Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ment who prefer to walk up should follow the main highway back toward Santa Cruz for
3.5km and turn right at the sign pointing uphill. From here it's a scenic 5km to the sum-
mit. Guided tours from Samaipata start from about B$100 per person.
Museo Arqueológico
(Bolívar; admission B$5; 8:30am-noon & 2-6pm Mon-Fri, 8:30am-4pm Sat-Sun)
Sa-
maipata's small archaeological museum makes an interesting visit, but offers little explan-
ation of El Fuerte. It does have a few Tiwanaku artifacts and some local pottery. If you
buy your admission to the ruins here you get into the museum for free.
MUSEUM
Zoo el Refugio
(
944-6169; admission B$20; 8am-6pm)
This charming and responsible little zoo is
actually a refuge for rescued animals. The zoo accepts volunteers who can lodge for free
in exchange for their labor, and there is an attractive wooded camping area if you fancy
spending a night among the animals. Horses are available for hire for B$25 per hour.
ZOO
Tours
Several agencies organize trips to nearby attractions and almost every hotel runs its own
tours. Local taxi syndicates also run transportation to many of the local attractions and
rates are very reasonable, though not up for negotiation.
Amboró Tours is the most established of the Santa Cruz-based agencies, but the Sa-
maipata office is open only sporadically.
Michael Blendinger Tours
(
944-6227;
www.discoveringbolivia.com
; Bolívar)
The best for biologist-run orchid,
birding and full-moon tours, offered in English and German.
ECOTOUR
Jukumari Tours
(
7262-7202; Bolívar)
An excellent locally run agency; in addition to the local attrac-
tions it offers packages to the Che Trail and the Jesuit Missions Circuit.
TOUR
