Bolivia

Bolivia: Amazon Jungle to the Salt Flats - 10 Days

From Raw Jungle to the Spectacluar Landscapes of the Salar de Uyuni

Bolivia: Amazon Jungle to the Salt Flats - 10 Days

From Raw Jungle to the Spectacluar Landscapes of the Salar de Uyuni

Experience an exhilarating 10-day journey from the Amazon Jungle to Bolivia's Salt Flats with FlashpackerConnect Adventure Travel. Explore Madidi National Park's lush wilderness, encounter exotic wildlife, and relax in eco-lodges. Then, marvel at the surreal Uyuni Salt Flats, witness breathtaking sunsets, and explore the Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve. Conclude your adventure with a tour of La Paz's vibrant culture. Join us for an unforgettable exploration of Bolivia's diverse landscapes.

Highlights:

  • Journey from the heart of the Amazon Jungle to the surreal landscapes of the Salt Flats
  • Encounter diverse flora and fauna in Madidi National Park, from vibrant parrots to elusive anacondas
  • Unwind in eco-lodges nestled amidst pristine wilderness, savoring delicious local cuisine
  • Experience the otherworldly landscapes of the Uyuni Salt Flats, with endless white expanses and towering cacti
  • Marvel at the surreal beauty of Isla Incahuasi and witness breathtaking sunsets over the salt flats
  • Conclude the journey with a captivating tour of La Paz, delving into its vibrant culture and history

Departures:

  • Flights to/from Rurrenabaque: There are flights only on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. This program works by flying to Rurrenabaque on Monday and returning on Friday.
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Trip Itinerary

DAY 1: Arrive in La Paz

Arrive in La Paz and transfer to your hotel. (International Flight Not Included)

Overnight: La Paz at Stannum Boutique or similar.

Meals: included: None.

Day 2: La Paz - Rurrenabaque - Madidi Jungle

Pick up from the lobby of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight from La Paz to Rurrenabaque (Flight includes 1 check-in luggage up to 10 kg + 1 carry-on up to 5 kg). Upon arrival, transfer to the port for a boat trip of approximately 3 hours, where you'll be treated to spectacular landscapes of the Beni and Tuichi rivers before entering Madidi National Park.

Arrive at the hostel around noon, where a refreshing fruit juice will welcome you, followed by lunch. In the afternoon, embark on a walk along our "dry stream" trail, where you'll encounter a variety of plants and learn about their multiple uses in medicine, crafts, and construction. With luck, you may observe species of monkeys, wild boars, birds, and insects along the way.

Overnight: Madidi at Mashaquipe Ecological Lodge.

Meals included: Lunch, Dinner.

Day 3: Madidi Jungle

Start the day with breakfast at 7 am. Begin your exploration by visiting "El Farallón de las Parabas," where you can enjoy the beautiful macaws, parrots, and other birds. Then, transfer to the Tuichi River to build a rustic raft and navigate for around 2 hours back to Mashaquipe Lodge. Lunch. In the afternoon, engage in optional activities such as sport fishing or craft construction.

Overnight: Madidi at Mashaquipe Ecological Lodge.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 4: Madidi Jungle

Breakfast at 7:00 am. We will commence our day by visiting "El Farallón de las Parabas", a walk that will last approximately 3 and a half hours. Along the tour, we will observe large trees and learn about their various uses. Upon arrival at "El Farallón de las Parabas", you can delight in the sight of beautiful macaws, parrots, and other birds, while also enjoying the impressive view of the Amazon and its flowing rivers.

Next, we will transfer to the Tuichi River, where we will construct a rustic raft of logs to navigate for about 2 hours until we reach the "Mashaquipe" lodge again for lunch.

In the afternoon, optional activities such as sport fishing or craft construction are available for those interested.

Overnight: Pampas de Yacuma at Las Tortugas Ecological Lodge.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 5: Rurrenabaque

Start the adventure at 5:00 am to witness the sunrise and listen to the awakening of the pampas, accompanied by the symphony of howler monkeys and various birds. Enjoy breakfast before embarking on a boat trip along the Yacuma River, searching for a special place to walk and encounter the impressive anaconda. Throughout the tour, observe a diverse array of animals including birds, capybaras, alligators, turtles, and more. After lunch, return to Rurrenabaque. Arrive in Rurrenabaque around 4:30 pm and transfer to your hotel.

Arrival in Rurrenabaque at around 4:30 pm and transfer to your hotel in Rurrenabaque.

Overnight in Rurrenabaque: Maya de la Amazonia

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.

Day 6: Rurrenabaque - La Paz + City Tour La Paz and Moon Valley Half-Day

Pick up from the lobby of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight to La Paz (including 1 check-in luggage up to 10 kg + 1 carry-on up to 5 kg). Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of the traditional neighborhoods of the city, including San Pedro, known for its unique prison, and Sopocachi, the first residential area of La Paz. Experience a breathtaking cable car ride, offering panoramic views of the city.

Explore the fascinating Valley of the Moon, renowned for its clay formations sculpted by wind and rain. Discover the historic charm of La Paz with visits to notable landmarks such as Calle Jaén and the Plaza Murillo. Indulge in a traditional lunch at a local Bolivian restaurant before embarking on a guided tour of the famous Witches Market, offering insights into Andean rituals and beliefs.

Duration: 4 hours. Return to your hotel to unwind after an enriching day of exploration.

Overnight: La Paz at Stannum Boutique or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.

Day 7: La Paz – Uyuni

Pick up from the lobby of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight to Uyuni. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by a tour representative holding a sign with your name on it. Your tour begins at 10:30 am with a visit to Uyuni's 'train graveyard' to witness the abandoned locomotives. Next, explore the small settlement of Colchani, known for its salt miners' workshops and handicrafts made of salt and textile art crafted from llama and alpaca fibers.

Cruise along the vast white expanse of salt, visit the 'salt water eyes' at los Ojos de Agua Salada, and explore a hotel made entirely of salt, now converted into a museum. Lunch will be served on "Isla Incahuasi" (Fish Island), where you can hike to the island's summit to marvel at giant cacti and petrified coral rock formations. Capture memorable perspective-distorted photos on the salt flats before heading to Pia Pia Island for a breathtaking sunset experience.

Conclude the day with dinner and an overnight stay in Ajencha town. In the evening, enjoy stargazing from a remarkable lookout point through a telescope.

Overnight in Agencha: Basic Hotel – shared room*

Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8: Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve

Start off at 7 am for breakfast. Our first stop is Galaxy Caves before continuing on to visit the Chiguana Desert on the south side of the Uyuni Salt Flats, surrounded by volcanoes such as Ollague (19,190 feet / 5840 meters), which is still active and visible from the lookout. Continue along a rocky road - Pasito Tuntun - to the beautiful Andean lagoons inhabited by three species of Andean flamingos. Marvel at three lagoons on the way: Cañapa, where you’ll see pink flamingos; Hedionda, where lunch will be served; and Chiarcota, where you’ll see a wider variety of birds and altiplanic fauna.

Afterward, we enter the Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve and visit the Desert of Siloli at 14,927 feet / 4550 meters (the highest and driest in the world) and take photos next to the 'Rock Tree', a lava rock formation. Before arriving at our final destination today, we will stop at the overlook point by the Red Lagoon to see more pink flamingos in their natural habitat and admire the intense red-colored lake. Stay the night at a shared family lodging.

*Overnight in Huayllajara: Basic lodge – private room*

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 9: Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve

Begin your day bright and early at around 5:00 am to explore the Sol de Mañana Geyser, situated at an impressive altitude of 16,404 feet (5,000 meters). Walk alongside fumaroles and steaming craters emitting boiling mud pots at temperatures ranging from 302 to 392 degrees Fahrenheit (150-200 degrees Celsius). Afterward, proceed to the open-air hot springs, where you can luxuriate in 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius) water before indulging in a delicious pancake breakfast.

Our journey continues to the iconic Dali Desert, a place where Salvador Dali found artistic inspiration amidst boulders scattered across the desert landscape. Next, we visit the enchanting Green Lagoon, nestled at the base of the Licancabur volcano at a staggering altitude of 19,685 feet (6,000 meters), just a few kilometers from the Bolivia-Chile border.

Following these awe-inspiring sights, we make our way back to Uyuni, passing through breathtaking scenery and enjoying a picnic lunch along the roadside. Along the route, we'll pass by notable landmarks such as the Valley of the Rocks, the Alota settlement, and the San Cristobal Village, where we'll have the opportunity to explore the local church and admire its exquisite colonial paintings. Finally, return to your hotel in Uyuni to conclude the day's adventures.

Transfer by foot, on your own, to the bus station to take the bus night departing at 8pm (duration: 10 hrs).

Overnight: Overnight bus (Uyuni to LaPaz)

*Meals included: breakfast, lunch

Day 10: Departure from La Paz

Arrive at the bus station at 6:00 am and transfer to the airport for your international flight (booked on your own). Departure from La Paz.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Additional Trip Info

  • Hotel accommodation according to itinerary in double occupancy.
  • Meals according to itinerary.
  • All guided excursions in English in shared/group service.
  • All tour and intermediate transfers.

JUNGLE

  • Transfer from Airport to Rurrenabaque.
  • Transportation by boat from Rurrenabaque to Ecolodge within Madidi National Park.
  • Accommodation in a private room.
  • All meals (Regular & Vegetarian) while at the Ecolodge.
  • Mineral water during your stay at the Ecolodge.
  • Bilingual local guide (English & Spanish) expert in rainforest appreciation.
  • Domestic flights: La Paz – Rurrenabaque – La Paz.

UYUNI

  • Accommodation in a shared room.
  • Domestic flights: La Paz – Uyuni.
  • Commercial bus Uyuni – La Paz.
  • Travel Insurance
  • Gratuity
  • Extras
  • International flights
  • Meals not indicated
  • Drinks
  • Entrance ticket to Uyuni: US$ 30 (paid in cash)
  • Entrance ticket to the Jungle: US$ 50 (350bs) (paid in cash)
  • Travel Insurance - We recommend  World Nomads, or Global Rescue

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