Itinerary

The Jesuit Missions of the Chiquitos have endured for more than three centuries, inspiring admiration for the architecture of their mestizo Baroque‑style temples, which feature paintings, murals, splendid golden altars, colossal wooden columns, and a variety of beautiful carvings that adorn the retables, pulpits, and choir stalls. The churches emulate European constructions thanks to the influence of the mission architect, Jesuit Martín Schmid, who, working together with indigenous people, built these impressive churches, where the technique learned by the natives becomes art enriched with their own visions.

• Departure at 07:30 heading for the Jesuit Missions of San Xavier – Concepción.
• Along the way we will pass through several towns in the eastern lowlands such as Puerto Paila, Pailón (the first gateway to the Jesuit missions), San Ramón, and San Xavier where we will conduct our first mission tour. San Javier was the first mission founded by the Jesuits on 31 December 1691; it later hosted one of the music schools and workshops for instrument making of the era. Its vocation is agricultural, livestock‑raising, and tourism; it serves as the entrance gate to the Jesuit Missions circuit. Its urban setting creates an ideal environment that highlights the majesty of the mission complex. On the feast of “Saint Peter and Saint Paul” the impressive Yaritus ritual is celebrated, declared Departmental Intangible Cultural Heritage.
• We will pass Las Piedras del Paquio, where we will observe a buffalo breeding farm, and then continue our journey to San Ignacio, arriving at 20:00.

• We start a very intense day with our transfer to the missions of San Miguel, San Rafael and a tour of the Chiquitos Missionary Temples, surrounded by abundant wildlife and the vegetation of this paradisiacal region.
• In the afternoon we will do the Missionary tour in the town of San Ignacio de Velasco, founded in 1748; it is the largest municipality in the Chiquitania, keeping customs and traditions alive both in the town and its surrounding communities. One of its main attractions is its artisanal workshops and the Guapomó Dam.
• Finally we will travel to the town of Concepción, a 4‑hour journey.

• After breakfast we begin our visit to Concepción, which in the past was one of the most important Jesuit missions. The Concepción missionary complex is called “the missionary jewel,” surrounded by lush nature. Concepción is a benchmark for biodiversity and was declared an “Orchid Sanctuary” because of the great variety of this flower in its natural habitat. The famous “Concepción Orchid Festival” is held annually in October.
• We will visit the Anthropological Museum, the Missionary Church, its craft centers, and finally the Zapoco Dam.
• In the afternoon we return to Santa Cruz.