Mennonites tour in Bolivia

A Mennonites tour to experience the way of life of a colony of religious people with traditions similar to the Amish. The Mennonites are one of the many ethnic groups in Bolivia. They are religious community of European descent, committed to community-based agriculture, social discipline and pacifism.

This trip combines a visit to the old Jesuit Mission village of San Jose de Chiquitos, a visit to the imposing red rock called Chochis and a visit to the Mennonite colony Villa Esperanza.

While you enjoy the nature’s splendor of the surroundings we will introduce you to this hard working people on their every day life and chores.

Read more about the Mennonites and the Jesuit Missions in Bolivia.

REFERENCE PROGRAM

Day 1

Santa Cruz – San José de Chiquitos- Chochis (-/L/D)

Early in the morning we will pick you up from your hotel in Santa Cruz and we will head off to Cotoca, a village close to Santa Cruz. When interested you can briefly visit the church of Cotoca. Afterwards we will continue our journey to the Mission of San José de Chiquitos, 289 km from the city of Santa Cruz. Upon arrival in San Jose we can visit ‘Santa Cruz La Vieja’, the place where the city of Santa Cruz was originally founded and ‘el Mirador’, a look out point. The landscape is really beautiful here.

We will have lunch and afterwards drive towards a red rock called ‘El Chochis’. El Chochis is surrounded by a beautiful landscape. At El Chochis you can visit Santuario Mariano de la Torre, a religious sanctuary and memorial built to commemorate the victims of a flood. We will the return to San Jose de Chiquitos where we can visit the Mission of San Jose and have dinner. We will spend the night in San Jose.

Day 2

San José de Chiquitos – Mennonite Colony Villa Esperanza- Santa Cruz  (B/L)

After breakfast we will continue our trip towards the Mennonite colony Villa Esperanza, located 45 km from San José (2.5 hour drive), the main destination of our Mennonites tour.

Not all Mennonite colonies are open to visitors, but this colony is a bit more ‘open’ than others. The people living in Villa Esperanza don’t use electricity. Their form of transport is with a horse and wagon. The men generally work on the land where they cultivate soya amongst other crops. The women work at home or in small fabrics where they make marmalade, cheese and cookies. Make sure you try some when you are there! After visiting Villa Esperanza we will head back to San Jose where we will have lunch and after lunch we will return to Santa Cruz, where we will drop you off at your hotel.

TIP: Besides the Mennonites tour would you be interested in a more extensive visit through the complete Jesuit Missions route in Bolivia? You can take a 3 or 4 days trip we can also include a visit to a Mennonites colony.

Please contact us for more information or to make a reservation.

This package includes:

• Private transport in a comfortable car with A/C
• An overnight stay in a comfortable hotel
• Entrance fees
• Snacks and mineral water
• Lunch and dinner on day 1 and breakfast and lunch on day 2
• Local Spanish speaking guide where available

This package does not include:

• Drinks (during meals)
• Tips

What to bring with you:

• Sun glasses
• Sun cream
• Cap (against the sun)
• Shirt with long sleeves and long trousers
• Swimming clothes / towel
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Insect repellent
• Cash money (Bolivianos)

Please follow the instructions of the driver/guide.

Please do not take pictures within the Mennonite colony without asking for authorization first.