TIWANAKU PRE-INCA RUINS DAY TRIP - LA PAZ

Price
$12.00
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Tiwanaku is one of the most important ancient civilizations in the world and more is being learnt about it every day. For anyone with an interest in the history of Andean cultures and archaeology it is a worth while day trip from La Paz. This archaeological site of is a little over 70 km west from the city of La Paz towards the border town of Desaguadero.

OVERVIEWOVERVIEW

This archaeological site of Tiwanaku is a little over 70 km west from the city of La Paz towards the border town of Desaguadero. Tiwanaku (also spelt Tiahuanaco and Tiahuanacu) was founded around 200 BC and after many years it grew from a small village to much larger city with population estimated anywhere between 200,000 to 1.4 million inhabitants in the period around 600 to 800 AD. At its peak Tiwanaku was the most important city and civilization center in the whole of continent and its influence can be seen in vast areas of modern day Bolivia, Peru and Argentina. It is believed that the people of the city of Tiwanaku where more advanced in pottery, astronomy and math than the Incas whom they predated.

ITINERARYITINERARY

Although the Tiwanaku site is still under investigation large areas have been uncovered and many parts restored. Your guide will talk you through the history of the Tiwanaku site and in both museums. For those who have visited sites in Peru you will be interested to find how Tiwanaku influenced many of the other civilizations further north. A visit to the site of Tiwanaku takes a couple of hours and some of the areas you will visit and learn about include:

  • Puerta del Sol – The Gateway of the Sun
  • Kalasasaya – 130m x 120m ritual platform with impressive steps
  • Templete Semi-Subterraneo – 26m x 28m sunken pit with 178 carved stone faces
  • 2 museums at the site
  • Puma Punku temple

Tiwanaku is one of the most important ancient civilizations in the world and more is being learnt about it every day. For anyone with an interest in the history of Andean cultures and archaeology it is a worth while day trip from La Paz. For this tour, you get picked up between 8.00 and 9.00 am depending on your ho(s)tel location (not all hotels are in the pickup area though - please see list below) and you get dropped off in the centre of La Paz at around 16.30 / 17.00 maximum. Food and beverages are not included but after the visit of the site you will be taken to a nice local restaurant where you can have some typical Andean meal for some 35 / 40 Bs.

INCLUDED / NOT INCLUDEDINCLUDED / NOT INCLUDED

INCLUDED

  • Transportation and pick up from your central accommodation
  • Guide - English and Spanish-speaking

NOT INCLUDED

  • Ho(s)tel dropoff - you will get dropped off in La Paz downtown
  • Entrance fees - 100 Bs total
  • Travel insurance
  • Water / extra beverages
  • Meals and snacks
  • Sunglasses and sun cream 
  • Insect Repellent 
  • Tips for guides

IMPORTANT INFORMATIONIMPORTANT INFORMATION
  • Here you have a list of the most popular La Paz hotels that are in the pick up area for this Tiwanaku tour. Pickup time varies according to the hotel location.

Ho(s)tels definitely in the pickup area are: Loki, Savoy, Cordillera Real, La Valle, Alsigal, Inca's Room, Rosario, Estrella Andina, Cruz de Los Andes, Sol Andino, Las Brisas, Sajama, Berlina, Hostal Gloria, Hostal Copacabana, Milton, Golden Palace, Maya Inn, Sagarnaga, Alem, Fuentes, Condeza, Posada de La Abuela Obdulia, Provenzal, Nuevo Sol, Naira, Onkel Inn, Osira, Wild Rover, Residencial Latino, Victoria, Bamboo, Ananay, Bacoo, Arthy's Guesthouse, Bunkie Hostel, Adventure Brew Hostel and BB, Adventure Brew Downtown, Avenida, Perla Negra, Tambo de Oro, Hotel Latino, LP Columbus. 

N. B. There are other hotels that are within the pickup area and that were not mentioned in the list - please ask if your hotel is near any of the above, we might be able to pick you up from there (will have to check). Having said that, pickup is from central La Paz hotels only - we do not pickup from apartments / AirBnb accommodations and from areas outside of central La Paz (Miraflores, Sopocachi, San Jorge, Calacoto, San Miguel are all outside of the pickup area). If you want to take the tour but are not within the pickup area you must make your way to San Francisco Church and will get picked up from there.

  • This tour goes up to an Altitude of around 3900 meters (17388 feet). You do not have to be fit for this tour though as it involves just light walking around the site. 
  • There is a requirement of a minimum of 6 people booked in order for this tour to be confirmed but the tour goes most days as it is popular.

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