2026 Oruro Carnival, Bolivia Tour

Arrival in El Alto, La Paz international airport, meet and greet with your private guide, transfer to La Paz city (1 hour 15 min). 

Free morning to acclimatize yourself. La Paz is the highest capital in the world with an altitude of 11,940 ft (3640 metres). 

To avoid altitude sickness (common when landing in La Paz), we strongly advise against any strong physical effort or any alcohol consumption. 

Afternoon transfer to the Moon Valley (30 min South of La Paz). 

Discover a unique place, a real lunar landscape adorned with eroded sedimentary formations, fairy chimneys and high spires (2 hours). 

Transfer back to your hotel in La Paz (30 min). 

Free evening. 

Overnight at your hotel in La Paz. 

Experience La Paz through the eyes of a lustra botas, or shoe shiner, on this unique walking tour that reveals the city’s heartbeat from street level. Your guide shares his personal journey as you explore the vibrant, chaotic, and deeply human side of Bolivia’s capital.

This socially-driven experience, created by Hormigón Armado and the Bolivian Foundation of Art and Culture, offers rare insight into a marginalized yet vital community.

Begin at the Central Station of the Red Line Teleférico, with sweeping aerial views of La Paz and El Alto. Continue to the General Cemetery and nearby flower and fish markets — bustling hubs of daily life and commerce.

Wander through Avenida Baptista and Tarapacá, known for print shops and souvenirs, then visit Mercado de Uruguay to sample local flavors like herbal teas and api, a warm purple corn drink.

Finish at Avenida Max Paredes, where you'll discover the iconic clothing of cholas paceñas and the cultural identity woven into every shawl, skirt, and hat.

This tour offers more than sightseeing — it's an intimate look into the soul of La Paz, guided by those who know it best.

An English-speaking guide accompanies you throughout.

Free afternoon to explore the city.

Free evening and overnight at your hotel in La Paz. 

After breakfast, we will depart for the Oruro Carnival (4 hours).

The Oruro Carnival is one of the most important cultural events in Bolivia, representing a unique blend of pre-Columbian heritage and Christian tradition. As we arrive, we’ll begin to witness the early displays of joy, color, and devotion that define this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The celebration continues with a vibrant parade featuring over 28,000 dancers and 10,000 musicians, culminating at the feet of the Virgen del Socavón, the Patron Saint of Oruro. We'll enjoy the country's richest cultural expressions, with a spectacular showcase of Bolivian dances such as the Diablada, Morenada, Tinkus, Kullaguada, Caporales, and Llamerada, among many others. The carnival also features incredible masks, weavings, and embroidery that highlight the creativity and spirit of the Bolivian people.

Free evening and overnight in Oruro.

Day at leisure to enjoy the Carnival festivities at your own pace. You may choose to explore the vibrant streets, admire the colorful costumes, or immerse yourself in the music and spontaneous performances that fill the city.

Free evening and overnight in Oruro.

Day at leisure to enjoy the Carnival festivities at your own pace. You may choose to explore the vibrant streets, admire the colorful costumes, or immerse yourself in the music and spontaneous performances that fill the city.

Free evening and overnight in Oruro.

After breakfast, departure from Oruro towards Uyuni (5 hours). Enjoy scenic views of the Altiplano as we travel through the vast Bolivian highlands.

Arrival in Uyuni and transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure to relax and acclimatize, or take a short stroll around the town and prepare for the upcoming salt flats adventure.

Free evening and overnight in Uyuni.

Begin your 3-day adventure into the Eduardo Avaroa Reserve, the High Andean Jewels, and the famous Uyuni Salt Flats.

Start with a visit to the Train Cemetery, where rusted locomotives from the 19th and 20th centuries lie abandoned, offering a haunting glimpse into Bolivia’s mining past. Then, explore the nearby town and the historic Church of San Cristobal.

Continue by private 4x4 to the stunning Turquiri Lagoon at 4,261 meters above sea level. Known as the Black Lagoon for its dark waters, it’s home to endemic black ducks and surrounded by surreal rock formations and large patches of yareta, a rare high-altitude plant.

A picnic lunch is included during this scenic excursion.

Travel to the High Andean Jewels, a breathtaking region named for its vibrant and serene lagoons nestled between 4,000 and 4,200 meters elevation. Visit shimmering lakes such as Cañapa, Hedionda, Chiarkota, Honda, and Ramadita, each showcasing unique colors and tranquil waters — a true portrait of Bolivia’s natural beauty.

Continue to the Paseo del León, an ochre and beige canyon with striking geological formations sheltering yareta plants. Your journey then leads to the vast and otherworldly Siloli Desert, where surreal landscapes await your discovery.

Arrival and installation at your hotel in the desert. 

Early departure to the Eduardo Avaroa Reserve, a stunning natural wonder in southern Lipez famed for its surreal deserts and vibrant lagoons. Travel through the windswept Siloli Desert at 4,000 meters, home to the iconic Stone Tree, a volcanic rock sculpted by erosion. Continue to Sol de Mañana (4,850 m), a geothermal area of steaming geysers and fumaroles, known for its powerful volcanic activity and potential for renewable energy.

Next, visit the Polques hot springs in the Chalviri Salt Flat for a relaxing open-air bath at 4,000 meters altitude. Cross the surreal Dali Desert, with rock formations reminiscent of the painter’s works. End the morning at the dazzling Laguna Verde (Green Lagoon) at 4,350 meters, whose bright green waters owe their color to high magnesium content.

After a picnic lunch, head to Laguna Colorada (Red Lagoon) at 4,278 meters, famous for its vivid red hues caused by algae, and a sanctuary for around 30,000 flamingos. The breathtaking landscape offers one of Bolivia’s most unforgettable sights.

Continue to the Ollagüe Volcano viewpoint, where you’ll admire fumaroles and the impressive, active volcano towering at 5,868 meters on the Chilean border. This viewpoint reveals the majestic scale of the Andean wilderness and the raw beauty of the Lipez region.

Overnight at your hotel in San Pedro de Quemez.

Explore the surroundings including the Burned Village, a historic site linked to the late 19th-century Pacific War with Chile. Then, visit the fascinating Cave of the Galaxies at 3,670 meters altitude. This otherworldly limestone cave, shaped by volcanic lava interacting with the ancient inland sea that once covered the area, offers a unique glimpse into Bolivia’s geological past.

Next, head to the Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat, spanning over 12,000 km². Once part of the prehistoric Lake Minchin, the vast white expanse creates surreal landscapes unlike anywhere else on earth. Enjoy a picnic lunch right in the heart of the salt flats, surrounded by breathtaking views.

Visit Incahuasi Island (“House of the Inca” in Quechua), the most spectacular island within the Salar. Covered in volcanic rock and towering cacti up to 8 meters tall, it offers stunning panoramic views and a chance for iconic perspective photos on the endless white salt.

Please note, from December to March, heavy rains can flood parts of the Salar, making access to Incahuasi by vehicle difficult, though the flooded flats create magical mirror-like reflections. During June to August, temperatures can be very cold, so dress warmly.

Return to Uyuni at the end of the day.

Overnight at your hotel in Uyuni. 

Private transfer from your hotel to the Uyuni airport.

Direct flight to La Paz (1 hour).

Arrival and transfer to your hotel. 

At over 3,600 meters above sea level, La Paz offers breathtaking views and rich cultural experiences. With your guide, take the cable car up to El Alto, located above 4,000 meters, and enjoy panoramic views over the La Paz basin and the Illimani volcano.

At the edge of El Alto, meet yatiris—Andean spiritual leaders—who perform traditional ceremonies of gratitude to Pachamama (Mother Earth). Participate in a ch’alla, a ritual offering with prayers and symbolic gifts.

This powerful experience offers a unique insight into the Andean worldview and the ancestral traditions of Bolivia’s Aymara people.

Free evening and overnight in La Paz.

At the indicated time, transfer to La Paz airport (30-45 min). Check-in and assistance.