The Jesuit Missions
In Bolivia
The Jesuit Missions In Bolivia, in the colonial era of South America, regions were controlled or divided between Spanish and Portugueses. A big portion was remained untapped until the end of the seventeenth century.
When Spanish Crown, sent the Jesuits to founded several Jesuit missions in the regions that are now known as El Beni And Santa Cruz in Bolivia. The Spanish intention was economic among other interests and to sit presence of the crown in the "conquered" regions since the Portugueses were approaching by what is now known as Brazil
The Jesuits among others abilities new a lot about architecture so they forced local people to constructed the churches.
The natives new much about music, but they were also forced to sing and play the notes brought by the Jesuits. Consequently this was another great mutation to native culture.
After the expulsion of the Jesuits from the Spanish colonies, most of the missions were abandoned and deteriorated. In this link you can access to the updated touristic itineraries
The Jesuit missions of the Chiquitania are unique in the preservation of their original structure, with the arrival of Hans Roth this conservation was essential to be able to achieve a reconstruction with in its original lines of the temples. The restoration project began in 1972.
In January 1950 the Jesuit Missions of the Chiquitos were declared a National Monument of Bolivia by Decreto Supremo.
By Law No. 2164 of 18 December 2000 the Jesuit Missions In Bolivia were declared Historical and Cultural Monuments of Bolivia, and Cultural, Historical and Religious Heritage by the Autonomous Department of Santa Cruz.
The Jesuit Missions
In Bolivia Tours
Amboro Tours offers trips to the jesuit missions in Bolivia. These tour duration que be a full day, 3 or more days through the jesuit missions of La Chiquitania or to San Ignacio de Moxos.
Jesuit churches of the Chiquitania
UNESCO
United Nations Educational
Scientific Cultural Organization
The Jesuit Missions In Bolivia, in 1990 UNESCO declared six Jesuit Missions Bolivia World Heritage Site. These Jesuit Mission of Chiquitos are; San Francisco Javier, Concepcion, Santa Ana, San Miguel, San Rafael and San Jose. These reductions were founded by the Jesuits in a style that fueses Catholic architecture with local traditions in the years between 1696 and 1760.
International Festival of American
Renaissance and Baroque Music
The Jesuit Missions In Bolivia. APAC established the International Festival of American Renaissance and Baroque Music in these towns in 1996.
The festival celebrates a dynamic cultural heritage in the towns where it originated and is still maintained. The music they perform was composed or arranged by natives of the area, for whom this music plays a fundamental role in their cultural life
The Jesuit Missions In Bolivia
Tours
New Updated Itineraries
1st Option:
2 Days 1 Night
7 Missionary Villages
2nd Option:
2.5 Days 2 Nights
7 Missionary Villages
3rd Option:
2.5 Days 2 Nights
4 Missionary Villages
Others Itineraries;
- 1 Day 0 Nights
- 2 Days 1 Night
- 3 Days 2 Nights
- 4 Days 3 Nights
- 4 Days 3 Nights Combo-Santiago Chiquitos Route
- Photos
- Videos
- Chiquitania; Maps
What to Bring ......?
7 Jesuit Missions of Chiquitos
2 Days 1 Night Tour
Private transport
From the city of Santa Cruz
The towns known today as missions were actually reductions created by the Jesuits of the time to reduce the different languages, religious beliefs, and the rich culture of the tribes to the minimum expression governed by the Jesuits.
On this tour, there will be a local guide in San Javier and/or Concepción, depending on availability.
Day 1
Pickup from your hotel at 5H00 AM to start the journey on a paved road, with some sections under repair, heading to San Javier. The estimated arrival time at the missionary town of San Javier is 10H30.
In San Javier, the museum and the church of the missionary town are visited.
After San Javier, the next missionary town, which is actually another reduction, is Concepción, located approximately 1.5 hours away on the same paved road.
In Concepción, the museum and the town's church are also visited.
Lunch in Concepción.
From Concepción, we head to San Ignacio de Velasco, where we estimate arriving in approximately 3 hours. Once in San Ignacio de Velasco, we continue towards San Miguel to visit the church of this missionary town.
Return to San Ignacio for dinner and overnight stay in a tourist or superior accommodation, depending on the package booked in advance.
Day 2
After breakfast, we departure to the town of San Ana de Velasco on the route to San Rafael.
On all these routes, they are working on paving, so some sections are dirt and others are paved. During the rainy season, this road can be difficult in some parts until the paving works are completed.
In Santa Ana, if the church is closed, it is necessary to locate the right person to gain access.
Santa Ana is near San Rafael, where we hope to find the church open; otherwise, we have to find who has the keys, which can sometimes be a bit challenging.
After San Rafael, we start the journey to San José de Chiquitos on the same route where paving works are ongoing.
We estimate arriving in San José de Chiquitos around 2:00 PM. If arrival in San José de Chiquitos is on a Sunday, there may be issues accessing the museum and church, so this second day should not be a Sunday or holiday.
After lunch, we return to the city of Santa Cruz on a paved road.
Estimated arrival in Santa Cruz is at 9:00 PM.
End of Amboro Tours services.
7 Jesuit Missions of Chiquitos
2.5 Days 2 Nights Tour
Private transport
From the city of Santa Cruz
The towns known today as missions were actually reductions created by the Jesuits of the time to reduce the different languages, religious beliefs, and the rich culture of the tribes to the minimum expression governed by the Jesuits.
On this tour, there will be a local guide in San Javier and/or Concepción, depending on availability.
1/2 Day
Departure from Santa Cruz at 12H:00 . Arrival in the town of San José de Chiquitos at approximately 17H:00.
After accommodation in a hostel or hotel in the town, visit museum and the missionary church.
If necessary, there will also be a second opportunity to visit the museum and the church the next day.
Overnight stay in San José de Chiquitos in tourist or superior accommodation, depending on the package booked.
1st Day
After breakfast, if it was not possible to visit the church or museum of San José de Chiquitos the previous day, it will be done in the morning before departing to the other Jesuit towns.
This route is in the process of being paved, so some sections are dirt and others are paved. In case of rain and if the paving works are not completed, it may be a problem to follow the original itinerary of this tour.
Departure to San Rafael, arriving in approximately 3 hours. If the church is closed, it is necessary to find the person with the keys.
After San Rafael, we visit Santa Ana. If the church is closed, it is necessary to find the right person to gain access.
From San Rafael, we head to San Miguel, then continue to San Ignacio de Velasco.
Overnight stay in San Ignacio de Velasco in tourist or superior accommodation, depending on the package booked.
2nd Day
After breakfast, departure to Concepción on a paved road, arriving in approximately 3 hours.
In Concepción, visit the museums and the missionary church. We plan to have lunch in Concepción before departing to San Javier, arriving in approximately 1.5 hours.
In San Javier, we visit the museum and the missionary church.
After this last missionary town, we depart to the city of Santa Cruz, arriving at approximately 20H:00.
Once in the city of Santa Cruz, drop-off at your hotel.
End of Amboro Tours services.
4 Missionary Towns + Chochis
The Jesuit Missions in Chiquitos
2.5 Days 2 Nights Tour
Private transport
From the city of Santa Cruz
The towns known today as missions were actually reductions created by the Jesuits of the time to reduce the different languages, religious beliefs, and the rich culture of the tribes to the minimum expression governed by the Jesuits.
On this tour, there will be a local guide in San José de Chiquitos, depending on availability.
1/2 Day
Departure from Santa Cruz at 12H00.
Arrival in the town of San José de Chiquitos at approximately 17H00 .
After accommodation in a hostel or hotel in San José, visit the museum and the church.
If necessary, there will also be an opportunity to visit the museum and the church the next day.
Overnight stay in San José de Chiquitos in a hostel or superior accommodation, depending on the package booked.
1st Day
After breakfast, if it was not possible to visit the church of San José de Chiquitos the previous day, it will be done in the morning before departing to the other missionary towns.
This other route is in the process of being paved, so some sections are dirt and others are paved. In case of rain and if the paving works are not completed, it will not be a problem because from San José, we switch to a 4x4 vehicle.
Early departure to visit the 3 missionary churches of Chiquitos, the first destination being San Rafael, arriving in approximately 2.5 hours. If the church is not open, it is necessary to find the person with the keys to gain access.
After San Rafael, visit Santa Ana, where it is also necessary to contact the person in charge of the church.
San Miguel is located about 1 hour further. In San Miguel, access to the church is also sought. Then return to San José de Chiquitos, arriving at approximately 8:00 PM.
Overnight stay in San José de Chiquitos.
2nd Day
After breakfast, a visit to the native community of Taperás, located about 45 km away on a paved road, is planned. Alternatively, visit the small tourist town of Chochis to see the Mariano De La Torre Shrine, built by the Jesuit Hans Roth, who also directed the reconstruction of the Jesuit missions in Chiquitos.
Lunch is planned in San José de Chiquitos before returning to the city of Santa Cruz.
Estimated arrival back in Santa Cruz is at approximately19H00. Then, drop-off at your hotel.
End of Amboro Tours services.
Others Itineraries
1 Day 0 Nights
The Jesuit Missions of Chiquitos
San Javier and Concepcion
From The City of Santa Cruz
1 Day 0 Night
The Jesuit Missions In Bolivia tour. At 7H30 a.m. or 7H00 we will pick you up to take you to the town of Concepcion located 280 kilometers away This trip will be done on a paved road, passing by several towns and villages of migrants people from the high lands of Bolivia and Mennonites colonies.
This trip is crossing an agricultural area, which grows soybean, sunflower, and several types of other grains. There, we can also realize the relentless advance of the agricultural frontier from 30 Kilometers (48.38 Miles) off Santa Cruz. The trip to Concepcion takes approximately 5 hours.
Jesuit Missions Bolivia -Road MapOn the way we will stop in San Javier on 542 meters on sea level. In San Javier, a town with indigenous background, founded in the year 1691 by the Jesuits.
We visit its famous Jesuit church and the museum in company of a specialist guide, who will explain us some details of the work done by the natives and the Jesuits.
Lunch in San Javier (or in Concepción) Then we continue to Concepcion.
On the way to Concepcion we may stop in more than one place along the road. But in one in special called "Las Piedras" name given to it because the huge rocks are very striking in this private property with a nice lake and beutiful landscape
.Concepcion is on 534 meters above sea level and its inhabitants are mostly Chiquitano background. And other tribes gathered here the time of the Jesuits, although there are also people of foreign background
The Jesuit Missions In Bolivia. This town was founded by the Jesuits in the year 1708 with 10 different tribes, each of these tribes then spoke different languages and worship different gods, each of these gods represented the nature.
In this town we will visit the Museum, and the church with a guide. Also this guide will tell us different details of the work done by the Jesuits. After this we return to the city of Santa Cruz, where we will be arriving at night time.
End of our services. Thanks.
The Jesuit Missions In Bolivia, Itineraries
Amboro Tours is the only original source of this Itinerary.
We also offer The Jesuit Missions of Chiquitos itineraries of more days
Adverse climatological conditions or social unrest can change the original itinerary.
2 Days 1 Night
The Jesuit Missions In Bolivia
San Javier and Concepcion -
From The City of Santa Cruz
2 Days 01Night
The Jesuit Missions In Bolivia tour starts at 8H30 a.m. we will pick you up to take you to the town of Concepcion located 280 kilometers away This trip will be done on a paved road, passing by several towns and villages of migrants people from the high lands of Bolivia and Mennonites colonies.
This trip is crossing an agricultural area, which grows soybean, sunflower, and several types of other grains. There, we can also realize the relentless advance of the agricultural frontier from 30 Kilometers (48.38 Miles) off Santa Cruz. The trip to Concepcion takes approximately 5 hours.
On the way we will stop in San Javier on 542 meters on sea level. In San Javier, a town with indigenous background, founded in the year 1691 by the Jesuits.
We visit its famous Jesuit church and the museum in company of a specialist guide, who will explain us some details of the work done by the natives and the Jesuits.
Lunch in San Javier or in Concepción. Then we continue to Concepcion.
On the way to Concepcion we may stop in more than one place along the road. But in one in special called "Las Piedras" name given to it because the huge rocks are very striking in this private property with a nice lake and beutiful landscape
Concepcion is on 534 meters above sea level and its inhabitants are mostly Chiquitanos´ background. And other tribes gathered here the time of the Jesuits, although there are also people of foreign background
This town was founded by the Jesuits in the year 1708 with 10 different tribes, each of these tribes then spoke different languages and worship different gods, each of these gods represented the nature.
Once In this town we will drive you to your hosting place.
The visit to Museum, and the church with a specialist guide could be done today or tomorow morning. It depends on the arrival time and others factors.
During the tour in Concepcion guide will tell us different details of the work done by the Jesuits. After this we return to the city of Santa Cruz, where we will be arriving at night time.
Dinner and ovenight in Concepcion
2nd Day
If we took the tour to the church and to the museum the day before. Today after breakfast at 9:00 we will go to the craft work shops or to a place call El Orquidiario. (Orchid´s place) Also we can visit the dam of the town.
We need to leave Concepcion towards Santa Cruz about noon.
We will reach Santa Cruz about 17:00 hours to bring you to your place.
End of our services
The Jesuit Missions In Bolivia
Thank you
The Jesuit Missions In Bolivia
The Jesuit Missions of Chiquitos in Bolivia
The Jesuit Missions In Bolivia, the first Jesuit missionaries arrived in what is now Bolivia (then known as Upper Peru) in 1572, having moved eastward from the Viceroyalty of Peru, where they had been established since 1568. They were preceded by other orders, amongst them the Augustinians, Dominicans, Franciscans, and Mercedarians. The Jesuits had petitioned the Spanish Crown for permission to enter its holdings in the New World for three decades before it finally was granted in 1566 by Phillip II, while the Portuguese King John III had given them leave to enter Brazil in 1549. For the first hundred years or so, the Jesuits invariably accompanied the Spanish military and were residents of its scattered garrisons. They were not authorized to establish frontier settlements without approval of the civil authorities, which, needless to say (given the authorities' suspicions of the Jesuits' motives) never happened.
These early missionaries were almost exclusively native Spaniards. For the most part, they attended to the spiritual needs of the colonists in the arid Altiplano, around Lake Titicaca, and in the cities of La Paz, Potosí, and La Plata (present-day Sucre), where they established chapter houses, churches, and schools, the earliest being that of La Paz, built in 1572 (although not opened until a decade later). In 1587, three Jesuits reached the remote far eastern outpost of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, at that time located near present-day San José de Chiquitos. (It moved to its present location in 1621.) The following year, the Jesuit Fr. Diego Martínez began sporadic evangelisation of the nearby Itatine tribe. Other tribes, almost of them lingustically part of the Chiquitano (also known early on as Gorgotoqui) or Tupi Guaraní groups, soon were converted, with only the Chiriguano showing consistent hostility.
The first chapter house in Santa Cruz was set up in 1592, and in 1605, the settlement was elevated to the ecclesiastical status of a bishopric (what we would call a diocese now). For many years, the Jesuits continued their peripatetic work in the region alongside the other missionary orders. Nowadays you won't find many Jesuits in the Chiquitania (although there are a few there). The Franciscans have been the main influence since 1931 - they were present in neighbouring Chuquisaca Department and throughout the Chaco from as far back as 1540 - and continue to staff the Apostolic Vicariate of Ñuflo de Chávez (headquartered in Concepción) and the recently erected Diocese of San Ignacio de Velasco (as well as other area parishes, including Ascensión de Guarayos) to this day. An apostolic vicariate is similar to a diocese, except that for various reasons - scarcity of clergy or other resources, huges distances, and so on - it is administered directly by the Holy See through an apostolic vicar (whose responsibilities and powers are very similar to those of a bishop or archbishop).
Nearly a century passed before the Jesuits grudgingly were given the go-ahead to expand into the Chiquitania (originally including the area now known as the Gran Chaco as well). They were already a force to be reckoned with throughout Upper Peru and elsewhere in the Viceroyalty of Peru. They had established no less than 29 settlements in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay alone (which had a total population of more than 100,000 native inhabitants in 1742). In Bolivia, they had been successful as well, with 30 villages established in the west and far northern reaches of the territory by 1705. Another 16 towns had been established between 1682 and 1715 to the northwest of Santa Cruz, amongst the Moxos and Guarayos regions. It is mute testimony to the indomitable courage and faith of the Jesuits - and the peoples they sought to convert - that of all the missions established in these areas, only those of the Chiquitos have survived, and they flourish to this day. The others have long been reduced to ruins.
Some parts - Wikipedia
3 Days 2 Nights
The Jesuit Missions In Bolivia
From the City of Santa Cruz
3 Days 2 Nights
1st Day
The Jesuit Missions In Bolivia tour starts at 8:00A.M. we will pick you up to start the Jesuit missions of Chiquitos tour taking you to the town of San Ignacio located 476 kilometers away (767.74 miles)
This town is on 530 meters above sea level About half of this trip will be done on a paved road, passing by several towns and villages of people that moved from the high lands of bolivia to the low lands of santa Cruz. Also on the way we may see some Mennonitescolonies.
This trip is crossing an agricultural area, which grows soybean, sunflower, and several other types of grains. There, we can also realize the relentless advance of the agricultural frontier from 30 Kilometers (48.38 Miles) off Santa Cruz. The trip to San Ignacio takes approximately 9 hours.
On the way we will stop in San Javier on 542 meters on sea level
San Javier, is a town with indigenousbackground, founded in the year 1691 by the Jesuits.
In this town in company of a guide we will visit its famous Jesuit church and its museum. The guide will tells about how the the work of the jesuits to change the culture of the natives of the Chiquitania and others details about it.
Lunch would be in San Javier or before.
After San Javier we keep going to Concepcion for about 1 hour and a half.
Once in Concepcion the guide will Show us the church and museums and the work done by the native people and the jesuits and about the restauration process in this town
Concepcion is on 534 meters above sea level largely Chiquitanos´ background. And other tribes gathered here the time of the Jesuits, although there are also people of foreign background.
This town was founded by the Jesuits in the year 1708 with 10 different tribes, each of these tribes then spoke different languages and worship different gods, each of these gods represented the nature.
We leave Concepcion as early as we can because we still have a long drive to San Ignaciio de Velasco.
We may be arriving at San Ignacio at about 18:00 hours at or earlierDinner and overnight in San Ignacio de Velasco
2nd Day
If you did not have the time to visit the church of San Ignacio de Velasco the day before we will try to do it today before starting the long trip to San Jose de Chiquitos. Today we may not have a guide to accompany us,
Before arriving at San Jose de Chiquitos we plan to visit the Jesuit churches, in the small towns of San Rafael San Miguel, and/or Santa Ana.
These churches hold much of the original work of the Tribes and Jesuit missionaries.
The first village we visit is San Miguel de Velasco
In San Miguel de Velasco there is a wood workshop and a souvenirs shop. We can also visit these places. You do not have to buy anything.
After San Miguel we drive San Rafael. It is about 40 km on a dirt road.
From San Rafael we have to drive back about 30 Km to visit Santa Ana de Velasco.
Sometimes it is not possible to visit San Javier and Santa Ana during a 3 day tours. In these cases you have to choose between San Miguel and Santa Ana
In Santa Ana we will try to hear some baroque music from the local people.
From Santa Ama we have to go through San Rafael to keep going to San Jose de Chiquitos. Still 170 km down the road.
The total time from San Ignacio until we get to San Jose de Chiquitos can be 6 hours or more.
This depends on the time spent visiting the churches and on the conditions of the roads
Once in San Jose de Chiquitos, we check in at our respective hotels or Hostels. or we go directly to visit the jesuit mission complex which has a museum.
In case the guided tour in San Jose de chiquitos was not possible to do it today. It can be done tomorow.
3rd Day
If the day before the time was not enough to visit the church and the museum of San Jose de Chiquitos. This day is possible to do it after breakfast
Later we headed to the city of Santa Cruz distant about 4 hours away.
The whole road to the city of Santa Cruz is paved.
Lunch would be in a small town 20 km for the city of Santa Cruz or in some other place along the road
After arriving in the ciy of Santa Cruz we take to your hotel.
Some parts of this tour may be change to make it better.
End of our services. Thanks.
The Jesuit Missions of Chiquitos
4 Days 3 Nights - Tour
From the City of Santa Cruz -
4 Days 3 Nights
1st Day
The Jesuit Missions In Bolivia. At 8:00 we pick you up to take you to the town of Concepcion located about 295 kilometros from Santa Cruz
During this trip, and about 40 kilometers after leaving Santa Cruz, we passed through several small towns of people from the highlands of Bolivia (Altiplano) and also we pass close by some Mennonite colonies.
This trip is across a vast agricultural area, where the main production is the Soya, sunflower and other grains in smaller amounts.
Here, about 30 km way from the city of Santa Cruz, you can see the relentless advance of the agricultural frontier.
During this tour we will stop in San Javier, a town with 12,000 or more inhabitants and 542 meters on sea level
In San Javier most people are or have large native background.
This town was founded in 1691 by the Jesuits. In this town we visit the mission church and museum in the company of a guide.
He or She will show us different parts of the church, telling us about contruccion of the missions and the methodology used by the Jesuits to implement the changes in the Chiquitania and their area of influence.
The guide will give us also details of the restoration projects for the Jesuit Missions
Lunch at San Javier or perhaps earlier. Depending on how this trip has been developing.
After San Javier we go to the another missional town. Concepcion, which is located about 60 km more on the way.
Its elevation is 534 meters. And has about 15,000 or more inhabitants most of whom also descendants of the Zamucos or others trbes that were brought here against their will, to found this jesuit reduction
Concepcion was founded in 1708, with the Zamucos and ten others different tribes. Each one of these tribes used to worship different gods all of them represented in the nature of the forest.
In Concepcion in company of a guide, we visit the church and the two museums which are larger than the one in San Javier. Here too, the guide will give you a detailed explanation of the exhibiting objects, with an explanation of the restoration work of the Jesuit churches.
It is also possible we also visit the wooden workshop where the local people make the wood carving.
Dinner and overnight in Concepción. If the first day the time is not enough to visit the church and museums, this can be done the 2nd Day.
2nd Day - The Jesuit Missions of Chiquitos
After breakfast, we may stop at the church one more time for some more photos with a different sunshine angle
Continuing our trip to San Ignacio de Velasco, still 171 km away, which means about 3 or 4 hours because the bad road conditions.
Lunch will be at a simple small restaurant on the road, with only one or two meals to choose from, or it could be once we arrive at San Ignacio. Of course it depends on how you feel at the time.
San Ignacio´s church was redesigned and changed entirety in 1998. Although still keep some original wood work
San Ignacio de Velasco is the only church of the Jesuit Missions of Chiquitos that was not declared world heritage by UNESCO.
The trip to San Miguel will be directly after arriving at San Ignacio depending on the time available to get to San Miguel before noon.
In San Miguel besides visiting the church we may go to the wooden and craft shop of the village, so you can buy some souvenirs right from the woodshop.
Dinner and overnight in San Ignacio.
3st Day
After breakfast and early morning, we start the trip to San Jose de Chiquitos distant 245 kilometers from this town
During this trip we will visit the mission of Santa Ana distant about 40 kilometers of San Ignacio de Velasco.
In village of Santa Ana we will visit the church and also we will try to listen to some interpretation of Baroque music, if the right people is in town.
After Santa Ana, we go to the jesuit mission of San Rafael, located 35 miles from Santa Ana. In San Rafael we have the oppotunity of visting the church of the town.
From San Rafael we keep going yo San Jose de Chiquitos still distant 170 km for travell this day.
The total time since leaving San Ignacio until we get to San Jose de Chiquitos can be 6 hours or more, this depends on the conditions of the roads
Once in San Jose de Chiquitos, we check in at our respective hotels or Hotals. or we go directly to visit the jesuit mission complex which has a museum.
This is a guided tour and includes several rooms where the recent restoration works have been discovered paintings of the Jesuit missionary era and beyond it
A visit to the church of San Jose de Chiquitos and its museum can be considered a final complement to the history of the Jesuits in the Chiquitos.
This museum was inaugurated on February 26th, 2011
Dinner and overnight in San Jose de Chiquitos
4th Day
If the day before the time was not enough to visit the church and the museum of San Jose de Chiquitos. This day is possible to do it after breakfast
Later we headed to the city of Santa Cruz distant about 5 hours away.
The whole road to the city of Santa Cruz is paved.
After arriving in the ciy of Santa Cruz we take to your hotel.
Some parts of this tour may be change to make it better.
End of our services. Thanks. Jesuit Missions Bolivia
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Tours In Bolivia is the only original source of this Itinerary.
Adverse climatologic conditions or social unrest can chage the original itinerary.
Tours In Bolivia is the only original source of this Itinerary
Tours In Bolivia also offers longer and shorter The Jesuit Missions of Chiquitos
Combination- 4 Days 3 Nights
The Jesuit Missions In Bolivia
Santiago de Chiquitos
Chochis Aguas Calientes
From the City of Santa Cruz
4 Days 3 Nights
1st Day
The Jesuit Missions In Bolivia tour at at 8:00 we pick you up to take you to the town of Concepcion located about 295 kilometros from Santa Cruz
During this trip, and about 40 kilometers after leaving Santa Cruz, we passed through several small towns of people from the highlands of Bolivia (Altiplano) and also we pass close by some Mennonite colonies.
This trip is across a vast agricultural area, where the main production is the Soya, sunflower and other grains in smaller amounts.
Here, about 30 km way from the city of Santa Cruz, you can see the relentless advance of the agricultural frontier.
During this tour we will stop in San Javier, a town with 12,000 or more inhabitants and 542 meters on sea level
In San Javier most people are or have large native background.
This town was founded in 1691 by the Jesuits. In this town we visit the mission church and museum in the company of a guide.
He or She will show us different parts of the church, telling us about construction of the missions and the methodology used by the Jesuits to implement the changes in the Chiquitania and their area of influence.
The guide will give us also details of the restoration projects for the Jesuit Missions
Lunch at San Javier or perhaps earlier. Depending on how this trip has been developing.
After San Javier we go to another missional town. Concepcion, which is located about 60 km more on the way.
Its elevation is 534 meters. And has about 15,000 or more inhabitants most of whom also descendants of the Zamucos or others tribes that were brought here against their will, to found this Jesuit reduction
Concepcion was founded in 1708, with the Zamucos and ten others different tribes. Each one of these tribes used to worship different gods all of them represented in the nature of the forest.
In Concepcion in company of a guide, we visit the church and the two museums which are larger than the one in San Javier. Here too, the guide will give you a detailed explanation of the exhibiting objects, with an explanation of the restoration work of the Jesuit churches.
It is also possible we also visit the wooden workshop where the local people make the wood carving.
Dinner and overnight in Concepción. If the first day the time is not enough to visit the church and museums, this can be done the 2nd Day.
2nd Day
After breakfast, we continue our trip to San Ignacio de Velasco, still 171 km away, which means about 3 hours on a paved road
San Ignacio´s church was redesigned and changed entirety in 1998. Although still keep some original wood work
San Ignacio de Velasco is the one of churches of the Jesuit Missions of Chiquitos that was not declared world heritage by UNESCO.
The trip to San Miguel will be directly after arriving at San Ignacio depending on the time available to get to San Miguel before noon.
In San Miguel besides visiting the church we may go to the wooden and craft shop of the village, so you can buy some souvenirs right from the wood shop.
San Jose de Chiquitos distant 245 kilometers from San Igancio de Velasco
During this trip we will visit the mission of Santa Ana distant about 40 kilometers of San Ignacio de Velasco.
In village of Santa Ana we will visit the church and also we will try to listen to some interpretation of Baroque music, if the right people is in town.
After Santa Ana, we go to the jesuit mission of San Rafael, located 35 miles from Santa Ana. In San Rafael we have the opportunity of vesting the Jesuit church of the town.
From San Rafael we keep going yo San Jose de Chiquitos still distant 170 km for travel this day.
The total time since leaving San Ignacio until we get to San Jose de Chiquitos can be 6 hours or more, this depends on the conditions of the roads
Once in San Jose de Chiquitos, we check in at our respective hotel or Hotels. Or we go directly to visit the jesuit mission complex which has a museum.
This is a guided tour in the Museum and includes several rooms where the restoration works have discovered paintings of the Jesuit missionary era and beyond it
A visit to the church of San Jose de Chiquitos and its museum can be considered a final complement to the history of the Jesuits in the Chiquitos.
This museum was inaugurated on February 26th, 2011
Dinner and overnight in San Jose de Chiquitos
3th Day - TThe Jesuit Missions In Bolivia
In the case that for some reason the visit to the church o museum is not possible to do it today we would have to do it on our way back to Santa Cruz City
After breakfast in San Jose de Chiquitos we return to the highway to keep driving to reach Chochis. This small village is located about 90 kilometers from San Jose de Chiquitos
During this trip on the paved highway, we will have the opportunity to appreciate the beautiful red tinted mountains that seems to glow with the sun down reflects on it like. Especially for the first time visitors.
Chochis is on 250 on sea level. And it has about one thousand five hundred inhabitants.
As we get close to Chochis we can see a special mountain named also Chochis (strong wind)
This place is special for people that like the tranquility and the beautiful landscapes
In Chochis we could walk to visit one of its main attractions. Which is the Sanctuary Mariano de la Torre, the distance is only about 3 km. Also if visitors prefer you can go in the car
Sanctuary Mariano de la Torre is a Church was built on a hill and it was designed and by the artifice of the restorations of the Churches of the Jesuit missions of Chiquitos Hans Roth in 1988
Here you can appreciate the ability and talent of this person as well as the his recognition for the nature and for the local tribes, because in this place we can see wood carving showing native species of trees. And a native man and woman in theirs original size
Beside from wood carving what we can see is the usage of large amounts of local construction material. As red stones which seem to be used in all the walls and this looks as a very good combination with the surrounding mountains right outside the building.
After Chochis we get back on the highway towards Aguas Calientes.
Aguas Calientes which is a small community almost on the side of the highway a few blocks block in driving in the community we get to a river known also with the same name of the community. In this river the water have a temperature of approximately 40 ° C with a sandy riverbed.
On both sides of the river in the part where there is no human presence the vegetation is exotic and lush.
This part of the river is called "Los Hervores"
"Los Hervores" (The Boilers) is known like this because there are some places of the river where the depth is below the the knee with small spots of water and sand that seems to boil and the sand bubbles rise to the top of the water current. At these Hervores the temperature seems to be higher than 40 º C. The surface of the sand is not dense enough to support the weight of a person, so some one who step in this parts of the river may suddenly collapse down the whole, but ony half of the body
Although this does not represent any physical thread, you may take care of your photo equipment or similar instruments. These parts are easy to see because the water is very clear
Upstream the river is deeper but still it is hot
Many local and nearby people as well as from the city of Santa Cruz and other parts of the country come to Aguas Calientes looking for to find relief from some physical problems.
Dinner and overnight in Santiago de Chiquitos
4th Day
After breakfast we should start the day with a lot encourage for trekking.
We can start walking right from the village or we can use the vehicle for 3 or 2 kilometers to get closer to the trails. In some parts the trail is uphill.
The treking time this day can be six or seven hours, usually over here the sun is very strong and the vegetation is very low. We recommend you to take all the items you need for this kind of trekking.
The trekking is not fast, rather is slow and always enjoying the great views.
These views are different depending on how heigh you are and on what side of the plateau of Tucabaca Valley.
Once we have walk around the top of Tucavaca Valley we need to get back to the town of Santiago de Chiquitos for lunch.
We may have to have lunch in ´San Jose de Chiquitos to get back to the city at the end of the afernoon
Once in the city of Santa Cruz we drop off at your hotel in down town
End of our services. Thanks.
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Tours In Bolivia is the only original source of this Itinerary.
Adverse climatologic conditions or social unrest can chage the original itinerary.
What To Bring ?
The Jesuit Missions In Bolivia
- Sunscreen
- A Cap or a Hat ( No to be used under the trees or branches)
- Sun Glasses
- A Warm Sweater
- Raincoa
- Insect Repellents
- Long-sleeved shirt- Pants
- Passport (Original) Or identifications documents valid in Bolivia
- Plastic bags to protect whatever you do not want to get wet
- Proper Shoes.
- Bring your own medication for your personal needs
- Personal items you may need
- Extra food, cookies or sweets of your choice
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Some parts of this text are from; Wiki Travel
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