Half-Day Potosí Active Mine Trip to Cerro Rico: Discover Mining History and Current Conditions
5.0
2 Ratings
Potosi
Embark on a 3-hour journey to explore the active Cerro Rico mine at 4,400m, alongside the local mine workers and delve into Potosi’s past. Uncover the various passages and inner tiers of the mines, gaining insight into the severe work environment. Experience the Potosi mines in the same way as the local miners.
Duration:
3 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Potosi - Your trip will begin with a short sightseeing tour around Potosi and a stop at the Mining Market on your way up to “Cerro Rico”. At the market you will be able to observe a wide range of materials and tools used by the miners in their daily jobs at the mine. Buy dynamite, alcohol and coca leaves to give as a present to the miners you will meet on your tour.
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Cerro Rico - Shortly before arriving to the mines, you will make a stop at a small storage room where you will put on work pants, jacket, boots, helmet and lamp to go into the mine as a security measure.
Inside them you can appreciate the system of miners’ work that has not suffered great changes after so much time of exploitation. The use of dynamite, air compressors and mechanical perforators have all been used in the mining process.
Your tour will take you through the different galleries and levels of the mines where you can see statues that the miners have built to represent their gods, such as the Uncle of the Mine. You will be able to view the mineral veins that are a group of rocks and chemical formations of minerals in the mine and other formations unique to Cerro Rico. Interact with the local workers, give them a small present as a token of your appreciation for their hard work and observe the humbling work they do here through different methods that are carried out numerous times a day.
What's Included
- Guidance by an English-speaking tour guide
- All transportation during the tour included
What's Not Included
- Gifts for the miners (can be purchased before going to the mine)
- Suggested tip for the guide ($10 Bs)
- Food and drinks
Additional Information
- Minimum age is 7 years old
Location
Plaza 10 de Noviembre
Plaza 10 de Noviembre (In front of the Cathedral)
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(2 Ratings)
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1 star
Jessica
Sep 27, 2022
A great experience and would highly recommend - I had Jhonny as my tour guide and because nobody else booked that day, I ended up getting a private tour. Jhonny was very knowledgeable about the mines and the culture. He was an ex miner and knew everyone on-site. He was able to answer all of my questions and gave me plenty of opportunities to take pictures. Además, estoy aprendiendo español en este momento y Johnny fue paciente conmigo ayudándome a practicar mi español.
Fyi - there are quite a few galley ways and it would have been easy to get lost down there without a guide. Somehow Jhonny had a map memorized in his head although he joked around with me by pretending that he didn’t know where he was going at one point lol. In my opinion, this is a must see if you plan on making a trip up to Potosi as there is so much history here and you can learn a lot. Be advised to bring some extra cash as you swing by the market to pick up water and cocoa leaves for the miners that you encounter along the way. Further, it is dusty (so a mask is advised if you have one) and this would not be recommended for someone who has closterphobia.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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