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Cerro Rico - Itinerary
After getting picked up from downtown and before reaching the “Cerro Rico” (Rich Hill), make a little stop at the Mining Market, the most attractive in the area. Have some free time to buy some dynamite, alcohol and coca leaves as a present for miners to be visited inside the mine.
The mines visited are located at the base of the historical Rich Hill of Potosí. Inside, appreciate the system of miners’ work that has not suffered great changes after so much time of exploitation.
Touring the different galleries and interior levels of the mines, visitors can meet some places where the miners built statues that represent to their gods as The Uncle of the Mine (the devil). Visitors also can see the mineral veins that are a group of rocks and chemical formations of minerals, chimneys, apart from having an experiential sharing time with the miners and observing the different work methods that they carry out every day.
- Transport.
- Necessary equipment for the mine tour (helmet, boots, pants, jacket and lamp)
- Specialized Bilingual Guide.
- Gifts for miners.
- Tips.
- Extra drinks.
Potosí, at over 4,000 meters, is one of the highest cities in the world. But even an elevation as high as, this does not stop the nearby Cerro Potosí from dominating the surrounding landscape.
Potosí was founded as a mining town in 1546 by the Spaniards. Over the next 200 years, more than 40,000 tons of silver were shipped out of the town, making the Spanish Empire one of the richest the world had ever seen. Millions of the indigenous people were forced to work at the mines in the extraction process.
In 1672, Potosí became one of the richest cities in the world.
To this day, workers extract minerals from the mine and it’s possible to take an amazing tour inside and to appreciate their life style.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
