Bolivia Archaeology Tour

Why Take This Bolivia History Tour?

  • See all six of Bolivia’s stunning UNESCO World Heritage Sites
  • Travel with an archaeologist who has worked in Bolivia for more than a decade
  • Visit the ASUR Indigenous Art and Textile Museum, where weavers from nearby villages are creating hand-loomed creations
  • Join our optional 2-day extension to the Uyuni Salt Flats
  • Explore the Witches Market in La Paz
  • Limited to a maximum of 14 participants
Bolivia - NOW BOOKING!

Guided Tour Led by:

Assistant Professor
McMaster University
Archaeology
Bolivia - NOW BOOKING!
Save To Wish List

Adding item to wishlist requires an account

4325
  • May 5 - 20, 2025; Ext: May 20 - 22, 2025
  • 16 Days
  • $9,995.00 + air; Post-extension: $1,695.00
  • Single Supplement: $1,195.00; Post-extension SS: $295.00

Far Horizons' Bolivia Tour Features Archaeological Wonders, Vibrant Indigenous Cultures, Historic Colonial Cities, and All Six of Bolivia’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Join Far Horizons on a captivating 16-day journey through Bolivia, where most inhabitants embrace their indigenous roots, with many donning traditional attire. Our itinerary unfolds against breathtaking landscapes and unveils the striking colonial legacy of Spanish conquests.

We’ll cover all of Bolivia’s six UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Sites:


  • Potosí, with its silver-rich mountain
  • Sucre, boasting splendid colonial architecture
  • Samaipata, known for its temple and unique rock art
  • Tiwanaku, an Andean spectacle
  • The Jesuit Mission Churches of Chiquitos
  • Qhapaq Ñan, the ancient Inka Road network connecting their vast empire

Additionally, we’ll journey to Inkallaqta, a testament to Inka architectural prowess often overlooked by tourists. At Lake Titicaca, discover the sacred Island of the Sun, the believed birthplace of Inka gods and civilization, and witness mesmerizing sunsets over the shimmering waters set two miles high.

(If you have any questions about this tour itinerary, get in touch.)

Itinerary of Your Bolivia Trip

(B) breakfast, (L) lunch, (D) dinner

Day 1Depart for Bolivia

Depart on a flight bound for Bolivia.

Day 2Arrive in Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Anthropology Museum

Our early morning arrival brings us to Santa Cruz, with the morning free to rest after the long flight. The city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra was founded in the 15th century in honor of a city in Extremadura, Spain. It is perhaps the liveliest city in Bolivia and completely different from the highlands both in population and climate.

Today, Santa Cruz is a bustling modern city, but it still retains a bit of a frontier feeling. Here, find people from all occupations and areas of the world. In the afternoon, enter the Santa Cruz Anthropology Museum for our first glimpse of the country’s unique cultures.  

Our welcome dinner party will be in one of the city’s finest restaurants. Overnight for two nights at Hotel Los Tajibos in Santa Cruz. (D)

Day 3Samaipata

Drive three hours west to Samaipata, Bolivia’s largest pre-Inka settlement and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known to have been occupied and used as a ritual and residential center by people belonging to the Mojocoyas culture as early as 300 AD, Samaipata bears extraordinary witness to the existence in this region of a political culture with highly developed religious traditions, illustrated dramatically by its ceremonial temple and immense rock sculptures. 

Return to Santa Cruz for the night. (B/L/D)

Day 4Chiquitos, San Javier Mission

Around Santa Cruz lie the Bolivian tropical lowlands, holding a unique and fascinating history and precious heritage. In the province of Chiquitos, the vast, sparsely populated tropical area northeast of Santa Cruz, we encounter the finest examples of religious architecture in the country.

Six delightful Jesuit Missions, all of them UNESCO World Heritage Sites, are true Colonial jewels and a testimony of the Spaniards’ obsession to convert the indigenous people to Catholicism. They are the finest example of colonial religious art in the country, magnificent and grand yet intimate and personal works of art featuring massive hand-carved wooden altars often covered in gold, wall paintings, wooden pulpits, and impressive wooden columns.

Today’s drive will take us to one of these missions – San Javier, the first mission town established in 1691 by the Jesuits. Overnight for one night at the Gran Hotel Concepción. (B/L/D)

Day 5Concepción, Jesuit Museum, Fly to Cochabamba

The city of Concepción boasts a beautiful mission as well as a museum that exhibits photos of the restoration process of the Jesuit Missions. It also features pieces of the church’s giant hand-carved wooden columns and fragments of murals and other ornamental pieces.

We visit the Jesuit Museum and Workshop before returning to Santa Cruz. In the late afternoon, we board a short flight to Cochabamba.

Overnight for two nights at the Gran Hotel in Cochabamba. (B/L/D)

Day 6Inkallaqta

Today’s all-day journey takes us to the little-known and seldom-visited ruins of Inkallaqta, the most important Inka site in Bolivia. Surrounded by steep hills with flowing mountain streams and bordered by a lovely waterfall, the location of the city is stunning. Emperor Tupa Inka Yupanqui, the son of Pachacuti, founded this frontier outpost on the easternmost edge of the Inka Empire, most likely between 1463 and 1472. It is an enormous complex made of stone with close to forty buildings and a defensive wall.  (B/L/D)

Day 7Fly to Sucre, ASUR Indigenous Art and Textiles Museum

Board a morning flight to Sucre, Bolivia’s constitutional capital and location of the Supreme Court. Sucre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a charming city with a wealth of historical architecture highlighted by beautiful white colonial buildings topped by red-tiled roofs and distinctive balconies hanging over the narrow streets. Home to a large Indigenous population who maintain their traditional clothing and customs, we will visit the ASUR Indigenous Art and Textiles Museum to learn about each group’s distinctive dress. 

Overnight for three nights at the Mi Pueblito Samary Hotel. (B/L/D)

Day 8 Potosí, La Casa de la Moneda, Return to Sucre

Our all-day tour takes us to Potosí, famed for its Cerro Rico, or ‘rich hill’. Besides plundering the gold of the Inkas in Peru and the Aztecs in Mexico, in 1544 the conquistadors discovered this mountain of ore and quickly turned it into the major supply of silver for Spain. It is estimated that 70,000 metric tons of silver were produced over a 400-year period. The population reached almost 200,000 in the silver boom times of the 17th century when the city was larger than London or Paris. At that time more than 86 churches were built, opulent homes were created to house the prosperous, water reservoirs were built to fulfill the growing population’s needs, and, in 1672, a mint was established to coin the silver. The city has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in recognition of its rich history and the wealth of colonial mansions and religious buildings sitting picturesquely along its narrow streets.  

Here, we will see several important buildings. Begin with La Casa de la Moneda, the 18th-century mint constructed on the site where silver was extracted, to view its exhibits on gold and silver coins, modern artworks, and religious paintings. Dominated by two huge towers, the 16th-century cathedral is supported by massive columns and vaults. Among the many churches, San Benito Church is topped by spectacular Byzantine domes, and San Lorenzo Church contains elaborate Baroque carvings by 16th-century artisans. 

In the afternoon, return to Sucre and the Parador de Santa Maria. (B/L/D)

Day 9Sucre tour, House of Liberty Museum

Spend the morning with a walking tour of Sucre, including a visit to the House of Liberty Museum, where we take a journey of exhibits that will take you through Bolivian history, with artifacts from the time of the independence movement to modern day.

Lunch and the afternoon are free to enjoy this charming town on your own or relax at the hotel. (B/D)

Day 10Fly to La Paz, National Museum of Ethnography and Folklore

Transfer to the Sucre airport for the return flight to La Paz.  Upon arrival, we will enjoy stunning vistas as we use the city’s aerial cable car, or Mi Teleférico, to travel from the airport’s plateau to the city center.

After lunch, explore the National Museum of Ethnography and Folklore. Housed in the 18th-century Marquis de Villa Verde Palace, this museum showcases the regional particularities and unique characteristics of Bolivia’s independent cultures; it features a vast array of textiles, pottery, and festival masks. 

Overnight for three nights at the Atix Hotel, a 5-star boutique property in the city’s southern district. (B/L/D)

Day 11Tiwanaku

Travel to Tiwanaku, the ritual and administrative capital of a mighty pre-Hispanic empire that dominated a large area of the southern Andes and was one of the great centers of native Andean cultures. From around 100 AD to 1000 AD, this UNESCO World Heritage Site was the seat of power for a vast empire and the architecture bears striking witness to its power. Located on the southern shores of Lake Titicaca, the city is filled with megalithic monuments, temples, and plazas. The impressive stone Puerta del Sol, or Sun Gate, is covered with incised figures and has become a symbol of Bolivia.

Return to La Paz (NOTE: travel to and from Tiwanaku will take a minimum of 2.5 hours each way). (B/L/D)

Day 12La Paz tour, Coca Museum, El Alto

Today, we explore La Paz, including several interesting and curious sites. Located inside the tourist handicraft market, the Witches Market displays a variety of fascinating ingredients used to influence the many spirits that populate the Aymara world – herbs, folk remedies, soapstone figurines, as well as aphrodisiac formulas. But probably the most disconcerting is the llama fetuses, purchased to be buried in the foundations of new constructions or businesses as challah (offering) to the goddess Pachamama. This sacrifice encourages the goddess to protect the workers from accidents and to bring good luck.

Time permitting, we will also visit the Coca Museum, which is devoted to this controversial plant that plays a huge part in the culture and history of the Andean people.  

This afternoon, we drive through El Alto, a suburb of La Paz, to see several striking cholets buildings created by the architect Freddy Mamani Silvestre. Painted in dazzling bright colors and with bold geometric designs, these private homes are like none other in the world. 

Dinner tonight is on our own to discover one of the city’s fine restaurants. (B/L)

Day 13Copacabana: Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana, Qhapaq Ñan

Drive to Copacabana, built in Spanish Colonial times on the foundations of an earlier Inka shrine.  The Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana dominates the town with its gleaming white exterior, Moorish-style domes, and colorful azulejos, or Portuguese-style blue ceramic tiles. Kotakawana was the god of fertility in ancient Andean mythology, and the basilica was erected where the main temple of the god once was located.  It now houses a 16th-century statue of the Virgin Mary carved from black wood and is a pilgrimage site for the entire region, famous for miracles attributed to the Black Madonna.

A network more than 20,000 miles long, crossing mountains and tropical lowlands, rivers, and deserts, the Qhapaq Ñan, or Road of the Inka, linked Cusco, the administrative capital and spiritual center of the Inka world, to the farthest reaches of its empire. A vast complex of roads, bridges, and other structures, the Inka road system stretches over 24,000 miles through six modern-day countries: Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, and Chile.

We will drive to see a portion of the Qhapaq Ñan, Bolivia’s newest UNESCO World Heritage Site still used by remote communities today.  

Overnight for two nights at Hotel Rosario del Lago in Copacabana.  (B/L/D)

Day 14Boat to Isla de la Luna, Pilkokaina Inka Palace

Travel by boat in Lake Titicaca to the Isla de la Luna, or Island of the Moon, known in earlier times by its Quechua name of Koat. This was the place where Viracocha, the white-bearded god of the Inka, commanded the moon to rise into the sky.

Also, explore the Isla del Sol, Island of the Sun, the location known as the sacred rock where it was believed the sun and the gods were born. Many present-day Aymara and Quechua peoples still hold these beliefs. The Isla del Sol preserves extensive evidence of prehistoric settlement reflecting the sacred nature of the place, as well as the Pilkokaina Inka Palace.  (B/L/D)

 

Day 15Return to La Paz, Reed Boat Museum

As we journey back to La Paz, stop at a museum to see how the reed boats used on Lake Titicaca are made. Upon return to La Paz, the afternoon is on our own to rest and pack for tomorrow’s early morning departure.

Gather this evening for our final dinner party in a local restaurant. (B/L/D)

Day 16Depart Bolivia or continue on the Extension

Depart Bolivia or continue to our post-trip extension. (B)

Uyuni Salt Flats Extension

Uyuni is home to the world’s largest salt flat.  Once a prehistoric salt lake that covered most of southwest Bolivia, the Salar de Uyuni blankets an amazing 4,633 square miles. The savage beauty of this vast salt desert makes it one of South America’s most awe-inspiring spectacles. On our two-day extension from La Paz, we explore the unique islands and delicately colored mineral lakes that punctuate the seemingly endless white landscape.

Day 16Fly to Uyuni, Colchani, Isla del Pescado

Take a morning flight from La Paz to Uyuni. After breakfast at the hotel, set out for the salt flats past a small settlement called Colchani, where the locals process salt. Our singular route takes us into one of the world’s most isolated areas where we will be alone surrounded by a glittering white landscape. After a couple of hours, arrive at Isla del Pescado, or Incahuasi Island, to look at giant cacti, birds, and vizcachas (chinchilla-like animals) that have made this island their own. At midday stop for a buffet of delicious local products in the middle of the salt flats. In the afternoon we take one of the hundreds of routes across the salt flats to discover the area and wait for the sunset across this stunning landscape. Overnight at the Palace of Salt Hotel in Colchani for one night. (B/L/D)

Day 17Sunrise viewing, Tunupa Volcano, Fly to La Paz

Today we continue our explorations with an early morning departure to see the sunrise. After returning to the hotel for breakfast, we will venture out again to view the Tunupa Volcano and Coquesa Mummies. In the late afternoon, we will enjoy the sunset with champagne before transferring to the airport for the evening flight back to La Paz. Dinner is on our own.  Upon arrival in La Paz, transfer back to the La Casona Boutique Hotel for one night.  (B/L)

Day 18Depart Bolivia

Depart La Paz on our flight home. (B)

Tour Information

Tour Cost & Inclusions

Price is based on double occupancy and includes:

  • Internal flights during the trip (if applicable)
  • The accompaniment of your scholar throughout the entire trip
  • Local English-speaking guide
  • Hotel accommodations (3 or 4 stars; or best available based in the area)
  • Ground transportation
  • Airport transfers for arrivals and departures
  • Most meals as noted in the itinerary
  • Entry fees to all included sites and museums
  • Gratuities to guides, drivers, and restaurant and hotel staff
  • Coordination for any private presentations or tours

Trip prices are based on a minimum number of participants. If this minimum number is not met, trip prices are subject to change. Should the prices need to change, Far Horizons will reach out to registered guests to discuss directly.

Single Supplement

Should a roommate be requested and one not be available, the single supplement must be charged.

Exclusions

  • International round trip airfare
  • A separate donation check of $150.00 per person to a designated donation project
  • Passport or visa fees
  • Required vaccines or tests
  • Airport or departure taxes
  • Alcoholic drinks, beverages or food not included on set menus
  • Excess baggage charges
  • Personal tips and hotel incidental expenses
  • Laundry or other items of a personal nature

Donation Checks

As a tour company that benefits from the cultural and natural riches of our destinations, we have a policy of donating to the scientific and cultural sites and projects which we visit. This has created a bond between Far Horizons and the academic and local communities that has helped us establish an extensive list of lecturers and contacts in each of our destinations. We ask that each participant donate to the noteworthy project we designate. The donation amount is $150.00 per person. Note that the donation is required as part of your registration for the trip and that it is non-refundable.

Exchange Rate Fluctuations

Prices are based on currency exchange rates keeping below a projected level. While it is unlikely, if the exchange rates should change substantially, Far Horizons reserves the right to charge an additional amount to the trip cost.

Registration

A deposit of $1000 per person is required along with your registration & health forms, which will be linked in the email confirmation you receive once you pay your deposit on our booking platform. Final payment is due 120 days before departure. Prior to departure, you will be sent a reading list and a tour bulletin containing travel information.

Visas

We will let you know if you need a visa and provide details and instructions on where to obtain your visa. You are responsible for securing your own visa. If you would like to look into specific visa requirements based on where you live and where you would like to travel, we suggest visiting Sherpa to find out more about the latest visa and travel requirements.

ETIAS

Starting in 2025, the European Commission will roll out a U.S. style electronic travel authorization system for visitors from countries that are currently not part of the EU. These visitors have been granted visa-free access to the EU and Schengen member countries through virtue of their good track record on security issues and, thus, have not been deemed as a threat to EU security. ETIAS (which stands for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System) will check the security credentials and charge a fee to travelers visiting EU member countries for business, tourism, medical or transit purposes. Travelers who currently visit Europe visa-free are able to enter EU and Schengen Member countries cost-free and without any digital security screening prior to their arrival to Europe. ETIAS is not a visa, and is more accurately referred to as a visa-waiver. The ETIAS, like the ESTA, is a travel authorization for travelers not requiring a visa to visit Europe. Under the ETIAS, these visitors will undergo additional security checks prior to being permitted to enter the EU. The ETIAS will be mandatory for citizens of such countries as the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. For more information, please visit the ETIAS website.

Cancellation

Cancellations received in writing at least 120 days before departure will receive a refund less a $500 per person administrative fee. Cancellations received less than 120 days before the departure date will not receive a refund. If, for any reason, you are unable to complete the trip, Far Horizons will not reimburse any fees. Upon registering for the tour, the purchase of travel protection with both trip cancellation and emergency evacuation is strongly advised. Links to recommended insurance policies will be included in the email you receive confirming receipt of your deposit.

Air Ticketing

International round-trip flights are not included in the cost of the trip. If Far Horizons must change the trip dates or cancel the trip for any reason, Far Horizons is not responsible for any air ticket you may have purchased. Please send your complete air schedule as soon as you have it. NOTE: Please contact Far Horizons if you would like us to handle your air ticketing. We offer a ticketing service for a small fee.

Private Tours and Talks

The private tours of archaeological sites and talks by specialists are scheduled in advance and include a donation to each. Specialists working at these sites are excited about showing their work to interested enthusiasts. However, please be aware that there may be times when the director or a member of the staff may not be on site when our groups arrive due to other commitments.

Walking and Standing

Far Horizons expects all participants to be physically active and able to walk and climb independently throughout the full touring days. This includes walking over uneven terrain (uphill and downhill) for 2 miles or more at each site. You should expect to be on your feet for much of each day, averaging as much as 5 miles of walking per day. As such, each participant should be able to walk unaided at a pace of 3 miles per hour for at least an hour at a time, and to stand unsupported for at least 60 minutes. Bearing this in mind, we suggest that, if you have not already done so, you begin walking several miles every day, ideally including stairs and hills. If you have questions about your ability to keep up with the group or the strenuous nature of this trip, please contact the Far Horizons staff.

Expectations During Travel

This tour is designed for flexible, energetic people who like to be active, have a spirit of adventure and a positive attitude. We have designed this trip to be as comfortable as possible while also aiming to visit some remote or unique sites that other companies do not attempt to include in their itineraries. There may be days when we have very long drives, and the conditions of the roads may vary. Hotels and transportation in some remote areas may not be up to Western standards. There may be times when no bellhops are available; please pack with the understanding that you need to be able to handle your own luggage at times. Sometimes, we may be walking over uneven trails for a mile or more; hiking boots are strongly recommended. Not every meal will be haute cuisine, and several lunches may be picnics or box lunches. By maintaining a flexible attitude, we will soon be captivated by the beauty of the natural scenery, the hospitality of the local people, and the fascinating sites we will see. Your flexibility and patience will be appreciated.

Itinerary Changes

Changes in our itinerary, accommodations, and transportation schedules may occur. While we are committed to keeping as close to the published details as possible, sometimes it is simply not possible. Weather events, government affairs, or other factors out of our control sometimes come into play. A good book to read, as well as patience, a flexible attitude, and a sense of humor are essential.

Travel Insurance

We strongly recommend that you consider purchasing travel insurance. Should illness or an unforeseen event force you to cancel your travel plans after your final payment or during your trip, it would be doubly unfortunate to incur a significant financial loss. Trip cancellation protection will enable you to be reimbursed for the loss of your payment if you are unable to travel for any of the covered reasons in the “Outline of Coverage” section or should you have an accident or suffer from any medical conditions during the trip.  
 
Far Horizons offers customized protection plans through Travel Insured International (a Crum & Forster Company) with the following benefits:
 
• Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption for covered reasons
• Trip Delay
• Baggage Loss and Baggage Delay
• Emergency Medical Expenses and Emergency Medical Evacuation
• 24-Hour Accidental Death & Dismemberment
• 24-Hour Travel Assistance & Concierge Services
• Option to upgrade to ‘Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR)’
 
We recommend reviewing the language in detail so you are aware of specific parameters. Depending on the policy, to waive the Pre-Existing Medical Condition Exclusion or to upgrade to CFAR coverage, the plan must be purchased within 14 to 21 days of the initial trip deposit, the full trip cost must be insured, and the traveler is medically fit at the time of plan purchase. Otherwise, coverage may be purchased at any time before departure. 
 
To obtain a personalized quote and/or purchase a plan through Far Horizons/Travel Insured International, simply click HERE. For specific questions regarding the Worldwide Protector Plan, please contact Travel Insured International’s Customer Care Center at 1-800-243-3174 or by email at customercare@travelinsured.com, and refer to Far Horizons’ account number: 54070.

Travel in Bolivia

This trip is for the hardy!You should be in good physical condition and with the ability to travel at high altitudes. Many areas of Bolivia are at altitudes of as much as 10,000 feet.

Tour Map