Discovering Bolivia: A Cultural And Natural Adventure

Bolivia is a country full of beautiful places and unique landmarks. From the Salar de Uyuni salt flats to the Amazon rainforest, there is plenty to see and do.

The country is home to the world's largest salt flat, the birthplace of the Inca civilisation, and the world's most dangerous road. Bolivia also boasts the world's highest administrative capital, La Paz, and the gastronomic centre of the country, Cochabamba, which is famous for its huge portions of delicious food.

Bolivia has plenty to offer for all types of travellers, from city lovers to backpackers, historians to adrenaline junkies.

The Salar de Uyuni salt flats

The best way to see the salt flats is by taking a three or four-day 4x4 tour. The landscape varies depending on the season, so the best time to go depends on the experience you're looking for. Many people visit the Salar de Uyuni salt flats in the hope of seeing the mirror effect, where a thin layer of water transforms the flats into a stunning reflection of the sky. For an increased chance of seeing this, visit between March and April. For the best climate and unrestricted access to all of the sights, visit between July and October.

The salt flats are a prime breeding ground for several species of flamingos and are also a popular filming location. Movies such as *Star Wars: The Last Jedi* and *The Fall* have been filmed there.

The area is also home to the first salt hotel in the world, Palacio de Sal, which was built in 1993. However, its location in the centre of a desert caused sanitation problems, and it had to be dismantled in 2002. A new hotel under the same name was built in a new location in 2007.

The Isla Incahuasi, an outcrop of cacti

The Isla Incahuasi, also known as Inkawasi or Inka Wasi, is a former island in Bolivia. It is a hilly and rocky outcrop of land situated in the middle of Salar de Uyuni, the world's largest salt flat. The name, which means "Inca house" in the native language of Quechua, reflects the significance of the place to the Incans.

Isla Incahuasi has a total area of 24.62 hectares (61 acres) and is home to gigantic cacti, native to the region, and a tourist centre. The cacti, Trichocereus pasacana, stand tall at over two meters high, with some even reaching 10 meters. These cacti are hundreds of years old, growing at a rate of one centimetre per year. The coral composition around the island is a reminder that the flats were once part of a giant prehistoric lake, which existed approximately 40,000 years ago. The entire area was submerged, with the island serving as the top of an ancient volcano.

The island is a popular attraction for visitors to Salar de Uyuni, with all tours making a stop at Isla Incahuasi. The site offers a unique photo opportunity, with the abundant plant life of the island contrasting starkly against the barren salt flats. Visitors can follow a hiking trail to the top of the island, which takes around 15 minutes, and enjoy panoramic views of the salt flats. The trail loops back to the starting point, and costs 15 Bs to hike.

The island also features a café-restaurant, Mongo's, where visitors can relax and enjoy a meal.

The Isla de la Luna, an Inca nunnery

The Isla de la Luna, or the 'Island of the Moon', is a small island in the La Paz Department of Bolivia. It is situated in Lake Titicaca, close to the Isla del Sol, or 'Island of the Sun'. Legends in Inca mythology refer to the island as the location where the god Viracocha commanded the rising of the moon.

The island is most famous for being the site of an Inca nunnery, known as the Temple of the Virgins. According to Inca beliefs, the women who lived in the temple were considered blessed, pure, and sacred. It was considered a great honour to be chosen to live there, as these women were thought to be one with the gods. The temple was reserved for virgins who were potential brides of the sun god, Inti. These women would live in the temple for a period of time, purifying themselves, worshipping, and carrying out rituals.

The nunnery was led by Mamaconas, or priestesses, who were revered in Inca culture and thought to possess powerful intuition and a connection with the gods. The Mamaconas were responsible for teaching and guiding the young virgins so that they could properly fulfil their duties as brides of the sun.

The Temple of the Virgins is located near the dock where boats from the Isla del Sol arrive. A steep staircase leads to an open-air theatre, which was once home to the nunnery. The walls outside the temple feature imprints and indentations, which date back to the Tiwanaku people, who pre-date the Incas but greatly influenced their architecture.

During the 20th century, the Isla de la Luna was used as a detention centre for political prisoners. It was believed that escape was impossible due to the ice-cold waters of Lake Titicaca. However, there were several celebrated escapes from the island, including that of Hernan Siles Zuazo and Emilio Sfeir in 1949, who obtained political asylum in Peru.

Today, the island is home to a small indigenous community of Quechua and Aimara people, who make a living through pastoralism and selling artisanal products to tourists.

The Isla del Sol, the legendary birthplace of the sun god

The Isla del Sol, or the Island of the Sun, is a legendary birthplace of the sun god and an important site within Inca mythology. It is the largest island on Lake Titicaca, measuring 5.5 miles by 3.75. The island is believed to be the birthplace of the bearded Sun God, Viracocha, which is central to Inca culture and beliefs.

According to the Inca belief, Viracocha rose from the depths of Lake Titicaca and created the sun in the sky above, the universe surrounding it, and then breathed life into the first two Incas, Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo. The chronicler Bernabé Cobo documented two versions of an Inca origin myth that took place on the northern part of the island. In one version, the ancient people of the province were without light in the sky for many days and grew afraid of the darkness. Finally, the sun emerged from a crag in a large sandstone outcrop, illuminating the sky once again. In another version, the crag was dedicated to the sun because it hid under it during a great flood.

There are over 80 ruins on the island, most of which date back to the Inca period in the 15th century AD. Archaeologists have also found evidence of existence on the island dating back to the 3rd millennium BC, which predates the Incas by two thousand years. The island has several villages, with Yumani and Challapampa being the largest. The islanders rely heavily on tourism, farming, and fishing. There are no motor vehicles or paved roads on the island.

The Valley of the Moon

The valley is a protected area in the district of Mallasa, composed primarily of clay soil rather than rock. Erosion has worn away the majority of the mountain, leaving tall spires behind. The mineral content of the mountains varies, resulting in a spectrum of colours across the landscape—beige, light brown, red, and dark violet. The Valley of the Moon bears a resemblance to another zone in La Paz known as El Valle de las Animas, or The Valley of the Souls.

There are two circular trails at the Valley of the Moon, each leading to different viewpoints. The longer trail takes around 45 minutes to complete and ends at Devil's Point, the most spectacular viewpoint. The shorter trail takes only 15 minutes. At the entrance, there is a tourist information centre where you can pay the fee, pick up a map, and use the toilet.

To get to the Valley of the Moon, you can either book a tour with a La Paz agency or make your own way there. It takes around 40 minutes to get there by taxi or bus. If taking the bus, first go to the paradero near San Francisco Church and Sagarnaga Street, and catch a bus to Mallasa. The bus ride costs around 2.50bs, and you can ask the driver to let you off at the Valley of the Moon before reaching Mallasa.

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