Along the way...

This trip takes us to the principal missions (or "Reducciones") of the Chiquitania, established by the Jesuits at the end of the seventeenth century.
The churches from this era have been beautifully preserved, restored and some even rebuilt; these gems of Baroque architecture have kept the religious and folkloric traditions alive.
As in the region of Moxos (the Bolivian Amazon) and Paraguay, the missionaries here were attempting to create a Utopia: the creation of a "City of God" on earth, and to peacefully convert the indigenous population.
We can see how the missions were able to unify the native people with their different cultures under one religion, one language (the Chiquitano) and a set of common social principles.
When the Missions were established, the nomadic peoples of this area were not only initiated into agriculture, but also in painting, sculpture, music and dance; in all these arts they proved to be most skilful, and demonstrated a spectacular ability in learning.
The success of this ambitious project resided in the adherence of indigenous people to the system established by the Jesuits, which embodied both democratic and humanistic qualities. On the one hand, the Jesuits presided over the material and spiritual matters, while internal decisions were taken by a municipal council (Cabildo), which was exclusively constituted of indigenous people.
On the other hand, while the main aim of the Reducciones was to evangelize, another was to offer dignified living conditions to the indigenous people. Most of all, we must consider the fact that the missions offered real protection against slave traders, that education was compulsory for children, and that child labour was prohibited.

Note: An International Festival of Baroque music takes place every other year, (even years only) between March and April (dates may vary). This event, which will see its sixth year in 2006, lasts for 12 days and gathers more than 30 groups from all over Bolivia among them, the well-known Urubicha school near Santa Cruz.

SAN JAVIER

The first Mission in the region, San Javier was established in 1691. The church, built between 1749 and 1752 by Rev. Father Martin Schmidt, was restored between 1987 and 1992 under the direction of Rev. Father Hans Roth. Uniquely for the missions, the wooden columns supporting the aisle are painted.
Of the original structure we can still enjoy the mortuary chapel the presbytery, the patio, the college, and the wooden belfry, from which there is a nice panorama of the village.
The first School of Music and a shop where violins, harps and clavichords were produced were established at San Javier.

CONCEPCION

Established in 1708, the village has preserved the simplicity of its streets, protected on both sides by adobe houses (sun-dried bricks) with galleries of arcades. The church is a real jewel. Built between 1753 and 1756 by Father Martin Schmidt, it was first rebuilt by Father Hans Roth; the renovation began in 1975. He accentuated the decorative richness of the building, utilizing gold leaf and strong colors.
The tall black belfry, supported by engraved columns, is the only one in the Missions with a clock (which does not presently work).
The two confessional boxes, facing each other on the two sides of the aisle, are evidence of the high level of expertise achieved in the art of engraving wood.
The neighboring buildings consist mainly of the episcopate, as well as the Music Archives, where the scores written and played in the Missions are being kept. These archives are unique in South America, not only because of their abundance (5500 folios) and their originality, but also because of the particular history of how they have been handed down over the years. The preserved state of these archives is attributed to the indigenous population who looked after what was left of them after the Jesuits were expelled from the Kingdom of Spain in 1767.

SAN IGNACIO

With about 20,000 inhabitants, this village is today the most populated and the most economically dynamic of the region. Famed as one of the real gems of the Missions because of the importance and the richness of its wood carvings, the church resisted damage inflicted by time until it was demolished in 1948. Replaced by a modern building in 1968, only the works that decorated the inside of the church are proof of its Jesuit past.
In 1998, the decision to totally rebuild the church was made under the direction of Hans Roth according to photos dated from before 1948. Finished in 2001, the new church has taken on the appearance of the original façade, although in a simplified form without the relief images. The belfry being built out of concrete, part of the modern "reconstruction” of the sixties, contrasts with the rest of the building.

SAN MIGUEL

Established in 1721, San Miguel was one of the most prosperous of the missions. The architectural complex is original, in that it was built on a platform which dominates the main square, and that the façade of the church is in relief. In one of his chronicles, Father Martin Schmidt tells that during its construction, two hundred men used to work every day on the structure. The temple was finished in 1754, but without the altars, which were the creation of Rev. Father Schmidt himself, and considered an architectural jewel.
The architectural complex was essentially restored between 1979 and 1983 under the direction of Rev. Hans Roth and Rev. Father Godofredo Trencker (whose faces have been lent to the representations of Saint Paul and Saint Peter that decorate the façade of the church!)

SAN RAFAEL

The church, built between 1749 and 1753 (under the direction of the unforgettable Martin Schmidt), is abundantly decorated with gold leaf and mica (most common in the region). The use of mica gives the surface a reflection and a glittering, silver appearance.
The lateral altarpiece on the right side holds the statue of Virgin Mary, the most important one of the Missions.

SANTA ANA

The last Mission built in the Chiquitania was established in 1755, that is to say only 12 years before the Jesuits were expelled.
When the priests left, the construction of the church had scarcely started; it was finished by the indigenous population. The result is a sober church, of rustic style, and with minimal dimensions compared to its neighboring churches. It is surrounded by simple houses of a small town where, like in the times of the Jesuits, the responsibility to look after the church was an honour passed from father to son.
Renovated in the nineties, the church maintains its original appearance. Where the choir stands, a pipe organ of the Jesuit epoch has been preserved—restored in the year 2000.

SAN JOSÉ DE CHIQUITOS

Some kilometers from where the actual town of San José was founded in 1561, is the original town of Santa Cruz, by Ñuflo of Chávez. Very quickly, the city’s location changed to become the metropolis that is known today—very different from the calm town of San José, where time seems to stop. The mission of San José itself is marked by the entire use of rock due to the absence of large trees in the region. Nevertheless, the altar and the doors of the church, finely chiseled in wood, are magnificent examples of the skill of the Indian craftsmenship.
The mission and its long façade, magnificently illuminated by the sun as it sets, was built from 1750 to 1754 by the native population, under the direction of some of the Jesuits. The Utopian dream itself was quickly destroyed when the 47 disciples of the Company of Jesus, dispersed between 25 missions, were expelled from the Americas in 1767. Their wonderful success had been perceived as a threat by the Spanish and Portuguese crowns, who were themselves in dispute over the land of the New World.

REV. FATHER MARTIN SCHMIDT (1694 - 1772)

Among the European Missionaries (a large number of them were Spaniards) that arrived at Chiquitania, the dominant personality was the Swiss Rev. Father Martin Schmidt. Architect of the churches of San Javier, San Rafael and Concepción, he was a creative influence in areas as diverse as sculpture, editing a Spanish-Chiquitano dictionary, the manufacture of musical instruments and even the writing of locally popular musical scores, through which he helped the indigenous people to increase their own knowledge.

Program

PROGRAM # 1: TOUR OF THE MISSIONS IN 2 DAYS

Day 1: SANTA CRUZ - SAN JAVIER - CONCEPCION

At 8.30 A.M. We leave the hotel for San Javier (private vehicle), the first stop on our journey (3 hrs by paved road). The first Jesuit mission, founded in 1691, also welcomed the first school of music as well as a violin, harp and harpsichord production workshop.
After lunch, we hit the road once more, for the village of Concepción, 70 km east. (1 hour away)
On the road, we stop at a place called "Piedras de Paquió", a collection of huge rocks, some of them balancing on each other.
Evening open.
Lunch included. Dinner open. Hotel.

Day 2: CONCEPCION - SAN JAVIER – SANTA CRUZ

In the morning, visit to the church and to the museum of the Missions, located at the house of Gral, the home of General Hugo Banzer Suarez (dictator, then President of Bolivia during the years 1970 and 1990).
Lunch at Concepción.
Return to San Javier and to Santa Cruz by the end of the afternoon.
Lunch included. Dinner-free time. Hotel.

PROGRAM # 2: OF THE MISSIONS IN 3 DAYS

Day 1: SANTA CRUZ - CONCEPCION

Departure from the hotel, in our private vehicle at 7 a.m. for Conception. Visit to the church and the museum to the Missions, located at the house of Gral, the home of General Hugo Banzer Suarez (dictator, then President of Bolivia during the years 1970 and 1990).
This museum houses the original scores, which were written and performed at the mission. The preservation and transmission of these documents are due to the efforts of the indiginous people after the expulsion of the Jesuits by the Spanish royalty in 1767.
Walk to the laguna Sapocó at the end of the day, option of a swim.
Lunch and dinner included. Hotel.

Day 2:CONCEPCION – SAN IGNACIO – SANTA ANA – SAN RAFAEL - SAN MIGUEL – SAN IGNACIO

Morning departure towards San Ignacio de Velasco (2½-hour on a dirt track). Today our itinerary consists of a loop of about 4-hour drive total, which successively takes us to the discovery of the Missions of Santa Ana, San Rafael and San Miguel before finally returning to San Ignacio de Velasco in the late afternoon.
Lunch and dinner included. Hotel.

Day 3:SAN IGNACIO – SAN JAVIER - SANTA CRUZ

In the morning we visit the San Ignacio church. We then depart for San Javier in our private 4WD. San Javier was the first Jesuit Mission, founded in 1691; there, we find the first music school as well as a workshop where violins, harps, and harpsichords where confectioned…
Return to Santa Cruz at the end of the day.
Lunch included. Dinner open. Hotel.

PROGRAM # 3: TOUR OF THE MISSIONS IN 4 DAYS

Day 1: SANTA CRUZ - CONCEPCION

Departure from the hotel, in our private vehicle at 7 a.m. for Conception. Visit to the church and the museum to the Missions, located at the house of Gral, the home of General Hugo Banzer Suarez (dictator, then President of Bolivia during the years 1970 and 1990).
This museum houses the original scores, which were written and performed at the mission. The preservation and transmission of these documents are due to the efforts of the indiginous people after the expulsion of the Jesuits by the Spanish royalty in 1767.
Walk to the laguna Sapocó at the end of the day, option of a swim.
Lunch and dinner included. Hotel.

Day 2:CONCEPCION – SAN IGNACIO – SANTA ANA – SAN RAFAEL - SAN MIGUEL – SAN IGNACIO

Morning departure towards San Ignacio de Velasco (2½-hour on a dirt track). Today our itinerary consists of a loop of about 4-hour drive total, which successively takes us to the discovery of the Missions of Santa Ana, San Rafael and San Miguel before finally returning to San Ignacio de Velasco in the late afternoon.
Lunch and dinner included. Hotel.

Day 3:SAN IGNACIO – SANTA ANA – SAN JAVIER

In the morning, we return to our vehicle to go visit the oldest of all the missions: Santa Ana. The construction of the church was first started by the jesuits but the indigenous people finished it. This charming village maintains strong traditions.
In the afternoon, we return towards San Javier (long haul).
Lunch and dinner included. Hotel.

Day 4:SAN IGNACIO - SANTA CRUZ

Return to Santa Cruz (10 h on a dirt road), via Concepción and San Javier. Lunch included. Dinner open. Hotel.

PROGRAM # 4: TOUR OF THE MISSIONS + SAN JOSÉ DE CHIQUITOS IN 4 DAYS

Day 1: SANTA CRUZ - SAN JAVIER - CONCEPCION

Departure from the hotel, in our private vehicle at 8:30 a.m. for San Javier, first stop of our trip (3 hours on a paved road). First Jesuit Mission, founded in 1691, it also hosted the first music school, as well as a workshop dedicated to the fabrication of violins, harps, harpsichord…
After lunch, we get back on the road and head towards the village of Concepción, 70km to the East (1h30).
On the way, we stop at the “Piedras de Paquió”, geological formations or balanced rocks.
End of the day open.
Lunch and dinner included. Hotel.

DAY 2: CONCEPCION – SAN IGNACIO

In the morning, visit of the church and of the Mission’s museum, located in the house in which was born General Hugo Banzer (dictator then President of Bolivia in the 70th and the 90th). This museum exhibits the original partitions written and played in the missions. We owe their preservation to the Indians themselves that kept and transmitted these documents after the expatriation of the Jesuits from the Spanish kingdom in 1767.
Lunch in Concepción. Early afternoon departure for San Ignacio (2h30 of dirt road).
End of the day open. Lunch included. Dinner open. Hotel.
The church, destroyed in 1948, was entirely rebuilt in 2001.

Day 3: SAN IGNACIO – SAN MIGUEL – SAN RAFAEL - SANTA ANA – SAN JOSE DE CHIQUITOS

We leave early in the morning for San Miguel and San Rafael. The wealth of the missions contrasts with the calm of the forgotten villages. We continue on to Santa Ana, which mission was finished by the local indigenous people after the departure of the Jesuits.
After lunch, we take a long dirt track across the Mennonite country until we reach San José de Chiquitos. The low afternoon light on the mission will please photographers.
Lunch included. Dinner open. Hotel.

Day 4: SAN JOSÉ DE CHIQUITOS – SANTA CRUZ

The village of San José, dominated by Mount Turubo, is located a few kilometers away from the site where the city of Santa Cruz was originally founded. Rapidly, the town was moved, to become the metropolis we know today.
In the morning, we visit the missionary complex, contrasting strongly with the rest of the ones on our circuit. The absence of large trees in the area meant that the buildings had to be built out of stones. We then follow the railroad track of the “Oriente” linking Santa Cruz to Brazil. After crossing the bridge over the Río Grande (same bridge as for the train!), we find ourselves on the paved road leading to Santa Cruz (8 hours of dirt road from San José).
Lunch included. Dinner open. Hotel.

Included

- Spanish speaking guide
- Entrance to parks and cultural places mentioned in program
- Private transport
- Spanish-speaking driver
- 2/4-star hotels in twin room including breakfast
- Meals mentioned

Not included

- Individual equipment
- Mandatory travel insurance
- Drinks
- Tips
- Open meals mentioned, (from 3 to 8 € per person / meal).

General sales conditions

Your trip will be confirmed once we receive a deposit of 30% of the total amount on our Bolivian account or on our web site (Visa card icon on the top right; enter your name as the reference). The balance must be paid upon arrival in Bolivia in American dollars or Euros.

Prepare for your trip

Travel advice Bolivia
General Sales Conditions
Equipment

Emergencies

In case of major problem during your stay (delay, strike, traffic accident…), an emergency contact will be at your disposal to reach a member of our team:
(010) 712 57 378

Important

- As a security measure, each traveler needs to provide photocopies of passport and individual insurance documentation.
- If you are planning to travel to Brazil, please note that the Brazilian authorities request the yellow fever vaccine certificate to all travelers coming from Bolivia. If you do not leave the transit zone at the airport, it is not required.

Contact us to get the fares