Rejser til Bolivia
Bolivia er det mest autentiske andiske land – En spændende destination hvortil meget få rejsende finder vej. De som gør får en oplevelse for livet og din nabo har formentlig ikke besøgt Bolivia.
Bolivia har, som Peru og Ecuador, en ekstrem variation i geografi, flora og fauna og befolkningen er i høj grad knyttet til traditionelle skikke og traditionel levevis.
De fleste gæster har et naturligt fokus på den vestlige del af Bolivia tæt på Peru hvor du finder Bolivias største seværdigheder med verdens højest beliggende hovedstad La Paz, Titicacasøen, bjergkæden Cordillera Real og de helt unikke saltsletter Salar de Uyuni som naturlige højdepunkter på de flestes rejse til Bolivia.
De færreste tænker på at besøge Bolivias østlige kulturrige og smukke lavland med udgangspunkt i Santa Cruz og den bolivianske del af Amazonas, som byder på et rigt dyreliv i Madidi National Park og den meget lidt besøgte Parque Noel Kempff, som er en af Amazonasjunglens mest artsrige nationalparker.
Happy Lama Travel har gennem vores fintmaskede netværk af lokale operatører mulighed for at arrangere alle former for individuelle aktiviteter i Bolivia som sagtens kan kombineres med Peru, Ecuador, Galapagos og Påskeøen, hvortil vi arrangerer rejser på samme måde som i Bolivia – Det er din rejse, så du bestemmer indholdet.
Grupperejse 1 ► Bolivia fra lavlandet til de høje Andesbjerge
Generel information om grupperejser i Bolivia
Happy Lama Travels eksklusive grupperejser i Bolivia foregår i små internationale grupper med lokal engelsktalende rejseleder. Derfor er rejsebeskrivelserne på engelsk.
En lokal rejseleder kender sit land bedre end en dansk rejseleder. Det er desuden vores erfaring at en lokal rejseleder giver dig et bedre indblik i, hvordan livet leves i Bolivia.
Passer rejsedatoerne dig ikke eller vil du selv have maksimal indflydelse på dit rejseprogram – Kontakt os hvis du ønsker et tilbud på en individuel rejse i Bolivia.
amerika@happylamatravel.com
Trip Summary
Often overlooked in favour of its more famous neighbour Peru, Bolivia offers the adventurous traveller just about all you could want from a trip to South America, without the masses of tourists that can be found in other areas. On this two week trip we journey through a variety of landscapes from the steamy jungles of the Amazon to the desolate and foreboding salt flats of Uyuni, nestled up against the border with Chile. With opportunities to meet and interact with indigenous communities that form such a strong part of Bolivia’s cultural heritage, we visit colonial cities with amazing architecture that transports us back to the days of the conquistadors. We also take time to delve into ancient cultures at Tiwanaku and embark on an adventure through the salt flats and mountains in the High Andes where the barren landscapes have to be seen to be believed. Bolivia is a hotbed of nature, adventure and culture that should be high up on any prospective travellers list to South America.
Fitness*** | Adventure**** | Culture**** | History**** | Wildlife**
Day 1 – Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Arrive in Santa Cruz de la Sierra. Transfer to a hotel nearby where you can rest after your long journey. Overnight Hotel La Sierra or similar.
Day 2 – Chiquitania and Jesuit Circuit
This morning we have a meeting to review the expedition with our local tour leader. Today we enjoy visiting some of the diverse picturesque hamlets and unique Jesuit churches. We visit the church of San Javier, considered the oldest of all these series of Jesuit churches in this very little visited eastern part of Bolivia, We visit the diverse handicraft ateliers where the locals produce the local art style and musical instruments. Finally we arrive at Jesuit church of Concepcion which is considered the most fastuous and nicest Jesuit church of Chiquitania. Actually the several churches in Chiquitania are unique in Bolivia and have been declared Cultural Heritage of the world by the UNESCO. We also visit a Cultural museum and Indian ateliers. The barroc style in music and architecture is a general activity in this region since the time that the Jesuit missioners settled up in this environment of tropical savannah. Overnight Hotel Chiquitos or similar (BLD)
Day 3 – Santa Cruz de la Sierra
This morning we return to Santa Cruz. On arrival we visit the Museum of Natural History Noel Kempp and the Archaeological museum, to understand more clearly the culture and nature of the Bolivian lowlands. We will also explore some other points of interest in the city. Overnight Hotel La Sierra or similar (BL)
Day 4 – Sucre
This morning we return to the airport to catch the short flight south to the city of Sucre (2.700m). Transfer to the city and later we visit the Museo Casa de la Libertad, the facades of San Lazaro and Saint Domingo churches, and the museum of San Felipe Nery convent. We walk by Bolivar Park and explore the diverse historical monuments of Sucre. Overnight Hostal Sucre or similar (B)
Sucre
Sucre is the official capital of Bolivia but has long since been eclipsed by La Paz as the economic and political hub of the country. It has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is widely considered to contain some of the best examples of colonial architecture within Latin America. Founded in the 16th century by the conquistadors, Sucre gained prominence and power due to the silver mines located nearby at Potosi, but growing rivalry with La Paz over the centuries led to a civil war in the late 19th century, in which the La Paz became the de facto capital of the country. Sucre contains numerous elegant churches dating back to the time of the initial conquest, and strict building regulations have meant that the city has changed little over the last century, giving visitors a great insight into how many other Latin American towns once looked.
Day 5 – Dinosaur Footprints & Jatun Yampara
This morning we take the short drive to the impressive paleontological site of Cal Orck’o. We will spend a few hours exploring this incredible site before returning to Sucre for lunch. Later we drive for around an hour to the Jatun Yampara community where we will stay in community houses and pay social visits to the houses of some of the families to understand country life in this region. Before dinner we taste some of the typical drink Chicha in the local pub of the community. Jatun Yampara is the most important centre for the cultures of Jalqas and Tarabucos who are considered specialists in Andean textiles. Overnight in the Jatun Yampara community (BD)
Cal Orck’o
Cal Orck’o is considered the world’s largest paleontological site. Around 5000 dinosaur footprints belonging to 320 different animals can be found here originating from the Cretaceous period.
Day 6 – Jatun Yampara - Sucre - Potosí
This morning we learn about some of the local textile processes and also about homeopathic medicines used by the community. We will take a short walk in the area around the prairies and hamlets to appreciate the local nature of the area. We visit the local school where we can offer some gifts for the students. Later we journey to Potosi City, a journey of around 3 hours. Overnight Hostal Colonial or similar (BL)
Potosí
Potosi became one of the largest and wealthiest cities in the world during the 16th and 17th centuries, a consequence of the Spanish insatiable demand for silver from the mines nearby. Packed full of exquisite colonial architecture like its neighbour Sucre, Potosi’s buildings serve as testament to a lucrative era which has all but passed, with fewer and fewer miners seeking out smaller amounts of silver in the tunnels dug into Cerro Rico, or ‘Rich Mountain’ overlooking the city. Potosi is crammed full of architectural gems and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The mines of Cerro Rico were worked by indigenous and African workers, subject to appalling conditions which saw them stay underground for up to a week at a time, and in the three centuries that the mine was open, an estimated three million people met their deaths here. The mines are now open for tours, guided by former silver miners who know these labyrinthine tunnels intimately. A visit into to the bowels of the mountain is a quintessential part of any visit to Potosi.
Day 7 – Potosí
This morning we will travel by pooled bus to visit the mines of Potosi. Firstly we will get appropriately dressed (helmet, torch etc) and then take a short ride to the Cerro Rico (Silver Mountain). Before visiting the mines we stop at El Calvario market where we will buy coca leaves, cigarettes, and alcohol as gifts for the miners. Every day the miners celebrate the ritual of the Challawith coca, cigarettes and alcohol as an offering to Tio who is the demon and owner of the mineral richness underground. The Tio achieves both respect and fear. This afternoon we visit the money museum with artefacts of a bygone age including machinery, utensils and coinage. Overnight Hostal Colonial or similar (B)
Day 8 – Potosí - Uyuni
This morning you have some free time to explore some of the old colonial 16 century city. You may wish to admire the facades of churches like San Lorenzo and San Francisco. After lunch, we travel by road around 4 hours to the citadel of Uyuni. Overnight Hotel Tambo Aymara or similar (B)
Uyuni
Founded in 1889 and standing isolated in a desert-like landscape, Uyuni is in the southwestern corner of Bolivia. Despite the harsh conditions, Uyuni is a cheerful town and the gateway to the Salar de Uyuni. Uyuni remains an important military base and also mining plays an important role with the world’s largest lithium reserve – about 100 million tons – lying beneath the nearby salt flat.
Day 9 – Salt Flat of Uyuni - Quemes
This morning we take a short journey to visit the cemetery of trains where huge clusters of old historical trains are stored. We continue to the village of Colchani and check how the locals transform the natural salt to edible salt using rustic ovens and tools. Colchani is the entrance to the fabulous salt flat of Uyuni. We then have an impressive 3 hour cross country drive across the salt flat with only track ways as points of reference. We stop en route at Incawasi Island to explore an area of giant volcanic ash rocks accompanied by hundreds of giant cactus rising up all around. Our journey across this remote area is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the trip. We finally move out of the salt flat towards the hamlet of Quemes. Overnight Tayka Hotel de Piedra or similar (BLD)
Salar de Uyuni
Covering an area of 10,580 sq. Km and situated at over 3000m, Salar de Uyuni is the largest and highest salt flat in the world, its white surface resembling an immense glacier. The scenery here, high in the Andes, is out of this world – vast expanses of white desert that stretch as far as they eye can see, bordered by jagged peaks and littered with conical pyramids of salt. With few settlements and the odd llama herder here and there, travelling in this landscape feels like travelling to the very farthest reaches of the earth. The surrounding area contains lakes, hot springs and geysers and is home to good populations of birdlife.
Day 10 – Ojo de Perdíz
Today we pass by the lava flows of Ollague and also pass by a series of colourful lakes (Chiguana, Hedionda, Honda) with great concentrations of Andean birds. At the beginning of the Siloli Desert (Ojo de Perdíz) we find huge Aeolian formations with surrealist figures all over. The shrubby vegetation disappears completely giving way to dunes. Later we arrive at a country hotel in the middle of the desert. Sleep at 4600 m high. The journey time today is around 6 hours. Overnight Tayka Hotel del Desierto or similar (BLD)
Day 11 – Laguna Verde
This morning we drive for around an hour and a half until we arrive at Laguna Colarada which has a great concentration of pink flamingos. We continue moving to the extreme south west of Bolivia passing by the geysers of Sol de Mañana, and arrive after 2 hours at the hot springs of Chalviri to have a late breakfast and enjoy some time for bathing. In a further 3 hours we reach Laguna Verde passing en route the Salvador Dali desert. We have lunch in Verde before returning to Ojo de Perdíz for a second night. Overnight in Tayka Hotel del Desierto or similar (BLD)
Day 12 – Uyuni
A travelling day today. We have a 5 hour drive to Uyuni using a more direct route. We should arrive at Uyuni around mid-afternoon where you will have some time at leisure. Overnight Hotel Tambo Aymara or similar (BL)
Day 13 – La Paz and Tiwanaku
This morning we catch a flight to La Paz. We transfer to the city and this afternoon we travel to the archaeological ruins of Tiwanaku to explore the temples and palaces originating from Pre-Inca times. Overnight Hostal Naira or similar. (B)
Tiwanaku
In its heyday, Tiwanaku was the centre of an empire that stretched across the region, and was home to 50,000 people. Founded around 1000BC, it expanded to include the whole of the area surrounding Lake Titicaca within its domain, but mysteriously had declined and disappeared before the first Europeans came to the area, leaving behind a mystery that has not been definitively solved. The main town possibly covered some 11 sq. Km, however most of the houses were built of mud so it collapsed with time, leaving only the temples and palaces that were built with stones. These include the Kalasasaya temple with its expert stonework and enormous blocks, which is thought to have been the sacred heart of the city, as well as the Semi-Subterranean Temple sunken into the ground with its representations of gods and idols. Tiwanaku still holds immense significance for the local Aymara people who still come here to perform religious rituals.
Day 14 – La Paz
A day at leisure to discover the amazing city of La Paz. Overnight Hostal Naira or similar (B)
La Paz
At 3636m in altitude, La Paz, formally known as La Ciudad de Nuestra Senora de La Paz, claims to be the highest capital city in the world, despite the fact that Bolivia’s ‘official’ capital is actually the city of Sucre. Founded in 1548 by Spanish colonialists, it became a centre of colonial power for the Spanish Empire in Latin America and quickly established itself as a major centre of commerce within the region, growing rich from trade in minerals and coca. With a population of over a million it is Bolivia’s largest city attracting immigrants from around the country, and visitors here will notice the melange of age old indigenous traditions and ever encroaching European influence. Overlooked by the snow-capped Mount Illimani, La Paz is a set within spectacular scenery, and is within easy striking distance of some of Bolivia’s most enigmatic sites including Lake Titicaca and Tiwanaku. The city’s streets are often thronged with market stalls, with the indigenous Ayamara population selling food, clothing and intriguing and often indescribable items used in traditional religions.
Day 15 – Departure La Paz
At your convenience we transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (B)
Kontakt os for priser og datoer eller et tilbud på en individuel rejse til Bolivia amerika@happylamatravel.com