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Tiwanaku & Puma Punku - The Ancient Civilization - Everything Included!

La Paz, Bolivia

Tiwanaku and Puma Punku The Ancient Civilization Everything Included

7 hours
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Pre-dating even the Incas, the UNESCO–listed archaeological site of Tiwanaku shines a light on an ancient civilization lost in time—but visiting independently means missing the site's historic significance. On this tour, begin with pickup at your La Paz hotel and explore with your guide. Gain valuable insight into the meaning behind relics like the Gate of the Sun, the Kalasasaya Temple, and the Puma Punku complex.

Hear the secrets of the UNESCO–listed archaeological site of Tiwanaku
Your guide sheds light on a civilization pre-dating the Incas
Admire highlights like the Kalasasaya Temple and the Puma Punku complex
Hassle-free round-trip transport from selected La Paz hotels

What's Included

Professional bilingual guide (English and Spanish)
Transport round trip.
Lunch.
Hotel pickup (selected hotels only) (or meeting point)
Drop-off San Francisco Church.
Entrance Fee to Tiwanaku.

Drinks
Hotel drop-off

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

Meeting point

Maria Auxiliadora Church
FVW9+PGC, Av. 16 de Julio, La Paz, Bolivia
Meeting point with prior announcement. pick up time: 8:30 a.m. The main gate of Maria Auxiliadora Church.

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

End point

Basilica of Saint Francis
Sagarnaga 173, La Paz, Bolivia
Drop off time 04:00 p.m.

Pickup details

Pick up: Hotels in the DOWNTOWN area. from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. the pick-up time will be informed one day before

What To Expect

Tiwanaku

4 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Puma Punku

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Adult pricing applies to all travelers.
Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required.

Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers

Cancellation Policy

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

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Anonymous

Excellent tour! Theodoro was the perfect guide! He was very passionate, knowledgeable, and informative about the Tiwanaku civilization. He is fluent in English and very funny as well. I learned a great deal and had a wonderful time. The lunch a ride to and from La Paz was perfect as well. No issues at all. I would highly recommend this tour and the guide Theodoro as well! Thanks again Theodoro!

Reviews

4.0

48 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 48 reviews

Only go if you are really into knowledgable about this site and its something have to see!

DAVID_S, May 2024

My pick up was on time but due to the rush hour traffic the rest were chaos, and after a hour in the bus I was almost back to where I started. I guide was very monotone and not very engaging, a little more enthusiasm wouldn’t have gone a miss as to be fair there is not a lot to see and I could have got out of it what I wanted in an hour (with no lunch) The food was good and plenty of options but my fried chicken did have a tiny bit of blood in it, fortunately it was spotted before I ate it but everyone else’s co looked ok. Again the drive back was through rush hour and prolonged. Not the tour company’s fault. The drop off was at one place maybe thdd ed pickup should have been too. But that is easy for me to say as the drop off was quite near my hotel,

Good but rushed

Aurelien_T, Mar 2024

Really interesting site and definitely a must do in Bolivia but the pace was too fast and the whole tour felt rushed. Otherwise good.

Interesting and somewhat amusing

Rainer_G, Feb 2024

Very interesting tour. Our guide was a little infected by von Däniken, talking about levitation, telepathy, and trade networks to Egypt, Mesopotamia and India. Nevertheless, I enjoyed seeing the fabulous masonry skills of the Tiwanaku people who seemed to be less engaged in warfare the the Inkas or Mayans.

Not a good/professional Tour Guide

Charlene_S, Jan 2024

Unfortunately the worst tour that I have ever had in South America. I bet the small ruins and the museums would have been a little bit more interesting if the tour guide was more enthusiastic. The place has not a lot to offer, but the tour guide seem rushed and not super excited to answer any questions. Do not expect much about the lunch neither. However, the worst thing about the whole tour was that the tour guide got off the bus 20 mins prior to our arrival. We were left on a crowded plaza without any directions or instructions how to get back to our places safe. Definitely not professional at all, if they going to drop us on certain place at least the tour guide should be there with us to provide guidance. The tour guide name was Leo.

Interesting historical site. Not an interesting tour.

Matthew_D, Jan 2024

The site itself was interesting. The tour was not the best. The group was big and for both Spanish and English speakers. This meant that the guide was constantly switching between languages making him hard to follow. The guide was knowledgeable, but seemed uninterested in the subject. At times the day was rushed.

Tiwanaku trip

Wojciech_D, Nov 2023

Interesting place, good organized tour, really fantastic guiding To be recommanded to all La Paz visitors

Great tour

Karen_B, Oct 2023

Overall tour was good, the guide was great and had a lot of knowledge, my only negative was the pace of the tour and day which was very slow

Ruins

James_L, Sep 2023

The ruins were very cool to see in person and was not too crowded. The views of the surrounding mountains were also very beautiful and made for some great pictures. Also the ride to and from La Paz was not too long. Very good trip!!!

Good value and a nice day out

Stephen_M, Jul 2023

Nice day getting out of the city. Tour guide was very friendly and knowledgeable. Groups are definitely combined from all sorts of agencies, the guide knew that this tour was fully inclusive of tickets and lunch. Starts with a couple of museums next to the site. Guide went into detail about all displays there. Then we had a good walk through the site with disruptions of everything we were seeing. Lunch was solid at a local restaurant and included the chance to try llama. Drive each way was about 2 hours in a comfortable mini bus. Very good value for money and a nice day out.

Worthwhile tour

Pamela_M, May 2023

The pre-Inca ruins are worth a look. The two hour bus ride out, and then back again, is bumpy and difficult. A tour around the ruins does make it worth it, however. Our guide, Theodore, attempted to give information about the ruins in English and Spanish. He was a bit difficult to hear, and it was awkward having to say everything twice. I requested an English speaking guide, but most of the group was far more comfortable in Spanish. The lunch afterwards was tasty and quite safe for Americans to eat.

Perfect tour! Theodoro was the best guide! Highly recommended!

Anonymous, May 2023

Cultural experience

wen_y, May 2023

Very knowledgeable and passionate tour guide, great cozy local lunch, excellent for value of money .

Amazing Pre-Inca ruins

Troy_A, Apr 2023

The statue if Pachamama was amazing to behold in the dim light of the museum. Temple with over 100 faces was mesmerizing. Omar our guide was very knowledgable and made the day enjoyable.

Needs to be better organized

Stella_H, Apr 2023

The guide Theodore was excellent and very knowledgeable. Other than that: 1. I was driven there in a pick-up truck. 2. Another couple was sitting in the back seat with me and we were squashed. 3. It took forever to get out of La Paz and get going. 4. At Tiwanaku we had to wait for the arrival of a mini bus with other travelers to join our group. 5. Instead of returning to La Paz at 4:30, as was stated in the tour, we were back after 5:30. It was a very long and tiring day!

'Cultural Treasure'

CANAN_S, Jan 2023

The guide was awesome. He managed the trip so well. Despite of late pick up caused by the travel agency, I enjoyed the day very much.

Most boring tour guide ever

MARIAALEXANDRA_V, Jan 2023

The most boring tour ever. The tour guide is literally an energy vampire...sucking the life out of us. All the group was dead bored by the end. Its a shane that such an interesting civilization be presented in such a bad way. He said several times how when it rains is good for him cause the tour is shorter..i actually felt bad that i take out of his time. He doesnt know how to talk properly and present the sites in a coherent exciting story. Definitely niot fit to be a guide.

Interesting but quite a long day.

James_A, Nov 2022

The site itself is interesting, and well worth a visit. It was great that everything was included with no hidden costs. We had a very enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide. The included lunch was reasonable. Less good was having to contact the company the day before because they hadn't sent us pick up information. The minibus was very cramped and uncomfortable. The day is also quite long as the guide explained everything in two languages. Separate guides might be better.

Great experience!

Claudio_M, Jul 2022

The tour is amazing! Our guide Teresa was awesome, she explained to us so many things about this pre-Inca site. The remains of the site (e.g. the monoliths, the sun gate…) are just gorgeous and Teresa described them to the smallest detail. Also, thanks to Teresa we learned so much about the traditions and the culture of the pre-Inca populations that lived in these areas. I totally recommend the tour!

Response from Host, Aug 2022

Once more we thank you for sharing your experience with us and look forward to serving you again soon. Regards,

Não vale a pena!

JeanVictor_J, Mar 2024

Não gostei do passeio! O guia foi bom, mas os sitios aqueologicos pareciam estar abandonados... Esperava muito mais... devia ter ido a Copacabana e ver o lago Titicaca!!!

Muy buena experiencia

Adriana_C, Feb 2024

Guía con amplio conocimiento, interesado en mantener la atención de los turistas, excelente comida. Al regreso decidimos quedarnos en otro punto y el guía nos explicó claramente lo que debíamos hacer, para garantizarnos un regreso seguro.