Bolivia Expedition: July 12 - 16, 2010
Above dates reflect the actual work week of the expedition.
Individual itineraries may vary depending on additional tours.
$1198.00 USD + Airfare + Any Desired Cultural Tour (See Below)*
 BOLIVIA
Bolivia’s cherished namesake is the one and only Simón Bolívar, a historical figure whom we could call the “George Washington” of
South America. Bolívar envisioned a confederation of Andean States unified under one banner, a dream that has never been manifested.
Landlocked by an undesirable outcome in a territorial dispute with Perú and Chile, and plagued with corruption, Bolivians have
struggled with persistent economic and social ills since their nation’s inception. Despite its classical demographic status as the poorest
nation in the Western Hemisphere (recently usurped by Haití), Bolivia boasts an astonishing diversity of terrain, ecosystems, music, art,
literature, cuisine, and people: the largest percentage of surviving indigenous population of any American nation. 55% of Bolivians are
indigenous (Quechua/Aymara) and 85% are of indigenous descent. Needless to say, this country is an ecological and ethnological gem,
and a traveler’s paradise. Westerners may feel like extraterrestrials walking in an enchanting, unfamiliar world. Did I mention Santa
Cruz’s balmy, tropical climate?
WHAT IS ASCEND DOING IN BOLIVIA?
We at ASCEND Alliance are especially proud of our Bolivia Operation, our favorite success story. Despite the aforementioned societal
ills, our Santa Cruz office continues to flourish and achieve success in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. Focused in the
La Guardia municipality on the outskirts of the city, local Ascend staff, volunteers and interns work closely with Bolivians struggling in
poverty. Ongoing projects are underway in our four project specialization areas: Health, Education, Simple Technology and Microenterprise.
Agreements and collaboration with the municipal government and our valuable local sponsors and donors allow us to stretch
donations from the US to their maximum potential, increasing our impact and sense of community on the global scale. Our flagship
Ascend Business Training (ABT) programs have achieved income increases of over 400% for graduates. Participants are continually involved
with teachers and mentors in a support system that allows them to realize their full potential. Ascend Bolivia is a great example
of sustainable humanitarian development, and how through cooperation and dedication, we can make a lasting impact. Not to mention
our annual Bolivia Gala, which has grown exponentially each year, involving Santa Cruz residents to the point that the Bolivia office
is now raising 50% of its annual budget in country…and having a great time doing it!
THE EXPEDITION - WHAT WILL I DO?
The expedition is centered around completing the construction of the Nueva Esperanza (New Hope) School in La Guardia Community,
sponsored by the Park City 5. As always, Ascend has a multitude of projects in progress in Bolivia, and participants will also have the
opportunity to work in reforestation projects (ecological re-planting of trees in local deforested areas), and a medical campaign conducted
by local and visiting physicians to service marginalized communities. People of all skill sets are needed.
On the fun side of things, participants will attend the Ascend Bolivia Gala, a night of music, cuisine, dancing and friends. This is a great
opportunity to experience Bolivian culture, get to know the locals and ASCEND’s Bolivian operation. We’re also offering a Santa Cruz
Cultural City Tour.
*Explore/Learn: Expedition Participants have the option to add a Cultural Tour Package. These are all-inclusive. For this expedition,
we have two options and prices/descriptions are included here:
Salar de Uyuni $300.00 USD
You’ll feel like you’re on the moon. With flamingos: Salar de Uyuni (or Salar de Tunupa) is the world’s largest salt flat at 10,582
square kilometers (4,086 sq mi). It is located in the Potosi and Oruro departments in southwest Bolivia, near the crest of the Andes,
and is elevated 3,656 meters (11,990 ft) above the mean sea level. The Salar was formed as a result of transformations between
several prehistoric lakes. It is covered by a few meters of salt crust, which has an extraordinary flatness with the average altitude
variations within one meter over the entire area of the Salar. The crust serves as a source of salt and covers a pool of brine, which
is exceptionally rich in lithium. It contains 50 to 70% of the world’s lithium reserves, but that lithium is not being extracted yet.
The large area, clear skies and exceptional surface flatness make the Salar an ideal object for calibrating the altimeters of the Earth
observation satellites. The Salar serves as the major transport route across the Bolivian Altiplano and is a major breeding ground for
several species of pink flamingos
Lake Titicaca $400.00 USD
A repository of mysteries from an ancient civilization: Lake Titicaca is a lake located on the border of Peru and Bolivia. It sits 3,812 m
(12,500 ft) above sea level, making it one of the highest commercially navigable lakes in the world. By volume of water, it is also the
largest lake in South America.
Iguazu Falls $500.00 USD
Gnarlier than Niagra: The waterfall system consists of 275 falls along 2.7 kilometers (1.67 miles) of the Iguazu River. Some of the
individual falls are up to 82 meters (269 ft) in height, though the majority are about 64 metres (210 ft). The Devil’s Throat (Garganta
del Diablo in Spanish or Garganta do Diabo in Portuguese), a U-shaped, 82-meter-high, 150-meter-wide and 700-meter-long (490
by 2300 feet) cataract, is the most impressive of all, and marks the border between Argentina and Brazil. Two thirds of the falls are
within Argentine territory.
WHAT IF I DON’T KNOW SPANISH?
Spanish fluency is not a requirement. Sure, it would be helpful, but we’ll have an expedition leader, guides, in country staff and Spanish-
speaking participants on call 24/7 to interpret. Attempting to bridge the language barrier will be one of the most exciting parts of
your expedition!
WHERE ARE WE STAYING?
At the Buganvillas Hotel, an Ascend Bolivia partner. Guests will be comfortable in these ample accommodations, which include cable
TV, air conditioning, a pool, soccer, tennis and volleyball courts, a spa/salon, a restaurant, etc. It will be a great place to relax after
tough days out in the field, and a “slight” improvement from our schoolroom floor camping accommodations last summer in the chilly
hills of Galte San Juan, Ecuador. The hotel is centrally located and participants will be shuttled to and from project sites everyday.
WHAT ABOUT BOOKING AIRFARE?
We highly suggest that participants book through us, as soon as possible in order to obtain optimal flights and prices. Ascend will book
it for you at no additional cost.
DO I NEED A VISA? HOW DO I GET IT?
Yes. It might seem a bit steep but it is well worth the price. Here’s how: Translated from http://www.bolivia-usa.org/ (The Bolivian
Embassy’s Official Website):
VISA APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
- Fill out form: Declaración Jurada de solicitud de Visa*. A passport photo will be needed.
- Present a valid passport.
- A copy of a hotel reservation or a letter from friends or family indicating the address where
you’ll be staying.
- A copy of a plane ticket OUT of Bolivia or a copy of one’s “Travel Itinerary.”
- Proof of economic solvency: a copy of a credit card or a bank account statement.
- Copy of the Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate.
- The visa cost: $135.00 USD, non-refundable.
Anyone over the age of 12 months that enters Bolivian territory must present an International Yellow Fever Vaccine Certificate. If a physician
determines that for some reason a person should not receive this vaccine, a document certifying this condition must be presented,
translated into Spanish. The applicant should carry an extra copy of this document to present to customs upon entering Bolivia.
People can use a site such as this one to expedite the visa ahead of time: http://www.passportvisasexpress.com/visas/visa-to-bolivia.xml,
or coordinate directly with the Embassy (slower), or just obtain the visa in the airport upon arrival (slowest).
Also, ASCEND can facilitate the visa process. Contact Caleb: 801.478.0059 or caleb@ascendalliance.org. In any case, participants should
obtain and provide ASCEND with a copy of the visa by May 12, 2010. We recommend initiating this process as early as possible.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
Please call Caleb Braley at Ascend HQ with any questions: 801.478.0059 or caleb@ascendalliance.org.
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