Bolivia, stretching from the Titicaca lake to Jujuy’s desert, lying between Brazil’s Amazonian jungle and deprived access to the Pacific Ocean, is one of the most beautiful countries I’ve visited. Let the Bolivian magic unfold before your eyes.
LA PAZ
(3.500m high)
Stroll the capital city’s narrow streets, intermingling generations, markets, colors and flags, smell the sweet hum of fried meat as a colectivo honks its way through.
Swap the subway for a cable car, reach the top of a surrounding hill, cross one of the biggest markets in the city and enjoy the view of buildings trapped between trees and snow-covered mountain tops.
Tread the sacred grounds of the Andean civilizations in Tiwanaku. Feel surrounded by ancient myths entering the Kalasasaya temple, where more than 175 faces are carved into holy walls. Try to decrypt the Sun Gate stone, inscribed with mysterious carvings.
SUCRE
(2.810m high)
Join the KulturBerlin hostel's city tour, and stroll the streets of this colonial city and its bright colors: white, red, and pink in the Palacete del Guereo.
After visiting the city and letting its bright walls lighten your heart, go on a little adventure at the Parque Cretácico and feel like in a Jurassic Park movie, as you put your hands into dinosaurs’ footsteps!
At the end of the day, wander in a forest of “old doors” and dare to bathe in one of the ponds created by a flow of seven waterfalls.
SUR LIPEZ
(4.000-5.000m high)
The journey in South Bolivia starts with riding a horse in the canyons of Tupiza, where Butch Cassidy spent his last days alive. Let your brain wonder whether you’re in Arizona or South America as you cross la Puerta del Diablo.
Embark for a 4-day road trip amongst Sur Lipez’s most beautiful regions. Start your journey at 4.200 meters high at the Sillar mirador: admire how the Quebrada de Palala has been carved by time and weather.
Feel like you’ve been downsized walking around the Ciudad del Incanto, where rain and wind-shaped the rocs like monks and nuns processing towards you.
Wander in the ghost town of Pueblo Fantasma, built by Spanish colons and deserted by mine workers, then run as fast as you can through the Dali desert, embracing a scenery as mystical as the painter’s art.
Feel the Earth’s power and unpredictability when standing near the geysers Sol de Mañana (and hold your nose.. it smells).
Let your eyes fill with nature’s true colors as you pass by the most colorful lagoons in America: Laguna Blanca, Laguna Colorada or Laguna Verde, home to flamingos, llamas and vicuñas.
Soak in the thermal pools of Polques at 4.406 meters above sea level, surrounded by breathtaking beauty.
Step on the edge of the Anaconda Canyon, witnessing the green river weaving between rock walls.
Walk into the scenery of a western movie as you wander through Julaca and its abandoned trains.(slide photos below)
Sleep by the edge of the Salar de Uyuni, dance when the sun sets and be grateful for being here.
Wake up before the crack of dawn, drive to Incahuasi, the Cactus island, and take in the sunrise in the middle of a salt desert.
Because you’ve started in Tupiza and not in Uyuni like the majority of tourists, enjoy your last day of this journey by being childish on the infamous salt flat!
Memories engraved forever, from Bolivia, with love.
Links & tips
Horseback riding in Tupiza, Sur Lipez Tour & Salar de Uyuni:
Start the tour in Tupiza and book via Alexandro Adventure travel! Price is around 1250 BOL/person, depends on how many people you are, plus the entrance to different sites (the park itself, hot springs, islands, etc). It is a bit more expensive than starting in Uyuni but the tour lasts 4 days instead of 3, is less touristy, and offers more flexibility (we were able to change the planning and come back later to the hot springs when we saw all the 4-wheels loaded with tourists from Uyuni crowding the place). Plus, you'll end up by the Salar as the climactic finale of your trip.
Alexandro Adventure Travel: I truly recommend this agency. We were only two Jeeps (otherwise you can be up to 6 following each other on the road!), our cook was amazing, the places we stayed at for the nights were authentic and we had so much fun with our driver Jesus, singing Bolivian love songs while driving through the desert.Av Pedro Arrayo, calle Chuquisaca, Tupiza, Bolivia / +591 679 184 95 - Tripadvisor - Facebook
More about La Paz & Tiwanaku: here
Sucre's waterfalls: we had a private guide but I heard that Condor Café has great tours
Parque Crétacico: you’ll have to pay an extra entrance fee to take pictures, be prepared. Official website of the park: here
Where to stay in Sucre: KulturBerlin
Comments