Uncover the history of Bolivia: Santa Cruz, Sucre & Potosi

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    Panpipes, Sucre, Bolivia

    Flûte de pan à Sucre, Bolivie

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    Watch the sun rise over the rooftops of Potosi | Travel Nation

    Watch the sun rise over the rooftops of Potosi

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    Spot macaws in the lowlands surrounding Santa Cruz | Travel Nation

    Spot macaws in the lowlands surrounding Santa Cruz

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    Wander around the cathedral in Santa Cruz, Bolivia | Travel Nation

    Wander around the cathedral in Santa Cruz, Bolivia

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    Soak up the stunning views over Sucre, Bolivia | Travel Nation

    Soak up the stunning views over Sucre, Bolivia

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    Learn about mining in Santa Cruz and Potosi, Bolivia | Travel Nation

    Learn about mining in Santa Cruz and Potosi, Bolivia

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    Sucre is a thriving university city filled with Bolivian bright young things

    See traditional dancers of the streets of Sucre

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    Snap the beautiful mountains surrounding Santa Cruz | Travel Nation

    Snap the beautiful mountains surrounding Santa Cruz

Trip ideas

Duration(in days): 6

From: Santa Cruz

To: Sucre

From

£1,180

Exc. International flights (per person, based on 2 sharing)

Get a quote

or Call +441273320580

See more ideas for: Bolivia

    Delve into the history of Bolivia with this fascinating trip that visits three key cities; Santa Cruz, Sucre and Potosi. Take a guided tour of Santa Cruz and admire its cathedral, monuments and distinct residential neighbourhoods, before visiting the well-preserved Jesuit Missions nearby. Next, fly on to Sucre to explore its white-washed colonial architecture and café culture and to learn more about the nation’s history. From here, you’ll head to the historic town of Potosi and take a guided tour of the mines to discover why this silver city was so important to the Spaniards. Returning to Sucre once more, you’ll have the chance to visit the weekly Tarabuco native fair when a sleeping village transforms into a bustling hub where traditionally-dressed Bolivians come from all over the country to trade. Try your hand at haggling for handmade goods and produce – a colourful way to end your journey through Bolivia!

    This itinerary can be tailored to suit your requirements; please contact one of our consultants to start planning your dream trip.

    Highlights

    • Learn about the history of Bolivia by visiting its three key cities
    • Enjoy three, privately guided city tours
    • Explore the well-preserved Jesuit Missions in the Santa Cruz province
    • Admire the beautiful, colonial centre of Sucre
    • Take a tour of Potosi, whose silver mines funded the Spanish Empire
    • Visit the colourful, weekly Tarabuco market and see visitors in native Bolivian dress

     

    Itinerary in brief

    • 2 nights in Santa Cruz
    • 3 nights in Sucre

     

    Day 1: Arrive in Santa Cruz         

    On arrival at Santa Cruz airport, you will be met and taken by private transfer to your hotel where you will check in for a 2-night stay.

    This afternoon, you’ll be picked up and taken on a private tour of Santa Cruz, visiting the main square, the Cathedral and some of the monuments and different residential neighbourhoods. Located on the banks of the Pirai River in the lowlands, Santa Cruz is the fastest growing city in the world and enjoys a warm, tropical climate.


    Day 2: Jesuit Missions        

    It’s an early start today as you’ll be collected at around 6 am you will be collected for a private tour to the Jesuit Missions which played a crucial role in the history of Bolivia.

    These European-style complexes were set up by Jesuit priests to convert the indigenous Bolivians to Christianity and ran as small economies. Your first stop is at San Javier, the first Jesuit Mission to be set up in the Chiquitos regions where you can visit the uniquely preserved, baroque church complex. From here, continue to Concepción where you will see another beautiful church, with elegant carved-wood columns, with its altar and the paintings all created by the people who lived here. After a visit to the crafts museum, you’ll have lunch and will be driven back to Santa Cruz.


    Day 3: Santa Cruz to Sucre 

    Today you’ll be collected from your hotel after breakfast and will be driven by private transfer to Santa Cruz airport for your flight to Sucre. Once you land, you will be met and taken by private transfer to your hotel where you will check in for a 3-night stay.           

    In the afternoon, you will have a private tour of Sucre, the city much-loved by the colonial Spaniards involved in the silver mining, as its year-round, mild climate was more comfortable than Potosi. It is also though to be the first town in Latin America to begin the rebellion against colonial rule. Sucre is a well-preserved, pretty colonial city with many whitewashed buildings, a thriving university and plenty of café culture so you can sit and watch the world go by.


    Day 4: Potosi    

    After breakfast, you’ll start your private tour to the colonial gem of Potosi at the foot of Cerro Rico (the rich mountain) which was thought to be made of silver.

    This city was the centre of silver production in the colonial era, and Potosi became one of the wealthiest cities in the Americas, feeding silver to all corners of the Spanish Empire before reserves were depleted and it the city fell into poverty. According to legend, Potosi has produced enough of the precious metal to build a silver bridge between Potosi and Madrid!

    In the afternoon, you will be driven back to Sucre.  


    Day 5: Sucre      

    Today you’ll have a full-day private excursion to the famous Tarabuco native fair. Every Sunday, this small villages morphs from a sleepy town into a thriving market, attracting visitors from all over Bolivia. You’ll get a remarkable glimpse into local life watching people in colourful, traditional costume browsing the stalls to buy locally woven goods, vegetables and homeware – and it’s a great place for souvenirs!

    We’ve included a typical lunch in a local restaurant, then in the afternoon, you will be driven back to Sucre.


    Day 6: Depart Sucre   

    You will be collected at a suitable time from your hotel and taken by private transfer to Sucre airport to connect with your onward travel plans.

    What's included
    • 5 nights accommodation with daily breakfast
    • Return airport transfers
    • Domestic flight from Santa Cruz to Sucre
    • Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
    • Excursions as mentioned in the itinerary

    The destinations in this itinerary are at their best between May and October when the weather is drier and the skies are clear.            

    We've made a similar trip

    If you'd like to get a feel for this trip, read our blog post Bolivia: Sucre, La Paz, Santa Cruz & Uyuni salt flats  - written by one of our consultants who has been here.

    This itinerary is purely a suggestion and can be tailor-made to your requirements, so please contact us with your dates and requests, and we’ll put together a bespoke quotation for you

    Not included
    • Flights
    • Any meals not mentioned
    • Any excursions not mentioned
    • Personal expenses
    • Tips & gratuities
    • An international airport tax of $25.00 per person (subject to change)
    • A domestic airport tax of $2.5 per person (subject to change)

    Five nights in 4* standard accommodation.

    Hotels in this category include:

    • Radisson Santa Cruz

    • Parador Santa Maria