TRIP DETAILS

8 days: US$1995 per person
with internal flights included
(What's Included)
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Is this trip for me?
Bolivia Sampler is an eight-day tour which includes walking in various ruins, on city tours and in the rainforest.  As always, a certain patience is required for the inconsistencies and delays of developing-world travel.
Please note: Southern Crossings has many relaxed tours, this tour however is for the more adventurous traveler. Please ask your client services assistant for more information on transport and accommodation for your specific tour.

Joining the tour
On all Southern Crossings tours, you are met at the airport by one of our representatives (holding a Southern Crossings placard), who will accompany you to our joining hotel.  No bargaining or being ripped off by airport taxis! 


What's included in the trip

·     Airport pickup at the beginning of trip and drop off at end of the trip

·     Southern Crossings bilingual guides throughout

      Flights La Paz-Rurrenabaque-La Paz

·     All other internal transport (excluding transport to optional restaurants, bars, sights and excursions)

·     Four nights of hotel accommodation, three nights jungle lodge

·     Breakfast included each morning

      All food at jungle lodge

·     Full-day Island of the Sun/Lake Titicaca excursion, including bilingual guide, round-trip boat to/from the island, all entrances, guided tour of Inca ruins and south side of island, round-trip private transport from La Paz

·     Half-day Tiwanaku excursion

      Four-day, three night jungle lodge excursion

·     La Paz city tour

·     Southern Crossings T-shirt or cap

 

What's not included
International flight to/from La Paz, airport taxes (approx. US$30), pre- & post- tour accommodation, visas, vaccinations, personal insurance, meals except where specified above, drinks, laundry, souvenirs, tips while on optional excursions and other items of a personal nature. Medical travel insurance is not included through Southern Crossings though we do require that you have a policy. Check www.travelguard.com to purchase a policy for your trip.

 

Extra Accommodation
We will gladly arrange additional accommodation for you before or after your trip in:
La Paz for $110 double/$90 single
 

Single Person Supplement: $1250
Please add this amount to the payment if you will be traveling alone or wish to have private accommodation.

 

PRE-TRIP PLANNER

Required documents

All travelers to Bolivia are required to have a passport valid for at least six months from
date of entry.

Visas are not required for E.U., Canadian, Australian or New Zealand passport holders.

A visa IS required for U.S. citizens, which costs $135.00 and can be obtained at point of entry.  Please visit http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1069.html for what you will need to present to obtain your visa.  A visa can also be obtained in advance through any Bolivian consulate.

For other nationalities, please consult the nearest Bolivian embassy or consulate.  An onward ticket and proof of funds may also be required at entry and should be available to show to immigration. Traveler’s checks, currency, or a bank statement, from the bank or printed off the internet, are sufficient for proof of funds.

 

Required immunizations

The rainforest area of Bolivia (approx. 3500 ft. and below, east of the Andes) is a malarial and yellow fever zone.  The yellow fever vaccination with the official certificate is required, and travelers may wish to take malarial prophylaxis. Travelers may also wish to receive hepatitis vaccinations and should be current on all other standard vaccinations.  Please consult your physician or local health department for more information.

 

Things to bring

One should come well prepared for outdoor activity at temperatures ranging from 30 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and for extremes of sun and the possibility of rain. A list of things to bring would include:

·         Passport and, if necessary, visa

·         Traveler’s checks and/or cash card

·         Airline ticket and Travel Insurance Policy

·         Photocopies of airline ticket and documents

·         Wearable pouch for documents and money

·         Large, sturdy backpack or suitcase

·         Smaller, comfortable day pack

·         Trekking/walking boots or shoes, comfortable and worn-in

·         Sandals or flip-flops

·         Rain poncho or jacket

·         Waterproof pants

·         Sun hat

·         Hat for cold weather

·         Good, warm clothing for cold weather (think layers!)

·         Scarf and gloves

·         T-shirts

·         Socks (thin wool or biking socks are best), undergarments

·         Camelback or Nalgene bottle (optional)

·         Flashlight (head lamps are very handy)

·         Sunscreen

·         Lip balm

·         Earplugs

·         Alarm clock or watch

·         Sanitizing hand wipes or gel

·         Camera and film/digital memory cards

·         Camera batteries

·         Playing cards, games, reading material

·         Prescription medications

·         Toiletries

Note that common clothing, batteries, film, medications, and such toiletries as
toothpaste, toothbrush, toilet paper, deodorant and feminine hygiene items are
available in Bolivia.
It is best to bring from home such items as prescription meds, eyewear and care, extra
large clothing, shoes, unusual film and camera batteries. Also note that most digital
camera memory cards can be downloaded and burned onto a CD in internet cafes in
La Paz.

 

Climate

Rain is possible at any time of year, especially in high mountains and on the Bolivian altiplano, and one should always be prepared. The climate in sites we will visit is as follows:

La Paz, Lake Titicaca, Tiwanaku: days are warm if sunny, chilly if cloudy.  Nights are cold in La Paz and can be extremely cold in Uyuni and Potosi.

Amazon basin: hot and humid year-round. We recommend light clothing (in weight and in color) that fully cover arms and legs to avoid mosquito bites.

 

 

Money guide

The unit of currency in Bolivia is the boliviano. Current currency conversion:

 

Currency Converter

 

Automatic cash points are available in La Paz. Visa, MasterCard, Plus, and
Cirrus are the most common usable types of cards. Traveler's checks (American Express is best!) or a Visa or MasterCard for cash advances are also options.  Do not bring Money Grams or International Money Orders, as they are extremely difficult to exchange. Banks and exchange houses are available in La Paz, and exchange houses are available in Copacabana.  For currency, U.S. dollars are recommended and most easily exchanged.  Please note that cash must be untorn.  It can be older-looking, but even the slightest tear on an edge will make it un-changeable.  Acceptable bills come out of the ATMs in country.

Expect to spend about US$3-10 on a meal, US$1 on a beer, water or soft drink in Bolivia.  Shopping prices are usually lower than people expect.  Alpaca sweaters, for example, run between $5 and $30.