Private Tour Highlights
- Witnessing the largest salt flats on earth, Uyuni, which sprawls for 12,000sq km and provides epic photo opportunities!
- Learning all about the way of life in the Uyuni Salt Flats during a visit to Colchani, a quaint village whose livelihood revolves around producing salt.
- Spending the night on Lake Titicaca’s Sun Island, at the exquisite Ecolodge La Estancia which affords unrivaled views over the mountains and lake.
- Marveling at the exquisite colonial architecture and intriguing handicrafts at the street markets of bustling La Paz.
- Stepping through the ethereal Chincana Ruins on Sun Island, boasting sublime views of the sapphire-hued lake.
Tour Overview
Begin your Essential Bolivia Tour: Uyuni Salt Flats and Lake Titicaca in La Paz. The governmental capital of Bolivia is the highest capital city in the world at 12,000 ft. The sprawling Metropolitan, surrounded by looming mountains, combines big city living and the feeling of an Andean town. The streets of La Paz are filled with some indigenous women still wearing traditional costumes and many vibrant street markets. The La Paz markets are rich in handicrafts, weavings and witchcraft artifacts. Spend the day exploring La Paz’s colonial origins. Take in the modern part of the city. Marvel at the dramatic drops in elevation throughout.
From La Paz you will travel to Lake Titicaca. Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world. It is located on the border between Peru and Bolivia. Its waters and sky above are as blue as sapphire, giving the region a very mystical air. Legend says that the first Inca God, Manco Capac, rose from the waters of the lake. The region around the lake is rich in pre-Columbian and colonial treasures. You will have the opportunity to visit the best of Lake Titicaca including the town of Copacabana, Sun Island, The Island of the Moon, and nearby ruins.
Before departing Bolivia, don’t miss the chance to marvel at the natural wonder of the Uyuni Salt Flats. The remnants of a pre-historic lake, the salt flats today are the largest salt flats in the world at 12,000 square kilometers. When dry, the flats are an expanse of pure white hexagons. When wet, the surface reflects the immense Altiplano sky. Either scenario creates a truly unforgettable experience like few other places on earth.
Photographers will delight in the one of a kind landscape. Road trippers will love the many lagoons and islands that may be visited here. If you’re interested in continuing to Chile, talk to us about options for combining Uyuni Salt Flats with Atamaca Desert.
Inclusions
Note:
*During the rainy season (November to March) the Uyuni salt flats get flooded, making it sometimes difficult to visit the area and also cross from Bolivia to Chile. We do not recommend booking this program between those dates.
Package Price: From £$ 5055
Prices shown above are per person. Hotel categories do not adhere strictly to international ratings; Yampu has evaluated the hotels according to destination and availability. Prices include local airfare (where applicable), hotel accommodation including daily breakfast; all transfers with baggage handling, all guided tours in English and all entrance fees.
Please note that prices are subject to change based on availability and seasonality, especially during the holiday season from December 20th through January 5th each year. Please contact a Yampu Travel Specialist for more information on best times to travel.
Trip Type:
All our trips are operated on a private basis unless specified otherwise. This is only a sample itinerary; your Yampu Tour Consultant will personalize this trip for you according to your available dates, interests and type of hotels. This is your trip and we will work on making it perfect!
Tour Itinerary
Home – La Paz
Take the overnight flight to La Paz, Bolivia. Look out for the magnificent views of the city and the Royal Andean Range when landing.
Take the overnight flight to La Paz, Bolivia. Look out for the magnificent views of the city and the Royal Andean Range when landing.
La Paz
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Upon arrival in La Paz airport, transfer to the hotel. Afternoon, city tour of La Paz. Travel through the colonial part of the city, San Francisco Church, Gold Museum, Murillo Square and the outdoor replica of the Tiahuanaco Temple. Visit the street markets, rich in handicrafts, weavings and witchcraft artifacts that represent the traditional beliefs of the Ch’alla (ritual of offerings) and Pachamama (mother earth and symbol of fertility). Then, see the modern part of the city and the dramatic drops in elevation. Finally, leave the city to enter the Valley of the Moon and enjoy its natural geological formations.
Note: Check-in is normally after 2 pm. Early check-in may be granted subject to availability (not confirmed).
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La Paz – Copacabana
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Early morning departure from La Paz, heading north and crossing the highlands parallel to the Royal Andes Range. First stop is Copacabana, a main Catholic pilgrimage center with a church that houses the famous Virgen Morena. It was an important area in pre-Colombian times and entrance to this sacred land. Visit the church and explore the town. After a light lunch (included), take a boat to Sun Island, and visit the "Pilcocaina" Sun Temple. From here, hike about one hour to the Ecolodge La Estancia, offering spectacular views of the mountains and the lake. La Estancia is located in the southern part of Sun Island on Lake Titicaca. It was built preserving the Andean architecture and combines modern comfort with respecting the harmony of the surrounding nature and habitat. Overnight on Sun Island. Dinner tonight is included. ...read less
Chincana Ruins, Moon Island
After breakfast there will be an opportunity to enjoy the sunrise. Take a boat north to visit Chincana ruins and the Sacred Rock. After the excursion, travel by boat to the Island of the Moon and explore the the Inak Uyu ruins before finally reaching Copacabana. After lunch (included) return to La Paz.
After breakfast there will be an opportunity to enjoy the sunrise. Take a boat north to visit Chincana ruins and the Sacred Rock. After the excursion, travel by boat to the Island of the Moon and explore the the Inak Uyu ruins before finally reaching Copacabana. After lunch (included) return to La Paz.
La Paz- Uyuni
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This morning, transfer to the airport in La Paz to take the flight to Uyuni. Upon arrival, transfer to a nearby salt hotel in Colchani, at the shores of the Uyuni salt flats. After settling in, visit the village of Colchani in the shores to see the locals produce salt. On the way, enter a perfect natural highway to cross to Isla Incahuasi, which is a special habitat of volcanic rocks and giant cactus (entering Incahuasi Island will be dependent upon the weather). After the excursion, continue back to Colchani and enjoy a great sunset, overnight in the salt hotel. ...read less
Uyuni
After breakfast visit the cemetery of old trains, afterwards, enter the salt flats and visit Pucara de Aique. Here, there is a great view of the Uyuni salt flats and its surroundings. Uyuni, is the largest salt flat on earth, located on the Bolivian Andean Altiplano with 12.000 square km in size. Enjoy a picnic style lunch and then return to the salt hotel in Colchani.
After breakfast visit the cemetery of old trains, afterwards, enter the salt flats and visit Pucara de Aique. Here, there is a great view of the Uyuni salt flats and its surroundings. Uyuni, is the largest salt flat on earth, located on the Bolivian Andean Altiplano with 12.000 square km in size. Enjoy a picnic style lunch and then return to the salt hotel in Colchani.
Uyuni - La Paz
This morning, leave the salt flats for the airport and return to La Paz. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
This morning, leave the salt flats for the airport and return to La Paz. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
La Paz
This morning, transfer to the airport to take the flight back home or overlap with the add-on of one’s choice.
This morning, transfer to the airport to take the flight back home or overlap with the add-on of one’s choice.
La Paz, La Paz Department, Bolivia
Isla del Sol, La Paz Department, Bolivia
Uyuni, Potosi Department, Bolivia
Places You'll See
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La Paz
Spend time up in the clouds in La Paz, the highest de facto capital city in the world, nearly 12,000 feet above sea level. Visit Calle Jaen, home to many well preserved colonial buildings and museums. Visit the Witches’ Market for all your charm and potion needs, and other fun souvenirs. Take a walk up to Mirador Killi Killi, to enjoy beautiful views of the city.
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Island of the Sun
Enjoy the peacefulness of Isla del Sol (Island of the Sun), where there are no paved roads and no motor vehicles. View any of the over 80 ruins on the island, dating back to the time of the Incas. Visit the Museo de Oro and see the many Incan artifacts discovered underwater from around the island. Enjoy the beautiful sunrises and sunsets in the clear skies.
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Uyuni
Originally a railroad junction, Uyuni has become a very popular place to visit. Take a trip to the Train Graveyard and see dozens of decommissioned locomotives, wagons, and other antique machinery. Look up in awe at the massive 30 plus foot cacti that tower over the town. Bring a camera for some unique shots of the salt covered terrain at the world’s largest salt flat, Salar de Uyuni.
Media Gallery
Hotel Options
3 Star Properties
Hostal Naira
La Paz , BOLIVIA
With the majestic Illimani background and nestled in a basin in the Bolivian Altiplano, lies the beautiful and impressive city of La Paz. The Hostal Naira is a charming and intimate hotel characterized by its quiet and friendly atmosphere. Strategically located in Sagarnaga Street, it is one of the best lodging options in the city. Hostal Naira has all the amenities that modern hospitality requires, with 32 comfortable rooms, fully equipped and with an original décor and ambience in the style of the early twentieth century. The hotel also offers Wi-Fi throughout the building, a TV and reading room, bar, and Café Banais servining local and international dishes.
4 Star Properties
Hotel Rosario
La Paz , BOLIVIA
Hotel Rosario is a lovely and charming hotel, set in a colonial style house, located in the center of La Paz. It’s the perfect place to visit for a city excursion. The cozy rooms are elegantly decorated with motifs from the Aymara and Quechua cultures, and are equipped with Cable TV, Wi-Fi, private bathroom, and either courtyard or street views. The candlelit dining room serves up fresh Bolivian and international cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner, while the third-floor wine bar offers some of the country’s finest wines and innovative cocktails with stunning views.
Island of the Sun : Ecolodge La Estancia
Ecolodge La Estancia
Island of the Sun , BOLIVIA
Ecolodge La Estancia is an ideal destination in one of the most mystic places of the Andean regions that is in harmony with the nature from the Island of the Sun and Lake Titicaca, and which respects and conserves the cultural traditions of the local Aymaras. The use of traditional Andean architecture from the area has been maintained in the design of the Ecolodge by utilizing stone, adobe bricks, thatch roofs and by the preservation of the existing terraces. There are 15 cottages with private bathroom (11 twins, 4 doubles), all with a lake view, as well as a comfortable restaurant and bar.
Hotel Girasoles
, BOLIVIA
Hotel Girasoles is located in the city center of Uyuni. The hotel has 34 spacious and bright rooms feature enormous doors made from cactus wood, an exotic plant that grows in the middle of the magnificent salt flats of Uyuni. They come equipped with simple and elegant décor, Cable TV, and private bathrooms with showers. The hotel also features free Wi-Fi access, a comfortable and well-let seating area, a garden, and a complimentary buffet breakfast served daily. There is also an onsite restaurant serving a variety of traditional and international dishes.
5 Star Properties
La Paz : Casa Grande Suites Hotel
Casa Grande Suites Hotel
La Paz , BOLIVIA
Discover a unique and exclusive collection of luxury hotels in the South Zone of La Paz, Bolivia at Casa Grande Hoteles. Set apart by their distinctive architecture, contemporary décor and five-star amenities, Casa Grande Hotel and Casa Grande Suites provide the ideal destination for executive travelers, families and couples seeking to experience the best that La Paz has to offer.
We’ve created our hotels with the idea that a new journey begins once you arrive. By infusing each guest’s experience with an international cuisine using local ingredients, ambiance that is both surprising yet filled with familiar comforts, and the genuine warmth for which Bolivian hospitality is known, we seek to provide a deeper, more personal connection to La Paz.
Welcome to Casa Grande Hoteles.
Europa Hotel
La Paz , BOLIVIA
Elegance, functionality, and high technology come together at Hotel Europa to offer a highly personalized attention, to make staying here a unique and unforgettable experience. Situated in a primes location, with 110 spacious rooms and suites offering complimentary amenities such as complimentary breakfast daily, and wireless internet. Other hotel amenities include highly renowned restaurants preparing the best local and international cuisine, a well-equipped fitness center, a heated pool, dry and steam saunas, a Jacuzzi, and massage rooms.
Ritz Apart Hotel
La Paz , BOLIVIA
The Ritz is a five-star Apart Hotel with a classic English style. The Ritz Apart Hotel opened its doors in September of 1995. The hotel has 70 suites of different kinds that show the essence of comfort and elegance. They are equipped with Satelite TV, Internet, minibar, and a private bathroom. In “Duke’s Restaurant” guests will find renowned national and international gastronomy. And one can also enjoy a wide variety of sandwiches and salads in the Bar-Cafeteria, “The Oak”. There is also a delicious buffet style breakfast served daily.
La Paz : La Casona Boutique Hotel
La Casona Boutique Hotel
La Paz , BOLIVIA
La Casona Hotel Boutique, located in the historic center of the city of La Paz, is an architectural legacy of colonial style, built in the seventeenth century. Visitors of La Casona Hotel Boutique will have the feeling of stepping back in time exploring different environments, stone patios, terraces, towers, stables, the belfry and viewpoints that have been cleverly situated so that they can have an unforgettable experience. The spacious rooms include Cable TV, Internet, minibar, and private bathrooms. Guests can request massage services, enjoy a delicious buffet breakfast, and dine at La Casona Coffe Restaurant to taste the most diverse national and international cuisine.
Cristal Samana
Uyuni , BOLIVIA
Cristal Samaña Hotel is a modern building constructed entirely with blocks of salt extracted from the salt flats. It is the only hotel in Bolivia projected based on Feng Shui principles, and its architecture is in coca leaf shape, which reflects energy and balance. The rooms, decorated with elements of astrology carved on the walls of salt, are equipped with Wi-Fi, TVs, and private bathrooms. There is also buffet styles breakfast served daily in the dining area.
Luxury Properties
La Paz : DM Andino Resort & Spa
DM Andino Resort & Spa
La Paz , BOLIVIA
DM Andino Resort & Spa is luxurious hotel set in a beautiful colonial hacienda, with spectacular views of the Andes. The spacious and elegantly design rooms are equipped with Cable TV, Wi-Fi, minibar, and private bathroom. The hotel offers a heated outdoor pool surrounded by classic coliseum pillars, a well-equipped fitness center, and the Eucalyptus Spa offering hot volcanic stone massages. Restaurant El Salar serves gourmet national and international cuisine in a welcoming environment, as well as a Sunday buffet with different specialties.
La Paz : Casa Grande Apart Hotel
Casa Grande Apart Hotel
La Paz , BOLIVIA
Surrounded by majestic mountains, Casa Grande Hotel is located in the heart of the South Zone, the residential district of La Paz. The hotel’s commitment to quality is reflected in the innovative architecture, inspiring spaces with eclectic decor and cozy rooms. The rooms are equipped with Wi-Fi, TV, minibar, and private bathrooms. Relax at Wellness Casa Grande, featuring a heated pool, Jacuzzi, fitness room with the latest machines, and a massage room. The Yerba Buena restaurant offers gourmet international food, the Casabar offers drinks and cocktails with spectacular city views, and the Puro Gelato & Café is a wonderful ice cream shop with coffee and baked goods.
Camino Real Suites
La Paz , BOLIVIA
Camino Real Suites is ideally located in the beautiful city of La Paz, and provides warm and friendly atmosphere to ensure a quick acclimatization and a pleasant rest. The rooms are bright and spacious and are equipped with free Wi-Fi, Cable TV, minibar, private bathroom, and panoramic views of the city. The hotel also offers a health club featuring an indoor pool, whirlpool, fitness room, dry and steam saunas, and massage rooms with health and beauty treatments. Guests can dine at the La Tranquera restaurant and enjoy exquisite flavors of the regional and international dishes, or relax with a hot drink in the Novo Café Lounge.
Luna Salada
Uyuni , BOLIVIA
Luna Salada Hotel, built purely out of salt blocks, offers a high-level Andean Cuisine, Free Wi-Fi internet access in the Lobby, free parking and a very complete buffet breakfast. A Unique hotel offering rooms with stunning panoramic views of the Uyuni salt flats, which are finely decorated with salt blocks and handicrafts of the area, also equipped with heating, seating areas and private bathrooms. The restaurant offers regional and international dishes. Guests can enjoy reading a book in the fireplace area or book an excursion to visit the salt mine. There is also a games room with pool tables and ping pong. In addition, it offers a bicycle rental service.
Cristal Samana
Uyuni , BOLIVIA
Cristal Samaña Hotel is a modern building constructed entirely with blocks of salt extracted from the salt flats. It is the only hotel in Bolivia projected based on Feng Shui principles, and its architecture is in coca leaf shape, which reflects energy and balance. The rooms, decorated with elements of astrology carved on the walls of salt, are equipped with Wi-Fi, TVs, and private bathrooms. There is also buffet styles breakfast served daily in the dining area.
Palacio de Sal
Uyuni , BOLIVIA
Guests are invited to live a unique experience at one of the most exotic hotels of the world, in a natural, magical and wonderful place. Located on the banks of the majestic Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia, one will find the Palacio de Sal hotel, unique in its class for being entirely built with salt: walls, floors, ceilings, furniture, sculptures, everything. The rooms have a unique beauty that stands out with igloo shaped roofs built with salt blocks, and are equipped with central heating, and private bathrooms with hot and cold water. El Mesón, the elegant restaurant, serves a variety of dishes made with local ingredients.
Testimonials
Karina S.
Traveled June, 2016
Trip was pretty awesome
Really enjoyed Lake Titicaca, Valley of Moon, dazzling stars at night, Isla de la Luna!! colonial cities and Salt Flats (what a surprise from exterior of landscape to interior of hotel) . . . very memorable trip.
Thanks for all your help.
Traveled To
Noel M.
Traveled August, 2012
Your professionalism, support, and understanding regarding my personal concerns is greatly appreciated
Ruby, how do I begin to thank you for the amazing trip you arranged for my wife and I to Peru and Bolivia this summer. Your professionalism, support, and understanding regarding my personal concerns is greatly appreciated. You and your staff went above and beyond to help me with my needs that made our trip truly an amazing one. I only have great things to say to my friends and family about all that you did for us. My wife loved Machu Picchu and it was great staying at the luxurious Inkaterra in Aguas Caliente. Ruby, thank you for everything. You know that I will highly recommend you to any of our friends that are considering a trip to south-america. Also, thank Jeff and Stephanie for all their help as well. Speak to you soon.
Traveled To
Karen and Stephen
Traveled January, 2007
I cannot really convey in a few sentences how satisfied we were with your services.
I never took the time to thank you for the wonderful arrangements made by you and your team at Yampu for a trip we made in late January of this year to Peru and Bolivia. I cannot really convey in a few sentences how satisfied we were with your services. We had never used a travel company before this trip. Considering the fact that we were traveling to third-world countries where life simply is not the same as here in the U.S., we were wonderfully surprised at the smoothness of all of our travel. We attribute this to your choice of tour guides and accommodations chosen in those countries. I thought of you and Yampu recently because we are planning to travel to southern Spain next year, but unfortunately for us you don’t service Spain! Some day we plan to travel to Chile and Argentina, and hope to make use of your services again. Thanks again for such great travel arrangements.
Traveled To
Jennifer
Traveled March, 2008
The trip was great! Thank you
I have been meaning to write, but have been so busy now that I am back to work. The trip was great! Thank you. I had no troubles. I loved Bolivia-wished I had stayed there longer. My guide, Marco, was wonderful there. I enjoyed Peru very much, too. Especially Cusco. The people at there were really excellent. Very helpful and reliable. When my flight from Lima to Cusco was canceled, my guide Elena came back to the airport to look for me and assist me. I was very impressed with that. Already thinking of my next trip, but of course I will need to save money and time off from work again. Thanks to everyone at Yampu,
Traveled To
