12 Day Bolivia Itinerary: Santa Cruz, Toro Toro, La Paz & Uyuni
Experience Bolivia's remarkable contrasts on a 12 day journey from the lowlands of Santa Cruz to the fossils and dinosaur footprints of Toro Toro, the high…
Duration: 12 days / 11 nights
Destinations: Bolivia
Operator: La paz on foot
About this journey
This 12 day Bolivia itinerary connects several of the country's most distinctive landscapes and cultural experiences, from the tropical lowlands of Santa Cruz to the high altitude Andes and the immense Uyuni Salt Flats. The journey begins in Santa Cruz before heading to Cochabamba and Toro Toro National Park, where the focus shifts to geology and paleontology. Explore ancient rock paintings, natural pools, waterfalls, fossils and dinosaur footprints before hiking through the extraordinary Ciudad de Itas and exploring Umajalanta Cavern. The route then continues through Vergel Canyon, where waterfalls, greenery and natural pools provide a striking contrast to the surrounding highlands. In La Paz, the itinerary combines the otherworldly Moon Valley, an urban trek through the city's markets and El Alto, and a full day in Tuni Condoriri National Park, including a high altitude hike to Chiar Khota Lake and a cultural experience with a local Aymara family. The final section focuses on Bolivia's iconic salt and desert landscapes. Explore the Uyuni Salt Flats and Incahuasi Island, then travel through South Lipez and the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Flora and Fauna Reserve, with stops at Salar de Chiguana, Ollague Volcano, Andean lagoons, Laguna Colorada, Sol de Mañana, the Dalí Desert, Laguna Verde and Laguna Blanca. What makes this itinerary different Unlike the shorter Bolivia packages, this is a broad multi region journey designed for travellers who want to experience several sides of Bolivia in one trip. It combines Santa Cruz, Toro Toro's dinosaur and fossil landscapes, La Paz and its surrounding Andes, Tuni Condoriri, Uyuni and South Lipez rather than focusing on just one region or travel style. Trip Highlights - Begin your journey in Santa Cruz, Bolivia's lowland gateway. - Explore the fossils, dinosaur footprints and geological landscapes of Toro Toro National Park. - Discover Umajalanta Cavern and its underground formations. - Hike through the extraordinary Ciudad de Itas. - Descend into Vergel Canyon and swim in natural pools. - Explore La Paz's markets, cable cars and El Alto. - Wander through the surreal landscapes of Moon Valley. - Hike to Chiar Khota Lake in Tuni Condoriri National Park. - Share a cultural experience with a local Aymara family. - Cross the immense Uyuni Salt Flats. - Explore Incahuasi Island and its giant cacti. - Travel through the desert landscapes of South Lipez. - Discover Salar de Chiguana, Laguna Colorada, Laguna Verde and Laguna Blanca. - Watch the sunrise at Sol de Mañana. - Travel through the Dalí Desert and see the Licancabur Volcano landscape.
About the location
Bolivia offers an extraordinary range of landscapes within one country, from the lowland environment of Santa Cruz to the high altitude Altiplano around La Paz and Uyuni. This itinerary travels through several particularly distinctive regions. Toro Toro National Park offers geological and paleontological attractions, including dinosaur footprints, fossils, caves and canyons. Around La Paz, the journey explores both the city's cultural landscape and the mountain environment of Tuni Condoriri National Park. The final section crosses the high altitude landscapes around Uyuni, South Lipez and the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Flora and Fauna Reserve, where salt flats, deserts, lagoons, volcanoes and geothermal features dominate the landscape.