Arrival in La Paz

Our evening in Atix Hotel, La Paz is a time for rest as we acclimatise to the altitude.

Upon arrival at El Alto International Airport, La Paz, Bolivia you will be transferred to our accommodation, Atix Hotel, La Paz – those who want can take the cable car. From the comfort of this small hotel, we can relax as we acclimatise to the high altitude. La Paz is one of the highest cities in the world. We will get a briefing by our guides and we’ll enjoy the hotel’s amenities as we prepare for the exciting journey ahead.

Meal: Dinner.
Accommodation: Atix Hotel, La Paz – Superior Room.

Please note: the actual order and timing of events might change.

We head to Tiwanaku and Lake Titikaka

Tiwanaku is the cradle of one of South America’s most advanced pre-Inca civilisations.

The day begins with an early departure from La Paz to Tiwanaku, the archaeological gem of the Andes and the cradle of one of South America’s most advanced pre-Inca civilisations. We will step back in time as we explore its monumental ruins. We will wander through the Semi-subterranean Temple, where mysterious carved stone faces whisper forgotten stories, view the remains of Akapana Pyramid, once the spiritual and political heart of the Tiwanaku culture, and walk among the enigmatic structures of Puma Punku, a site where precisely cut megalithic blocks defy conventional explanations. The flawless craftsmanship and mysterious assembly of the stones in Tiwanaku reveal the civilisation’s profound architectural and astronomical knowledge.

After a lunch break to refuel, our journey continues to Copacabana, a picturesque town on the shores of Lake Titikaka, whose waters have been revered for centuries. Here, you will visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana, an impressive Moorish-style sanctuary that houses the Dark Virgin of the Lake, a deeply venerated figure in the region. As the sun sets, casting golden and violet hues across the sky, the evening concludes with a truly magical experience: stargazing in the Andean night sky. From the high-altitude vantage point of Copacabana, free from light pollution, the constellations appear within reach, revealing the same celestial patterns that guided ancient Titikaka navigators. 

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel Rosario, Copacabana – Superior Room.
Duration: 10 hours.

Please note: the actual order and timing of activities may change.

We take a boat to Sun Island 

On Isla de Sol, or Sun Island, we will explore the Pilkokaina Inca palace and enjoy an Apthapi communal feast prepared by the local community.

As the first light of dawn reflects on the sacred waters of Lake Titikaka, the day begins with a boat journey to the legendary Isla de Sole, or Sun Island. It is a place steeped in myths and considered the birthplace of the Inca civilisation.

Upon arrival, we will explore Pilkokaina, an ancient Inca palace whose ruins evoke the grandeur of rulers who once inhabited this sanctuary. Next, we will ascend the Yumani Stairway, a centuries-old stone path leading to the Fountain of Eternal Youth. Local tradition claims the water holds rejuvenating properties. Lunch will be a true cultural immersion, featuring a traditional Apthapi, a communal feast prepared by the local community. This Andean-style meal includes native potatoes, freshly caught trout, artisanal cheeses, and seasonal vegetables, offering a taste of the highlands’ rich culinary heritage. More than just a meal, this is an opportunity to connect with local traditions and the warmth of the Andean people.

In the afternoon, we will return to Copacabana, with some free time to explore before we make our way back to La Paz, carrying with us the echoes of ancient civilisations and the breathtaking landscapes of the Andes.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Atix Hotel, La Paz – Superior Room.
Duration: 8 hours.

Please note: the actual order and timing of activities may change.

We head to the world’s largest salt flats

Our hotel on the edge of the Uyuni salt flats is made almost entirely of salt blocks.

We will begin the day early with a flight to Uyuni, from where we’ll travel past Colchani, where locals process salt, before reaching the Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt flats in the world.

We will explore this otherworldly landscape of blinding white vastness. In some areas, the ground is covered in a pattern of hexagonal tiles, a natural pattern formed as the water evaporates and the salt crystallises. The salt is sometimes piled into small conical mounds as it is harvested by local workers, creating a stark contrast against the flat horizon. Depending on the weather conditions, a thin layer of rainwater can cover the salt, transforming the entire landscape into a perfect mirror that reflects the sky above. We will visit Isla del Pescado (Incahuasi Island) to see its giant cacti, birds, and vizcachas (like a mix between a rabbit and a squirrel).

We will enjoy a buffet lunch out on the salt flats and spend the afternoon exploring this surreal environment, ending the day with a breathtaking sunset from our hotel, which is made out of blocks of salt.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel Luna Salada, Salar de Uyuni, Uyuni – Deluxe Room.
Duration: 10 hours.

Please note: the actual order and timing of activities may change.

An iconic volcano and the chance of unbelievably starry skies

Tunupa is a dramatic volcano on the edge of the salt flats that is sacred for the Aymara people. Photo: CC BY-SA 2.0 Murray Foubister.

Today, we will set out to explore the majestic Tunupa Volcano on the northern edge of the Salar de Uyuni. It stands in bright contrast to the white expanse of the salt flats, for it slopes are coloured with a surreal palette of reds, oranges, yellows, and purples, the result of rich mineral deposits exposed by time.

We will stop at the Chantani Museum, a quirky and fascinating open-air museum in a remote, windswept landscape, showcasing an eclectic mix of Andean culture, natural history, and surreal art. At the volcano, we will step inside the Chullpas Cemetery, a hidden cave on the slopes that is home to the Coquesa Mummies. The identity of the seven individuals buried there remains a mystery. The mummies are remarkably well-preserved, and the ceramics and other artefacts that accompany them give an insight into the indigenous peoples of this area from centuries past.

In the evening, we will be given a talk on the archaeo‐astronomy of the ancient peoples of this region by Dr Manuel de la Torre. An astronomer, retired meteorologist and expert in astronomical knowledge of the indigenous Andean people, Dr de la Torre will also take us out on the salt flats with a telescope for a guided tour of the incredible stars that can be visible in the crystal clear and and minimal light pollution of this area. If we happen to be lucky with recent rainfall, we might even be able to see the starry sky doubled with incredible reflections in shallow water on the salt flats.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel Luna Salada, Salar de Uyuni, Uyuni – Deluxe Room.
Duration: 8 hours.

Please note: the actual order and timing of activities may change.

We cross the desert to meet flamingos

Flamingoes feed on algae, diatoms, and small invertebrates in the mineral-rich lakes in the Avaroa National Reserve.

We will head out from our hotel early for a new adventure through this majestic highland region. Heading to the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve we’ll travel across the Siloli Desert, passing the iconic Stone Tree and visiting the pristine lakes of Blanca, Hedionda, Chiarcota, and Ramaditas.

At Laguna Colorada, which is coloured red by the abundant algae and plankton, we will be able to observe three species of flamingos in their natural habitat: the James’s Flamingo, the Chilean Flamingo, and the Puna Flamingo (the most threatened species, recognisable by its black flight feathers and yellow legs).

After a full day of exploration, we’ll return to Uyuni in the late afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel Luna Salada, Salar de Uyuni, Uyuni – Deluxe Room.
Duration: 8 hours.

Please note: the actual order and timing of activities may change.

We return to La Paz via the beauty of El Alto

The bright neo-Andean architecture of the ‘cholets’ of El Alto was pioneered by Aymara architect Freddy Mamani. Photo: CC BY-SA 3.0 Grullab.

After a short flight from Uyuni to La Paz, we’ll be welcomed and transferred to El Alto, the highest major city in the world. It is a vibrant cultural hub. Here, we’ll explore unique architectural gems known as ‘cholets’. These bold and colourful buildings, whose name comes from the word ‘chalet’, blend contemporary design with the heritage of the Aymara, the indigenous people of this Altiplano region of Bolivia. These structures, designed by renowned architect Freddy Mamani, are a fascinating expression of neo-Andean identity. El Alto is a stronghold of Aymara culture, identity, and political power in Bolivia

Following this brief visit, we will continue to our hotel in La Paz, where we can spend the remainder of the day relaxing and unwinding in the hotel, or head out to explore the city and its local markets.

In the evening at our hotel we will enjoy a delicious farewell dinner, which will include a Sky Holiday quiz about what we learned on our trip – and, yes, there will be Cloud Appreciation Society prizes to be won!

Meal: Breakfast, farewell dinner.
Accommodation: Atix Hotel, La Paz – Superior Room.

After breakfast and goodbyes, you’ll be transferred to El Alto International Airport in good time for your flights.

Meal: Dinner.
Transfer: to airport