SALAR DE UYUNI - Puma Punku (Tiwanaku ) - Lago Titikaka

Day 1: PUMA PUNKU ( Tiwanaku ) / TITIKAKA LAKE " The Route of the Gods"

1. Puma Punku
   2h · Admission ticket not included
   TIWANAKU:
   
   Considered one of the oldest civilizations in the Andes (1600 BC – 1200 AD), it stood out among others for its cultural, architectural, and agricultural development. It also had significant development in areas such as astronomy, religion, and so on.
   This great culture lasted for around 3,000 years, becoming the most important population center of its time in South America.
2. 15m · Admission ticket not included
   THE KALASASAYA TEMPLE
   
   The "Temple of the Standing Stones" covers approximately 2 hectares and its structure
   is based on sandstone columns and cut ashlars, with drainage channels for rainwater. There are three important sculptures at Kalasasaya:
   Stela 8 (Ponce), the El Fraile monolith, and the Puerta del Sol. The Ponce Monolith displays fine iconographic engravings such as winged men, fish, and puma and camelid heads.
3. 15m · Admission ticket not included
   THE AKAPANA PYRAMID
   
   It is 194 meters long and 182 meters wide, with a perimeter of 800 meters and a height of 18 meters.
   It consists of seven stepped terraces supported by different retaining walls for each level, suggesting a long construction period. These terraces are separated by carved sandstone walls that were filled with sediment and then compacted.
4. Tiwanaku
   15m
   THE SEMI-SUBTERRANEAN TEMPLE
   
   This is one of Tiwanaku's finest architectural pieces. It was built in the first centuries of the Christian era. It has a slightly rectangular floor plan, composed of four retaining walls around an open courtyard. The west side measures 28.47 meters, the east side 28.57 meters, the north side 26 meters, and the south side 26.05 meters. On the façade of the north wall are 14 monolithic pillars planted vertically: 11 on the east side, 15 on the west side, and 9 on the south side. The walls are decorated with 175 protruding human heads—of various characteristics—sculpted in whitish stones, especially limestone and ignimbrite.
5. Puma Punku
   15m · Admission ticket not included
   THE PUMA PUNKU TEMPLE "ALIEN CULTURE" ???
   
   A scientific study claims that monuments at one of the most astonishing Tiwanaku temples in La Paz are made of artificial rocks. The investigation would rule out other hypotheses, including the involvement of beings from another planet. "It is a product of human genius," experts say.
6. Mi Teleferico
   30m · Admission ticket not included
   It is the longest urban aerial cable car in the world. Since its inauguration,
   the cable car has become a must-see for all visitors to the city, becoming one of its main tourist attractions.
7. Lake Titicaca
   2h · Admission ticket included
   EL LAGO TITICACA
   
   Es el lago navegable más alto del mundo, ubicado en el Altiplano de los Andes centrales,
   tiene una altura media de 3812 m s. n. m.
   Posee un área de 8562 km² de los cuales el 56 % (4772 km²) a Perú y el 44 % (3790 km²)
   a Bolivia y 1125 Profundidad máxima se estima en 281 m
8. Lake Titicaca
   20m · Admission ticket included
   REED RAFTS:
   
   The inhabitants of Suriki Island and the town of Huatajata preserve the tradition of building reed rafts. Reeds are reeds that grow on the shores of Lake Titicaca, very similar to the Papito of Egypt. In ancient times, these rafts were used to navigate the Titicaca. Today, we use these boats for very pleasant tourist trips.
9. Mercado de Las Brujas
   30m · Admission ticket not included
   WITCHES' STREET:
   
   Offers a glimpse into tradition, native products, medicinal plants, amulets, offerings, and herbs.
   You can also find healers, yatiris, and kallawayas (Andean witches and healers).
   It also features a beautiful artisan market, with Bolivian and international products.
10. Plaza Murillo
    15m · Admission ticket not included
    MURILLO SQUARE
    
    It is located in the center of the city of La Paz. Its initial name was Plaza Mayor.
    It was later known as Plaza de Armas. In 1825, the Plaza de Armas was renamed Plaza 16 de Julio.
    Later, the square began to be called Plaza Murillo in honor of Don Pedro Domingo Murillo
    because of his participation in the uprising of July 16, 1809.

Day 2: Salar de UYUNI

1. Uyuni
   15m
   UYUNI TOWN:
   
   It is a Bolivian city and municipality located in southwestern Bolivia in the Department of Potosí.
   The origin of the name is somewhat obscure; some claim it originates from the Aymara word "Uyu,"
   which implies a gathering point. The ending "Ni" means place, so together the two words would translate as "gathering place." On July 7, 1983,
   the city of Uyuni was declared Bolivia's Favorite Daughter.
2. Train Cemetery
   30m · Admission ticket not included
   TRAIN GRAVEYARD:
   
   Located very close to the town of Uyuni, with trains and cars dating back to the 19th century,
   they are open to the public so they can climb on them and take interesting photographs.
   Skeletons of locomotives and cars are scattered across the plateau ground. The engines that were taken for repair near Uyuni Station, the first in the country, never again slid on rails or emitted smoke from their thick chimneys. Today, rust discolors the worn-out parts of a hope in what is known as the Graveyard of Forgotten Trains.
3. Colchani
   30m
   COLCHANI:
   
   This town is located within the Uyuni Municipality, Potosi Department, Bolivia.
   It is located 20 km from Uyuni on the highway that connects this town with Oruro.
   It is located at 3,674 meters above sea level. Colchani is the gateway to the Uyuni salt flats. It has a salt museum visited by many tourists. There are also artisan markets where tourists can purchase salt-made souvenirs.
4. Salar de Uyuni
   6h · Admission ticket not included
   LAR DE UYUNI:
   
   El mayor desierto de sal continuo y alto del mundo, con una superficie de 10 582 km²
   Está situado a unos 3650 msnm en el suroeste de Bolivia, en el departamento de Potosí, dentro de la
   región altiplánica de la cordillera de los Andes. El salar de Uyuni es la mayor reserva de litio en el
   mundo con el 50-70 % del litio mundial, e igualmente cuenta con importantes cantidades de potasio,
   boro y magnesio.

• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness