13 Day Highlander 1 Guided Motorcycle Tour in Bolivia

Overview

Starting with the “Ruta del Ché,” you 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 flats in the world, the train graveyard, Cochabamba, and the highest “Cristo Statue” of South America. The highest riding peak will be a 4,400-meter altitude.

Highlights

• Starts and ends in Samaipata
• Trace back some of the revolutionary hero, Che Guevara's paths
• Ride crossing incredible canyon scenery to reach a small mining village of Pulacayo
• Visit the archeological Inca site of “El Fuerte”, a UNESCO World Heritage
• Ride to Salar de Uyuni, the enchanting largest salt lake of the world
• Services of a support vehicle with spare parts and mechanic
• 12 nights accommodation
• Airport transfers

Itinerary

1. Day 1: Airport pickup at Viru-Viru, Santa Cruz

   - Altitude: 400 meters You will be picked up at the airport of Santa Cruz, Bolivia from where you will drive to the small town of Samaipata (120 kilometers, three hours). There, you will check into a comfortable hotel and spend the rest of the day relaxing and discovering. If your flight arrives late, you need to spend the night in Santa Cruz. In that case, the following day is considered day one.

2. Day 2: Samaipata

   - Altitude: 1,650 meters You will start with the briefing where you learn more about safe riding, the route, the local traffic rules, and about each other. To get used to your bike, you will go for a ride to the archeological site of “El Fuerte”. Classified World Heritage by UNESCO, it is an old Inca town built around the, much older, largest stone sculpture in the Americas. For some people, it is an ancient Alien landing field!

3. Day 3: La Higuera (175 kilometers / 108 miles)

   Altitude: 1,900 meters Terrain: 50% off-road Leaving early in the morning, you will 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, continue the 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, you have the option to detour on a special ride to a fantastic view. In the evening around the campfire i

4. Day 4: Sucre (310 kilometers / 192 miles)

   Altitude: 2,700 meters Terrain: 50% off-road After visiting the historic school building where Ché Guevara was executed and the related sites, you'll leave towards Sucre. On the suspension bridge over the Rio Grande, have a snack stop. Passing the picturesque village of Villa Serrano, you'll reach Tarabuco. After lunch, 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.

5. Day 5: Potosí (155 kilometers / 97 miles)

   - Altitude: 4,100 meters - Terrain: 10% off-road You leave Sucre after breakfast. On smooth tarmac, you start to climb towards the altiplano (high planes) until you reach a strange bridge, which you will intend to ride. The mining city of Potosí is at a 4,100-meter altitude, the highest city in the world and also classified as World Heritage by UNESCO. During the ascent, the guides will give you instructions about altitude sickness. In the afternoon, you will visit the miner’s market where we can buy anything, ranging from coca leaves and dynamite. Then continue to the mines where you will get

6. Day 6: Potosí - Uyuni (205 kilometers / 128 miles)

   - Altitude: 3,700 meters - Terrain: 5% off-road Riding through incredible scenery, make a stop at a spectacular canyon, after passing some tiny villages, stop and have the option for an interesting experience. Along the road look out for vicuña (family of camelids), emus, and thousands of lamas. Arrive at the small mining village of Pulacayo. Here, walk around the ancient railway station, past the mine entrance and you 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

7. Day 7: Salar de Uyuni day trip (195 kilometers / 122 miles)

   - Terrain: 90% salt-road The Salar de Uyuni is a dried-up salt lake, the size of a small country (11,000 square kilometers). Since the largest salt lake of the world has no references, whatsoever, and because there are only two colors in the world (blue sky and white salt), there is no perspective. Your brain will have a meltdown and you can take the weirdest photos (crazy photos with crazy bikers). On your way, you will visit the cactus island “Inca Huasi”, the salt market, the flags monument, the salt hotel, and the Dakar monument.

8. Day 8: Salar de Uyuni - Oruro (320 kilometers / 199 miles)

   - Altitude: 3,700 meters - Terrain: 0% off-road In the morning, you will leave Uyuni behind you. Passing scenic altiplano desert landscapes and several small villages, you make your way to Oruro, famous for its markets and grill restaurants. So “grill” will be your treat in the evening. But before, you will observe a strange phenomenon. More should not be divulged here!

9. Day 9: Oruro - Cochabamba (220 kilometers /137 miles)

   - Altitude: 2,500 meters - Terrain: 10% off-road On curvy roads with amazing views, you climb to a 4,400-meter altitude, before you descend to the valley of Cochabamba, surrounded by huge mountains. After you have mastered the traffic, you rush straight to the plaza, from where you cuddled the bustle. At one plaza corner is the best-known coffee “cortado” café, and for dinner, you will enjoy the best-known “Pique Macho”, a traditional dish.

10. Day 10: Cochabamba - Totora (145 kilometers / 91 miles)

    - Altitude: 2,800 meters - Terrain: 0% off-road In the morning, you will visit the largest “Christo” sculpture of South America. With almost 40 meters in height, it is a bit higher than the famous “Christo de Rio de Janeiro”. After this, you will leave the big city to have a fresh fish lunch and pass beautiful valleys. You make your way to Totora, a small colonial town in the mountains, where time stands still for 100 years, a paradise for photographers.

11. Day 11: Totora - Samaipata (265 kilometers / 165 miles)

    - Altitude: 1,650 meters - Terrain: 50% off-road This last day starts with an 80-kilometer (roman!) stone road, which feels like Ben Hur! Passing the valley of Rio Mizque, the scenery becomes one of the rough and colorful mountains and the road becomes challenging. In the afternoon, you arrive back in Samaipata, on a marvelous motorcycle road through the mountains. You leave your bikes behind and hurry to jump into the hotel's pool.

12. Day 12: Samaipata - Santa Cruz

    Late in the morning, you will set off for Santa Cruz where you can relax, hang around the plaza, and do some souvenir shopping. In the evening, you will have a farewell dinner.

13. Day 13: Santa Cruz - departure

    Always a sad moment when one says goodbye. But who knows? You would not be the first to come back for more.

Ride Details

Terrain

20% off-road

Bike

rental bike (Suzuki DR650SE 2018-2024)

Mileage

1,900 kilometers / 1,236 miles

Daily rides

120 - 320 kilometers / 74 - 199 miles

Riding gear

not included: helmet, boots, pants, jacket, and gloves

Meals

all meals

Accommodation

During this tour, you will stay in various hotels along the route. Most will be nice and comfortable, some will be less nice. Bolivia Motorcycle Adventures always tries to maintain a standard of clean rooms with private bathrooms that have hot showers, but please understand that this is Bolivia and sometimes there just is no good option.

Food

During this tour, you will be served daily meals according to the itinerary. All meals are included, and generally, it will be nice and tasty, but again, this is Bolivia and sometimes there just is no good restaurant in the area.

Getting There

This tour will take you to most of Bolivia's highlights through off-road trails with varying intensities. You will visit among others: La Higuera, Villa Serrano, Sucre, Potosí, Uyuni, Oruro, Cochabamba, Totora, and more. [+](https://www.tripaneer.com/bolivia-motorcycle-adventures/14-day-highlander-1-guided-motorcycle-tour-in-bolivia# "Zoom in") [−](https://www.tripaneer.com/bolivia-motorcycle-adve