Urban Adventure in La Paz - 5 Days
Highlights
- Explore the ancient pre-Colombian architecture and ruins of Tiwanaku
- Soar above La Paz on a cable car tour of the city
- Take an exhilarating bike ride on Death Road through the Yungas Cloud Forest
- Enjoy traditional Andean meals and learn about local handicrafts
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive, Explore the Ruins of Tiwanaku | La Paz |
| Day 2 | Go on a Cable Car Tour of La Paz | La Paz |
| Day 3 | Cycle in the Yungas Cloud Forest | Coroico |
| Day 4 | Visit an Afro-Bolivian Community | La Paz |
| Day 5 | Depart Bolivia |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive, Explore the Ruins of Tiwanaku
Welcome to Bolivia! Today your guide will take you to the ruined city of Tiwanaku, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will see the main temples, some of which are still under excavation, including the Pyramid of Akapana, Kalasasaya, and Puma Punku, and the inspiring Gateway of the Sun and Gateway of the Moon. In addition to these traditional examples of Tiwanaku's architecture, giant monoliths and figurative representations are scattered throughout the archeological complex. Their construction remains a mystery: huge stone blocks (the heaviest weighing 45 tons each!) were placed with such precision that not a single gap exists between them.
In the evening, head to your hotel in La Paz to get some rest.
Day 2: Go on a Cable Car Tour of La Paz
A unique adventure awaits today: you'll explore La Paz on the city's cable car system. Established in 2017, the Mi Teleférico transit system features a network of lines that criss-cross the city. Your full-day tour will take you on six different lines, from the adjacent city of El Alto to La Paz's bohemian neighborhood of Sopocachi with its modern buildings, bustling squares, and public parks. The tour will end with a stroll along colonial Jaen Street. The evening is free to explore and dine on Bolivian cuisine in a local restaurant.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 3: Cycle in the Yungas Cloud Forest
Today you'll take a once-in-a-lifetime bike ride on Death Road, often referred to as the "world’s most dangerous road." You'll be properly outfitted with a full-suspension bicycle and top-notch safety equipment, including full-face helmets, elbow and knee pads, gloves, and goggles. Follow your guide on a ride through one of the most amazing landscapes on earth, the Yungas. (In the native Aymara language, the word means "warm lands.")
The journey takes you downhill on a thrilling 11,482-foot (3500-meter) drop. During the three-hour ride, you'll enjoy incredible views of waterfalls, rivers, valleys, and the Andes. End your ride in the village of Yolosa. You'll overnight in the mountainous town of Coroico.
Day 4: Visit an Afro-Bolivian Community
Today you will visit Tocana, an Afro-Bolivian community where most of the residents are coca leaf farmers. The infamous coca leaf is one of the region's most important crops, and while it is known internationally as an ingredient of cocaine, the leaf has many other uses and is an integral part of Bolivian culture. You'll tour a farm where you'll chat with farmers and their families, and you will learn about local culture, music, foods, and nature. In the mid-afternoon, your driver will return you to your accommodation in La Paz, and you'll have the evening free to enjoy before the trip ends.
Day 5: Depart Bolivia
It's time to say goodbye to Bolivia. Head to the airport to catch your flight out. Safe travels!
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Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Bolivia? Check out these other 5-day Bolivia itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.
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