Highlander 1
14 Day. Level: Easy 1.750 km, 15% dirt-road Price info
Specially for those who can´t take long vacations and for those who are not sure if their riding skills are up to the challenge of riding lots of dirt-road, but still want to see the most of what Bolivia has to offer by bike. The 15% dirt-road sections are mostly well maintained gravel roads with little to no traffic and on days with dirt-road, the distance is limited so there is plenty of time to go easy. Starting with the “Ruta del Ché” we cross the mountains towards Sucre, the colonial capital of Bolivia and the indigenous market of Tarabuco. Then the 500 years old, silver mines of Potosí, followed by the “Salar de Uyuni”, the largest salt flat in the world, the train grave yard, Cochabamba and the highest “Cristo Statue” of South America. Photographer get prepared for a 100 years’ time travel in Totora. The roads we follow are among the most scenic of Boliva with endless valleys, towering mountains and amazing natural beauty. Highest riding peak: 4.400m altitude.
Day 6. To Potosí (alt. 4.100 m), 155 km, 0% dirt-road We leave Sucre early in the morning. On smooth tarmac we start to climb towards the altiplano (highland planes). We stop and visit a strange monumental bridge. Then onwards to the mining city of Potosí which sits at 4.100 m altitude, making it the highest city in the world and also classified Word Heritage by UNESCO. During the ascent, the guides will give us instructions about to deal with altitude sickness. In the afternoon, we visit the miner’s market where we can buy anything, ranging from coca leaves and dynamite. Then we continue to the mines where we will get “geared up” and descend into the belly of “Pajcha Mama” (mother earth) to visit the 500 year old but still operational silver mine. This is not suitable for those who don’t like small spaces or suffer from claustrophobia.
Day 7. To Uyuni (alt. 3.700 m), 205 km, 5% dirt-road Riding through incredible scenery we make a stop at a spectacular canyon. Along the road we look out for vicuñas (family of camelids), emus and thousands of lamas. We arrive at the small mining village of Pulacayo. Here we walk around the ancient railway station, past the mine entrance and we can climb the train wagons which are the very same ones the American outlaws Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid arrived in when they came to Bolivia 110 years ago. Next break is Uyuni where we visit the train grave yard, a fantastic collection of discarded railway machinery dating back to the 19th century. This includes at least a dozen steam locomotives. Perfect for photo shooting.
Day 8. Salar de Uyuni daytrip (alt. 3.700m), 195 km, 90% dirt salt-road The Salar de Uyuni is a dried up salt lake, with the size of a small country (11.000 km square). Since the largest salt lake of the world has, no references, what so ever and because there are only two colours in this world (blue sky and white salt), there is no perspective. Our brain will have a meltdown and we can take the weirdest crazy photos. On our way, we visit the cactus island “Inca Huasi”, the flags monument, the first salt hotel and… the Dakar monument.
Day 9. To Oruro (alt. 3.700 m), 320 km, 0% dirt-road In the morning we leave Uyuni behind us. On a nice place we make a snack stop. Passing scenic “altiplano” landscapes and several small villages, we make our way to Oruro, famous for its markets and grill restaurants. So “grill” will be treat in the evening. Arriving, close to Oruro we visit a ghost city. In Oruro we observe a strange phenomenon. More should not be divulged here!
Day 10. To Cochabamba (alt. 2.500 m), 220 km, 0% dirt-road On curvy roads with amazing views we climb to 4.400 m altitude, before we descent to the valley of Cochabamba. On a nice place we make a snack stop and change our bike gear for warmer regions. After we have mastered the Cochabamba traffic, we rush straight to the plaza, from where we cuddled the bustle. At one plaza corner is the best us known coffee “cortado” café and for dinner we enjoy the best us known “Pique Macho”, a traditional dish.
Day 11. To Totora (alt. 2.800 m), 145 km, 0% dirt-road In the morning we visit the largest “Christo” sculpture of South America. With almost 40 m, quite a bit higher than the famous “Christo de Rio de Janeiro”. After this we leave the big city to have a fresh fish lunch and passing beautiful valleys. We make our way to Totora, a small colonial town in the mountains, where time stands still since 100 years. Paradise for photographers.
Day 12. To Samaipata (alt. 1.650 m), 265 km, 5% dirt-road This last day starts with riding through cloud forests and stop at spectacular view points. In the afternoon we arrive back in Samaipata, leave our bikes behind and hurry to jump into the hotel´s pool.
Day 13. To Santa Cruz Late in the morning, we set off for Santa Cruz where we can relax, hanging around the plaza and do some souvenir shopping. In the evening, we have a farewell dinner.
Day 14. To the airport Always a sad moment when we say goodbye. But who knows? You won´t be the first to come back for more…
Day 1. Airport pickup at Viru-Viru, Santa Cruz (alt. 400 m) We pick you up at the airport of Santa Cruz/ Bolivia from where we drive to the small town of Samaipata (120 km, 2,5 hours). There we check into a comfortable hotel and spend the rest of the day to relax and discover. If your flight arrives late, you need to spend the night in Santa Cruz. In that case the following day is considered as Day 1.
Day 2. Samaipata (alt. 1.650 m) We start with the briefing where we learn more about safety riding, our route, the local traffic rules and about each other. To get used to our bike, we go for a ride to the archeological site of “El Fuerte”. Classified World Heritage by UNESCO, it is an old Inca town build around the, much older, largest stone sculpture in the Americas. For some people, it is an ancient Alien landing field.
Day 3. To La Higuera (alt. 1.900 m), 175 km, 50% dirt-road Leaving early in the morning, we stop in Vallegrande to visit the hospital´s laundry building, where revolutionary hero Ernesto Ché Guevara´s lifeless body was first presented to the world in 1967. After lunch, we continue our ride towards the tiny mountain village of La Higuera, the place where the Ché was captured and executed. On the road it’s possible to observe condors, the world biggest bird. Before arriving at the hotel in La Higuera we have the option to detour on a special ride to a fantastic view. In the evening around the campfire in the courtyard of our hotel, we listen to Don Juan’s experiences from the time of the guerrilla war.
Day 4. To Villa Serrano (alt. 2.100 m), 120 km, 100% dirt-road After visiting the historic school building where Ché Guevara was executed and the related sites, we leave towards Villa Serrano. On the suspension bridge over the Rio Grande we have a snack stop and if the conditions are good and the water level is safe, we can go for a swim. In the afternoon we arrive in Villa Serrano, Bolivia’s capital of charango music. It´s a kind of a small, double 5 strings guitar, very difficult to play.
Day 5. To Sucre (alt. 2.700 m), 190 km, 15% dirt-road We leave Villa Serrano early in the morning so we can visit the Tarabuco Sunday market. This is the only place in Bolivia where we can take photos of traditionally dressed indigenous people without them turning away. After lunch we continue to Sucre the capital of Bolivia. The rest of the afternoon and evening is for exploring this beautiful colonial city. The entire city center is painted white and is classified as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.
The best way to explore Bolivia by motorcycle
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