Exploring Bolivia: Activities And Adventures Await

Bolivia is a country brimming with stunning natural sights, unique landmarks, and intriguing culture. From the famous Salar de Uyuni salt flats to the Amazon rainforest, Bolivia has something for everyone. Here is a list of some of the best things to do when visiting this exciting country:

- Visit Salar de Uyuni, the world's largest salt flat, and admire the stunning landscape and flamingoes of Laguna Colorada.

- Explore the Amazon rainforest and spot wildlife such as pink river dolphins, capybaras, and jaguars.

- Bike down the infamous Death Road, also known as the World's Most Dangerous Road, for a thrilling and adrenaline-pumping experience.

- Take a cable car ride in La Paz and enjoy breathtaking views of the city and the surrounding mountains.

- Visit Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, and explore the nearby floating islands and archaeological sites.

- Hike through the unique and otherworldly Valle de la Luna, just outside of La Paz.

- Discover the charming town of Copacabana, with its lakeside setting and vibrant festivals, including the unique car blessing ceremony.

- Wander through the Witches Market in La Paz and browse through magical potions, healing remedies, and unique trinkets.

- Summit Huayna Potosi, a towering mountain that stands at 6,088 meters above sea level, and enjoy the sense of accomplishment that comes with conquering this challenging peak.

- Indulge in traditional Bolivian cuisine in Cochabamba, the gastronomical capital of the country, and sample dishes such as sopa de mani and silpancho.

Bike the Death Road

The Death Road, or the Camino de la Muerte, is a 43-mile-long stretch of road through the Cordillera Oriental mountain chain, connecting the Bolivian capital of La Paz with the city of Coroico. It is known as the World's Deadliest Road, with reports of 200-300 people dying on the road every year. The road is narrow, with no guard rails, poor visibility, and is constantly rainy.

Despite its reputation, the Death Road is a popular destination for adventurous cyclists. The road is mostly downhill, with some flat bits and a few small uphills. It is bumpy, scenic, and almost entirely downhill, with twists and turns, misty fog, waterfalls, and the occasional mudslide blocking the route.

There are a number of tour groups that organise trips for adrenaline junkies, with prices ranging from $50-100. The trip takes about 5 hours to complete.

From La Paz to La Cumbre

Your tour guide will pick you up from your accommodation in La Paz and make the hour-long journey to the start of the ride, also known as La Cumbre. Before starting the ride, you will be served a hot breakfast and some coco tea, and you will have the chance to ask your guide any questions. The guides will also give you a quick lesson on everything you need to know about the bikes and the first section of the ride.

Part One of the Death Road Ride

The first part of the ride is on a regular sealed road that is frequented by other traffic, and winds down the mountain at a gradual descent. This section is about 20km in length and all downhill. If you've ridden a bike on a trafficked road before, this section will be manageable, as the road is wide and smooth. The hardest part is keeping your hands warm as you descend the mountain (bring gloves)!

Near the end of the sealed road is a small off-road detour that gives you a taste of what the rest of the Death Road will be like. The tour guides will lead you through it and make sure you're comfortable continuing.

Part Two of the Death Road Ride

The second part of the ride is on a gravel road, and it's this part that's the actual Death Road - North Yungas Road. If you've ridden a bike on a gravel road before, you will be fine biking this section. Starting from the famous start sign in Chuspipata, the road is wide enough to fit a bus and also runs downhill at a gentle gradient. The road can be a bit muddy or rocky, so good suspension is important to help you navigate the road as smoothly as possible.

Throughout the ride, there will be one guide at the front of the pack and one at the back. You will never feel pressured to go faster than you feel comfortable going, nor will you be left behind.

By the end of the ride, you will be exhausted, with more than a few bug bites, and your arms will feel like jelly. You will then head to a local resort-style posada for a meal and a shower, and there may even be a pool to relax and unwind in. The van will then collect the group and make the two-hour journey back to your accommodation in La Paz.

Explore the Amazon rainforest

Bolivia is one of nine countries in South America through which the Amazon basin stretches. The Amazon is the world's largest tropical rainforest, covering 5.5 million square kilometres. The Bolivian Amazon constitutes 43% of the country's national territory.

The town of Rurrenabaque is the starting point for trips into the Bolivian Amazon. It is easy to sign up for tours here, and cheaper than booking in advance in La Paz. There are two ways to visit the Amazon from here: the pampas tours and the jungle tours.

The pampas tours are the cheapest option and are where you will see the most wildlife, including alligators, squirrel monkeys, and capybaras. However, the pampas are a wetland savannah on the edge of the Amazon basin rather than deep in the jungle, so it may not be the classic Amazon experience you are looking for.

The jungle tours offer a more classic Amazon experience. You can stay at an eco-lodge and choose from a range of activities, including canoe trips, day and night treks, piranha fishing, and making jewellery from nuts and seeds.

If you have the budget and time, it is recommended to do both the pampas and jungle trips.

• The best time to visit the Bolivian Amazon is the dry season, from May to October, when there is more wildlife and fewer mosquitoes.
• Wear light trekking clothes, but make sure to cover up to protect yourself from mosquitoes.
• Bring bug spray.
• There is no reliable ATM in Rurrenabaque, so bring plenty of cash.
• Don't go on tours that offer anaconda hunts.
• Don't get too close to the animals.
• Don't pay less than around $90-100 USD for your jungle tour.
• For the pampas tours, expect basic accommodations and meals, and bring snacks.
• For the jungle tours, it is recommended to go with Madidi Travel.

Visit the Salt Flats

Bolivia's Salar de Uyuni is considered one of the most remarkable vistas in South America, if not the world. Covering more than 4,000 square miles, it is the largest salt flat on Earth, formed by the evaporation of prehistoric lakes. Here, a thick crust of salt extends to the horizon, quilted with polygonal patterns.

During the rainy season (December to April), nearby lakes overflow, and a thin layer of water transforms the flats into a mirror-like reflection of the sky. This effect, along with the flat's remote location and lack of light pollution, makes for excellent stargazing. The dry season (May to November) brings colder temperatures and hardened ground, allowing visitors to drive across the landscape to otherwise inaccessible places.

The most popular way to experience the salt flats is through a 3-day, 2-night expedition that also takes visitors through geysers, mountain peaks, coloured lagoons, and more. Tours typically originate from Uyuni, San Pedro de Atacama, or Tupiza. Uyuni is the closest to the salt flats and therefore the most popular starting point, with tours available in the town's main square, Plaza Arce.

When visiting the salt flats, it is important to choose a reputable guide. Avoid companies that offer extremely low prices, as they may not provide an accredited guide or a safe vehicle. It is also recommended that you ask if the agency carries an emergency radio and first-aid kit.

One of the highlights of visiting Salar de Uyuni is the opportunity to take creative photographs. The endless horizon allows photographers to play with perspective and depth of field. For instance, you can stage scenes with toy figures, place objects in the foreground to make them seem giant, or have human subjects venture into the distance to appear miniature. The key to achieving this effect is to get the camera close to the prop and low to the ground.

At nearly 12,000 feet above sea level, visitors may experience altitude sickness. Be sure to discuss options for preventing and treating altitude sickness with your doctor before your trip.

Take a cable car in La Paz

La Paz is the highest capital city in the world, and one of the best activities to do there is to take a cable car to enjoy the city views. The cable car system is called 'Mi Teleferico' and it's a great way to get around the city and avoid traffic. It's also very affordable, costing less than a dollar for a one-way ticket. The cable cars are used as public transport and are very easy and organised to use, so you can definitely do it on your own. The system is new, clean, and very tourist-friendly.

There are several different lines you can take, each offering unique views of the city and the nearby mountains. On a clear day, you might even be able to see the stunning Illimani mountain in the background!

Here's a suggested route for your cable car adventure:

• Start at the Prado station, which is the beginning of the light blue line.
• Take the light blue line to the end and get off at the 'Qhana Pata' viewpoint.
• Transfer to the Silver line and take it to the blue and red station.
• At this point, you have two options: continue with the red line or take an extra ride on the dark blue line to reach the final station. To get back, you'll need to buy a separate ticket as you can't use the same ticket for the return journey.
• El Alto is worth visiting as it has a completely different dynamic and is home to the biggest open market in La Paz. Be cautious when visiting El Alto, especially after dark, and keep an eye on your belongings.
• Continue your journey with the red line, then transfer to the orange and white lines. These lines will offer you different perspectives of the city.
• If you have time, make a stop at the light blue line and transfer to the green line to reach the Irpawi station.
• From Irpawi, you can take a taxi to the Moon Valley, which features incredible rock formations. However, it's not recommended to visit Moon Valley during late hours or on your own.

Some practical information to keep in mind:

• Ticket prices: One-way ticket – 3 Bolivianos (€0.40 – $0.43); Full loop: 7 x 3 = 21 Bolivianos (€2.80 – $3.04).
• Operating hours: Monday to Friday from 06:00 to 21:00/22:00; Saturday and Sunday from 07:00 to 19:00/21:00.
• Face masks are mandatory in the stations and cable cars as of early 2023.
• For safety, it's recommended to travel with a friend or someone from your hostel. While El Alto offers beautiful viewpoints, it can feel a bit sketchy, especially at sunset. Use common sense, don't stay out too late, and don't display your valuables.

So, get ready to explore La Paz from above and enjoy the breathtaking city panorama and mountain views!

See dinosaur footprints

Bolivia is home to some of the world's most significant deposits of dinosaur footprints, and there are several sites where you can see them. Here is some information about two of the most notable sites:

Parque Cretácico, Sucre

This site, located 5km from the city of Sucre, is home to more than 12,000 dinosaur footprints, making it one of the most significant deposits in the world. The footprints were discovered in 1994 in a cement quarry belonging to the company Fabrica Nacional de Cemento and are estimated to be around 65 million years old. The site features a small park filled with full-size dinosaur replicas, as well as a museum with shell fossils and more dinosaur footprints. Visitors can also take a guided tour of the quarry site to see the footprints up close. The site is typically open from 9 am to 5 pm daily, except on Mondays. The entrance fee is 30 bolivian pesos per person.

Torotoro National Park

This national park in Bolivia is home to thousands of dinosaur footprints, with more than 3,500 footprints and trackways from eight different species found so far. The footprints date back to the Cretaceous Period when the area was near a vast ocean inlet, providing an ideal habitat for dinosaurs. The park also features canyons, natural swimming pools, and the Humajalanta Caverns, one of the deepest cave systems in the country. The drive from Cochabamba to Torotoro is just over two hours.

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