Bolivia Motorcycle Trip: The Jesuit Mission

Your motorcycle trip through Bolivia to the Jesuit missions begins today. We will pick you up at the airport in Santa Cruz/Bolivia and then drive to the small town of Samaipata (120 km, 2.5 hours). There we will check into a comfortable hotel and spend the rest of the day relaxing and exploring. If your flight arrives late, you will need to spend the night in Santa Cruz. In this case, the following day will be counted as Day 1.

We begin with an introduction in which we learn more about safe driving, our route, local traffic regulations, and each other. To get accustomed to our motorcycles, we ride to the archaeological site "El Fuerte". This ancient Inca city, which has developed around the much older largest stone sculpture in the Americas, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Some believe it to be an ancient alien landing field!

Early in the morning, we start our tour on a winding asphalt road towards Santa Cruz. After leaving the traffic behind, we cross the Rio Grande over a huge modern bridge that runs parallel to the old railway/road bridge from 1959 in Puerto Paila. After two hours of relaxed driving, we stop to admire the impressive mission church of San Javier.

In San Javier we visit the first Jesuit mission church with a museum from 1752, then Concepcion, the capital of the missions, where we visit the majestic church. After lunch, we drive through farming communities and take a special gravel road that leads to a mysterious black rock in the jungle. The next stop is the fully restored mission church in San Ignacio. For the rest of the afternoon, we can swim in a nearby lake or observe local life in the main plaza.

After breakfast, the gravel road part of the tour begins, and with a bit of luck, we might see some capybaras (large rodents) on our way to the small village of San Miguel, where time passes more leisurely. We visit a wood art workshop and of course the mission church. The next destination on our route is the impressive mission church of San Rafael, whose contents have been preserved for 300 years. After a photo stop, we continue our journey to the hidden Santa Anna mission (optional excursion, depending on group agreement). For lunch, we stop at a Mennonite religious center's inn. In the late afternoon, we reach our destination: San José de Chiquitos. A photo of the mission church is a must.

In the morning we drive on the highway towards Brazil on a well-developed asphalt road to the small village of Chochis. No excursion would be complete without a view of the huge 180 m high rock that stands alone and dominates the landscape. After a short visit to the sanctuary, we reach our hotel in Santiago de Chiquitos, the last mission church of the tour. This last church is architecturally different from the others, but just as spectacular to photograph. In the afternoon we drive to the "Aguas Calientes," a hot river with magical powers. Here we are nibbled by hundreds of little fish, which many visitors perceive as a massage.

In the morning we drive to the viewpoint Cumbre de Santiago. Here we are presented with the sharp transition into the Amazon basin, surrounded by mysterious phallic rock formations - a panorama that should not be missed. After lunch, we return to San José de Chiquitos.

We are driving back on the highway towards Brazil, crossing the Rio Grande and heading towards the metropolis of Santa Cruz. One last special ride awaits us: a very narrow suspension bridge. Caution, it sways! On a winding mountain road, accompanied by wonderful memories and experiences, we head back to Samaipata. The hotel pool is already waiting for us …

Late in the morning, we make our way to Santa Cruz, where we can spend the day relaxing in the plaza and buying souvenirs. In the evening, we enjoy our farewell dinner.

It is always sad to say goodbye. But who knows? You wouldn't be the first to come back.