Feb 9: Copacabana-Moon Island-Sun Island  
Hydrofoil cruise to Copacabana  to visit the Cathedral and site of religious pilgrimages. Moon Island to visit the Sun Virgins Temple and Sun Island to visit the Sun Temple. A llama trek will take us to Posada del Inca lodge for  lunch and  overnight. Afternoon free. B/L/D

Feb 10: Sun Island—Huatajata
After visiting the Inca Staircase & Sacred fountain to taste the sacred water believed to give eternal youth & happiness and lunch at the Uma Kollu archaeological restaurant we will return by hydrofoil to Huataja to Experience the Andean Roots Eco Village: The Altiplano Museum,  where a state of the art audio system will explain the cultural heritage of the Aymaras and the Incas, the colonial time and Jacques Cousteau Expedition to Lake Titicaca. Handicrafts and fisherman villages, the Mud Igloos of the Uru Chipayas; meet the Limachi family, builders of the RA II and Tigris for Thor Heyerdhal epic expeditions across the Atlantic Ocean. Spend some time at the Kallawaya Natural Spa where we use thousand years' old methods and treatments for stress, well-being, and cosmetology.

Audiovisual and night visit to "The Mystic World of the Kallawayas", natural healers of Bolivia authorized by law to practice natural medicine. They believe that you first have to heal the soul in order to heal your body. "Tata Benjo", -our Kallawaya- will bless visitors and answer questions by casting his sacred coca leaves. B/L/D
Overnight at Inca Utama, 2nights.

Feb 11: Huatajata - (The Urus—Floating Islands)
Hydrofoil cruise  to the ISLAND OF PARITI, "The new Archaeological discovery on Lake Titicaca", visit the Island & the Museum of Pariti where we will observe the high artistic quality of over 100 of the fines TIWANAKU ceramic pieces.  Continue to Kalauta Island, through swinging Totora reed canals. Visit the largest necropolis in the area and the Mortuary Towers -Chullpas. Finally visit of the Urus-Iruitos Floating Island and Sustainable Tourism Project on Quewaya Island. We will also visit a school where we can contribute school supplies. Native picnic lunch. B/D

Feb 12: Huatajata —Oruro
 This morning we will drive to Oruro, about 4+ hours on a paved road.  After lunch we will check at our hotel and begin our  participation in  their famous Carnival.  Two nights at Hotel San Felipe B/L/D

Feb 13: Oruro 
Today we will enjoy this unique carnival with lavish costumes and elaborate traditions from our VIP seating on the main square.
The carnival goes on all night. B/L/D

Feb 14: Oruro—La Paz 
In the morning we will visit this city , once the largest city in Alto Peru due to its silver mines, including the Sanctuary of Socavon where the religious aspect of the carnival can be experienced. After lunch we will drive to La Paz. Four nights Hotel Ritz. B/L

Feb 15: La Paz  (Tiwanaku)
The magnificent ruins of Bolivia and one of the oldest civilizations in the Americas. The Sun Gate, the Temple of Kalasasaya and the Pyramid of Akapana are the sample of a glorious past. Tiwanaku culture was an agrarian based economy with an estimated population of 115.000 inhabitants. The state controlled agriculture produced the surplus wealth to support the urban centre and administrative system. They were outstanding in agriculture, hydraulic, architecture & medicine, as well as in social organization. Due to an economical crisis caused by a long dry season, Tiwanaku collapsed around 1.000 AD.  After lunch we will return to La Paz for a city tour. The City of La Paz and its surroundings can transport you to a mysterious past where any corner, any street, is a hidden treasure; a living history which treasures the pre Hispanic times.The indigenous, colonial and modern areas, Indian Market, Witch Doctor's Market all framed by the majestic "Illimani" mountain. B/L

Feb 16: La Paz 
Full day to enjoy the city of La Paz and shop for their wonderful crafts and souvenirs.  B (Optional visit to Coroico in the Yungas Tropical Valley. )

Feb 17: La Paz—Sucre
Morning transfer to the airport for our flight to Sucre, Bolivia’s most attractive city. a city of immense beauty, is replete with historic edifices that serve as a scenic backdrop to its rich legacy. This place has so many stunning monuments and such a wealth of colonial history, that in 1991, UNESCO declared it a world heritage site. In the afternoon a special ‘Ancient textiles display and lecture'. The collection of textiles displayed shows one of the greatest varieties of textiles gathered together in one collection. The lecture is given by an expert in textiles, owner of the collection. This allows better understanding of Bolivia and the many different cultural groups living in this country.  We will also visit the Textile Museum of Asur and the Museum of Masks. Tonight private dinner at a local residence  to see the   legacy of colonial times in the everyday life of the  people. B/L/D Parador Santa Maria Real, three nights.

Feb 18: Sucre 
Morning free. In the afternoon  a visit to the city and its Museums.  Evening dinner and folk show.  B/D

Feb 19: Sucre  (Cal Orck'o  Dinosaur Park)
Just opened this park has footprints believed to be over 65 million years old and one of the Great Tyrannosaurus Rex.After lunch free time to enjoy this colonial city and many artisanal shops.  B/L

Feb 20: Sucre—Candelaria
A three hour drive from Sucre through the rolling hills and tiny villages of rural Bolivia brings us to the 200 year old Hacienda La Candelaria, which has been transformed into a simple guest house. The emphasis on a stay at this hacienda is an authentic local experience rather than a luxury stay. It is a rustic adobe-brick hacienda built around an impressive court-yard, with limited electricity and no hot running water, but with plenty of atmosphere.  Here we will meet three generations of hacienda owners and the village people as well as contribute to the local school. Hacienda Candelaria, one night. B/L/D  (Accommodations in double rooms, one bathroom per two rooms)

Feb 21: Candelaria—Tarabuco—Sucre
Full day visit of Tarabuco, one of the most pure examples of community markets in South America. Here the residents have conserved the traditional dress and customs of bygone times, which they show off in their entire splendor in the market that takes place each Sunday. Return to Sucre for overnight at Parador Santa Maria Real, one night.  B/L

Feb 22:
We will start our extension to the  World Heritage City of Potosi and to the largest sat flats in the world! The Uyuni Salt Desert...
Others  will depart for La Paz to connect with their flights home or overnight if needed.

Extension to the Silver Mines of Potosi and the Amazing Salt Flats of Uyuni

Feb. 22: Sucre—Potosi
At over 13,000 feet above sea level, Potosi is the highest city of its size in the world. After the discovery of silver in Cerro Rico (Rich Hill), Potosi grew into the largest and most opulent city in the Americas. The city’s rich colonial architecture and tragic history as a colonial mining town has earned recognition from UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Your time here is free to explore the cobblestone streets and possibly visit the working mines of Cerro Rico. With no mechanization in the mines, a visit into the maze of tunnels is sure to leave a lasting impression. Overnight at Hotel Coloso, one night.  B/L/D

Feb 23: Potosi—Uyuni
In the morning we will finish our visit of Potosi which will include the beautiful convent of Santa Teresa and Casa de la Moneda, the Spanish mint. In the afternoon we will drive to Uyuni  through tortured canyons and past adobe villages where time seems to stand still. Overnight at Laguna Salada Hotel constructed of Salt Blocks, two nights. B/L/D

Feb 24: Uyuni
We will visit Colchani to see how locals extract and process the salt. At "ojos de sal" ice cold healing water bubbles through the salt. At Isla Incawasi we will explore the island with its amazing huge cactuses. The infinite view of the salt lake from this place is impressive. B/L/D

Feb 25: Uyuni—Tayka
Today we will drive to Laguna Hedionda a remote lake in the Andes, fabulous for photography. An amazing experience! We will continue through impressive vistas to the famous Stone Tree. Overnight at Tayka Desert Hotel  B/L/D

Feb 26: Tayka—Tambo Aymara
We will visit Laguna Colorada and verde. Bolivia contains some of the world's wildest and most spectacular landscapes, including the Laguna Verde, backed by the dormant 19,555ft Licancábur volcano. It is one of several striking colored lakes, including the Laguna Colorada, where the fiery red waters and arctic-white shores (a result of salt and borax deposits) contrast with the colour of the lake's three species of breeding flamingos. Overnight at Tambo Aymara Hotel.  B/L/D

Feb 27: Uyuni—Sucre
Return to Sucre for overnight.  Parador Santa Maria la Real.  B/L

Feb 28: Sucre—La Paz
Morning flight to La Paz for an overnight at Hotel Ritz.  B

March 1: La Paz—San Francisco
Transfer to the airport for your  flight at 7:50am. Arrive in San Francisco at 10:40pm

Please call us for details and pricing.
Space at the Oruro Carnival is VERY limited

Visit to Cusco and Machu Picchu can be arranged before or after the tour

 
Susan and Neil Silverman invite you to join them through this spectacular landscape to share with those who fancy their enthusiasm for outdoor photography. They work together in many different fields of photography. Design firms and ad agencies represent their work nationally and internationally. Susan and Neil have traveled just about the world giving workshops and taking outstanding pictures. They are well versed and studied in both digital and film based cameras, studio lighting and as well as natural lighting.