Bolivia with Harmen Hoek

Dinner at a local restaurant is included. Your meal will typically be a 3-course a la carte menu with 1 non-alcoholic beverage included, subject to change.

Overnight in La Paz.

Boxed breakfast is included. Due to the early flight this morning, your hotel will provide you with a boxed breakfast to take on the go as you make your way to the airport.

Take a 30 minute private transfer to the La Paz airport where you will board your 1-hour flight to Uyuni. Upon arrival in Uyuni, you will transfer 15 minutes to the hotel to store your luggage. Please note that you will be allowed 1 carry-on (less than 15 lbs) and 1 checked bag (less than 50 lbs) with maximum dimensions of 21” x 13” x 10”. The maximum allows size per checked luggage is 62 linear inches, i.e., the sum of length, height, and width.

After dropping your luggage at the hotel, you’ll set out to explore the salt flats! You’ll start the day with a 15 minute transfer to visit the Train Cemetery. During this time, you’ll walk through this unique open-air museum featuring rusted 19th-century locomotives, learn about Uyuni’s railway history, and enjoy free time to explore the trains and take memorable photos at one of the most iconic sites in the region.

Next, you’ll transfer 30 minutes to visit the salt processing village - Colchani Village. With your guide, you’ll explore the small village known as the gateway to the Uyuni Salt Flats. You will learn about the traditional salt processing methods, see local handicrafts made from salt and llama wool, and have time to browse souvenirs while gaining insight into the daily life and culture of the local community.

A picnic lunch is included during your time in the salt flats. Your meal will be a simple variety of protein, carb, and veggie dishes self-served, buffet style, subject to change.

After lunch, continue 20 minutes to Plaza de las Banderas and the Dakar Monument. The Plaza de las Banderas is a colorful celebration of Bolivia’s cultural diversity. The plaza is lined with vibrant flags representing regions and communities from across the country, creating a visually striking display beneath the wide Bolivian sky. It’s a popular stop for travelers looking to take photos and soak in the atmosphere. Dakar Monument stands as a striking cultural landmark celebrating both artistry and regional heritage. The monument’s detailed design reflects the creative skill of its makers while symbolizing the layered history of Bolivia, where indigenous traditions and colonial influences intersect. Set against the vast, open landscapes near the Uyuni Salt Flats, it’s a memorable stop that invites visitors to pause, learn, and capture photos of this unique fusion of culture and scenery. *Please note that depending on the day’s timing, this may be moved to the following day (Day 3) to ensure the group is not rushed.

Watch as the sun slowly sinks over the vast white expanse of Bolivia’s salt flats, painting the sky in warm shades of gold, pink, and orange. During the rainy season, a thin layer of water transforms the landscape into a natural mirror, reflecting the sky so perfectly that the horizon seems to vanish. As daylight fades, the immense silence and boundless scale of the flats create a sense of calm and wonder that feels almost otherworldly. It’s a powerful, unforgettable moment that stays with you long after the sun slips below the horizon. Then transfer

Overnight in Uyuni.

Breakfast is included and is typically served buffet-style. Hotel breakfast typically includes a variety of options, such as hot dishes, a selection of cold cuts, pastries and bread, jams, and fresh fruit. The exact style of breakfast and offerings will be determined by your finalized hotel.

Transfer in 4WD vehicles (4 passengers per vehicle) to Incahuasi Island in the salt flats. You’ll make a stop along the way at Ojos del Salar, before continuing your transfer. Stops at designated landmarks or rest areas will be made for bathrooms along the way. Bathrooms are very basic and often cost a small fee to use, so it is important to keep small change (coins) and your own toilet paper on your person when using the these facilities.

Known as the “eyes of the salt flat,” these natural openings are rare geological features where subterranean rivers rise to the surface beneath the vast Uyuni Salt Flat. The water that emerges is rich in minerals and has distinct acidic properties, creating a striking contrast against the surrounding salt crust. Locals believe these waters hold medicinal qualities, and their presence offers insight into the hidden water systems that exist below the seemingly endless white landscape.

Incahuasi Island rises dramatically from the endless white expanse of the Uyuni Salt Flats, like a rocky oasis in a sea of salt. Covered in towering giant cacti, some of which are hundreds of years old, the island offers a striking contrast to the flat, blindingly white surroundings. From the top, sweeping panoramic views stretch in every direction, emphasizing the vastness and scale of the salt flats below. Once a volcanic peak, Incahuasi is also rich in fossils and history, making it both a natural and geological highlight of the Uyuni region.

A picnic lunch is included during your time near Incahuasi Island. Your meal will be a simple variety of protein, carb, and veggie dishes self-served, buffet style, subject to change.

After lunch, you’ll head back to Uyuni. Along the way you’ll make several stops at notable attractions and areas for some stunning photography opportunities. Stops at designated landmarks or rest areas will be made for bathrooms along the way. Bathrooms are very basic and often cost a small fee to use, so it is important to keep small change (coins) and your own toilet paper on your person when using the these facilities.

Overnight in Uyuni.

Breakfast is included and is typically served buffet-style. Hotel breakfast typically includes a variety of options, such as hot dishes, a selection of cold cuts, pastries and bread, jams, and fresh fruit. The exact style of breakfast and offerings will be determined by your finalized hotel.

Today you will transfer in 4WD vehicles (4 passengers per vehicle) to the lakes of the South Lipez Region. You will make stops for photography along the way. You’ll spend some time at each lake before transfering 30 minutes between each lake. Other stops at designated landmarks or rest areas will be made for bathrooms along the way. Bathrooms are very basic and often cost a small fee to use, so it is important to keep small change (coins) and your own toilet paper on your person when using the these facilities.

Laguna Cañapa is a true haven for nature lovers and photographers. Its pristine waters mirror the surrounding snow-capped mountains, creating breathtaking, postcard-perfect views. Stroll along the shoreline and soak in the peaceful atmosphere, while keeping your camera ready to capture the stunning scenery. For bird enthusiasts, the lake is equally captivating. Home to a variety of species, including flamingos, Andean avocets, and Andean gulls, it offers an unforgettable opportunity to observe these elegant birds in their natural environment.

A picnic lunch is included during your time in the salt flats. Your meal will be a simple variety of protein, carb, and veggie dishes self-served, buffet style, subject to change.

Laguna Hedionda is best known for its seasonal gatherings of pink and white flamingos, which make it a spectacular spot for wildlife observation. The lake is extremely saline, with salt concentrations ranging from 66–80%, and it averages less than a foot in depth. Its name, which translates to “Stinking Lake” in Spanish, comes from the strong sulfuric odor produced by the high mineral content of the water.

Nestled among snow-capped volcanoes, Laguna Honda, whose name means “Deep Lake”, is surprisingly shallow, with a depth of only about 10 cm. This shallowness gives the lake an exceptionally calm surface, turning it into a natural mirror that perfectly reflects the brilliant blue sky and drifting clouds. The scene becomes even more breathtaking when flocks of flamingos take flight, adding movement and color to this serene landscape.

Transfer back to Uyuni. Along the way you will make stops for some amazing photography opportunities. Stops at designated landmarks or rest areas will be made for bathrooms along the way. Bathrooms are very basic and often cost a small fee to use, so it is important to keep small change (coins) and your own toilet paper on your person when using the these facilities.

Overnight in Uyuni.

Breakfast is included and is typically served buffet-style. Hotel breakfast typically includes a variety of options, such as hot dishes, a selection of cold cuts, pastries and bread, jams, and fresh fruit. The exact style of breakfast and offerings will be determined by your finalized hotel.

Transfer 10 minutes from your hotel to the Uyuni airport. Then, board your 1-hour flight to La Paz. Upon arrival, transfer 30 minutes to your hotel to store your luggage. Please note that you will be allowed 1 carry-on (less than 15 lbs) and 1 checked bag (less than 50 lbs) with maximum dimensions of 21” x 13” x 10”. The maximum allows size per checked luggage is 62 linear inches, i.e., the sum of length, height, and width.

In the afternoon, get ready to experience the vibrant heart of the city on a private walking tour, discovering the city’s bustling local markets, colorful streets, and authentic flavors. Visit landmarks such as Calle Jaen, Plaza Murillo, the Main Square, and the Witches Market. During your walking tour, you’ll make two stops to try local snacks like salteña and quinoa burgers. The snacks you try may vary depending on availability. Later, enjoy a ride on La Paz’s iconic cable car, offering panoramic views of the city’s dramatic landscape. You will walk about 2-3 miles in flat and hilly areas.

Overnight in La Paz.

Breakfast is included and is typically served buffet-style. Hotel breakfast typically includes a variety of options, such as hot dishes, a selection of cold cuts, pastries and bread, jams, and fresh fruit. The exact style of breakfast and offerings will be determined by your finalized hotel.

Take a 40 minute transfer to the venue where you will watch Cholitas (female wrestlers) wrestling match. Bolivian cholitas wrestling is a vibrant form of professional wrestling featuring Indigenous Aymara and Quechua women performing in traditional dress, including pollera skirts and bowler hats. Originating in El Alto near La Paz in the early 2000s, it blends athleticism, theatrical storytelling, and humor inspired by lucha libre. Beyond entertainment, it has become a powerful symbol of cultural pride and empowerment, celebrating the strength and identity of Indigenous women in Bolivia.

Dinner at a local restaurant is included. Your meal will typically be a 3-course a la carte menu with 1 non-alcoholic beverage included, subject to change.

Overnight in La Paz.

Breakfast is included and is typically served buffet-style. Hotel breakfast typically includes a variety of options, such as hot dishes, a selection of cold cuts, pastries and bread, jams, and fresh fruit. The exact style of breakfast and offerings will be determined by your finalized hotel.