Discover Bolivia's Landscapes - 10 Days

Day 1: Arrive in La Paz

Welcome to Bolivia! Today you'll have your breath taken away (literally!) at 12,000 feet (3,658 meters) above sea level in La Paz. A colorful jumble of tradition and modernity where cholitas (Bolivian women in typical dress) travel in the world’s most modern urban gondola system, this one-of-a-kind city is a travelers' favorite. Spend the rest of the day settling in and adjusting to the altitude. Venture out to a restaurant in the evening to get your first taste of traditional Bolivian cuisine.

Day 2: Discover La Paz on a City Tour 

Today you'll have time to explore the popular Witches' Market, where you can purchase medicinal herbs, and visit the San Francisco Cathedral, one of the oldest cathedrals in the city. You’ll see the main square, Plaza Murillo, continuing onward to the southern neighborhoods and a fascinating geological anomaly called the Moon Valley (Valle de la Luna) because of its bizarre, moon-like surface. End with a cable car ride, taking in panoramic views of La Paz. Once you've completed your city tour, you'll head to the airport for a short flight to Cochabamba, known as "the city of eternal spring" due to its pleasant weather. Spend the evening relaxing in Cochabamba.

Day 3: Explore Torotoro National Park & Umajalanta Cavern

Leave Cochabamba this morning for an expedition to Torotoro National Park, a must-see destination for adventure lovers and natural history enthusiasts. On the drive to the park, you'll be able to see incredible landscapes outside your window, from high desert plateaus to green riverways. When you reach the small town of Torotoro, you'll check in to your accommodation and have lunch. Then you will set off to visit the Umajalanta Cavern, a long, deep cave featuring stalagmite and stalactite rock formations and several waterfalls.

This outing is suited to adventurous travelers—be prepared to get wet and dirty as you crawl through dark and narrow spaces! A helmet and headlamp will be provided for you. Alternate activities may be arranged for those who prefer not to go caving.

Day 4: Go Trekking in Torotoro National Park

You will spend all day hiking through Torotoro's vibrantly hued mountains, underground tunnels, and the impressive Torotoro Canyon. At the bottom of the canyon, you'll find a lagoon that's perfect for a midday dip. Closer to the village, you will walk alongside large, well-preserved dinosaur footprints. After you're finished exploring, return to your hotel to relax.

Day 5: Hike to El Vergel Canyon & Return to Cochabamba

Today is your last day in Torotoro National Park. You'll enjoy a half-day hike, descending more than 100 steps to the bottom of El Vergel Canyon, where you'll be rewarded with lush greenery, local wildlife, small waterfalls, and cool temperatures. You may spot more dinosaur prints here, too. After your hike, you'll have lunch in Torotoro before a driver picks you up and drives you back to Cochabamba for the night.

Day 6: Free Day in La Paz

Fly back to La Paz this morning, where you'll have the rest of the day free to explore the city. One option is to go on a culinary tour of the city, sampling unique Andean ingredients and cooking styles. You might sample a sanduíche de chola (pork sandwich), cuñapé (cheesy bread), or if you're feeling especially adventurous, anticucho (a skewer of beef heart with potatoes). Later in the day, head over to El Alto, the epicenter of the Aymara community (and of social change) in Bolivia. At night, you can catch a popular show featuring a wrestling match between cholitas—think native Andean culture meets the WWF.

Day 7: Transfer to Uyuni

Get an early start with a quick flight to Uyuni, the gateway to the Uyuni Salt Flats. First, you will visit the small salt museum (which was constructed with salt!). Then you'll continue to tour the salar, or salt flat, and walk around the otherworldly Incahuasi Island. Covered in enormous cacti, it boasts amazing views of the flats. Continue onward to the salt-harvesting village of Colchani to see how the locals produce salt. Then you'll visit the famed "train cemetery" that's filled with rusting train cars once used to transport minerals and people to and from Uyuni.

Day 8: Visit the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve

Continue the highland adventure with a long, scenic drive through the high desert. You will see lunar-like landscapes, volcanoes, deserts, and colorful lagoons as you approach the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve. The reserve is also home to Andean wildlife like pink flamingos and llamas. Go on a short walk around the reserve, enjoying a picnic lunch next to one of the region’s many-colored lagoons, then continue on to the Siloli Desert. You'll see the famous Stone Tree, formed by years of wind erosion. The excursion will end with a visit to the Red Lagoon (Laguna Colorada). Then transfer to your hotel in Siloli for some well-earned rest.

Day 9: Return to La Paz & Sightsee

After an early breakfast, go for a relaxing dip in the thermal pools nearby. Then you'll get back in the car and travel through the Siloli Desert (also known as the Salvador Dalí Desert, as the topography resembles the artist's surrealist paintings), passing by the Green Lagoon along the way. You'll reach Uyuni Airport in the afternoon and board your flight to La Paz. On your last evening of the trip, go for an unforgettable cable car ride over the city.

Day 10: Depart Bolivia

Enjoy one more Bolivian breakfast before you head to the airport for your flight home or onward to your next adventure. Safe travels!

More Great 10-Day Bolivia Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Bolivia? Check out these other 10-day Bolivia itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.