1, 2 or 3 Days · 120 km from Santa Cruz · Pre-Incan Ruins · Ancient Giant Ferns · Andean Condors
Overview
Located around 3 to 3.5 hours from Santa Cruz de la Sierra, depending on traffic and road works, Samaipata is one of Bolivia’s most beautiful inter-Andean destinations. The drive itself is part of the experience, with dramatic valleys, mountain scenery and changing landscapes as you leave the tropical lowlands and enter the cooler foothills.
Our Samaipata tours are private and flexible, with options from a full-day visit to multi-day itineraries. The main attractions include the UNESCO-listed El Fuerte Pre-Incan Ruins, the El Fuerte Museum, Samaipata Plaza, local markets, boutique wineries such as 1750 Winery, Codo de los Andes, and the Ancient Giant Fern Forests of Amboró.
These itineraries can be adapted depending on the number of days, weather, road conditions, availability and traveller interests. Guests can focus on archaeology, town visits, wineries, hiking, landscapes and nature-focused excursions.
Depart from your hotel in Santa Cruz de la Sierra and begin the scenic drive west toward Samaipata, a charming inter-Andean town surrounded by valleys, mountains and beautiful countryside. The journey normally takes around 3 to 3.5 hours, depending on traffic and road works.
On arrival, visit Samaipata downtown, including the main plaza, local markets and relaxed town centre. This is a great introduction to the atmosphere of Samaipata — a small mountain town known for its scenery, cafes, artisan shops, local food and growing wine culture. Lunch in town at one of Samaipata’s excellent local restaurants.
After lunch, continue to the El Fuerte Museum, which provides important historical context before visiting the UNESCO-listed El Fuerte Pre-Incan Ruins. The guided visit explores one of the most important archaeological sites in eastern Bolivia, carved into a massive sandstone outcrop and connected to pre-Incan, Incan and colonial-era history.
While this is not a wildlife tour, visitors occasionally get lucky and see an Andean condor flying over the ruins or surrounding valleys. This is never guaranteed, but it can be a special bonus during the visit.
After the tour, return to Santa Cruz in the late afternoon or early evening.
Depart from Santa Cruz and enjoy a scenic drive of around 3 to 3.5 hours toward Samaipata, depending on road conditions and traffic. The route passes through beautiful valleys, foothills and inter-Andean landscapes, making the drive one of the highlights of the trip.
Upon arrival, explore Samaipata town, including the main plaza, local markets and central area. After lunch, visit the El Fuerte Museum before continuing to the UNESCO-listed El Fuerte Pre-Incan Ruins for a guided tour of this remarkable archaeological site. The visit focuses on history, archaeology and landscapes, with an occasional chance of seeing an Andean condor flying above the ruins or nearby valleys.
Overnight in Samaipata, generally at El Pueblito Boutique Hotel, a beautifully located hotel next to 1750 Winery. Accommodation may vary depending on availability, but we aim to use comfortable, well-located hotels that match the relaxed mountain atmosphere of Samaipata.
After breakfast, enjoy a flexible half-day nature and landscape excursion. Depending on the final itinerary, weather, road conditions and traveler preference, this day can usually include either Codo de los Andes or the Ancient Giant Fern Forests of Amboró.
The Codo de los Andes option is one of the most breathtaking hikes in the Samaipata region and one of the most spectacular landscape routes in Bolivia. The area offers dramatic mountain views, deep valleys, impressive rock formations and panoramic inter-Andean scenery. There is also an outside chance of seeing Andean condors soaring over the surrounding cliffs and valleys, although this is never guaranteed.
The Ancient Giant Fern Forests option is one of the most unique and beautiful hikes in Bolivia. This prehistoric-style forest is home to giant tree ferns, creating an ancient atmosphere that feels completely different from most other landscapes in the country. Forests like this are rare and found in only a few parts of the world, making the Giant Fern Forests one of the most special natural attractions near Samaipata.
The broader area is also habitat for wildlife such as Andean bear, puma, margay and a wide variety of birdlife. However, these animals are very secretive and are rarely seen, so the visit should be understood mainly as a scenic hiking, forest and landscape experience rather than a wildlife tour.
After the excursion, return to Samaipata for lunch before driving back to Santa Cruz in the afternoon.
Depart from Santa Cruz and travel west through the inter-Andean valleys toward Samaipata. The drive usually takes around 3 to 3.5 hours, depending on traffic and road works, and offers beautiful scenery along the way.
On arrival, visit Samaipata downtown, including the main plaza, local markets, cafes and relaxed town centre. After lunch, visit the El Fuerte Museum, followed by a guided visit to the UNESCO-listed El Fuerte Pre-Incan Ruins, one of the most important archaeological attractions in eastern Bolivia. There is also an occasional chance of seeing an Andean condor flying above the ruins or nearby valleys, although sightings are never guaranteed.
Overnight in Samaipata, generally at El Pueblito Boutique Hotel, a spectacularly located boutique hotel beside 1750 Winery.
This day is designed to be flexible and can be adapted depending on the interests of the travellers.
One option is to focus on Samaipata’s growing high-altitude wine scene, including a visit to 1750 Winery or another local winery. Samaipata is becoming increasingly known for its boutique wineries, mountain climate, vineyard settings and relaxed food and wine culture.
For travelers who prefer a more active day, the itinerary can include Codo de los Andes, one of the most scenic hiking and landscape areas near Samaipata, with dramatic mountain views, rock formations and striking inter-Andean scenery. There is also an outside chance of seeing Andean condors soaring above the surrounding cliffs and valleys, although this is never guaranteed.
The day can also be adjusted for a more relaxed Samaipata experience, with additional time around the plaza, local markets, cafes, viewpoints or nearby attractions depending on the final itinerary.
Overnight in Samaipata.
After breakfast, enjoy another flexible half-day excursion before returning to Santa Cruz. Depending on the final itinerary, this day can include the Ancient Giant Fern Forests of Amboró, one of the most distinctive forest hikes in Bolivia. The trail passes through a cool, atmospheric forest filled with giant tree ferns, giving the area a prehistoric feeling. These ancient fern forests are rare globally and are among the most spectacular natural landscapes near Samaipata.
The region is habitat for species such as Andean bear, puma, margay and many bird species, but wildlife is rarely seen because the animals are shy and secretive. The focus of this hike is the scenery, forest atmosphere and natural beauty of the Samaipata region.
Alternatively, the day can be adjusted to include Codo de los Andes, a relaxed town visit, a winery option, scenic viewpoints or additional time around Samaipata Plaza and the local markets.
After lunch in Samaipata, return to Santa Cruz in the afternoon.
For the 2-day and 3-day Samaipata tours, we generally stay at El Pueblito Boutique Hotel, one of Samaipata’s most beautifully located boutique hotels. The property has a spectacular setting overlooking the surrounding valleys and is perfectly positioned next to 1750 Winery, making it an ideal base for exploring Samaipata, El Fuerte, the wineries, Codo de los Andes and the Ancient Giant Fern Forests. Accommodation may vary depending on availability, but we always aim to use comfortable, well-located hotels that fit the relaxed mountain atmosphere of Samaipata.
Wildlife Note
This is not a dedicated wildlife-watching tour. However, the region is home to Andean bear, puma, margay and many bird species, and there is an occasional chance of seeing an Andean condor around El Fuerte or Codo de los Andes. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, and the main focus is archaeology, landscapes, hiking, wineries and the relaxed atmosphere of Samaipata.
highlights
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