| Day | Location |
|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive La Paz. City tour this afternoon if time allows. |
| 2 | Morning visit to Tiwanaku ruins. Afternoon city tour of La Paz or free time. |
| 3 | Morning departure for Island of the Sun. Overnight on the island. |
| 4 | Guided tour of Island of the Sun. Return to La Paz. |
| 5 | Departure Day. City tour if you are departing in the evening and have not had one. |
5 days: US$1650 per person
(What’s Included)
Get a taste of this exotic South American country on this exciting five-day tour. We’ll visit the capital city of La Paz, as well as the ruins of Tiwanaku and the Island of the Sun on Lake Titicaca. And as with all Southern Crossings trips, airport transfers are included!
Depart any day!
| Day | Activity/Location |
|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in La Paz and transfer to our hotel. We’ll take a city tour in the afternoon if there is time, visiting the Witches’ Market, downtown La Paz, the Presidential Plaza and the eerie Valley of the Moon. If there is not time for a city tour today, we will include one before your departing flight on day 5. |
| 2 | This morning we head out of La Paz to the ancient ruins of Tiwanaku. 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. |
| 3 | Lake Titicaca is the destination this morning. It’s a beautiful journey there across the altiplano by private vehicle, with a series of +20,000 ft. peaks glistening off to our right the entire trip. After arriving into Copacabana, we’ll have lunch on the lake shore and then embark on a short boat journey to the Island of the Sun. We will spend the night of the island. Great sunset views! |
| 4 | 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. |
| 5 | Today is departure day. If you are departing in the evening and have not had a city tour, you will have a city tour today before being transferred to the airport. Airport transfers are always included in the package. |
TRIP DETAILS
5 days: US$1650 per person
Is this trip for me?
Bolivia Blitz! is a five-day tour which includes walking in various ruins and on city tours. As always, a certain patience is required for the inconsistencies and delays of developing-world travel.
Please note: Southern Crossings has many relaxed tours, this tour however is for the more adventurous traveler. Please ask your client services assistant for more information on transport and accommodation for your specific tour.
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 ripped off by airport taxis!
What’s not included
International flight to/from La Paz, airport taxes (approx. US$32), pre- & post- tour accommodation, visas, vaccinations, personal insurance, meals except where specified above, drinks, laundry, souvenirs, tips while on optional excursions and other items of a personal nature. Medical travel insurance is not included through Southern Crossings though we do require that you have a policy, cancellation insurance is advisable. Any medical insurance is acceptable, we recommend Travel Guard. Click on the logo below for a quote:
Extra Accommodation
We will gladly arrange additional accommodation for you before or after your trip:
In La Paz: $110 double/$90 single.
Single Person Supplement: $750
Please add this amount to the payment if you will be traveling alone or wish to have private accommodation.
PRE-TRIP PLANNER
Required documents
All travelers to Bolivia are required to have a passport valid for at least six months from date of entry. Visas are not required for E.U., Canadian, Australian or New Zealand passport holders. A visa is required for U.S. citizens, which costs $135.00 and can be obtained at point of entry. Please visit the U.S. state department website for what you will need to present to obtain your visa. A visa can also be obtained in advance through any Bolivian consulate. For other nationalities, please consult the nearest Bolivian embassy or consulate. An onward ticket and proof of funds may also be required at entry and should be available to show to immigration. Traveler’s checks, currency, or a bank statement, from the bank or printed off the internet, are sufficient for proof of funds.
Required immunizations
No immunizations are required of travelers to these areas of Bolivia, except for U.S. citizens, who are required to show a yellow fever international certificate as part of the visa requirement. Travelers may wish to receive hepatitis vaccinations and should be current on all other standard vaccinations. No areas visited on this trip are malarial or yellow fever zones. Please consult your physician or local health department for more information.
Things to bring
One should come well prepared for outdoor activity at temperatures ranging from 30 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and for extremes of sun and the possibility of rain. A list of things to bring would include:
· Passport and, if necessary, visa
· Traveler’s checks and/or cash card
· Airline ticket and Travel Insurance Policy
· Photocopies of airline ticket and documents
· Wearable pouch for documents and money
· Large, sturdy backpack or suitcase
· Smaller, comfortable day pack
· Trekking/walking boots or shoes, comfortable and worn-in
· Sandals or flip-flops
· Rain poncho or jacket
· Waterproof pants
· Sun hat
· Hat for cold weather
· Good, warm clothing for cold weather (think layers!)
· Scarf and gloves
· T-shirts
· Socks (thin wool or biking socks are best), undergarments
· Camelback or Nalgene bottle (optional)
· Flashlight (head lamps are very handy)
· Sunscreen
· Lip balm
· Earplugs
· Alarm clock or watch
· Sanitizing hand wipes or gel
· Camera and film/digital memory cards
· Camera batteries
· Playing cards, games, reading material
· Prescription medications
· Toiletries
Note that common clothing, batteries, film, medications, and such toiletries as
toothpaste, toothbrush, toilet paper, deodorant and feminine hygiene items are
available in Bolivia.
It is best to bring from home such items as prescription meds, eyewear and care, extra
large clothing, shoes, unusual film and camera batteries. Also note that most digital
camera memory cards can be downloaded and burned onto a CD in internet cafes in
La Paz.
Climate
Rain is possible at any time of year, especially in high mountains and on the Bolivian altiplano, and one should always be prepared. The climate in sites we will visit is as follows:
La Paz, Lake Titicaca, and Tiwanaku: days are warm if sunny, chilly if cloudy. Nights are cold in La Paz.
Money guide
The unit of currency in Bolivia is the boliviano. Automatic cash points are available in La Paz. Visa, MasterCard, Plus, and Cirrus are the most common usable types of cards. Traveler’s checks (American Express is best!) or a Visa or MasterCard for cash advances are also options. Do not bring Money Grams or International Money Orders, as they are extremely difficult to exchange. Banks and exchange houses are available in La Paz, and exchange houses are available in Copacabana. For currency, U.S. dollars are recommended and most easily exchanged. Please note that cash must be untorn. It can be older-looking, but even the slightest tear on an edge will make it un-changeable. Acceptable bills come out of the ATMs in country. Expect to spend about US$3-10 on a meal, US$1 on a beer, water or soft drink in Bolivia. Shopping prices are usually lower than people expect. Alpaca sweaters, for example, run between $5 and $30. Currency Converter

“The Bolivia Blitz tour is special in many ways. The great thing about Southern crossings is that the holiday is personal, there is an itinerary but it can be adapted to suit your special interests.We had two excellent guides, Ivan was our attentive guide throughout; we had some great conversations and many laughs, and Pepe our local guide came with us on the trips to Lake Titicaca, Isla del Sol and Tiwanaku, providing lots of interesting insights into Bolivian life past and present. We even had a gift of a CD with some photos of our trip courtesy of Ivan and Southern crossings – some wonderful memories of an incredible experience!
The Bolivia Blitz tour is not to be missed. Bolivia is a special place:
the people, the colours, the amazing scenery make it unique; the trip came up to our expectations and more. This was our second trip with Southern Crossings, we went to Peru a few years ago which was equally great. You see things as they are but you have the help and support of excellent guides who make it personal for you – a good combination whatever age you are. If you love South America and the Andes and want to see more take this trip we recommend it.”
-Helen and Michael Gorman, UK – Bolivia Blitz!
“Our trip was great and your staff is wonderful. When my husband got sick one night, Karen, from your staff took us to the hospital, sat with us until 2:30AM, translated for us and offered to make soup and bring it back to us. She was a lifesaver! I felt safe in her hands and in knowing she was just a phone call away. I saw things on this trip I never thought I’d see. It was well worth it. Southern Crossing put together one heck of an 8-day excursion for us. We’d use them again in the future without question.”
-Ruth Zurawka, USA – Inca Heartland