Potosi - Active Mine Tour - Half Day -
Overview
Available languages
3 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
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.
Additional Info
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
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.
What‘s Included
Transport.
Necessary equipment for the mine tour (helmet, boots, pants, jacket and lamp)
Specialized Bilingual Guide.
Gifts for miners.
Tips.
Extra drinks.
Options
Potosi - Active Mine Tour - Half Day -
Reviews
13 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Weirdly organised and if you want the full experience do not book this tour
jennyshering,Apr 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
2.00This is the safe version - other tours let you light dynamite and go deeper down into the mines so if you are hoping for that don’t book this tour. We didn’t go down any levels. Also the logistics were frustrating I was told to go the National Mint, where I was taken to a tour office opposite. Then the guide collected me and walked me for five minutes to a hotel practically opposite mine where another customer was waiting and we got into our gear for the tour. We then got into a bus with two other customers and we drove to another tour office where they got into their gear. And this was repeated on the way back. Made no sense. Nevertheless it was interesting and the guide was very nice.
Informative but shocking to see the working conditions.
Tourist295118,Feb 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00We liked the visit even if sometimes it is difficult to see the working conditions of the miners. The guide is very interesting and meetings with minors are touching.
Unforgettable experience!
Brandy A,Feb 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Amazing tour guide... Unforgettable experience. I highly recommend this tour. Someone came and found us around the pickup time. Jose, the guide, spoke excellent English.
Unique experience and professional guide
Lan Y,Feb 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Unique experience in a real life mining scenario, The guide was responsible and informative. Learned a lot about Bolivia history
Steer clear of the big tour operators.
JerseyJoe53,Nov 29, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00This trip didn’t happen due to a mix up in local providers in Potosi. We were taken on the (absolutely mind blowing trip) by another company who, in fairness, made an error in including us on their tour but these things happen. They were KOALA TOURS. The company asked for payment but we said we’d paid and that surely INTI TRAVEL would reimburse. No, they would not - which I think is quite disappointing. The local cost was 260 BOB for 2 & Viator charged us 442 BOB - so they aren’t losing anything. The local guides will have this money deducted from their salary which is terrible. I ask that Viator revisit this case and change their minds and pay Koala Travel for taking us on the tour. Until then I will steer well clear of them during our travels. Please re-look at this case and d do the honourable thing. WhatsApp me on +44 7412643359 for further details.
An experience of rare intensity
mariejos w263,Oct 21, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An experience of rare intensity thanks to the miner José, who was attentive. To recommend without hesitation.
Great tour, you feel like your working in the mines with the workers!
Jennifer A,Mar 22, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00Amazing tour! We walked all the way up in the mine. It was a lot of fun and a great experience to watch the workers in action. Sort of sad to see the conditions they are working in, so make sure you are able to stand that. Would definitely recommend this. It is absolutely a must do!
Interesting trip, and incredible that people work under such conditions
majsax,Mar 5, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Glad it was a miner, Wilson, who was our guide. He could tell in detail how the system in the cooperative is built up and how one becomes one of it. He could tell about luck and misfortune, about superstition and security. Wilson answered all our questions in detail. The walk into the mine hall was interesting, unfortunately we saw nobody drilling and cracking, but heard a lot of explosions. Unfortunately, the explosions brought so much dust that we had to return.
Very exciting!
dminikarmellini,Feb 14, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very good tour! You go ahead and buy presents for the miners. Then gets clothes (boots, pants, jacket and helmet with lantern). Our tour guide Sol was funny and could tell us a lot. She spoke perfect English and worked in the mine herself.
Unforgettable experience
jeanfran oisv844,Dec 23, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The raid on the mine is impressive. Guided by an ex-miner who knows very well how to describe the Dantesque life of his community
From US$39.00
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Operated by Inti Travel