Day-by-Day Itinerary
Arrive at El Alto International Airport, transfer to your hotel, and spend the day gently adjusting to the high altitude while exploring the city's historic core.
Morning
Arrival & Cable Car Orientation
Take a taxi from El Alto Airport to your hotel in the Sopocachi or Centro areas. After settling in, ride the Mi Teleférico cable car system (Red or Yellow Line) for impressive, panoramic views of the city large in its canyon. It's a low-impact way to get your bearings.
2-3 hours
$5-10 (cable car fare + taxi)
Lunch
Café del Mundo
International/Bolivian fusion
Mid-range
Afternoon
Witches' Market & Calle Jaén
Wander through the famous Mercado de las Brujas, where traditional healers sell herbs, potions, and dried llama fetuses for Aymara rituals. Then, stroll down the beautifully preserved colonial street, Calle Jaén, home to several small museums.
2 hours
$0-5 (museum entry)
Evening
Dinner with a View
Enjoy a hearty Bolivian meal (try the sajta de pollo) at Ali Pacha, a gourmet plant-based restaurant, or at a traditional spot like La Cueva. Drink plenty of coca tea to help with altitude.
Where to Stay Tonight
Sopocachi (Mid-range hotel like Hotel Rosario or a boutique B&B)
Sopocachi is a charming, quieter neighborhood with great restaurants and is centrally located for exploration.
Avoid heavy meals and alcohol today. Walk slowly, stay hydrated, and consider buying sorojchi pills (altitude medication) from any pharmacy if symptoms are strong.
Day 1 Budget: $90
A day trip to the pre-Incan archaeological site of Tiwanaku, followed by a visit to the bizarre rock formations of the Moon Valley.
Morning
Tiwanaku Archaeological Site
Take a guided tour to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Tiwanaku, the spiritual and political center of a powerful pre-Incan civilization. See the Akapana Pyramid, the Kalasasaya Temple, and the famous Sun Gate.
4-5 hours (including travel)
$25-35 (tour with transport & guide)
Book a half-day tour through your hotel or a reputable agency like Hanaq Pacha Travel. Ensure it includes an English-speaking guide.
Lunch
Local restaurant in Tiwanaku village
Traditional Altiplano (trout or llama steak)
Budget
Afternoon
Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley)
Back in La Paz, take a taxi to this unique area of eroded clay and sandstone formations, creating a landscape that resembles the surface of the moon. Walk the well-marked trails through the spires and canyons.
1.5-2 hours
$3 (entry) + $5-7 (taxi)
Evening
Craft Beer in Sopocachi
Sample Bolivia's burgeoning craft beer scene at a pub like Diesel Nacional or the higher-altitude Cervecería Altura.
Where to Stay Tonight
Sopocachi (Same as previous night)
Maintaining the same base minimizes packing and maximizes comfort at high altitude.
The guides at Tiwanaku are often local Aymara people with deep cultural knowledge. Ask them about the site's astronomical alignments.
Day 2 Budget: $75
Fly from La Paz to Uyuni, the gateway to the Salar, and spend the afternoon exploring the town's quirky train cemetery and preparing for your tour.
Morning
Flight to Uyuni
Take an early morning flight (approx. 1 hour) from La Paz to Uyuni. The views of the Andes from the plane are spectacular. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and rest.
3-4 hours (including airport time)
$80-120 (one-way flight)
Book flights in advance with BOA or Amaszonas. Flights are often cheaper than the long overnight bus.
Lunch
Minuteman Revolutionary Pizza
Pizza & Bolivian dishes
Mid-range
Afternoon
Train Cemetery & Local Markets
Walk or take a short taxi to the Train Cemetery on the outskirts of town, where historic steam locomotives rust in the desert. Then, wander the local markets to pick up last-minute supplies (like snacks and water) for your salt flat tour.
2 hours
$0
Evening
Tour Briefing & Early Dinner
Attend the briefing for your 3-day 4x4 tour. Have an early dinner at a spot like La Loco to fuel up for the adventure ahead.
Where to Stay Tonight
Uyuni town center (Hotel like Jardines de Uyuni or a basic hostel)
Convenient for tour departures and last-minute errands before heading into the remote salt flats.
Buy a bottle of wine or sparkling water in Uyuni to create fun perspective photos on the salt flat tomorrow.
Day 3 Budget: $130
Begin your multi-day 4x4 tour, entering the vast white expanse of the salt flat, visiting Incahuasi Island, and witnessing a legendary sunset.
Morning
Enter the Salt Flat & Colchani
Your tour departs early. First stop is the village of Colchani to see artisanal salt processing. Then, drive onto the blinding white surface of the Salar, the world's largest salt flat.
3-4 hours
Included in tour
Book your 3-day tour with a reputable operator like Red Planet Expedition or Quechua Connection for reliability and safety.
Lunch
Picnic lunch on the salt
Prepared by tour cook
Included
Afternoon
Incahuasi Island & Perspective Photos
Visit Incahuasi Island, a rocky outcrop covered in giant cacti, and hike to its summit for 360-degree views. Spend time taking creative perspective photos on the endless white canvas.
3 hours
Included + $5 (Island entry fee)
Evening
Sunset & Salt Hotel
Watch a impressive sunset over the Salar. Overnight in a hotel made of salt blocks in the community of Tahua or similar.
Where to Stay Tonight
Salt hotel near Tahua (Basic salt hotel (included in tour))
A unique experience sleeping in a building constructed from the salt of the flat itself.
Wear sunglasses! The reflection is incredibly strong. Bring a fun prop (toy dinosaur, bottle) for your perspective photos.
Day 4 Budget: $100 (tour daily average)
Journey through the impressive landscapes of the Eduardo Avaroa Reserve, past colorful lagoons, active volcanoes, and surreal rock formations.
Morning
Cañapa, Hedionda & Honda Lagoons
Depart the salt flat and drive south into the high desert. Visit a series of impressive altiplano lagoons, each with different mineral compositions that create rich colors, and spot flocks of flamingos feeding.
4 hours
Included in tour
Lunch
Picnic lunch near the lagoons
Prepared by tour cook
Included
Afternoon
Siloli Desert & Árbol de Piedra
Traverse the rocky Siloli Desert and stop at the famous Stone Tree, a surreal rock formation sculpted by wind erosion. The landscape feels Martian.
3 hours
Included
Evening
Laguna Colorada & Stargazing
Arrive at the impressive red Laguna Colorada, a vast lake whose color comes from algae and sediments. After dinner at the basic refuge, marvel at the incredible starry sky, free from light pollution.
Where to Stay Tonight
Eduardo Avaroa Reserve (Basic shared dormitory refuge (included in tour))
The only accommodation available in this remote and spectacular national reserve.
Tonight will be very cold (often below freezing). Sleep in your thermal layers and use the provided sleeping bags. Keep camera batteries in your sleeping bag overnight.
Day 5 Budget: $100 (tour daily average)
An early start to see bubbling geysers at sunrise, a soak in natural hot springs, and a final lagoon before the long drive back to Uyuni.
Morning
Sol de Mañana Geysers & Hot Springs
Wake before dawn to visit the Sol de Mañana geyser basin (4,900m), where sulfurous steam vents and bubbling mud pots create an apocalyptic scene. Then, warm up with a soak in the natural, open-air Termas de Polques hot springs.
3 hours
Included + $2-3 (hot springs entry)
Bring your swimsuit and a towel in an easily accessible bag.
Lunch
Picnic lunch en route
Prepared by tour cook
Included
Afternoon
Laguna Verde & Drive to Uyuni
Visit the striking emerald-green Laguna Verde at the foot of the Licancabur Volcano. Then, begin the long but scenic drive back to Uyuni, crossing the border region with Chile.
6-7 hours
Included
Evening
Farewell Dinner in Uyuni
Celebrate the completion of your tour with your group and guide. Enjoy a well-earned dinner and perhaps a drink at Extreme Fun Pub.
Where to Stay Tonight
Uyuni town center (Same as Day 3 hotel)
Convenient for catching your onward transport the next morning.
Tip your driver/guide and cook at the end of the tour. A collective tip of 100-150 Bolivianos per traveler is standard for a good service.
Day 6 Budget: $110
Take a spectacular daytime train journey through the Bolivian highlands to the beautiful colonial city of
Sucre.
Morning
Board the Expreso del Sur train (or similar service) for a 7-8 hour journey to
Sucre. The ride offers incredible views of the altiplano, valleys, and local villages. It's a comfortable and scenic alternative to buses.
8 hours (travel)
$25-35 (first class)
Book train tickets online in advance via the Ferroviaria Andina website or at the station a day prior. Opt for primera clase.
Lunch
On-board dining car
Simple Bolivian set menu
Budget
Afternoon
Arrival & Plaza 25 de Mayo
Arrive in
Sucre, check into your hotel, and immediately head to the heart of the city: the pristine, palm-tree-lined Plaza 25 de Mayo. Soak in the relaxed, elegant atmosphere.
1-2 hours
$0
Evening
Dinner in a Courtyard
Sucre is famous for its charming courtyard restaurants. Enjoy a meal at El Huerto or Cafe Mirador for great food and ambiance.
Where to Stay Tonight
Central Sucre, near the main plaza (Colonial-style hotel like Parador Santa Maria La Real or a nice hostel)
Sucre is best explored on foot, and staying centrally puts all the major sights within easy walking distance.
The train has a dining car, but pack some extra snacks and water. The schedule can be irregular, so be patient and enjoy the ride as part of the adventure.
Day 7 Budget: $85
A full day exploring
Sucre's UNESCO-listed historic center, museums, and local markets.
Morning
Casa de la Libertad & Textile Museum
Visit the Casa de la Libertad, where Bolivia's Declaration of Independence was signed. Then, head to the excellent ASUR Textile Museum to learn about the intricate weaving traditions of the Jalq'a and Tarabuco cultures.
3 hours
$5-8 (combined entry)
Lunch
Mercado Central
Local market food (try the chorizo chuquisaqueño)
Budget
Afternoon
Recoleta Viewpoint & Monastery
Walk up to the Recoleta viewpoint for a classic postcard panorama of
Sucre's white-washed buildings and red-tiled roofs. Visit the adjacent Recoleta Monastery and its peaceful cloisters.
2 hours
$1-2 (donation)
Evening
Chocolate Tasting & Stroll
Sucre is Bolivia's chocolate capital. Sample artisanal chocolates at Chocolates Para Ti or Taboada. Enjoy a leisurely evening stroll through the beautifully illuminated plaza.
Where to Stay Tonight
Central Sucre (Same as previous night)
Maintaining your central base is ideal for exploring more of the city tomorrow.
For the best light for photography of the city's white buildings, visit the Recoleta viewpoint in the late afternoon.
Day 8 Budget: $70
Choose between a visit to the largest dinosaur footprint site in the world or a trip to a colorful indigenous market (if it's Sunday).
Morning
Option A: Cal Orckco Dinosaur Park
Take a taxi to Parque Cretácico, home to Cal Orckco, a massive limestone wall with over 5,000 dinosaur footprints from 68 million years ago. The on-site museum and life-size dinosaur models add context.
3 hours
$10 (entry & taxi)
Go in the morning when the sunlight best illuminates the cliff face. Guided tours are available at the park.
Lunch
Option A: Lunch near the park or back in town
Varied
Budget-Mid
Afternoon
Option B: Tarabuco Sunday Market
ONLY if it's Sunday. Take a shared taxi or tour to Tarabuco, famous for its lively indigenous market. It's one of Bolivia's most authentic markets, where locals from surrounding communities trade textiles, produce, and livestock.
5-6 hours (including travel)
$15-20 (transport & possible tour)
Sunday only. Book a tour or take a shared taxi from Avenida de las Américas early in the morning (7-8 AM).
Evening
Relaxed Evening
Enjoy a final dinner in
Sucre. If you visited Tarabuco, you'll likely be back in time for a late meal at a spot like Florín.
Where to Stay Tonight
Central Sucre (Same hotel)
Last night in Sucre before moving on.
If it's not Sunday, Cal Orckco is the must-do. The market in Tarabuco is authentic but can be overwhelming; keep valuables secure and ask before taking photos of people.
Day 9 Budget: $75
Fly from
Sucre to the lowland town of Rurrenabaque, the gateway to Madidi National Park. Acclimatize to the heat and humidity.
Morning
Flight to Rurrenabaque
Take a morning flight from
Sucre (usually via La Paz) to Rurrenabaque. The small plane offers great views as you descend from the mountains into the Amazon Basin. Transfer to your lodge or hotel.
4-5 hours (including layover)
$100-150 (one-way flight)
Flights are limited and weather-dependent. Book well in advance with Amaszonas or Ecojet. Have flexible plans in case of delays.
Lunch
Jungle-themed restaurant in town
River fish, plantains, tropical juices
Budget
Afternoon
Town Orientation & Beni River
Take a leisurely walk along the malecón (riverfront) on the Beni River. Visit the main plaza, arrange your jungle or pampas tour for the next day if not pre-booked, and adjust to the humid climate.
2 hours
$0
If not pre-booked, visit reputable tour operators like Madidi Travel or Bala Tours in person to arrange your next two days.
Evening
Dinner by the River
Enjoy fresh masaco (mashed plantains with cheese) or grilled surubí (catfish) at a riverside restaurant like Juliano's.
Where to Stay Tonight
Rurrenabaque town center (Eco-lodge like Hotel Los Tucanes or a basic hostel)
Convenient for tour departures and accessing restaurants. Some jungle lodges require arriving a day earlier.
Immediately start using mosquito repellent. The humidity is a shock after the dry altiplano—drink lots of water and wear light, breathable clothing.
Day 10 Budget: $150
Begin a 2-day/1-night jungle tour, traveling by boat upriver into one of the world's most biodiverse parks for wildlife spotting and jungle hikes.
Morning
Boat Journey & Lodge Arrival
Meet your guide and group, then take a motorized canoe journey up the Beni and Tuichi Rivers into Madidi National Park. Keep an eye out for caimans, turtles, and birds along the banks. Arrive at your eco-lodge deep in the forest.
2-3 hours
Included in tour
A 2-day/1-night tour is the minimum to experience the jungle. Reputable operators ensure quality guides and responsible practices.
Lunch
Lunch at the jungle lodge
Local meals prepared with jungle ingredients
Included
Afternoon
Jungle Hike & Medicinal Plants
Start your first guided jungle walk. Your guide will point out wildlife tracks, explain the complex ecosystem, and show you medicinal plants used by local communities. Listen for the calls of monkeys and birds.
3 hours
Included
Evening
Night Walk or Canoe Trip
After dinner, take a guided night walk or a silent canoe ride to spot nocturnal creatures like tarantulas, frogs, and caimans with flashlights.
Where to Stay Tonight
Madidi National Park jungle lodge (Basic eco-lodge with shared facilities (included in tour))
To fully immerse in the sounds and atmosphere of the Amazon rainforest.
Pack light for the jungle: quick-dry clothes, a headlamp with red light (less disturbing to animals), binoculars, and a waterproof bag for your camera.
Day 11 Budget: $100 (tour daily average)
A morning of wildlife observation, perhaps visiting a canopy tower or oxbow lake, before returning to Rurrenabaque in the afternoon.
Morning
Sunrise Birdwatching or Canopy Tower
Wake early for a birdwatching walk or climb a canopy tower for a unique perspective over the rainforest treetops, offering chances to see toucans, macaws, and monkeys.
2-3 hours
Included
Lunch
Final lunch at the lodge
Local meals
Included
Afternoon
Return Boat Journey to Rurrenabaque
Pack up and take the boat ride back downriver to Rurrenabaque, enjoying a final look at the jungle scenery. Arrive in town by mid-afternoon.
2-3 hours
Included
Evening
Celebratory Dinner
Share stories with your tour group over a final dinner. Try the local specialty, *pescado a la madidi* (fish wrapped in leaves).
Where to Stay Tonight
Rurrenabaque town center (Same as Day 10 hotel)
For a comfortable night before your flight back to La Paz tomorrow.
Tip your jungle guide separately from your driver/cook. A good guide makes all the difference in spotting wildlife and sharing knowledge.
Day 12 Budget: $110
Fly back to La Paz and use your final afternoon for last-minute souvenir shopping and a farewell dinner.
Morning
Flight to La Paz
Take a morning flight back to La Paz. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and enjoy the feeling of being back in the highlands (and the cooler temperatures).
3-4 hours (including travel)
$100-150 (one-way flight)
Book the earliest flight possible to maximize your time in La Paz.
Lunch
Gustu
High-end Bolivian nouvelle cuisine
Upscale
Afternoon
Souvenir Shopping in Sagárnaga
Head to Calle Sagárnaga and the surrounding streets in the historic center for your final souvenir shopping. Find high-quality alpaca sweaters, silver jewelry, and hand-woven textiles.
2-3 hours
Variable
Bargain politely but firmly. Prices are often inflated for tourists.
Evening
Farewell Peña Show
Experience traditional Bolivian music and dance at a peña like Peña Marka Tambo. Enjoy a final dinner of *plato paceño* (corn, cheese, beans, and potato) while watching folkloric performances.
Where to Stay Tonight
Sopocachi or Centro, La Paz (Comfortable hotel)
A comfortable base for your final night, convenient for dining and next-day airport transfer.
If you have energy, ride the cable car to El Alto at night to see La Paz transformed into a sea of lights—a impressive final vista.
Day 13 Budget: $160
Depending on your flight time, either transfer to the airport for departure or take a day trip to the shores of Lake Titicaca.
Morning
Option A: Departure
Enjoy a final breakfast. Transfer to El Alto International Airport (allow 1 hour from the center) for your international flight home or onward journey.
2-3 hours
$10-15 (taxi to airport)
Confirm flight times and be at the airport 3 hours before international flights.
Lunch
Airport or in town if time allows
Varied
Mid-range
Afternoon
Option B: Lake Titicaca Day Trip
If you have a late flight, take a tour to Copacabana and the Isla del Sol on Lake Titicaca. Visit the Basilica, take a boat to the island for Inca ruins and impressive lake views, then return to La Paz in the evening for a late flight.
10-12 hours (full day tour)
$40-60 (tour)
Only feasible for very late night flights. Book a day tour through your hotel.
Evening
Departure
Head to the airport for your flight, reflecting on an incredible two-week journey across Bolivia's extremes.
Where to Stay Tonight
N/A (in transit) (N/A)
Departure day.
If doing the Lake Titicaca option, be aware it's a long day (4-5 hours of driving total). It's spectacular but tiring—only attempt if your flight is after 10 PM.
Day 14 Budget: $60