Arrive in the world's highest capital city and ease into the altitude with gentle exploration of
La Paz's cultural heart and mystical markets.
Morning
Arrival and acclimatization
Arrive at El Alto International Airport and transfer to
La Paz below. Take it extremely easy your first morning—the altitude of 3,640 meters affects most visitors. Check into your accommodation, hydrate thoroughly with coca tea, and rest. A light walk around your neighborhood helps acclimatization better than complete inactivity, but avoid exertion. The city's dramatic bowl setting surrounded by snow-capped peaks provides stunning views even from your hotel.
3-4 hours
$15-25 (airport transfer)
Arrange airport pickup through your accommodation in advance for convenience and safety
Lunch
A traditional restaurant in the Sopocachi neighborhood serving salteñas and local specialties
Bolivian
Budget
Afternoon
The Witches Market exploration
Visit The Witches Market in the historic center, where Aymara women sell dried llama fetuses, medicinal herbs, and ritual items used in traditional ceremonies. This fascinating market offers insight into indigenous spiritual practices that remain central to Bolivian culture. Browse the colorful textiles, carved wooden items, and mysterious potions. The surrounding streets feature colonial architecture and provide excellent people-watching opportunities. Move slowly and rest frequently to continue adjusting to the altitude.
2 hours
$10-20 (souvenirs optional)
Evening
Gentle evening stroll and early dinner
Walk along Calle Jaén, a beautifully preserved colonial street with colorful buildings and small museums. Have an early dinner at a cozy restaurant serving traditional Bolivian cuisine like fricasé or chairo soup, then retire early to aid altitude adjustment.
Where to Stay Tonight
Sopocachi or San Miguel (Mid-range hotel with oxygen available)
These neighborhoods offer safe, walkable streets with restaurants and services, plus easier breathing at slightly lower elevations than the city center
Drink coca tea constantly throughout the day and avoid alcohol completely for your first 24-48 hours. Many hotels provide oxygen—don't hesitate to use it if you feel breathless or develop a headache.
Day 1 Budget: $65-95
Ascend to panoramic viewpoints and explore otherworldly geological formations just outside the city.
Morning
Mirador Killi Killi sunrise visit
Start early with a taxi or walking tour to Mirador Killi Killi, perched high above
La Paz. This viewpoint offers breathtaking panoramas of the entire city sprawled across its valley, with the majestic Illimani mountain dominating the horizon. The morning light creates spectacular photo opportunities as the city awakens below. The viewpoint features colorful murals and is a popular spot for locals exercising. If you're feeling stronger after a day of acclimatization, the walk up provides excellent views, though taxis are readily available.
2 hours
$5-10 (taxi) or free (walking)
Join the Alpaca Steps – Cultural Walking Tours in
La Paz for deeper cultural context and fascinating stories about the city's history and neighborhoods
Lunch
A local market eatery serving almuerzo (set lunch menu) with soup, main course, and juice
Traditional Bolivian
Budget
Afternoon
Valle de la Luna exploration
Journey to Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon), a surreal landscape of eroded clay and sandstone formations that resemble a lunar surface. Located just 10 kilometers from
La Paz, this geological wonder features bizarre spires, canyons, and formations created by centuries of wind and water erosion. Walk the marked trails through this otherworldly terrain, marveling at the layered colors and strange shapes. The park offers several viewpoints and takes you through narrow passages between towering formations. The stark beauty and unusual geology make this one of Bolivia's most photographed locations.
3 hours
$5-8 (entry fee plus taxi)
Evening
Teleférico ride and dinner
Experience
La Paz's famous cable car system, riding the Red or Yellow line for spectacular aerial views of the city at sunset. The teleférico is both public transportation and tourist attraction. Follow with dinner at a restaurant in Zona Sur featuring international cuisine and city views.
Where to Stay Tonight
Sopocachi or San Miguel (Same hotel as Day 1)
Staying put allows you to fully settle in and continue acclimatizing without the disruption of changing accommodations
The teleférico costs only about $0.50 per ride and connects different parts of the city—it's an attraction and practical transport combined. Ride during golden hour for the best photographs.
Day 2 Budget: $55-85
Fly to Bolivia's lowland region and immerse yourself in lush tropical ecosystems teeming with butterflies and exotic wildlife.
Morning
Flight to Santa Cruz and transfer
Take a morning flight from
La Paz to
Santa Cruz de la Sierra, descending from the Altiplano to Bolivia's tropical lowlands. The climate change is dramatic—from cold, thin air to warm, humid tropics. The flight typically takes about an hour and offers stunning views of the Andes giving way to vast green plains. Upon arrival, you'll immediately feel the difference in oxygen levels and temperature. Transfer to your accommodation and take time to adjust to the heat and humidity, which can be intense after the highland cold.
3-4 hours including transfers
$80-120 (flight)
Book flights at least 2-3 weeks in advance for better prices; morning flights typically have less turbulence
Lunch
A restaurant near your accommodation serving tropical fruits, fresh fish, and regional specialties
Lowland Bolivian
Mid-range
Afternoon
Biocentro Guembe Mariposario visit
Spend the afternoon at Biocentro Guembe Mariposario, a stunning ecological reserve and butterfly sanctuary. Walk through enormous screened enclosures filled with hundreds of colorful tropical butterflies fluttering around flowering plants. The biocentro also features swimming pools, nature trails through tropical forest, orchid gardens, and opportunities to see monkeys, birds, and other wildlife. The lush grounds provide a refreshing contrast to the high-altitude landscapes of
La Paz. Relax by the pools or explore the trails at your own pace, enjoying the warm climate and biodiversity.
4-5 hours
$15-20 (entry fee and transport)
Evening
Santa Cruz evening exploration
Return to Santa Cruz city center and stroll around the Plaza 24 de Septiembre, the heart of the city. The plaza comes alive in the evening with locals socializing. Enjoy dinner at a restaurant serving traditional Cruceño dishes like majao or locro, followed by ice cream from a plaza-side vendor.
Where to Stay Tonight
Santa Cruz city center or near Biocentro Guembe (Comfortable hotel with air conditioning)
Central location provides access to restaurants and services, while air conditioning is essential in the tropical heat
The temperature difference between
La Paz and Santa Cruz can be 25-30°C (45-55°F). Pack layers in your carry-on so you can adjust immediately upon arrival.
Day 3 Budget: $135-185
Explore a surprising desert landscape featuring massive sand dunes and unique ecosystems just outside the tropical city.
Morning
Lomas de Arena Regional Park exploration
Visit Lomas de Arena Regional Park, a remarkable protected area featuring enormous sand dunes rising unexpectedly from the tropical landscape. These massive dunes, some reaching 15 meters high, create a surreal desert environment surrounded by forest. Climb the dunes for panoramic views, try sandboarding down the slopes, or simply marvel at this unusual ecosystem. The park also contains lagoons that attract diverse birdlife, and forest trails where you might spot howler monkeys. The contrast between sand, water, and forest creates a unique environment found nowhere else in Bolivia.
4-5 hours
$10-15 (entry and transport)
Lunch
Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy in the park's shaded areas, or return to Santa Cruz for lunch at a local eatery
Picnic or Bolivian
Budget
Afternoon
Rest and preparation for Uyuni journey
Return to your hotel for a relaxing afternoon. Use this time to rest, do laundry if needed, and prepare for your journey to Uyuni tomorrow. The trip involves an overnight bus or early flight, so pack accordingly and organize your luggage. If you have energy, explore local markets to stock up on snacks for the journey. Visit a supermarket to buy water, coca leaves, and any supplies you'll need for the salt flats tour. Charge all devices and cameras fully.
3-4 hours
$10-20 (supplies)
Evening
Farewell dinner and overnight bus preparation
Enjoy a nice dinner at a restaurant in Santa Cruz featuring grilled meats or regional specialties. If taking an overnight bus to Uyuni, board your comfortable sleeper bus around 6-7 PM. If flying, have an early night to prepare for tomorrow's dawn flight. The bus journey takes approximately 12-14 hours but saves a night's accommodation.
Where to Stay Tonight
Overnight bus to Uyuni or Santa Cruz hotel (Semi-cama or cama bus seat, or hotel if flying tomorrow)
The overnight bus maximizes daytime hours and is a cost-effective way to cover the long distance to Uyuni
If taking the overnight bus, bring warm layers—the temperature drops significantly as you climb back to the Altiplano. Earplugs and an eye mask help with sleep.
Day 4 Budget: $60-90 (plus $30-50 for bus or $100-140 for flight)
Arrive in the remote town of Uyuni and begin your exploration of the world's largest salt flat with its surreal landscapes and unique features.
Morning
Arrival and town exploration
Arrive in Uyuni in the early morning by bus or flight. This small, dusty town serves as the gateway to the salt flats and has a frontier feel with dirt streets and basic amenities. After checking into your accommodation, visit the train cemetery on the outskirts of town, where rusted locomotives from the 19th century mining boom sit abandoned in the desert. These photogenic relics create an eerie, post-apocalyptic scene. Walk around Plaza de las Banderas Uyuni in the town center, which features flags from many nations and serves as a gathering point for tour groups.
2-3 hours
$5-10 (taxi to train cemetery)
Lunch
A simple restaurant in Uyuni town serving quinoa soup, llama steak, or pizza—the town's tourist staple
Bolivian and international
Budget
Afternoon
Salt Flats afternoon tour begins
Join your pre-arranged tour group for the first afternoon of exploring the Uyuni Salt Lake (Salt Flats). Drive onto the blinding white expanse of the
Salar de Uyuni, the world's largest salt flat covering over 10,000 square kilometers. Visit a salt processing facility to see how locals extract and package salt. Stop at the famous salt hotel built entirely from salt blocks. The vast white landscape creates incredible perspective-bending photo opportunities. Your guide will help you create creative photos using props and the flat's optical illusions. End at Isla Incahuasi if time permits.
4-5 hours
$80-120 (part of multi-day tour package)
Book your salt flats tour at least a week in advance, especially during peak season (June-August). Choose a reputable company with good reviews for safety and quality.
Evening
Sunset on the salt flats
Watch the sunset over the endless white expanse, when the low light creates stunning reflections and colors across the salt crust. Return to Uyuni for dinner at a local restaurant, then rest early—tomorrow brings a full day of exploration. The temperature drops dramatically after sunset, so dress warmly.
Where to Stay Tonight
Uyuni town (Basic hotel or hostel with heating)
Uyuni serves as the base for salt flat tours, with most accommodations offering simple but adequate facilities for the remote location
Bring high-SPF sunscreen and quality sunglasses—the sun's reflection off the white salt is incredibly intense and can cause severe burns and snow blindness even on cloudy days.
Day 5 Budget: $90-140
Experience the full majesty of the salt flats, from mysterious eye-like springs to endless horizons that challenge perception.
Morning
Ojos del Salar and salt flat exploration
Depart early for a full day on the salt flats. Visit Ojos del Salar (Eyes of the Salt Flat), mysterious circular holes in the salt crust where water bubbles up from underground springs. These perfectly round formations look like giant eyes staring up from the earth. Continue across the vast white expanse, stopping for creative photography sessions where the lack of reference points allows for perspective-bending images. If visiting during the wet season (December-March), witness the mirror effect when a thin layer of water transforms the flats into the world's largest natural mirror, reflecting the sky perfectly.
4-5 hours
Included in tour package
Lunch
Picnic lunch prepared by your tour company, typically eaten on the salt flats with 360-degree views
Packed lunch
Budget
Afternoon
Extended salt flat exploration and photography
Continue exploring different areas of the salt flats, visiting salt pyramids and learning about the geology that created this unique landscape. Your guide will find the best spots for creative photography, using toys, props, and perspective tricks to create memorable images. The absolute flatness and lack of visual references make it possible to create photos where people appear giant or tiny, stand on others' hands, or interact with objects in impossible ways. The afternoon light creates different colors and textures across the salt surface.
4-5 hours
Included in tour package
Evening
Sunset and return to Uyuni
Experience another spectacular sunset on the flats, when the white surface turns shades of pink, orange, and purple. Return to Uyuni in the evening for dinner at a local restaurant. Share stories with fellow travelers about the day's adventures. Rest well—you'll need energy for tomorrow's journey.
Where to Stay Tonight
Uyuni town (Same accommodation as previous night)
Returning to the same hotel provides continuity and allows you to leave excess luggage securely while touring
Bring props from home for creative salt flat photos—small toys, colorful scarves, or unusual objects photograph wonderfully against the white background. Your tour guide will have experience helping compose these shots.
Day 6 Budget: $75-110
Journey back to
La Paz with time for final explorations and reflections on an extraordinary week across Bolivia's diverse landscapes.
Morning
Take a morning flight or bus back to
La Paz, retracing your journey across Bolivia's dramatic geography. The flight takes about an hour and offers spectacular aerial views of the Altiplano, while the bus journey takes 8-10 hours but costs significantly less. If flying, you'll arrive with most of the day free. If busing, you'll arrive in the late afternoon or evening. Use travel time to organize photos, journal about your experiences, and process the incredible diversity you've witnessed—from high-altitude cities to tropical forests to endless salt deserts.
1-10 hours depending on transport choice
$15-30 (bus) or $80-120 (flight)
Book return transport when you arrange your outbound journey for better prices and guaranteed availability
Lunch
Airport cafe if flying, or packed lunch if taking the bus
Simple meals
Budget
Afternoon
Final
La Paz exploration or rest
If you arrived by flight, spend your final afternoon revisiting favorite spots in
La Paz or exploring areas you missed earlier. Consider returning to The Witches Market for last-minute souvenir shopping, now with better knowledge of what you're seeing. Visit craft markets for alpaca wool items, textiles, and handicrafts. Alternatively, simply relax at a cafe, enjoying coca tea and people-watching while reflecting on your journey. If you arrived by bus in the evening, head directly to your accommodation to rest.
2-4 hours
$20-40 (souvenirs)
Evening
Farewell dinner and preparation
Enjoy a farewell dinner at a nice restaurant in
La Paz, perhaps trying dishes you haven't sampled yet like pique macho or silpancho. Toast to an incredible week with a Paceña beer or api (traditional hot drink). Pack carefully, ensuring any salt flat salt or fragile souvenirs are well-protected. Get to bed early if you have an early departure tomorrow, or enjoy one last evening stroll through the illuminated streets.
Where to Stay Tonight
Near your departure point or airport (Comfortable hotel for your final night)
Proximity to your departure point makes early morning travel stress-free and allows maximum rest before your journey home
Keep some bolivianos for airport departure tax if it's not included in your ticket, and arrive at El Alto airport at least 2 hours early—the high altitude means everything takes longer and you'll tire more easily.
Day 7 Budget: $85-135