Immerse yourself in the history of two of the main evangelical settlements in the Chiquitano Valley on our 2-day tour of the Jesuit Missions. San Javier and Concepción await!
Jesuit Missions 2-Day Tour
Day 1: Santa Cruz - San Javier - Concepción
At 7:30 am, we'll pick you up from your hotel in Santa Cruz de la Sierra and set off on the 136-mile (220-kilometre) journey to San Javier. On the way to this spot in the Chiquitos region, we'll pass through picturesque villages such as Cotoca, Pailas, Pailón, and Troncos. Once we've arrived at our destination, we'll visit its iconic mission church. Did you know that this was the first mission founded by the Jesuits?
We'll discuss the history of the Jesuit Missions, which were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the 90s. Why did the Jesuits decide to establish the first Catholic reductions here? How were they built? What were the challenges? Let's find out!
It'll then be time to take a break to have a typical lunch that'll include a starter and a main course. After lunch, we'll continue our tour of the Jesuit foundations by travelling to Concepción. Before dinner, you'll have some free time to explore the town and attend a mass.
Day 2: Concepción - Calama - Santa Cruz
Good morning! At 8:30 am, we'll have breakfast and hike to the Calama Stone, some 20 minutes away. When we get there, we'll gaze out at incredible views of the Chiquitano Valley. We'll then walk back down to Concepción to visit its church and 18th-century missionary museum. The museum houses carvings made by the Chiquitanos to decorate the church.
After taking a break for lunch, we'll return to Santa Cruz de la Sierra. On our way back, we'll stop at the Paquio stones to see the buffaloes. We'll also make a stop at San Javier to stretch our legs. We'll drop you off back at your hotel in Santa Cruz at 7 pm.
Accommodation
This tour includes 1 night's accommodation in a double or triple room at a local guesthouse in Concepción.
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