Traveling through Bolivia offers a rich and diverse adventure, with its unique culture, spectacular landscapes, and vibrant history. From the high-altitude city of La Paz to the surreal salt flats of Uyuni, and the mystical ruins of Tiwanaku, Bolivia is a country of stunning contrasts. Here’s a 14-day itinerary that covers the must-see regions, from the Altiplano to the Amazon Basin.

Day 1: Arrival in La Paz

Arrival: Fly into La Paz, the highest capital city in the world, situated at about 3,650 meters (12,000 feet) above sea level.

Morning: Get settled and start by acclimatizing to the altitude. Explore Plaza Murillo, the heart of La Paz, home to the Presidential Palace and Bolivian Congress.

Afternoon: Take a walk around Witches’ Market (Mercado de las Brujas) to see local crafts and ancient rituals. Visit the Catedral Metropolitana and enjoy the view from Cerro San Pedro.

Evening: Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant offering traditional Bolivian dishes like salteñas (Bolivian pastries) or pique macho (a hearty meat dish).

Day 2: Explore La Paz

Morning: Take a ride on the Mi Teleférico cable car for spectacular panoramic views of the city and surrounding mountains.

Afternoon: Visit the Museo Nacional de Arte for Bolivian art and culture. Later, take a short trip to Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley), a surreal landscape of eroded rock formations.

Evening: Explore the vibrant Sagárnaga Street, known for its handicrafts and lively atmosphere.

Day 3: Tiwanaku Ruins

Morning: Take a day trip to Tiwanaku, a pre-Columbian archaeological site (1.5 hours from La Paz). The ancient city was once the center of the Tiwanaku civilization.

Afternoon: Explore the Pumapunku site, famous for its megalithic stone structures, and see the Gateway of the Sun. Learn about the fascinating history of this ancient culture at the Tiwanaku Museum.

Evening: Return to La Paz for the night.

Day 4: Fly to Uyuni

Morning: Fly from La Paz to Uyuni (about 1 hour), the gateway to the Salar de Uyuni.

Afternoon: Take a stroll through Uyuni, a small town known for its salt flats and historic railway station. Visit the Train Graveyard, where old trains have been left abandoned in the desert.

Evening: Rest and prepare for your visit to the Salar de Uyuni the next day.

Day 5-6: Salar de Uyuni

Day 5:

Morning: Depart for a full-day excursion to the Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat, spanning over 10,000 square kilometers.

Afternoon: Explore the Cacti Island (Isla Incahuasi) in the middle of the salt flats, which is covered with giant cacti and offers stunning views of the salt flats. Visit the Salt Hotels, where the walls, floors, and furniture are made from salt.

Evening: Stay overnight in a salt hotel for an authentic experience.

Day 6:

Morning: Explore more of the Salar de Uyuni, including Eduardo Avaroa National Park and Laguna Colorada, a red lagoon famous for flamingos.

Afternoon: Visit Laguna Verde, a bright green lake at the foot of Volcán Licancabur.

Evening: Return to Uyuni for the night.

Day 7: Travel to Potosí

Morning: Take a bus or private transport from Uyuni to Potosí (6-7 hours), a UNESCO World Heritage city known for its rich colonial history and its mining past.

Afternoon: Explore the city center, visit Catedral de Potosí, Plaza 10 de Noviembre, and the Casa de la Moneda, the mint where coins were produced during colonial times.

Evening: Stroll around the town and enjoy some local food, such as picante de pollo (chicken stew) or salteñas.

Day 8: Potosí and the Cerro Rico Mines

Morning: Take a guided tour of the Cerro Rico (Rich Hill) mines, where silver was mined during the colonial era. The mines are still active today, and you can learn about the history and harsh working conditions faced by miners.

Afternoon: Return to Potosí and visit the San Francisco Church or enjoy panoramic views of the city from Cerro de Potosí.

Evening: Relax and prepare for your next destination.

Day 9: Travel to Sucre

Morning: Travel by bus from Potosí to Sucre (3-4 hours), Bolivia’s constitutional capital, known for its charming colonial architecture.

Afternoon: Explore Plaza 25 de Mayo, the Catedral Metropolitana, and the Casa de la Libertad, where Bolivia’s independence was declared.

Evening: Walk around the beautiful Recoleta neighborhood or relax in one of the many cafes in Sucre.

Day 10: Explore Sucre

Morning: Visit La Recoleta, a hilltop monastery with panoramic views over the city. Explore Tarabuco Market, known for its traditional Yampara textiles and handicrafts.

Afternoon: Discover the Museo de Arte Indígena or take a tour of La Casa de la Libertad, where Bolivia’s independence was declared.

Evening: Enjoy a traditional dinner at a local restaurant in Sucre.

Day 11: Fly to Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Morning: Fly from Sucre to Santa Cruz de la Sierra (1 hour). Santa Cruz is Bolivia’s largest city and a commercial hub with a more modern feel.

Afternoon: Visit Plaza 24 de Septiembre, Catedral Metropolitana, and the Museo de Historia Natural.

Evening: Enjoy the vibrant nightlife in Santa Cruz, with its many bars and restaurants.

Day 12: Travel to Rurrenabaque (Amazon Basin)

Morning: Fly from Santa Cruz to Rurrenabaque, a small town located in the Amazon Basin (about 45 minutes). It’s the gateway to the Madidi National Park and the Yacuma River.

Afternoon: Explore the town of Rurrenabaque and get ready for a jungle adventure.

Evening: Enjoy a local meal, such as piraña (fish from the Amazon) or tacacho (a plantain dish).

Day 13: Jungle Excursion in Madidi National Park

Morning: Take a guided boat tour or jungle trek in the Madidi National Park, one of the most biodiverse places on the planet.

Afternoon: Spot wildlife such as monkeys, sloths, and caimans, and explore the Yacuma River.

Evening: Camp in the jungle or return to Rurrenabaque for the night.

Day 14: Return to La Paz

Morning: Fly back from Rurrenabaque to La Paz (1-hour flight).

Afternoon: Depending on your flight schedule, spend your last afternoon in Bolivia shopping for souvenirs or visiting any remaining sights.

Evening: Depart from La Paz or relax for one last night in the city before your departure.