A Two-Week Itinerary To Bolivia

So you’ve got two weeks in Bolivia? Well, start getting excited because this seldom explored South American nation is one of the true highlights of the continent. Of course, you’ll only be able to see so much in such a small amount of time, so best choose your destinations wisely to make the most out of your holiday. Better yet, let Culture Trip do that for you.

Lake Titicaca – 2 days

Most travelers enter Bolivia from Peru, first arriving at the lakeside town of Copacabana. Even if you’ve just spent several days in Puno, don’t even think about skipping the Bolivian side of the lake.

Copacabana doesn’t require an overnight stay, though it is worth checking out South America’s most beloved virgin inside the Basilica of Our Lady of Copacabana, as well as the Blessing of the Automobiles if the timing is right. Other worthwhile activities include hiking to the top of Cerro Calvario for amazing views or paddling around the lake in a canoe.

Don’t dally too long, though, because Isla del Sol is where it’s at. Ferries leave twice per day between the two locales, and a variety of accommodation is available on the island. Much of the island could be off limits due to a community dispute, but you could at least grab dinner at Las Velas and do some hiking the next day.

La Paz – 3 days

La Paz has numerous attractions to explore as well as a myriad of worthwhile hikes just outside the city. At the very least, be sure to go for a ride on the teleferico, shop for spells at the witches market, and peruse some of the city museums. Come nighttime, party animals can take advantage of the city’s boisterous nightlife.

A must for many travelers is cycling down the World’s Most Dangerous Road, a hair-raising descent that takes in breathtaking views. The full-day trip is notoriously dicey, so choose your tour company carefully and try not to fall off the edge.

Other worthy attractions include the alienesque Valle de la Luna or a walking tour of the city’s impressive colonial architecture. Thursday and Sunday see the hilarious Cholitas Wrestling and expansive Feria de 16 de Julio, which can be easily combined.

Next stop, Uyuni, which is accessible through an overnight bus or morning flight.

Jump on La Paz’s cable car for an unbeatable view of the city

Salar de Uyuni – 4 days

A trip to the famed Salar de Uyuni is an essential part of any Bolivian itinerary, and it’s worth doing the longer three-day excursion even if you’re short on time. After gallivanting across the surreal landscapes of this otherworldly region, spend the night in the town of Uyuni for a proper night’s sleep.

Now it’s time to take a quick bus to Potosi.

Potosi – 2 days

Spend the rest of the day at leisure checking out the Casa de Moneda or having a soak in the nearby hot springs before retiring for the evening.

Now that you’re well rested, take a morning tour deep into the depths of the notorious Cerro Rico silver mine. In this labyrinth of dark narrow tunnels, the Spanish conquistadores worked millions of slaves to death in search of silver to fund their war machine. Despite nearing depletion, thousands of Bolivian miners still work here in abhorrent conditions.

Once you’ve washed off all the dust from the mines, grab a trufi (shared taxi) to Bolivia’s constitutional capital, the whitewashed colonial masterpiece of Sucre.

Sucre – 3 days

Given you’ve been moving at a lightning pace the last two weeks, spend some time just soaking up the sunshine as you meander among these picturesque colonial streets.

City highlights include an educational dinosaur park with an impressive fossilized footprint collection, an abundance of leafy plazas, and the best preserved colonial architecture in South America.

Be sure to sample some of the city’s best restaurants and cafes and perhaps enjoy a beer or two after dark.

So there we have it. Two weeks in Bolivia. We trust you had a ball.

San Felipe Neri monastery from La Merced church in Sucre, Bolivia

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.