Bolivia: Culture and Traditions

Cities: La Paz, Tiwanaku, Potosí, Uyuni, Sucre
Duration: 10 days
Area of Study: Culture

Bolivia: Culture and Traditions

Request Price For This Program

All items (*) are mandatory

Program Includes

● 8 Nights of Accommodation

○ 2 people per room for participants, each with their own bed and ensuite bathroom
○ Single for faculty/program leader(s) with ensuite bathroom
○ Free wifi

● All Ground Transportation

● Meals: Daily Breakfast, 4 Lunches, Welcome Dinner + 1 extra dinner + Snacks on Day 9

● Historical & Cultural Walking Tours

● Full Time On Site Program Director Available 24/7 in case of Emergencies

● 24/7 On-Ground Emergency Support

● SAA’s Mandatory Health Insurance*

● SAA’s $5m Liability Insurance (COI available upon request)

● Tips & Gratuities

Program Highlights

● La Paz Tour

● Cholitas Wrestling Show

● Tiwanaku

● Ceramic Workshop

● Uyuni Tour by Jeeps

● Potosi Tour

● Mining Market

● Mine Visit & “El Tio” Ceremony

● Sucre Tour

● Visit One of the Largest Collections of Dinosaur Footprints in the World

● “Orígenes” Cultural Show

● “A Cascarle” Gastronomic Experience

Program Itinerary

day 1 / DEPARTURE

Depart Home for La Paz, Bolivia

day 2 / LA PAZ

Arrive in La Paz, Bolivia

Airport Transfer

Hotel check-in, Relax & Refresh

Orientation Walking Tour - The group will become oriented with their neighborhood, the public transportation systems, nearby pharmacies, markets, ATMs, etc. Additionally, an in-depth safety briefing will be provided for what to do incase of an emergency.

Welcome Dinner - The group will be taken for an authentic dinner with a variety of menu options to cater
all diets

day 3 / LA PAZ

Breakfast & Day Briefing

Full Day La Paz Tour - Our first stop at Murillo square, where the Bolivian government is based, once here we ́ll visit the immense Cathedral and Presidential Palace known as the Burnt Palace due to its near destruction in 1875 during a popular uprising.
After leaving the square, we will head to San Francisco church - belonging to the 16th century - showcasing a mestizo-baroque frontage and symbols such as masks, dragons, tropical birds and snakes.
Next, we will visit the famous colonial street Jaen street and after that we will take the cable car, a modern system on transportation of the city that connects La Paz with the neighboring city of El Alto. Appreciate a wonderful view of city surrounded by manifest Andean
landscape. The tour continues to visit the unique Moon Valley, a place where the erosion has caused stony forms, giving the sensation to be in a real lunar soil.
Lunch Included

In the afternoon, head to the city of El Alto one of its panoramic viewpoints. We will also visit the interior of the iconic “Crucero de Los Andes” cholet.

Cholitas Wrestling Show - The Bolivian Cholitas Wrestlers present the best wrestling show in Bolivia, promoting fair competition and respect for professional skills while elevating the level of wrestling in the country.

day 4 / TIWANAKU / LA PAZ

Breakfast & Day Briefing

Visit Tiwanaku - Located near the south shore of Lake Titicaca on the Altiplano, at an altitude of 12.631 feet. The artistic style of Tiwanaku is unique, with fascinating pieces that feature exaggerated heads. Along the way, we will stop at nice viewpoints where we will have the opportunity to enjoy amazing views of the Altiplano and part of Lake Titicaca, considered one of the biggest lake in South America. Once at these archaeological ruins we will visit two
handicraft museums with archaeological pieces from ancient Tiwanaku culture, the Ceramic Museum and the Lytic Museum. Afterwards, we visit the ruins and temples of the Tiwanaku archaeological complex where we will be able to admire The Sun Gate, which captures
the first rays of sun on the Summer Solstice to bring down all the cosmic energies from the upper world.
Lunch Included

Ceramic Workshop - In this hour spent with local community members, they will share insights into traditional pottery techniques and their cultural significance. At the end of the session, participants will also have the opportunity to take part in the activity themselves and experience the process firsthand.

day 5 / LA PAZ / UYUNI

Breakfast & Day Briefing

Transfer to Airport

Flight to Uyuni (approx 1 hr) Uyuni Tour by Jeeps (4 people capacity) - Our first stop
will be the Train Cemetery, where we will be able to see the remains of very old wagons and trains dating back to the early 1900s and the beginning of the 20th century.
Afterwards, we will continue to Colchani town, where it is possible to observe artisanal salt-processing workshops.
Here, you can also purchase local handicrafts and traditional salt-made souvenirs.

We then continue to the Uyuni Salt Flats, the largest salt flat in the world, covering 4,085.73 square miles.

Lunch in the Middle of the Salar Included  Surrounded by its unique and breathtaking landscapes.

Afterwards, we visit Incahuasi Island , a unique place home to ancient giant cacti and stunning panoramic views in the middle of the salt flats (note that Incahuasi Island cannot be visited during the rainy season, usually from December to March, due to weather and
access conditions).

Another highlight will be the natural salt water eyes and vents, followed by a visit to the old Salt Hotel, where the typical salt architecture can be appreciated. Afterwards, there will be time to take the famous perspective photos in the middle of the Salar, and we will end the day on a high note with a spectacular sunset over the Uyuni Salt Flats.

day 6 / UYUNI / POTOSI

Breakfast & Day Briefing

Transfer to Potosi (approx 4 hrs) Potosi Tour - Located to 13,373 feet, Potosi is the highest
city in the world. It is characterized by its Baroque architecture, its beautiful churches, monasteries, temples, palaces and large houses that deck out the narrow and little streets. Potosí has several symbolic buildings, such as "La Casa de la Moneda", considered the largest and most representative museum, which is built in stone and cedar wood and covers an area of 81,482 square miles.

day 7 / POTOSI / SUCRE

Breakfast & Day Briefing

Visit of the Mining Market - A local guide will provide an explanation about the materials that are used daily in the interior mine, such as dynamite, coca leaves, alcohol and others. Here we have the chance to buy Coca leaves to deliver to the miners inside the mine itself.

Visit a Mine & Participate in “El Tio” Ceremony - We will head to a small "warehouse" where we will be provided with the necessary equipment such as water boots, trousers and work jacket, helmet and flashlight.
Once equipped we will visit one of the more than 300 mines that exist in "El Cerro Rico", where we will have the chance to participate in a ceremony for “El Tio” - the Uncle - who is the local underworld deity who ensures protection, and secures a bountiful harvest of minerals.

day 8 / SUCRE

Breakfast & Day Briefing

Sucre Tour - This is the constitutional capital of Bolivia. It is without doubts one of the most beautiful cities in Bolivia. Here we will visit the enchanted streets of the city and you will be surprised by the aura and the beauty expressed by the neoclassical facades. the magnificent colonial churches and their welcoming people. Sucre is also known as the "Ciudad Blanca" - the White City. Its historical centre maintains the colonial architecture of last centuries. You will be able to appreciate the visit of the most attractive places and its historical sights. From the The Square May 25th, the Cathedral, the famous House of the Freedom, San Francisco Church and the museum and the Recoleta.
Lunch Included

Visit One of the Largest Collections of Dinosaur Footprints in the World - The footprints
are set into a the Cal Orck’o cliff, just 3 miles from the city center. Discovered on the grounds of the local cement company, Fancesa, the footprints have been turned into a major tourist attraction with the creation of a dinosaur-themed park which includes a museum
dedicated to the findings, as well as a collection of life-size dinosaur sculptures -including the enormous titanosaurus!

“Orígenes” Cultural Show - In the evening, participate in this authentic and enriching experience that will make you to connect with Bolivia’s traditions and artistic
expressions.
Through music, traditional dances, and cultural performances from different regions of the country, the show provides a vibrant insight into Bolivia’s cultural diversity and richness in a warm and entertaining atmosphere. (Wednesday to Saturday)
Dinner Included

day 9 / SUCRE / LA PAZ

Breakfast & Day Briefing

Transfer to Airport

Flight to La Paz

Hotel Check-In

“A Cascarle” Experience - This is a unique gastronomic tour through the most popular street food traditions of La Paz. During the activity, we will discover the flavors, history, and cultural origins behind some of the city’s most iconic recipes through live cooking
demonstrations and thematic tasting stations inspired by traditional “chiwiñas.” The experience includes the tasting of four local specialties accompanied by a traditional
drink, as well as the opportunity to interact with the young chefs from the Manq'a culinary program.

day 10 / RETURN

Breakfast & Day Briefing

Transfer to La Paz Airport

Depart La Paz, Bolivia for Home

Request Price For This Program

All items (*) are mandatory

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