Private Tour: Tiwanaku Archeological Site from La Paz

La Paz, Bolivia

4 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Group discounts
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Uncover the ancient mysteries of the Tiwanaku, a vast archeological site on the shores of Lake Titicaca, on a private half-day tour from La Paz. Accompanied by an expert guide, visit the majestic pyramids and sacred temples of the site while enriching your knowledge of Tiwanaku civilization. Hear of the empire’s mysterious disappearance after thriving for a millennium, and enjoy the undivided attention of your guide on this private tour. Convenient round-trip transportation from your La Paz hotel is included and a morning or afternoon option is available.

Private tour from La Paz to the pre-Incan archeological site of Tiwanaku
Tour the ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with a knowledgeable private guide
See adobe structures like the Kalasasaya temple and Akapana pyramid
Contemplate the mysterious symbols on the Gateway of the Sun
Learn about the puzzling details surrounding the end of the Tiwanaku civilization
Private tour includes hotel transport and provides a more personalized experience

What's Included

Hotel pickup and drop-off
Local guide

Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

We pick up travelers from all hotels in downtown La Paz

Itinerary

Commence your cultural tour with pickup from your La Paz hotel in a comfortable, air-conditioned minivan. Sink into your soft seat during the scenic 1-hour drive and get acquainted with your private guide; listen as the historical scene of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed site is set and then feel your excitement heighten as you arrive at the Tiwanaku ruins, positioned picturesquely upon the shore of Lake Titicaca.

Enrich your knowledge of one of the most significant civilizations in the Americas as you discover ancient structures like Puerta del Sol (Gateway of the Sun) and the mystifying Kalasasaya temple. Hear of the city’s 200 BC origin and delve into the mysterious circumstances surrounding the empire’s disappearance while admiring the stone faces and anthropomorphic relics of various pyramids and platforms.

Conclude your tour after an enriching 2-hour tour of the complex, then bid your guide farewell on return to your La Paz hotel.

Tiwanaku

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Museo Nacional de Arqueologia MUNARQ

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Puma Punku

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
It is recommended that you wear comfortable shoes and clothing and bring bottled water, sunscreen and a hat
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation

Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Most travelers can participate
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.1

based on 13 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Terrible.

wampold, Nov 2024

This trip was bad. The car had no seat belts. The car had the exhaust returning to inside the passenger cabin. The guide spoke bad English and was not knowledgeable. The trip was also very expensive.

Response from Host, Nov 2024

Thank you Michael for sharing this feedback — we really appreciate you took the time to reflect on your Tiwanaku excursion with us. We deeply regret that you had a bad time. We would like the opportunity to talk and investigate your feedback further. I’d like to take this up with you personally and see how we can best rectify the situation with you. Please do not hesitate to contact our customer service management team at the phone number provided on your original voucher and ask for Cintia. We look forward to your call.

Great time exploring Bolivia!

sgqzqqdhp2, Feb 2024

Our guide Juan was amazing! He was a great driver and very knowledgeable at the history of the archeological sites. I highly recommend this tour!

What an incredible day!

Mark_B, Jan 2022

What an incredible day! My exceptional guide Juan and I took a journey across the North Bolivian Plateau to visit this important archeological. It was breathtaking not only because of the ancient expansive megalithic complex, but because it sits at 12,631 feet above sea-level. The site of Tiwanaku is located in the valley between two sacred mountains, Pukara and Chuqi Q’awa. At the temple, in ancient times, ceremonies were conducted to honor and pay gratitude to the gods. Walking around the complex, you are greeted by Andean Yakayaka (woodpeckers), guinea pigs, and brilliant Marguerite Daisies. The archeological site is a maze of megalithic blocks, impressive gateways of monumental scale, and sunken courts pieced together with perfect symmetry. Thanks for a memorable experience!

Lake Titikaka and surround area

Rashmi P, Jul 2019

We changed our mind and instead visited Lake Titikaka and surrounding area. Nice spot to walk down the hill and rest on the shores of the Lake. Scenery from the road was spectacular

The Tiwanaku site was a fantastic...

Jeannie M, Jul 2017

The Tiwanaku site was a fantastic site to visit, with a lot of interesting archaeological detail on pre-inca and inca times. Our tour guide, Oscar, was even quite helpful in answering questions we had throughout the site. He did spend a lot of time on the phone, checking it many times during our tour, and also jumping on a couple of phone calls. We were even somewhat happy with the tour until the very end, when the tour was complete, and our guide took us to a restaurant to eat. After eating, he and the driver disappeared, and the restaurant came to our table with the bill -- we had to pay for his and the driver's lunch because he was MIA -- very shady!!! He then proceeded to fall asleep in the car during most of the ride back to La Paz. Unfortunately as a result I wouldn't recommend this tour, unless you can guarantee you'll have a different tour guide that won't pull the same shade.

The picture is very deceptive, but...

Gabriella R, Jun 2016

The picture is very deceptive, but in spite of it, the tour was great.The tour guide, Oscar, was excellent and we enjoyed the tour on the whole a lot. People, however, should be aware that they are not going to see much of what they see in the picture because it is no longer there. The museum at the site gives a good sense of what is no longer visible, and the artifacts are interesting. The drive from La Paz is also very interesting.

I was rushed because I was told we...

kim w, Jun 2016

I was rushed because I was told we had to due the Moon Tour on the same day. My guide spoke 90 of the time to the driver in Spanish while we were driving. When we were at the site he was on his phone 50 of the time talking or texting. I felt like a spare tire. He was a pleasent person but not the best tour guide.

This was a special trip to Bolivia...

Lucy Dalcy J C, May 2015

This was a special trip to Bolivia as it was my children (13 and 11 years old ) first visit! Our guide was fun, interesting, congenial and professional. He is a great story teller and showed us many hidden secrets Tikanaku! Thanks !