Tiwanaku

Embark on a journey through time as you explore the captivating Ceramic and Lithic museums on a day trip from La Paz. Delve into the mesmerizing world of ancient artifacts, gaining profound insights into the past. Then, venture into the enigmatic wonders of Tiwanaku, a pre-Columbian archaeological site in western Bolivia. Discover remarkable sites such as the renowned Gate of the Sun, the awe-inspiring Kalasasaya Temple, and the intriguing semi-subterranean temple adorned with nail-headed sculptures. Marvel at the colossal Monoliths and unravel the mysteries of Puma Punku's ruins and sacred enclosures, before returning to the Basilica of Saint Francis in La Paz.

Start the day with pickup from your accommodation in La Paz. Relax in the comfortable vehicle as you drive 70km from the city to reach Tiwanaku. Follow your guide through the sites as they tell you the history and about the archaeological digs that have taken place to uncover the secrets of the civilization that once lived here. Halfway through the tour, take a break to enjoy lunch and think about what you’ve learned. Feel free to ask your guide more questions during this time. Finish with a visit to the second site and discover what has been left behind. Head back to La Paz with your guide and get dropped off at the center of the city.

Tiwanaku, also spelled Tiahuanaco, is an ancient archaeological site located near the southeastern shore of Lake Titicaca about two hours from La Paz. It's considered one of the most important pre-Columbian archaeological sites in South America. Spanning several square kilometers, Tiwanaku is a testament to the advanced civilization that once thrived in the Andean highlands. The culture that thrived at Tiwanaku had a significant influence on the surrounding regions. Their agricultural innovations, such as raised fields and terraces, enabled them to cultivate crops in the harsh high-altitude environment, which, in turn, supported a thriving society. They also developed a distinctive artistic style, known for its intricate stone carvings and pottery. Today, Tiwanaku is a Unesco World Heritage site, drawing visitors and researchers from around the world. The site's historical and architectural significance continues to captivate the imagination of those interested in ancient civilizations and Andean history. These ruins stand as a testament to the ingenuity and cultural richness of the ancient Andean peoples. Its precise purpose and the reasons for its decline remain subjects of fascination and exploration, making it a crucial site for understanding the history of the Andes and its enigmatic past.

08:30 a.m.: Guide picks up customers from meeting Point. 09:00 a.m.: Start the journey to Tiwanaku by Car or Bus. 10:30 a.m.: The tour officially starts in Tiwanaku, where people will explore the Museum's exhibition of ceramics, mummies, Inca-Aymara skulls, jewelry, and other fascinating artifacts. After that, continue the trip to the real Tiwanaku ruins, including the famous "Puerta del Sol," the wall of stone faces, and the breathtaking "Templo de Kalasasaya," "Piramide de Akapana," and "Pumapunku" ruins. 01:30 p.m.: Take a break for a lunch 02:30 p.m.: It's time to head back to La Paz City. 04:00 p.m.: Arrival at San Francisco Church in La Paz city.

After pickup from your hotel in central La Paz at around 7:30 AM, you'll head to Tiwanaku to explore the most important archaeological site in Bolivia.  Located near the southern shore of Lake Titicaca in Bolivia, the city of Tiwanaku, also spelled Tiahuanaco, was the capital of a powerful pre-Incan civilization that dominated the Andean region between 500 AD and 900 AD. Arriving later, the Incas regarded Tiwanaku as the site where their god Viracocha rose from the depths of Lake Titicaca. With your guide, you'll explore this monumental site that includes several temples, a pyramid, symbolic gates, and mysterious rock carvings of alien-like faces. At the end of the tour you will be dropped back to La Paz. 

We'll pick you up from your hotel in Puno at 4 am and shortly after we’ll head towards the border between Peru and Bolivia, located in the town of Desaguadero. From here, we'll enter Bolivia and head to the capital. After a 4 hour road trip, we’ll arrive in La Paz and take a guided visit to one of the colonial quarters, the 16 de Julio Avenue and the Mariscal Santa Cruz Avenue. We'll also be able to explore the historic centre and visit the 16th century church of San Francisco, an elegant neoclassical cathedral of Nuestra Señora de la Paz and the Plaza Murillo. Next, we'll make a stop so you can have lunch at your leisure. Shortly after, we'll continue our trip and go to the convent of Santo Domingo and the Witches' Market, a place full of mystical and esoteric objects that you'll love to browse. After visiting La Paz, we'll hop back on the bus and head to the archaeological site of Tiwanaku, one of the most important pre-Columbian cultures in Bolivia. We'll observe the great constructions revealing all their secrets: the temple of Kalasasaya, the pyramid of Akapana and the Gate of the Sun. We’ll also have the opportunity to admire the ´Queros´ or ceremonial vessels, as well as its walls decorated with figures of human faces called Huaco-portraits. During the trip to Tiwanaku, we’ll learn many interesting facts about the Tiwanaku empire, which extended through the central Andes to Lake Titicaca. Once we conclude our trip, we'll cross the border back to Peru and drop you off back at your hotel in Puno between 5 and 6 pm.

9:00 am, be picked up from the comfort of your hotel in La Paz, drive through the Andean mountain range towards the shores of Lake Titicaca (southern part) get to know the southern part of Lake Titicaca on the Bolivian side. Discover the Aymara culture and meet the builders of the Totora rafts, who live on the shores of the lake, visit the magical town of Huatajata and the ceramic museums and textile museums. Continue the journey through the Andes mountain range of Bolivia, along the way you will meet herds of llamas and vicuñas, arrive at the town of Tihuanacu and visit the archaeological ruins of the Incas, see the Puma Punku stone block constructions, the staircases of stone, the lithic museum and enjoy a local lunch of Bolivian food. Return to La Paz in your private car and be dropped off at the door of your hotel.

Enjoy a visit to the ruins of Tiwanaku and Lake Titicaca in a single day accompanied by a local guide. Start with pickup from your hotel in La Paz at 8:00 AM to go to the town of Tiwanaku, where mysterious ruins of the Inca Empire are located. Hear about the mysteries of the Monolith, and learn about Incan culture from your guide. See the "Puerta del Sol", the "Puerta de la Luna", the "Temple of Kalasasaya." Visit the Archaeological Museum in Tiwanaku, where you can see an array of Incan artifacts. Afterwards, stop for a local lunch in the village.  After lunch, continue to Huatajata, a town located on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Meet people who build "totora boats" and experience a ride on one of these vessels through the waters of the lake. Take the opportunity to snap photos of the natural beauty of the area. Return to La Paz at approximately 4:00 PM

We begin the day with pickups in the central area of the city of La Paz starting at 08:00 AM, and then begin our trip to Tiahuanaco, after two hours of travel, we will visit two museums: 1 CERAMIC and 1 LITHIC, and two archaeological sites TIAHUANACO and PUMA PUNKU. Once the visit to the mentioned places is over, we will enjoy a semi-buffet lunch with traditional dishes from the region, in a cozy and typical atmosphere of the tourist destination. After lunch we will begin our return trip to the city, ending at the Plaza Mayor de San Francisco, the central location of the city of La Paz.

Embark on an extraordinary tour that begins with a captivating visit to the Ceramic and Lithic museums. Immerse yourself in the mesmerizing realm of ancient artifacts, gaining a deeper understanding of the past. Next, venture into the enigmatic archaeological wonders of Tiwanaku, where you'll encounter remarkable sites like the renowned Gate of the Sun, the awe-inspiring Kalasasaya Temple, and the intriguing Semi-Subterranean Temple adorned with nailed heads. Marvel at the colossal Monoliths and explore the mysterious ruins of Puma Punku, alongside other sacred enclosures. These extraordinary landmarks brim with rich historical and cultural significance, offering an unforgettable journey through time that will leave you utterly spellbound. This tour includes lunch and entrance fees.