Detailed trip itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in La Paz the highest international airport in the world, anytime today and private transfer to your hotel. You´ll have a private city tour in the afternoon if there is time, visiting the Witches’ Market, colonial La Paz, downtown La Paz and the presidential plaza. Later you will visit the Valley of the Moon which gives the eerie sensation of being on the moon or another planet because of its strange rock formations. You will also have a chance to ascend the majestic Illimani Mountain on the highest urban cable car in the world. If there is not time for a city tour today, we will include one before your departing flight on day 8.

Day 2

This morning we head out of La Paz to the ancient ruins of Tiwanaku on a private tour. The Tiwanaku culture thrived from around 200 to 800 AD and controlled a large area of Bolivia and southern Peru. The ruins are fascinating, with strange, sculpted faces set in the walls of a sunken temple, and a huge carved archway called the Gate of the Sun. Return to La Paz in the afternoon.

Day 3

An early morning departure to Lake Titicaca by private transport, where we’ll board a boat to the Island of the Sun. The Island of the Sun is the mythical, and perhaps actual, origin place of the Incas. This morning we visit some fascinating maze-like proto-Inca ruins and then head by boat to the south side of the island for more sightseeing and a lunch with spectacular views of the lake. Afternoon return by boat to Copacabana then by private vehicle to La Paz.

Day 4

La Paz – Rurrenabaque – Chalalan Ecolodge

Private morning transfer to the airport and flight to Rerrenabaque. The Amazon rainforest is this morning’s destination as we take a short flight over the Andes to Rurrenabaque, a bustling Amazonian outpost. From the port, we´ll take a 5.5 hr. motorboat tour to the lodge via the Beni and Tuichi rivers.  We´ll pass through the Bala canyon on the Beni River and enter the Madidi National Park on the Tuichi river. Along the way you can enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Amazon and observe wildlife. Once we reach Chalalan port we´ll walk 25 minutes to the lake, where the lodge is located. We’ll spend the next two nights here. Our cabins at the lodge have modern bathrooms and comfortable beds with mosquito nets, and the food here is great. Over the next few days you will have different activities to choose from while be accompanied by an experienced naturalist guide.

The next day’s optional activities will include a visit to an oxbow lake to look for caiman, monkeys, macaws and other wildlife as well as jungle walks led by an experienced English-speaking guide. You’ll witness an array of medicinal and otherwise interesting flora and fauna, as well as gain some insight into native Amazonian peoples and traditions.

Day 5

Chalalan Ecolodge – Madidi Nacional Park

Today after breakfast you´ll have a guided walking tour where you can observe squirrel monkeys, howler monkeys, spider monkeys, capuchin monkeys and many species of birds such as toucans, macaws, parrots and eagles.

In the afternoon, after lunch and short rest you will have another opportunity to see more wildlife and learn more about native plants and animal behaviors. Other activities include: handicraft activities, canoe rides on the lake, video presentations about our community and the Madidi National Park. Dinner.

Tonight, we will take a canoe ride on the lake to observe nocturnal animals.

Day 6

Chalalan Ecolodge – Madidi Nacional Park

After breakfast, we will follow the trail to the Eslabon River, this is a longer walk (6 hours) deeper to the pristine rainforest Here we will have the opportunity to observe more animals such as the black spider monkey, the tapir, deer, troop of wild pig (Peccary). Today we´ll have lunch by the Eslabon River. After a short rest and observing the landscape, we will return to the lodge along the same trail. Back at the lodge you can rest or go for a swim. Buffet style dinner tonight consisting of typical food from the area.

Tonight, we will take a canoe ride on the lake to observe nocturnal animals.

Traditional night (Quechua – Tacana) where our guides will explain the customs, habits and rituals of the Uchupiamonas indigenous people.  Diring tonight´s activity you can try local traditional drinks, enjoy local music and dance with people in the San José de Uchupiamonas community.

Day 7

Chalalan – Rurrenabaque – La Paz

Morning Chalalan jungle lodge activitity, then lunch at the lodge. Afternoon boat tour (3 hours) and flight back to La Paz. Transfer to hotel. Overnight in La Paz.

Day 8

Departure day. City tour today if there wasn’t time on day 1 then private transfer to the international airport to catch your flight.

Extra accommodation

We will gladly arrange additional accommodation for you before or after your trip.

Is this trip for me?

Bolivia Sampler is an eight-day tour which includes walking in various ruins, on city tours and in the Chalalan rainforest. As always, a certain patience is required for the inconsistencies and delays of developing-world travel.

Joining the tour

On all Southern Crossings tours you are met at the airport by one of our representatives (holding a Southern Crossings placard) who will accompany you to our joining hotel. No bargaining or being swindled by airport taxis.

Single Person Supplement

A single person supplement will be added to your quote if you are travelling alone.