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In the footsteps of Che Route: Santa Cruz - Samaipata - Santa CruzThe hill country surrounding Santa Cruz is relaxing place to either begin or end your trip through Bolivia. The Samaipata area is very surprising and not at all what you would expect to see during trip through Bolivia. You might expect to see high snowy peaks, but this area is very green and has a mild climate. You'll stay at a finca (a farm/ nursery) with a panoramic view of the surrounding hills and valleys. If you've just arrived in South America, you can get used to the altitude at a relatively low 1650m. Oddly enough there's a subtropical climate here despite the altitude. During this Bolivia travel module you can follow in the footsteps of Che Guevara and visit the area where he hid away from the army. You can explore the ruins of El Fuerte and enjoy the delicious organic food that is freshly prepared on the farm. Inspired? Take a look at our other bite-sized Bolivia tours and longer Peru holidays. |
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Duration |
3 days/ 2 nights |
Accommodation |
2 nights in a double occupancy room with en-suite shower and toilet in Samaipata (see our photos here). Accommodation category 3. |
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Price |
£170 per person - based on 2 people sharing |
Includes |
Transport, accommodation with breakfast |
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Transport |
Private round trip transfer from Santa Cruz to Samaipata |
Excludes |
Other meals and optional excursions in Samaipata |
Day 1: Santa Cruz - Samaipata tour
After breakfast you'll be collected from your hotel in Santa Cruz for your 2-hour drive to the Bolivian countryside. If you've just arrived in South America, this Samaipata tour will allow you to slowly get used to the altitude at 1650m and ease you into your Bolivia travel. Oddly enough, the area has subtropical vegetation despite the altitude. Since you'll have your own private transfer, you can ask your driver to stop anytime you see a Kodak moment coming up. We offer accommodation at a local finca (a combined farm and nursery) on an estate of about six acres. The farm has ecological herb, flower and vegetable gardens with native trees and plants. A large variety of aromatic herbs are grown on terraces. These herbs are used in medicinal mixtures, fragrant teas and kitchen herbs. Naturally you'll get a chance to sample all the farm's products. They are also for sale at the garden shop. |
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In most cases your room will have a porch, a hammock and a panoramic view of the surrounding hills and the valley. The finca's rooms are modest, yet nicely decorated with nice accents such as Bolivian tapestries and flowers. The furniture in the hotel rooms is made from wood from the region. The finca also has a garden cafe that is open to guests and visitors. The service is a bit slow, because nobody is any hurry. The glasses of pomegranate juice and rhubarb or mango pancakes are worth the wait though. You can also use a nearby swimming pool (for a fee). Once you've settled in on the first day of your Bolivia tour, check out the town Samaipata - a pleasant rural village with a beautiful plaza. You can look for souvenirs at the local market and in the evening you can get a taste of the local atmosphere at the local bar. |
Day 2: Samaipata tour - Free day
During this Bolivia trip you can book excursions on foot, horseback or by 4WD to nearby valleys and canyons at your finca. The most popular tours are:* Samaipata: a pleasant rural village with a beautiful plaza. You can visit the traditional market, look for souvenirs or in the evening you can visit the local discos and bars. * El Fuerte: ceremonial pre-Inca ruins in a remote, picturesque location in the hill country. You'll see carved out images such as snakes and cougars. In later years, the Spaniards used this site as a fortress. * Las Cuevas: a park with three waterfalls and natural pools you can swim in. |
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* Amboro National Park: covering over 4.425km² has over 90 species of birds including hummingbirds, parrots, toucans and condors as well as deer, foxes, porcupines, wild guinea pigs and skunks. Amboro isn’t that well known among tourists which means you’ll have the park all to yourself. There are marked trails throughout the parks, you can unleash the Tarzan in you by swinging on the lianas, eat your lunch perched on a tree branch, walk through a giant fern forest under bromeliads and orchids, wade through jungle streams and go horse-riding past giant bamboo chutes. How’s that for outdoor adventure? |
Day 3: Samaipata tour - Santa CruzToday a transfer will take you back to Santa Cruz. If this is the beginning of your Bolivia trip you'll probably board a flight to Sucre.If this is the end of your trip, a transfer will take you to the airport for your flight back home. If your flight leaves early in the morning, you'll need to book an additional night in Santa Cruz. |
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Extension and Hiking
It's also possible to go hiking through this scenic area. After breakfast on Day 3 of this Samaipata tour you'll board a jeep with a packed bag and you'll head off to the picturesque town of Vallegrande around 8:00. In town, you'll have lunch and you'll visit the hospital where the body of the legendary revolutionary Che Guevara was once presented to the public and press. You'll also have an opportunity to visit the museum. Then you'll head on to La Hiquera. En route you'll pass typical Bolivian villages and you'll have a panoramic view of the valley. Upon your arrival you'll settle into your very special accommodation for Day 3 of your Bolivia tour: the former post office. You'll have your own room, but you'll share the bathroom and toilet with other travellers if there are any - chances are good there won't be. |
| Afterwards you'll visit the school in La Hiquera where Che was taken prisoner and later executed. Life in the village revolves around the history of Che. For instance you'll see a memorial at the site where Che was first buried. Later his body was returned to Cuba. Once you've followed the Che route through the village, you can visit some of the shops on the central plaza to buy Che souvenirs. In the evening you can shower off some of the dust you accumulate during the day and head into the village for dinner. La Hiquera doesn't have electricity, so you can expect a romantic candlelight dinner before going to bed early. |
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Day 4: La Hiquera - Santa Cruz
This morning you'll lace up a pair of sturdy walking shoes and long pants for a walk to the Quebrada del Churo Creek. This is where Che hid out and was eventually captured. You'll really get a feel for what it was like for him and his freedom fighters - it was rough. After the 3-hour walk, you'll probably have quite an appetite so lunch will be waiting for you on your return. Once you've finished eating you'll pack your belongings for the scenic ride back to Santa Cruz. Sit back, relax and watch the rolling countryside glide by. At the end of the afternoon you'll be dropped off at your hotel in Santa Cruz, where this Bolivia travel module ends. If you have some travelling left to do in Bolivia, you can fly to Sucre for our Bolivia trip, Springtime in the white city.
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About 'El Che'In 1928, Ernesto "Che" Guevara was born into a wealthy Argentine family. He was preoccupied with justice from an early age and after a 2-year roadtrip through South America, beautifully filmed in "The Motorcycle Diaries', he decided that personal sacrifice and a violent revolution were the only ways to create a society based on equality. During his trip he met Fidel Castro, Cuba's president from 1959 to 2008. At that time Cuba was colonised by the Spaniards. Che and Fidel succeeded overthrowing Batista's Spanish government with the help of a small rebel army. In the following years, Che held several key positions in Cuba and was doctor, military commander, president of the National Bank and Minister. He saw the oppression of Indians in Bolivia and decided to move to Bolivia, 250km from Santa Cruz. After months of battling the army in an attempt to overthrow the regime, he was captured and executed by the CIA in 1967. The face of Che Guevara is now the worldwide symbol for the struggle against injustice and oppression and chances are you will see it many times on your travel through Bolivia. |
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Travel Bolivia - Accommodation (Click to enlarge)
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