arrive in the late afternoon.

We depart from Uyuni to the salt flats in a 4×4 vehicle. We begin our adventure with a stop at the Train Cemetery, an unusual landscape of disused locomotives. We continue to the town of Colchani, where salt is processed using traditional methods, and visit a salt processing plant. We enter the Uyuni salt flats and stop at Incahuasi Island. From its summit, surrounded by giant cacti, we can appreciate the surprising expanse of the salt sea and see the majestic Tunupa volcano. We then enjoy lunch in the middle of the salt flats. We will visit the Playa Blanca hotel-museum, the Dakar monument, and the Plaza de las Banderas. Then we will watch the sunset in the middle of the salt flat while enjoying an aperitif. Finally, we will leave the salt flat and head to the town of San Juan to spend the night.

We will venture into the desert areas to visit the high-altitude lakes: Laguna Honda, Laguna Ramadita, and Laguna Hedionda. Each one is incredibly beautiful. We will also visit the Siloli Desert, one of the driest in the world, where we will find the stone tree and other large eroded rocks. Our last stop will be Laguna Colorada, named for its reddish color, where numerous Andean flamingos live. It will be a journey where the desert and the lagoons will convey their peace and tranquility, finding ourselves in the middle of nowhere.

Early in the morning, we will visit the geysers, wells of water that boil underground, giving us the feeling of being on another planet. Next, we will head to the hot springs, where we will enjoy a relaxing bath surrounded by beautiful scenery. Then we will continue to Laguna Verde, located at the foot of the Licancabur Volcano, whose waters have a magical appearance. Afterwards, we will stop at the iconic Dalí Desert, named for the interesting colors of its mountains that resemble the paintings of the master. Finally, we will return to Uyuni.

At the scheduled time, transfer to Uyuni Airport to board the flight to La Paz. Upon arrival in Bolivia’s impressive Andean capital, transfer to the hotel for check-in and accommodation. The remainder of the day is free to rest after the desert adventure or to begin exploring the city at your own pace. You may take the opportunity to walk through nearby streets, discover local cafés, admire the dramatic geography of the city surrounded by mountains, or simply relax and acclimatize while enjoying the unique atmosphere that characterizes La Paz.

After breakfast at the hotel, and according to your flight schedule, transfer to the International Airport in La Paz for your onward connection. This marks the end of an unforgettable journey through Bolivia’s most iconic landscapes and cultural highlights. You leave with memories of colonial cities, vast salt flats, colorful lagoons, and authentic encounters that make this destination truly extraordinary.