📍 Bolivia

BOLIVIA ULTIMATE: SALT DESERTS AND SACRED LAKE JOURNEYS

Salt flats stretch in unreal white, Andean peaks pierce the clouds, indigenous traditions carry on the ancestral. Bolivia in all its splendor is altitude made life.

≈ 22
Days
4525
Km
13
Stops
📖 8 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

From Santa Cruz's tropical lowlands to Uyuni salt flat, from white Sucre to La Paz perched at 3,600 meters, Bolivia concentrates all of South America's extremes.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Santa Cruz De La Sierra

tropical lowland adventure gateway

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7 photos
Day 1
🔍

Discover

1
Arrival in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, discovery of the historic center and Plaza 24 de Septiembre.
2
Walk in Santa Cruz Botanical Garden to discover local tropical flora.
🎯

Activities

→
Typical dinner in a local peña with traditional camba music.
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 501 km
Travel time: 10h01
2
Day

Santiago De Chiquitos

jesuit mission cathedral heritage

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6 photos
Day 2
🔍

Discover

1
Route to Roboré then discovery of the Jesuit Missions and the colonial village of Santiago de Chiquitos.
2
Hike to the Tucabaca viewpoint for a panorama over the valley.
🎯

Activities

→
Sunset observation from the Tucabaca Viewpoint.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 26 km
Travel time: 31min
3
Day

Aguas Calientes

thermal spring mountain valley

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8 photos
Day 3
🔍

Discover

1
Exploration of the natural pools of Las Pozas and swimming in the thermal river of Aguas Calientes.
🎯

Activities

→
Bird watching and local wildlife observation around the natural park.
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 566 km
Travel time: 11h20
4
Day

Samaipata

cloud forest orchid bloom

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7 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
Visit to Amboró National Park and hike in the cloud forest at Refugio Volcanes.
2
Discovery of the archaeological site of El Fuerte de Samaipata, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
🎯

Activities

→
Local wine tasting
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 259 km
Travel time: 5h10
5
Day

Torotoro

canyon red rock formation

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6 photos
Day 5
🔍

Discover

1
Journey to Torotoro, exploration of the national park and observation of dinosaur footprints.
2
Visit of the Umajalanta cave and Torotoro canyon.
🎯

Activities

→
Observation of the Ara rubrogenys in the valley.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 148 km
Travel time: 2h57
6
Day

Sucre

colonial white heritage city

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6 photos
Day 6
🔍

Discover

1
Visit of the historic center of Sucre, House of Liberty and cathedral.
2
Exploration of the San Felipe Neri monastery and ASUR textile museum.
🎯

Activities

→
Walk on the rooftops of La Recoleta for a view of the white city.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 104 km
Travel time: 2h05
7
Day

Potosi

silver mine historic weight

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8 photos
Day 7
🔍

Discover

1
Route to Potosí, visit of the Cerro Rico mines and Casa de la Moneda museum.
🎯

Activities

→
Walk through colonial streets and local markets.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 193 km
Travel time: 3h52
8
Day

Uyuni

salt flat white endless

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7 photos
Day 8
🔍

Discover

1
Departure for Uyuni, discovery of the Salar de Uyuni and Incahuasi island covered with giant cacti.
2
Visit of the Uyuni train cemetery.
🎯

Activities

→
Sunset over the Salar and starry sky observation.
✈️
Next stop
✈️ Flight / transfer day
Distance: 601 km
Travel time: 12h01
9
Day

Tarija

valley wine grape region

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5 photos
Day 9
🔍

Discover

1
Flight to Tarija, visit of the colonial center and discovery of the national wine museum.
2
Excursion in the valley of los Cintis and visit of traditional vineyards.
🎯

Activities

→
Wine tasting and Singani, national drink.
10
Day

La Paz

altiplano capital chaos city

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3 photos
Day 10
🔍

Discover

1
Exploration of La Paz center, witches' market and red cable car.
2
Hiking in the Valle de las Ánimas.
🎯

Activities

→
Cultural evening in a panoramic restaurant overlooking the city.
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 308 km
Travel time: 6h09
11
Day

Rurrenabaque

jungle river amazon gateway

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8 photos
Day 11
🔍

Discover

1
Flight to Rurrenabaque, gateway to the Amazon.
2
Exploration of Madidi national park: forest trek and bird watching in Caquiahuara.
🎯

Activities

→
Wildlife observation (monkeys, caimans, pink dolphins) by canoe in the pampa.
→
Sunset observation over the snow-capped peaks.
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 560 km
Travel time: 11h12
12
Day

Sajama

andean peak snow white

Sajama - Photo 1Sajama - Photo 2Sajama - Photo 3Sajama - Photo 4Sajama - Photo 5Sajama - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 12
🔍

Discover

1
Return to La Paz then route to Sajama national park.
2
Hiking at the foot of Sajama volcano and bathing in natural hot springs.
🎯

Activities

→
Sunset over the lake from Cerro Calvario.
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 281 km
Travel time: 5h37
13
Day

Copacabana

lake shore sacred island

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7 photos
Day 13
🔍

Discover

1
Journey to Lake Titicaca, visit to Copacabana and the Notre-Dame sanctuary.
2
Excursion to Santiago de Okola and meeting with local communities.
🎯

Activities

→
Sunset over the lake from Cerro Calvario.
✈️
Next stop
✈️ Flight / transfer day
Distance: 978 km
Travel time: 19h33

🗺️ Itinerary map

🗺️ Nearby itineraries

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BOLIVIA: BETWEEN SACRED LAKES, ANDES AND SALT DESERT

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BAJA CALIFORNIA

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❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Dry Season (May-October): Best weather overall, minimal rainfall, clearer skies, ideal for Salar de Uyuni, peak tourist season.

Wet Season (November-April): Heavy rains, challenging road conditions, Salar de Uyuni becomes mirror-like, lush landscapes, fewer tourists.

Shoulder Seasons (April-May, October-November): Good weather transitions, moderate crowds, reasonable prices, excellent for most activities.

High Altitude Considerations: La Paz and Altiplano best visited during dry season, less altitude sickness risk with clear weather.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 18 and 26 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in Bolivia?

World's highest capital and salt flats create otherworldly landscapes alongside ancient Incan heritage. Experience authentic indigenous culture in dramatic Andean settings with incredible value for money. Lake Titicaca's floating islands and death road adventures thrill visitors. Bolivia offers authentic South American experiences with stunning natural phenomena.