Tour info

About Our Group Tours

To find out more about how our group tours including group sizes, solo travellers and why to choose us. Please click here.

Tour Leader

On this tour, you’ll be accompanied from start to finish by one of our exceptional Journey Latin America tour leaders. From the moment you land in Latin America until the day the tour ends they will deal with all the practicalities, expertly adapting to the circumstances and individual needs of the group. Rather than different guides in different cities, your leader will get to know the group and keep you informed and entertained as you go.

Summary Of Nights

13 days, 12 nights: Santa Cruz 1; Samaipata 1; La Higuera 1; Sucre 2; Potosi 1; Uyuni 1; Salt Flats 1; La Paz 2; Copacabana 1; Santa Cruz 1.

Accommodation

On this journey we stay at simple hotels and guesthouses. The nature and size of the accommodation means that we use a number of properties depending on availability.

We use the following properties on this tour:

• Santa Cruz: Hotel LP Equipetrol
• Samaipata: Pueblito
• La Higuera: Posada La Casa del Telegrafista (shared bathroom)
• Sucre: Hotel Independencia
• Potosi: Hotel Santa Teresa
• Uyuni: Hotel Palacio de Sal
• La Paz: Hotel Rosario
• Copacabana: Hotel Rosario del Lago

On very rare occasions these hotels can change, however please speak to one of our consultants who can provide full details for each departure if you have any doubts. Address and contact details will be sent out with your final documents

Transport

2 flights (45mins each). All land transport is operated privately for the group.

Meals

Breakfast daily; Lunch days 4, 8 and 11; Full board days 2, 3 and 9.

Optional Excursions

On this tour the price includes excursions in all the places you visit as per the itinerary. There will however be some free time when you may choose to take part in an optional excursion. These are booked locally through your tour leader once you are in Latin America, however we are more than happy to advise you of what is on offer in advance of your holiday so you can best plan the excursions that suit you.

Travelling Alone

There is no extra cost for single travellers who are willing to share a room. You will be accommodated with another same-sex member of the group who is also travelling solo. For single travellers who wish to have their own room there are a limited number of single rooms available, which carry a surcharge.

Trip Suitability

There are a few long days of travel on this trip, but as journeys are taken by private transport you will have maximum comfort and we can make a stop at will. Bolivia is still one of the more underdeveloped countries in Latin America and this trip visits some of the more remote areas. Therefore for some days facilities will be more basic and eating opportunities more limited.

Altitude

Your stays in Sucre (2,800m), Potosi (4,090m), Uyuni (3,656m), La Paz (3,632m) and Lake Titicaca (3,812m) are at high altitude. Because the trip gains altitude slowly, most people are only mildly affected and if you drink plenty of water and allow your body to acclimatise (don’t exert yourself or drink alcohol for the first couple of days at altitude), you should be OK. Symptoms vary: most common are mild headaches, slight nausea and breathlessness. If you don’t recover in a day or two speak to our representatives; in very rare instances it is necessary to descend to lower altitudes.

Climate

We run this tour in June when the climate is optimal to enjoy the varying regions the tour visits. This dry season is the most accessible time for visiting the salt flats but it can be cold at night especially at altitude.

The weather in La Paz and Lake Titicaca is dry with pleasant daytime temperatures. A comprehensive overview of the weather in all the regions you are visiting can be found in our Destination pages. Our Travel Experts can answer your questions on climate and further details will be sent with your confirmation documents.

Clothing, Equipment and Luggage

A daypack is essential for carrying rainwear, snacks, books/tablet and a water bottle. It will be warm in the sunshine but at altitude chilly in the shade, and at night so you’ll need layered clothing, including fleece, hat, scarf and gloves. Sunblock, sunglasses and good walking shoes or boots are necessary.

Money

Please see the Country Info tab on this holiday for our latest currency information and advice about how to take your spending money. Tipping in Latin America is almost always done using cash. It is customary to tip tour leaders, local guides, drivers, boat crews and other service providers such as restaurant staff and porters. Full tipping guidelines are sent with your confirmation documents as is advice on local costs.

Health, Entry Requirements and Insurance

For health information on travelling to Bolivia including recommended vaccinations, please see https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/

All Latin American countries have specific entry regulations related to Covid 19. Please also check our Travel Hub for further information.

Holders of a full British passport do not require a visa, although passports should be valid for at least 6 months after the trip begins. Other nationalities should enquire with us or check with the consulates.

Travel insurance is essential. Details of our recommended policy can be found on the Travel insurance website.

Our full briefing dossier contains more information on vaccinations, visas and insurance and will be provided with your final travel documents or can be requested from your travel consultant at any time.

Country info

When's the best time to visit Bolivia?

The weather can be a critical factor:  the altiplano highlands look their best in the sunlight Apr-Oct, in Dec-Jan it can be dull and chilly at this altitude (3,500-3,800m). The lowlands of the east are hot and humid all year around. 

For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.

What's the official language of Bolivia?

Spanish is the official language of Bolivia.

What is the national currency of Bolivia?

Peso Boliviano is the national currency of Bolivia. Notes in local currency (and in some cases US dollars), can be withdrawn from ubiquitous ATMs in principal cities and some smaller towns; there are many money exchanges (casas de cambio) and banks which exchange US dollars (a few accept euros or sterling but the rate may be poor).

When withdrawing money from an ATM using a debit card, you are offered a choice of account type from which to make your withdrawal: select 'Credit Card' (ie NOT Current account or Savings Account options).

What's the time difference between Bolivia and UK?

The time difference between Bolivia and the UK is GMT -4 hrs.

Do I need a visa for Bolivia?

Holders of a full British passport do not require a visa, although passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the trip begins. Anyone with a different nationality should enquire with us or check with the relevant consulate.
If flying to the US, or via the US you will need to fill in your online ESTA application.

What vaccinations do I need for Bolivia?

Please check Travel Health Pro for information on health recommendations and vaccinations for the destinations you are visiting. Please note that many Latin American countries require proof of vaccination against Yellow Fever if you have recently travelled to another country where Yellow Fever is present.

What countries combine well with Bolivia?

If you’re planning a trip to South America there are some perfect destinations to combine with a holiday in Bolivia. Try a visit to Peru via Lake Titicaca, 122 km and a couple of hours' drive from La Paz; or even a holiday in Chile, entering the country via the dazzling salt lakes of Uyuni.

What are the festivals, cultural and sporting events in Bolivia?

The key festivals and cultural events in Bolivia are:

Gran Poder: La Paz, Late May/early Jun annually: processions of groups of indigenous dancers in costume, with historical and cultural themes.
Carnival: Oruro, La Diablada, Feb-Mar: One of the most eye-catching on the continent, with parades of people in elaborate costumes.

How do I adapt to the altitude in Bolivia?

Much of Bolivia is occupied by stunning high Andean terrain, with La Paz at 3,500m.
Travel to high altitude can cause mountain sickness and even if you feel fighting fit it’s important to take things easy and stay hydrated (drink plenty of water, avoiding alcohol and caffeine) as you get used to the thin, dry air.

You may initially notice a headache, dizziness or breathlessness and this usually improves with acclimatisation. If you are pregnant or taking the contraceptive pill, have a medical condition such as heart or lung condition, anaemia, asthma, high blood pressure you should seek the advice of your GP before booking.

We also recommend you check your travel insurance covers travel to high altitude. If you’re taking the family, remember small children may be less capable of communicating altitude-related symptoms effectively: keep an eye on them too. Rest assured we will plan your itinerary carefully, taking into account any time spent at altitude. If you have any questions or concerns about altitude please speak to your travel expert.

Further advice on travel to altitude is available on www.travelhealthpro.org.uk.
If you still have questions, please contact us and one of our Travel Experts will be happy to help.