Planning a trip to South America? Take a look at the many and varied experiences to be had.

Overview

Bolivia is a land of extremes where volcanic peaks give way to the Amazon jungle, home to the world's highest navigable lake, giant salt flats, some of the world rarest fauna and flora and the country where Che and Butch Cassidy finally met their demise.

Bolivia has it all, vibrant colourful cultures, some amazing and terrifying journeys and a history of revolution and political upheaval. It is a country where tourism can play a vital role in shaping its future.

Getting around

The bus is your best bet for long journeys, although flights are available between major cities, train services still operate between Oruro/Tupiza and to the Brazilian border.

Getting there

For Flights to Bolivia please contact the UK's No.1 specialist to Latin America – Journey Latin America.

Accommodation

It is possible to book most of your accommodation locally and word of mouth is terrific in sourcing a good hostel, however Journey Latin America can offer you advice and hotel bookings.

La Paz

The capital La Paz is at 3,500m above sea level the highest capital city in the world. It is a colourful chaotic place of markets, selling anything you could ever or never need, it is the hub of all transport so whether you like it or not you'll be spending a few days here. Tihuanaco is Bolivia's most important ecological site and is an easy day trip from La Paz.

Amazon

Visit the Amazon, yes over a third of Bolivia is covered by the lush Amazonian jungle / lowlands and is home to many native species. From Rurrenbaque you will find a choice of low cost tours into the jungle and the pampas (wetland savannas). For the more adventurous visit Noel Kempff national park in the far east of the country said to be the inspiration for Conan Doyle's the lost world.

Lake Titicaca

Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world is a great place to relax, sit back on Copacabana beach and watch the Bolivian navy (yes they have one) perform their daily exercises or visit the nearby beautiful Isle Del Sol for a day or two away from it all.

Cochabamba

South of La Paz you will find Cochabamba the industrial heart of Bolivia home to the worlds best Pizza I kid you not. It is a convenient stop from the pain of Bolivia's 20-hour bus journeys and home to our programme in Bolivia.

Sucre and Potosi

Bolivia's old capital is a great place to take in the history of Bolivarian revolution and enjoy the coffee shops and beautiful squares. Potosi, a UNESCO World Heritage city, was once one of the world's richest cities thanks to its large deposits of silver. With those days gone now, the mines can be visited and serve as a shocking example of the poor conditions the miners endure. The average man lives not much past his 35th birthday.

The Salar

Home to the world's largest salt flats covering some 12,000sq km, stunning volcanic lakes rising to over 4,000m, filled with flamingos, ruined ghost towns and so much more. This tour is also the best way to enter or leave Bolivia, either via Chile or on to Argentina via Tupiza, a small but growing town ringed by beautiful rainbow coloured hills and canyons, and the nearby ghost-town where butch and Sundance met their maker

Che's last stand

visit untouched Vallegrande and the surrounding area near Samaipata to immerse yourself in the history of Che and his life.

Do it if you dare!

World's Most Dangerous Road from La Paz to Coroico is the most shuddering bike ride most of us will ever experience. Nowhere else can you twist down the side of a cliff with vehicles teetering on the edge around you, as you splash through waterfalls into the beautiful Amazonian lowlands. After the hair-raising experience it is well worth recuperating for a few nights in the beautiful tropical Coroico before going back up the other way!

Overview

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