Bolivia Volunteer Group
Below is a sample itinerary of a past Goway Group. It is provided to give you an idea of what we have already done & what you might also consider doing.
However, because of timing, your own group's special interests and budget, we expect to custom make a program just for you. Contact your favorite travel agent click on "Inquire about this Trip" to fill out request for a group quotation.
La Paz Arrival
Welcome to Bolivia. You will be met at the airport by our representatives and transferred to your hotel.
About La Paz: Located at an elevation of about 11,811 feet (3,600 meters) above sea level, La Paz is a city of stunning beauty and startling contrasts. It sits in a sunken valley with the beautiful snow capped Mt. Illimani towering over the city. The city is a mix of past and present thrown together. It is like stepping into a different world. The city maintains its authentic traditional roots of Andean culture. You'll see women and men walking around wearing colorful traditional indigenous clothing. While you will find the city to be a bustling city of commerce, you'll see skyscrapers, suited businessmen, busy traffic and tourists.
Accommodation: Hotel Presidente or similar (1 night)
La Paz to Tiwanaku
Pick up from your hotel and overland transfer to Tiwanaku. The road runs parallel to the Royal Range of the Andes.
Tiwanaku Ruins
These magnificent ruins were left by one of the oldest civilizations in Bolivia (1585 BC – 1000 AD). The Sun Gate, the Temple of Kalasasaya and the Pyramid of Akapana are samples of a glorious past. The Tiwanaku culture was based on an agrarian economy and had an estimated population of 115,000. The state controlled agriculture produced the surplus wealth to support the urban centre and administrative system. Due to an economic crisis caused by a long dry season, the Tiwanaku collapsed around 1000 AD.
Tiwanaku to Huatajata
Following our tour we continue to on with a hydrofoil cruise to Parati and Kalauta Islands. By motorized boat we cruise through totora reed canals and visit the island's Chullpas burial towers and stone village. We proceed to the Urus-Iruitos floating islands where the 5.000 year old culture is part of a social project created to assure its survival. Continue by hydrofoil to Huatajata. In the evening enjoy an audiovisual presentation and night visit to "The Mystic World of the Kallawayas", the natural healers of Bolivia who have been authorized by law to practice natural medicine. They believe that you first have to heal the soul in order to heal your body. Tata Benjo, a local Kallawaya, will bless visitors and answer questions by casting his sacred coca leaves, before you sit down to a welcome drink and candlelight dinner. BLD
Accommodation: Inca Utama Hotel & Spa or similar (2 nights)
Andean Roots Eco Village Museum
In the morning we visit the Andean Roots Eco-Village: Visit the Chullpas mortuary of several periods. At the handicrafts and folkloric area meet the Limachi family, builders of the RA II and TIGRIS for Thor Heyerdhal’s epic expeditions; see a full size reproduction of RA II and the famous ABORA II. Admire the mud igloos of the Chipayas, pamper the llamas, alpacas and shy vicunas. Visit the Altiplano Museum where a state of the art audio equipment presents past legacies as well as colonial and modern times.
Isla de la Luna & Isla del Sol
We then board a hydrofoil for our cruise to Moon Island (Isla de la Luna). We visit the Inak Uyu Sun Virgins temple where the most beautiful virgins of the Incas were conserving a sacred fire dedicated to their Gods. This temple is considered to be one of the most important ruins on the Lake. We then cruise on to Sun Island (Isla del Sol). We visit the Inca Staircase & Sacred fountain, and taste the sacred water believed to give eternal youth and happiness. Return to Huatajata by hydrofoil.
At the hotel we take a night visit to the native observatory "Alajpacha", and learn from the Aymaras about cosmovision and the southern constellations. BLD
Huatajata to la Paz
Private transfer to La Paz for hotel checkin and lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon we will take a city tour.
Half Day la Paz City Tour
In the afternoon we take a 4 hour tour of La Paz, including the area of the street markets, rich in handicrafts, weavings and witchcraft artifacts. The tour visits the colonial part of the city, the Indian Market, the Witch Doctor's Market and all the while you are surrounded by breathtaking panoramas framed by the majestic Illimani Mountain. Then to the modern part of town, dropping in elevation to finally visit the Valley of the Moon, unique for its unusual natural geological formations. BLD
Accommodation: Hotel Presidente or similar (10 nights)
Suma Qamana Project
Private round trip transfers to and from Suma Qamaña Project. BLD
Full Day Coroico & The Yungas
Morning pick up from your hotel in La Paz for a private transfer to the sub tropical Yungas region. In only two hours, we cross the Glacial Line and wind down into the Amazon Basin. Coroico is a picturesque town with a unique blend of Afro-Bolivian and Indigenous cultures. We take a soft hike through luxurious vegetation and fantastic panoramas. After lunch we can enjoy the hotel swimming pool.
Folkloric Dinner Show
Highly recommended to see and hear the diversity of Bolivian folk dancing and music. The hand woven clothing, the traditional dance steps and the hand made instruments like the zampoñas (bamboo flutes) and charangos (small guitars made of wood or armadillo skin). All present the Andean and Tropical cultures of Bolivia in an unforgettable evening of entertainment. Drinks at additional cost. BLD
La Paz
Day at leisure. B
La Paz Departure
You will be picked up at your hotel for transfer to La Paz airport for your outbound international flight. B
Suma Qamana Project
Suma Qamana is an Education, Recreational and Productive Center that works specially with orphaned children, children whose parents are in prison, or children in rural areas who have no access to health, culture and education. The Center is located in the community of Alto Cañuma in La Paz, in a valley surrounded by the great snowy Illimani, Huayna Potosi and Mururata mountains.
Suma Qamaña is located on 5000 square metres of land, and is equipped with multi-purpose rooms (conventional toys, classroom class, bathrooms and storage), a sports court, 6 animal enclosures and a flower nursery. Under construction are a section of bathrooms and showers, two classrooms and a covered patio, a dining room and kitchen. The Suma Qamaña Center is regularly attended by 50 children from the surrounding rural community and the prison of San Pedro.
The activities include:
- Introduction to reading and writing based on the official curriculum for this educational level to aggregate content multiculturalism, arts and sciences related to the need to improve the quality of life (food, hygiene, dentition, body care).
- Initiation through the calculation methodology of integrated projects (learning by doing).
- Coexistence.
- Knowledge and care of plants (horticulture) and livestock (poultry, llamas, rabbits).
- Introduction to sport and recreation.
- Workshops (cooking, art, music, reading, quiet games, games with conventional toys.)
- Medical care.
- Nutritious diet.
It also works with families of children, both inside and outside the prison, through lectures, workshops, legal advice, support, health team visits to homes, etc.
Volunteering could be as follows:
- Contribution of time: Spending time with children, teaching them English language, playing with them, teach them life experiences, give workshops, etc..
- Technical contributions: Collaborate with designs, programs, projects, procedures and activities that strengthen the larger project.
- Contributions in kind: clothing, food, medicines, books, pencils, blankets or any input that is necessary.
- Contributions of money: The main objective is to expand this component for more children.
IDAI: Child Adapting Institute
The Instituto de Adaptacion Infantil is a centre with 98 children and young people neglected by their parents. The Institute reaches out to children who were abandoned by their parents or who were found in landfills. These children and young people are suffering from mental and physical disabilities.
Volunteering could be as follows:
- Contribution of time: Spending time with children, playing with them, teach them life experiences, give workshops, etc..
- Technical contributions: Collaborate with designs, programs, projects, procedures and activities that strengthen the larger project.
- Contributions in kind: clothing, food, medicines, books, pencils, blankets or any input that is necessary.
- Contributions of money.
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