Bolivia 5 Day Itinerary

5-Day Bolivia Itinerary: A Taste of the Andes

This itinerary offers a glimpse into the highlights of Bolivia, focusing on the cultural hub of La Paz and the breathtaking Salar de Uyuni.

Day 1: Arrival in La Paz & City Exploration

  • Morning: Arrive at El Alto International Airport (EAL).

    • Things to know: La Paz is located high in the Andes Mountains, so be prepared for altitude sickness. Acclimatize by drinking plenty of coca tea and resting.

  • Afternoon:

    • Explore Plaza Murillo, the heart of La Paz and home to important government buildings.
    • Visit the Witches’ Market (Mercado de las Brujas) for a unique cultural experience, but remember to treat it with respect as it is a sacred space for many locals.
    • Take a cable car ride (TelefĂ©rico)** up to El Alto for stunning views of the city and surrounding mountains.

Day 2: Exploring La Paz

  • Morning: Visit the Valley of the Moon (Valle de la Luna), a surreal landscape of clay formations and craters.
  • Afternoon: Wander through the vibrant streets of Sopocachi, wander through museums like the Museo Nacional de Arte or the Museo de la Coca, enjoy a traditional Bolivian meal in Soho.

Day 3: Journey to the Salt Flats (Day 1)

  • Morning: Travel from La Paz to Uyuni by bus. The journey takes approximately 8-10 hours and is a chance to witness the breathtaking scenery of the Altiplano, including stunning views of the Andes Mountains and the vast salt flats.
  • Afternoon: Arrive in Uyuni and check into your accommodation.

Day 4: Salar de Uyuni Salt Flat Tour (Full Day)

  • Morning: Explore the Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat, at its best!
    • We will visit unique locations like Isla Incahuasi and the Train Cemetery, but be sure to pack: sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, warm clothes for the evenings (it gets chilly!), a reusable water bottle (water is scarce).

Day 5: Departure from the Uyuni Salt Flats

  • Morning: Enjoy the unique experience of staying in a salt hotel!

    • We will visit the Salar de Uyuni, an amazing natural phenomenon and witness the surreal beauty of the salt flats.

  • Things to know:

    • Salt Flat Tours: You’ll want to book a full-day tour from Uyuni (usually departs at 10am).
    • Altitude: The salt flats are at over 3,656 meters above sea level, so it’s important to be aware of the potential for altitude sickness.

Things to know about the Salt Flats:

  • Altitude:

The Salar de Uyuni is located in the high Andes mountains and altitude sickness can affect visitors. It’s best to spend a day or two acclimatizing in Uyuni (the town, which is at a lower altitude than the salt flats themselves, are a great place to start acclimating).

  • Transportation: Getting around the Salar de Uyuni requires careful planning due to its remoteness.

We will travel to the salt flats by 4x4 jeep from La Paz.

  • Accommodation: We recommend booking a stay at a hotel in a nearby town, and then traveling to the Salar de Uyuni by bus or jeep for your tour.

Day 1: Day Trip to Isla Incahuasi (Day 1: Island of the Giants)

  • Morning: Explore the island’s unique landscape and see the giant cacti!
  • Afternoon: Enjoy a boat ride on the salt island, or visit the Museo de la Cultura for cultural artifacts.

Day 2-4: Exploring the Uyuni Salt Flats:

  • Day 2: Day Trip to Uyuni (Day 2): We recommend spending the day exploring the unique beauty of the Salar de Uyuni, from the salt island, the Tunupa Volcano, and the vast expanse of the salt flats.
  • Day 3 & 4:

Exploring the wonders of the Salar de Uyuni, such as: * The Mirror Effect: We’ll visit during the dry season (May-October) to witness the breathtaking mirror effect that makes the Salar de Uyuni famous.

Day 5: Salt Flats Accommodation

  • Day 4 & 5: Spend a few days in Uyuni to experience the town’s unique charm and visit its quirky attractions like the train cemetery (Cementerio de Trenes) or explore the salt flats’ lagoons, deserts, and salt formations.

Day 5: Exploring Uyuni (continued)

  • Accommodation: We recommend staying in a hotel in Uyuni.
  • Travel: We can arrange for you to spend the night at one of the comfortable hotels located directly on the salt flats. This will allow you to enjoy a unique and unforgettable experience.

Things to know:

  • Altitude: The town of Uyuni is situated at 3,650 meters above sea level.
  • Climate: The Salar de Uyuni is one of the driest and saltiest places on Earth.

The climate in Uyuni can be harsh due to its high altitude.

  • Altitude Sickness: It’s important to note that it’s a good idea to acclimate in the city of La Paz (3,656 meters above sea level) before venturing out to the salt flats.

This is just a basic example. You can customize it further by specifying the duration of your stay in Uyuni, including activities like exploring salt mines and enjoying the breathtaking scenery.