From the world's highest capital in the Andean highlands to the lush Amazon rainforest, Bolivia's natural wonders enchant visitors. Explore the hilly streets of La Paz, visit a community-based agritourism village run by indigenous artisans, and walk along the shores of Lake Titicaca, the second-largest lake in South America. Then float down a jungle river on a log raft and see a wide variety of wildlife in the Bolivian Amazon, including capybaras, macaws, caimans, anacondas, and the unique pink river dolphin.

Highlights

  • Float down a jungle river on a traditional log raft
  • Explore the native culture of sacred Lake Titicaca
  • Stay in an indigenous community and learn about traditional handicrafts
  • Catch glimpses of caimans, anacondas, pink river dolphins, and other wildlife
  • Experience the Amazonian River basin

Brief Itinerary

Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Arrive in La Paz La Paz
Day 2 Discover La Paz on a City Tour La Paz
Day 3 Explore Lake Titicaca & Copacabana  Isla del Sol
Day 4 Visit the Community of Santiago de Okola  Santiago de Okola
Day 5 Hike in the Hamputuri Valley La Paz
Day 6 Canoe to Madidi National Park Madidi National Park 
Day 7 Spot Birds in Madidi National Park Madidi National Park 
Day 8 Go on a River Safari  Las Tortugas Eco-Lodge
Day 9 Spot Wildlife on a Guided Excursion La Paz
Day 10 Depart Bolivia  

Detailed Itinerary 

Day 1: Arrive in La Paz

La Paz, located at 11,942 ft, is the highest administrative capital in the world
La Paz, the highest administrative capital in the world

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

A panorama of the La Paz, Bolivia at night with the Andes mountains in the background 
La Paz, Bolivia, and the Andes mountains at night 

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 Moon Valley (Valle de la Luna) because of its bizarre, moon-like surface. You will also have a chance to participate in an Andean cooking class at a local culinary school. End the day with a cable car ride, taking in panoramic views of La Paz.

Day 3: Explore Lake Titicaca & Copacabana 

Floating houses and boats on Lake Titicaca
Floating houses and boats on Lake Titicaca

Get an early start this morning, leaving La Paz to head toward sacred Lake Titicaca. On the way, you will pass through El Alto, the second-largest city in Bolivia. Then you will travel through the altiplano, or high plain, and eventually reach Lake Titicaca, where you'll enjoy incredible scenery and see small farms and fishing villages. Stop for a picnic lunch on your way to Copacabana, a small lakeside village with indigenous origins and important Incan ruins. Go for a stroll around town before you walk down to the beach to catch a ferry out to the island of Isla del Sol, your final destination today. 

Day 4: Visit the Community of Santiago de Okola

The locals make money through their community-based agri-tourism project, and by creating traditional textiles
Women weaving traditional textiles

In the morning, explore the island on a short but beautiful hike. Then you will board the ferry once again for a trip to the farming and fishing village of Santiago de Okola. This village operates a small, community-based agritourism project, and visitors are welcome to stay and learn. You will be welcomed by the community members, who will host you in their homes and show you their way of life. Go for a hike around the nearby mountain ridges after touring the community buildings and participating in a weaving workshop. In the evening, enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal and sit by an open bonfire under a magnificent star-filled sky. 

Day 5: Hike in the Hamputuri Valley

The streets in La Paz are steep and full of shops
The steeply angled streets of La Paz 

Go for an early morning walk along the shore of Lake Titicaca before your departure. After breakfast with your host family, hit the road for the trip back to La Paz. In the afternoon, go for a guided hike in the Hamputuri Valley or 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).

Day 6: Canoe to Madidi National Park

The collection of colorful hammocks beckon you to relax
A collection of colorful hammocks on the river's edge

Today you'll fly from the highlands of La Paz to the heart of Bolivia's Amazon Rainforest (make sure to get a window seat for the best views!). You will land in Rurrenabaque and meet your guide for a quick overview of the next part of the trip. Then you'll board a canoe and paddle along the Beni and Tuichi Rivers toward Madidi National Park, one of the most biologically diverse places in the world. 

Around noon, you will reach the eco-lodge and meet your hosts, members of the Tacana indigenous group. Enjoy a delicious lunch with tropical fruit juices before venturing out into the rainforest for a guided hike. You'll learn about native uses for plants: here, they're used for everything from medicine to building materials. As the sun sets and you head back to the lodge, keep your eyes open for wildlife—you may spot a monkey or two. When you close your eyes tonight, you'll relax to the nighttime sounds of the surrounding rainforest. 

Day 7: Spot Birds in Madidi National Park

When you walk through the rainforest, make sure to look up! Life in the Amazon happens in the tree canopy
A monkey in the trees in the Bolivian Amazon

You will get an early start this morning for your excursion to the Cliff of the Macaws, one of the best places in Madidi National Park to view macaws, parrots, and other colorful birds. From the hiking trail, beneath towering trees, you'll enjoy spectacular views of the Amazonian Basin and the rivers that flow through it. 

Afterward, go on a rafting adventure down the Tuichi River. You'll help your guides to build a traditional log raft, then float downstream for a couple of hours toward the eco-lodge. In the late afternoon, relax in the colorful hammocks by the water's edge.  

Day 8: Go on a River Safari 

Capybara are just one of the many species of wildlife you might see along the river
A capybara along the river

Get another early morning start today, returning to Rurrenabaque. From here, head to the town of Santa Rosa, situated in the grasslands of Beni Pampas, and look around for wildlife. You might spot sloths, anteaters, and exotic birds. From Santa Rosa, you will travel by boat down the Yacuma River to another eco-lodge. In the afternoon, after checking into the lodge, you'll go out on a river safari.  Cruise through the forests that line the jungle waterways: they're home to hundreds of animal species. This is a wonderful opportunity to see caimans, capybaras, turtles, and the unique freshwater Amazonian pink river dolphin.

Day 9: Spot Wildlife on a Guided Excursion

The brightly-colored Macaw is one of the loudest characters in the rainforest
The brightly-colored Macaw is one of the loudest characters in the rainforest

Early risers will love this morning in the rainforest. Wake up at dawn and listen to the sounds of the jungle — howler monkeys and birds are the loudest, but you will hear other animals and birds, too, if you listen closely. Return to the lodge for breakfast and then head back to the Yacuma River for a short hike and another wildlife excursion. This time, you'll be on the lookout for anacondas, caimans, turtles, and capybaras. In the afternoon return to Rurrenabaque and catch a flight back to La Paz.

Day 10: Depart Bolivia

Bolivia is full of natural wonders - stay and explore!
Bolivia, a country full of natural wonders

Thanks for visiting Bolivia! You'll head to the airport to catch a flight out today. 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. 

Map

Map of Explore the Andes & the Amazon Rainforest - 10 Days
Map of Explore the Andes & the Amazon Rainforest - 10 Days