Bolivia is a true hidden gem – boasting extraordinary landscapes, colorful wildlife and rich culture. From the vast salt flats of Uyuni in the south to the pristine rainforests of the Amazon in the north, Bolivia has something for everyone. Even better, this destination is largely unexplored by visitors to South America – making it the perfect choice for intrepid travelers who are seeking an authentic experience. If you’re planning on visiting, then booking tours in Bolivia with Nick’s Adventures is an absolute must-do.
Since Bolivia is one of the least developed countries in Latin America, seeing the sights can be difficult. That is why we recommend partnering with a tour operator such as Nick’s Adventures to help you have a smooth journey. Based in Santa Cruz, this Australian/Bolivian company offers a range of tours specializing in nature and wildlife. Wherever you wish to go – be it to Bolivia’s secret national parks or to popular hotspots like Lake Titicaca – Nick and his team can support you every step of the way.
In addition to ready-made packages, Nick’s Adventures can also put together customized tours to suit your needs. For wildlife-lovers, Nick’s Adventures can take you to see animals such as anacondas, birds and jaguars – all without crowds of tourists. In fact, Bolivia is home to over 1,400 different bird species – making it a paradise for bird-watching. On the other hand, for those who want to immerse themselves in the cultural heritage of the country, bustling cities and Incan ruins can be discovered.
Ultimately, the diversity of Bolivia is what makes the place so captivating. One minute you can be climbing to the height of 6,088 meters at Huayna Potosi, and the next cruising along Rio Paragua at 90 meters. Much of Bolivia is at high altitude, which adds another layer of challenge and excitement to each visit. The locals here are tough, just like the land they inhabit, however they are also regarded as some of the friendliest people on the planet – generally very affectionate, polite and welcoming.
Nick’s Adventures works closely with the locals, including wildlife guides and indigenous communities, to ensure responsible tourism practices are being followed. Meeting these friendly folks is another highlight of your Bolivia trip. So, what do guests think about Nick’s Adventures? Read through some of their Tripadvisor reviews here to see how highly they are rated – over 350 stellar 5-star reviews can be found, across many different types of Bolivia tours. Below we highlight some of the best ones.
Best Tours in Bolivia
1. Jaguar Land – Private Reserve Tour
The top wildlife watching tour with Nick’s Adventures is the Jaguar Land – Private Reserve Tour which is a safari that offers an over 80 percent success rate of spotting jaguars in the wild. A five hour drive from Santa Cruz takes you to Jaguar Land – a private property dotted with plains, forests and lakes. Due to the open spaces and lack of a tourist footprint, it’s easy to spot a range of wildlife here such as jaguars, howler monkeys, sloths, deer, anteaters, otters, pink dolphins, macaws, toucans and much more.
This experience can last between two and five days, and be combined with other areas in Bolivia to make it more comprehensive. The tour includes hotel pick-up and drop-off, a 4WD vehicle for the safari drives, large and comfortable tent accommodations, meals listed in the program, entry fees, water, complimentary beer/wine and an English-speaking wildlife guide. If you’re visiting Bolivia in a small group – from one to four people – and would love to tick jaguars off your bucket list, this is the ideal tour to book.
2. Santa Cruz to Uyuni Tour
An adventure that takes you from Santa Cruz to Uyuni, stopping off at incredible sights along the way, is the promise of this seven-day tour. Nick’s Adventures arranges all of the logistics, for instance: flights, hotels, transport, attractions, etc. so you can enjoy the experience in a stress-free manner. The tour kicks off in Santa Cruz with a scenic drive to a lookout in Refugio Los Volcanes. The valley here is surrounded by spellbinding rock formations, rainforests and creeks – making it a photographer’s dream.
Next on the itinerary are waterfalls, and hiking to spot everything from orchids to condors. Following Refugio, you fly to Sucre and begin a tour where you learn the city’s rich history. On the fourth day, a drive to Potosi takes place with an optional exploration of the mines. Then Uyuni – the undisputed highlight of Bolivia. A guide shows you around the salt flats in a 4WD, checking out amazing places like Isla Incahuasi and Tahua. The cherry on top is visiting Eduardo Avaroa with its lagoons and flamingos.
3. Sloth and Wildlife Watching Tour
Departing from Santa Cruz, this tour features the most iconic animals of South America. Not only will you get to see sloths, but also monkeys and toucans. The best part? It can be done in four hours, saving you time and money from having to visit several places. The wildlife watching adventure starts with hotel pick-up and then transports you to the Botanical Gardens – the last remaining forested area in Santa Cruz city. At the gardens, professional guides lead you on exciting treks through the forest.
The wild animals that thrive here include three-toed sloths, black-tailed marmosets and capuchin monkeys. Despite the ability of sloths to hide and camouflage themselves, the guides at Nick’s Adventures are experts in locating them. Throughout the tour, the guides will also share fascinating facts and tales about the animals – enriching you with knowledge. At the end, you’re returned to your original hotel to reflect on a fun-filled day – hopefully with plenty of photos and memories of animal encounters.
4. Noel Kempff Mercado National Park Tour
Not many people have heard of Noel Kempff Mercado National Park but its beauty is undeniable. A UNESCO-listed site in its own right, Noel Kempff Mercado offers travelers a remote and wild paradise to escape to. With Nick’s Adventures, you will be setting off on a six-day tour of the park to witness jaguars, otters, black caimans, pink dolphins and green anacondas. Bird enthusiasts will be in heaven here as there are over 600 different species to discover – including harpy eagles and an abundance of macaws.
Due to its location in northeast Santa Cruz Department on the Brazilian border, the tour involves flights plus boats to visit the best destinations. In addition to the wildlife, there will also be the opportunity to hike to breathtaking waterfalls such as Arco Iris and Frederico Ahlfeld. Both places will have you immersed in the purest nature known to man. The tour finishes up back at your hotel in Santa Cruz, where you started. You can then continue traveling in Bolivia or catch a flight to your next port of call.
5. Eastern Bolivia Birdwatching Tour
For eight days, be enchanted by hundreds of bird species in the eastern regions of Bolivia. Each day provides you with comfortable transport and lodging, so you can retain energy for the birdwatching. It all commences in the birding areas surrounding Santa Cruz city, specifically in the lowlands and Chaqueño forests. During the next couple of days and nights, you stay at Refugio Los Volcanes Lodge which is nothing short of a mecca for wildlife – in particular the cloud forests of Amboró National Park.
Afterwards, your group makes its way to the Red-Fronted Macaw Reserve for three more nights of birding adventures. The main highlights of this portion of the tour are spotting the endemic Red-Fronted Macaw and Andean Condor. Finishing up with a return journey back to Santa Cruz on the eighth day, you will be left with memories to last a lifetime. Keep in mind that you don’t have to be a bird-lover to enjoy this tour. As long as you like nature and traveling off-the-beaten-path, you will have a fantastic time.
6. La Paz, Copacabana, Isla del Sol and Tiwanaku Tour
La Paz, Copacabana, Isla del Sol and Tiwanaku are essential for every Bolivia itinerary – and what better way to experience them all than by utilizing the logistical skills of Nick’s Adventures. They organize all of the pickups, transfers and activities so you can simply enjoy the ride. This three-day tour is based out of the Bolivian capital and takes you to see the highlights of the region. La Paz enthralls with its busy streets and food scene, while Titicaca transports you to another world where nature and culture coalesce.
Inclusions are the following: an interesting educational city tour of La Paz, a wonderful cultural visit to the Tiwanaku ruins, and a magical overnight stay in Lake Titicaca/Isla del Sol. Tiwanaku is unknown to most tourists but is definitely worth checking out. This ruined ancient city near Titicaca was once home to a pre-Columbian culture with remnants of its past found in unique pyramids, temple structures and stone monoliths today. For many, this is one of the most surprising aspects about Bolivia tours.
