Inclusions
- Return International Flights
- Daily Breakfast
- 9 lunches and 8 dinners
- 2 nights’ accommodation at 5 Star in Santa Cruz
- Explore Biocentro Güembé, a tropical nature park with butterflies and exotic birds.
- Visit the Folklore Museum and Santa Cruz Cathedral in the city centre.
- Enjoy evening concerts in historic chapels and churches.
- 1 night accommodation at 3 Star in San José
- See the Jesuit Mission Complex with Baroque façades and a beautiful church.
- Attend an evening concert in the historic mission setting.
- 1 night accommodation at 3 Star in San Ignacio
- Visit the wooden mission church of San Rafael built by Fr. Martin Schmid.
- Explore Santa Ana’s mission, built by indigenous craftsmen.
- Attend a concert in San Ignacio Cathedral, showcasing Baroque music.
- 1 night accommodation at 3 Star in Concepción
- Discover San Miguel’s 1721 mission church and a local woodcarving workshop.
- Visit Concepción’s ornate church and the Mission Museum.
- Enjoy a live concert in the church of Concepción.
- Visit San Javier Church, the first Jesuit mission in the region, known for its detailed carvings.
- 4 night accommodation at 5 Star in La Paz
- Ride the city cable car for stunning mountain views.
- Visit the National Museum of Ethnography and Folklore, Witches’ Market, and Plaza Murillo.
- See the Museum of Musical Instruments and enjoy a private Bolivian dance performance.
- Explore San Francisco Church and the National Museum of Art.
- Dine at Gustu Restaurant, one of Latin America’s top 50.
- Explore the ancient archaeological site of Tiwanaku with temples and monoliths.
- Visit the Gateway of the Sun and site museums displaying ancient artifacts.
- Entrance fees to all museums, churches, archaeological sites, and cultural attractions
- 2 domestic flights with Boliviana de Aviación (BOA) – Santa Cruz / La Paz / Santa Cruz
- Comfortable and safe transportation between all cities and mission towns
- All airport transfers and overland travel by private, air-conditioned coach or jeep
You'll Love
- Evening baroque concerts in beautifully restored Jesuit mission churches surrounded by history and charm.
- Exploring UNESCO-listed mission towns, blending European baroque artistry with indigenous craftsmanship.
- Soaring above La Paz on the cable car network for breathtaking views of the world’s highest capital.
- Discovering Bolivia’s biodiversity at Biocentro Güembé, home to butterflies, tropical birds, and exotic flora.
- Walking through ancient Tiwanaku ruins, uncovering the mysteries of one of South America’s earliest civilizations.
- Savoring fine Bolivian cuisine at Gustu Restaurant, one of Latin America’s top dining experiences.
Overview
Embark on a fascinating journey through Bolivia’s cultural and musical heartlands, where sacred baroque melodies still echo through centuries-old Jesuit churches. This immersive tour blends history, art, music, and breathtaking landscapes — from the tropical plains of Santa Cruz to the Andean heights of La Paz.
Trace the legacy of the Jesuit missionaries who built a network of magnificent mission towns, now beautifully restored and recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Attend enchanting evening concerts in these historic settings, explore charming colonial towns, and meet local artisans preserving centuries-old traditions.
In La Paz, discover the vibrant fusion of ancient and modern Bolivia — ride the cable cars over dramatic mountain vistas, visit fascinating museums, stroll through colorful markets, and dine at one of Latin America’s top restaurants. A visit to the ancient ruins of Tiwanaku offers a powerful glimpse into Bolivia’s pre-Columbian past.
This journey offers an inspiring balance of culture, music, history, and natural beauty — a truly unforgettable exploration of Bolivia’s artistic soul and spiritual heritage.
When/Date
Itinerary
Upon arrival at Santa Cruz Airport, you will be met by our local representative and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax and recover from your journey. In the evening, enjoy an introductory concert held in either the chapel of the former School of Arts or the 19th-century Church of San Roque. Overnight in Santa Cruz.
After breakfast, set out for a morning excursion to Biocentro Güembé, a lush ecological park with over 24 hectares of exotic plants, animals, and tropical birds. Visit its butterfly dome and aviary to experience Bolivia’s incredible biodiversity. In the afternoon, explore the heart of Santa Cruz, including the Folklore Museum and the Cathedral. The evening features another concert in one of the city’s charming historic venues. Overnight in Santa Cruz.
This morning, depart Santa Cruz and drive approximately four and a half hours to San José de Chiquitos, founded in 1696. Its impressive mission complex, with Baroque stone façades, a church, chapel, and bell tower, stands as a symbol of Jesuit artistry and architecture. Enjoy an evening concert in the beautifully restored mission church. Overnight in San José.
After breakfast, journey to San Rafael (around 3 hours), home to a 1749 wooden church built by Swiss missionary Fr. Martin Schmid, a key figure in the development of Bolivian Baroque music. Continue to Santa Ana, a rare example of a mission church built entirely by local indigenous communities after the Jesuits’ expulsion. Later, proceed to San Ignacio, where the evening concert will take place in the reconstructed Cathedral of San Ignacio, still adorned with original Baroque altarpieces. Overnight in San Ignacio.
Begin the day with a visit to San Miguel, whose modest 1721 mission church reflects the harmony between European design and local craftsmanship. Visit a nearby workshop where artisans create intricate cedar carvings in traditional Baroque style. Continue to Concepción (approx. 3½ hours), a mission town famed for its lavishly decorated church embellished with gold leaf. Visit the Mission Museum, which tells the fascinating story of the rediscovery of musical archives and church restoration. In the evening, attend a concert within this splendid church. Overnight in Concepción.
Travel back to Santa Cruz via San Javier, the first Jesuit mission founded in the region. Its carved wooden retable vividly depicts scenes of Jesuit life and missionary work. Arrive in Santa Cruz and take an evening flight to La Paz with Boliviana de Aviación (BOA). Transfer to your hotel. First of four nights in La Paz.
Discover Bolivia’s high-altitude capital, dramatically set within a mountainous basin at 3,500m above sea level. Ride the city’s cable car network for panoramic views before visiting the National Museum of Ethnography and Folklore, which showcases intricate carnival masks, textiles, and ceramics. Later, explore the Witches’ Market, brimming with herbal remedies and mystical artifacts, and continue to the Main Square with its cathedral and presidential palace. End the day with a visit to the Museum of Musical Instruments, followed by a private Bolivian dance performance (subject to confirmation). Overnight in La Paz.
This morning, visit San Francisco Church, an architectural gem housing religious art and colonial furniture. Continue to the National Museum of Art, located in an elegant 18th-century palace and home to an extensive collection of colonial and sacred artworks. The afternoon is free for leisure or personal exploration. In the evening, indulge in a special dinner at Gustu, one of Latin America’s top restaurants, showcasing the best of Bolivian cuisine. Overnight in La Paz.
Embark on a fascinating excursion to Tiwanaku, one of South America’s most important pre-Columbian archaeological sites. Dating back to around 1200 BC, this ancient civilization once dominated the Titicaca Basin by 400 AD. Explore the temples, monoliths, and gateways, and visit the excellent on-site museums displaying ceramics, sculptures, and artifacts discovered during excavations. Return to La Paz for the evening. Overnight in La Paz.
Enjoy a relaxed morning in La Paz, perhaps for shopping or a stroll through the city’s lively markets. In the afternoon, take a flight back to Santa Cruz. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and spend your final night in Bolivia at leisure. Overnight in Santa Cruz.
After breakfast, check out from your hotel and transfer to Santa Cruz Airport for your onward flight home, marking the end of an enriching journey through Bolivia’s cultural and musical heritage.
