Adventure Seeker Itinerary For Bolivia

Lapping the shores of Copacabana, Lake Titicaca is not only one of Bolivia’s most beautiful and treasured landmarks, but is also the highest navigable lake in the world. Travelers flock to the resort town to soak in stunning views of Lake Titicaca, savor freshly caught trucha and explore what the Inca’s believed to be the birthplace of their empire. One of the best ways to grasp the sheer magnitude of Lake Titicaca is to take a boat trip from Copacabana to Isla del Sol. Here you will discover ancient Inca ruins scattered throughout the island as well as Aymara villagers busy farming the land and tending to the sacred sites. Walking from one side of the island to the other is a cathartic experience and one which will enable travelers to witness some of Bolivia’s most breathtaking scenery. Copacabana itself is a quaint little town to explore, with many shops, restaurants and bars lining the main streets. And if it’s amazing views your after, there is no better place than the summit of the “Stations of the Cross” walk to observe Lake Titicaca in all its glimmering glory. Recommended days: 3 Activity Ideas:

• Explore the ancient ruins of Isla del Sol
• Hike up to the ‘Stations of the Cross’ for magnificiant views over Lake Titicaca
• Kayak across Lake Titicaca

Where to sleep: Hotel La Cupula Getting there: Traveling from Peru to Bolivia More Info: A Guide To Isla del Sol

Set against a striking backdrop of snow-capped mountains is Bolivia’s third most populous city and the world’s highest seat of government. Juxtaposed with the colorful lifestyle and traditions of the Aymara people, La Paz is full of modern cafes, clubs, bars and restaurants as well as traditional markets, historic plazas and colonial architecture. There are numerous sights to discover, free events to join, and adrenaline pumping activities to experience. At a height of 4058 meters above sea level, La Paz is best explored at a slow pace, taking the time to soak up the city’s rich culture and fascinating history. Recommended days: 5+ (depending on length of treks/climbs) Activity Ideas: 

• Urban Rush
• Death Road
• Zip Lining
• Climb Huayna Potosi
• Muela del Diablo
• Takesi Trail
• Ride and River Amzon Tour
• Snow Rush: ski down the highest ski slope in the world
• El Choro Trek
• Cordillera Real
• Paragliding

Where to sleep:

• Top 10 Hostels in La Paz
• The Best Luxury Hotels in La Paz

Getting there: Traveling between Copacabana and La Paz More info: Dealing With Altitude Sickness In Bolivia

Rugged and teeming with wildlife, “Rurre” as the town is affectionately known, is a popular ecotourism destination located on the banks of the Rio Beni in the Bolivian Amazon Basin. Once a remote corner of Bolivia, Rurrenabaque now receives tens of thousands of visitors annually looking to explore the nearby jungles and pampas. A cheaper alternative to other South American destinations, Rurrenabaque is the ideal jumping off point to experience the Amazon and its incredible biodiversity, breathtaking landscapes, Inca archaeological sights and indigenous cultures. When not out exploring the steamy hot jungles and swampy wetlands, travelers staying in Rurre spend their days relaxing in hammocks, socialising in bars, shopping for local handicrafts, cooling off in swimming pools all while soaking in surrounding views of the Beni lowlands. Featuring the beautiful Cordillera de Bala on one side and the river Beni on the other, the chilled town is the ideal setting to relax before and after your jungle adventures. With its natural beauty, tropical charm and comfortable year round climate, Rurre is a great choice for those seeking an affordable, safe and authentic Amazonian experience. Recommended days: 3 Activity Ideas: 

• Jungle Tour
• Pampas Tour
• El Choro waterfall
• Zip Lining
• Swimming
• Rafting

Where to sleep:

• El Curichal Hostel
• Hotel Maya de la Amazonia

Getting there: Traveling between La Paz and Rurrenabaque More info: A guide to Madidi National Park

One of Bolivia’s most beautiful attractions, the Bolivian Oriente is a must see for anyone fond of history, nature and the great outdoors. One of the fastest growing cities in the world, Santa Cruz is a true example of Bolivia’s ability to combine a modern lifestyle with traditional values. While unassuming at first, given time, the bustling metropolis unveils itself to be a vivacious city of contrasts. Up-scale restaurants operate alongside local street-vendors, colonial architecture blends with native art, traditional outfits stand out among urban street wear and time-honored customs hold strong against latest trends. Differentiating itself from other parts of the country, the Gran Chiquitania – a region in the Santa Cruz Department – shines for its tropical savanna climate, fascinating wildlife and unique adventure activities. With sights such as the mysterious rock formations of the the Santiago de Chiquitos Mirador and the hot thermal springs of Aguas Calientes as well as activities such as jaguar watching at Kaa Iya National Park and sandboarding in Lomas de Arena, it’s difficult to understand why the area is so delightfully devoid of tourists. Recommended days: 5 Activity Ideas:

• Sand boarding in Lomas de Arena
• San Miguelito Jaguar Conservation Ranch
• Jaguar Spotting at Kaa Iya National Park
• Amboró National Park – trekking, horseback riding, kayaking and rappelling down natural waterfalls

Where to sleep: 

• Jodanga Backpackers Hostel
• Inboccalupo Apart Boutique

Getting there: Traveling between Rurrenabaque and Santa Cruz More info: 6 beautiful wildlife experiences in Bolivia

Bolivia’s fifth largest and most beautiful city, Sucre is the ideal place for travelers to recharge their batteries, study Spanish and immerse themselves in the local culture. While not boasting as many dare-devil pursuits as other Bolivian cities, Sucre still has its fair share of adventure activities such as paragliding, rock climbing, trekking and mountain biking. Founded by the Spanish in the 16th century, Sucre has been designated as a UNESCO world heritage site to protect its many pristine and historically significant buildings. Largely untouched by tourism, the youthful city is a goldmine of unexplored treasures and cultural activity. It’s also one of the cheapest and safest cities in South America, making it a desirable place to travel to. With its numerous fascinating sights, free events, and cool places to go out, Sucre truly is an amazing place to visit and live. Recommended days: 4 Activity Ideas: 

• Paragliding
• Rock Climbing
• Quad Biking
• Maragua Trek
• Icla Canyon
• Yotala: mountain biking, horseback riding and quad biking

Where to sleep: 

• Top 10 hostels in Sucre
• Renting an apartment or house in Sucre

Getting there: Traveling between Santa Cruz and Sucre More info: Your Travel Guide to Sucre

Looming over the highest city in the world is a red, dusty mountain, notorious for claiming the lives of Bolivia’s hard working men and children. Cerro Rico, rich in natural resources, once produced so much silver it pushed Potosi onto the world stage, becoming the wealthiest city in the Americas. Due to lack of infrastructure and inadequate safety equipment, millions of workers lost their lives extracting silver from the mountain’s veins, making it one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. Despite the past abundance of precious metals, Potosi is now one of the poorest cities in South America. Many of Bolivia’s men have no choice but to work the unstable, mineral-depleted mines in order to scrape together enough money to feed their families. Today, tourists can witness the perilous state of Cerro Rico first hand, taking guided tours through the mountain’s narrow and claustrophobic tunnels. Here they’ll learn that difficulty breathing, lack of food, and unbearably long hours are just a few of the conditions miners have to endure on a daily basis. Travelers who manage to finish the tour of Cerro Rico will emerge from the mines thanking their lucky stars that this is not their reality. Recommended days: 2 Activity ideas:

• Tour the cooperative silver mines of Cerro Rico
• Look over Potosi from the rooftop of Convento de San Francisco
• Visit the Tarapaya and Chaqui Baño hotsprings

Where to sleep: Hostal Eucalyptus Getting there: Traveling between Sucre and Potosi

If you’re planning a trip to Bolivia, chances are you’ll want to experience the world’s largest salt flat; Salar de Uyuni. Once an inland ocean covering most of the Altiplano and reaching all the way to Lake Titicaca, the endless white desert is now home to some of the most unique and breathtaking scenery on earth. Those traveling by 4×4 will notice that Salar de Uyuni’s landscapes change quicker than a shake of salt. One hour you’re surrounded by flamingos on a high altitude lagoon, and the next you’re standing on an island covered in cacti. When it rains, the water sitting on top of the cemented salts reflects the sky above, turning Salar de Uyuni into the world’s largest mirror. Travelers with an observant eye will encounter various wildlife during their trip including llamas, flamingos and even vizcachas (a squirrel / rabbit like animal often referred to as “scrabbit”). With nothing in sight for miles, taking “perspective pics” on the 4000 square-mile flats has become a popular pastime for tourists and photographers. During the trip, travelers also have the opportunity to sleep on beds made from salt and soak in natural hot springs under Bolivia’s moonlit sky. The most popular starting point for those traveling from the north of Bolivia to the south, Uyuni itself is a very small, nondescript pueblo with not much to offer in terms of tourist sights and activities. Booking a tour as soon as you arrive in Uyuni is highly recommended in order to avoid spending a whole day in the sleepy town. Recommended days: 3 Activity ideas: 4×4 tour of the salt flats Where to sleep:

• Piedra Blanca Backpackers Hostel (Uyuni)
• Hotel de Sal Luna Salada (Uyuni)

Getting there: Buses from Potosi to Uyuni leave roughly every half hour between 7am and 12pm then at 6:30pm, 7pm and 7:30pm. The journey is around 6 hours. More info: A Guide To Discovering Bolivia’s Awe-Inspiring Slat Flats Onward travel to Chile: Most tour companies offer a transfer to the Chilean border where you can take a shared mini bus to San Pedro de Atacama at the culmination of the salt flat tour. People taking this option will leave from Laguna Verde, arriving in San Pedro around 1pm. The cost for the transfer is around Bs 50 ($7 US). Make sure to get your Bolivian exit stamp from the immigration office in Uyuni before commencing the Salt Flats tour.