Jesuit Missions 4 Day Tour

Embark on a journey through seven Guaraní communities and uncover the historical significance of the Jesuit missions during their evangelisation efforts in the New World on this four-day exploration from Santa Cruz de la Sierra.

Jesuit Missions 4 Day Exploration

Day 1: Santa Cruz - San Javier Mission - Concepción

Our adventure begins at 9 am with a pick-up at your accommodation in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, as we set our sights on Chiquitania. This region is notable for its Jesuit missionaries who constructed impressive churches here between the 17th and 18th centuries, now recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We will start with a visit to the inaugural mission established by the Jesuits, San Javier, where you’ll find the church founded in 1691.

After this initial stop, there will be some free time for lunch in San Javier before we continue to the Paquio forest. Here, you can marvel at the spectacular rock formations that stand surrounded by rich greenery. Moving on, we’ll arrive in the village of Concepción, where you may enjoy dinner at your convenience. Our first night will be spent in Concepción.

Day 2: Concepción - San Ignacio

On the second day, we’ll enjoy a buffet breakfast featuring fruit, eggs, bacon, and bread served with coffee and juice. Following breakfast, our journey takes us to the village of Concepción to explore its church, a charming Jesuit construct known for its impressive wooden bell tower.

Our next stop will be the Jesuit Mission of San Ignacio, established in 1748, which continues to be a vibrant community. After this, we’ll meander through the town of San Ignacio, taking in its Jesuit cathedrals and churches before settling in for the night.

Day 3: San Ignacio - San Miguel - San Rafael - Santa Ana - San José

Rising early, we will dive into exploring the final Jesuit Missions. Our first destination is San Miguel, where remnants of its 18th-century church still stand, despite some destruction during conflicts involving the Guarani Indigenous people and the Spanish settlers.

Following this, we will proceed to visit San Rafael and Santa Ana, significant missions founded just prior to the Jesuits’ expulsion in 1767 under King Charles III. You will witness how the ruins, now enveloped by nature, reflect a rich artistic and religious heritage.

We will then visit local craft workshops, where artisans continue to blend traditional techniques rooted in both Jesuit and Indigenous cultures. After enjoying some leisure time for lunch, we’ll regroup and travel to San José de Chiquitos for the night.

Day 4: San José - Santa Cruz

The final day begins with breakfast and a visit to the Jesuit complex of San José, comprised of a church, chapel, and bell tower. The Church of San José de Chiquitos, constructed entirely from stone and limestone, remains an active place of worship for the local parishioners. You will also appreciate the striking colonial decorations found throughout the site.

After a lunch break, we will embark on our return journey to Santa Cruz de la Sierra, expecting to arrive around 5 pm.

Accommodation

The tour includes three nights of accommodation with breakfast at the following hotels:

• Concepción: Hotel Concepción (3 stars) or similar.
• San Ignacio: Apartahotel San Ignacio (3 stars) or similar.
• San José de Chiquitos: Hotel Misiones de Chiquitos (3 stars) or similar.