Bolivia Small Group Holidays
Bolivia
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Probably one of the most famous, increasingly popular and extreme activities to do while in Bolivia is ride the Death Road!
If you have a distinct lack of self-preservation and a lot of guts (plus some fresh underwear for the finish) then get yourself up to the wheezy heights of La Cumbre at 4700 metres where the ride begins! As you hurtle down the mountain towards insanity, the ‘road’ drops and twists sharply. Tarmac gives way to dirt track, and two lanes shrink – alarmingly – to one.
It's not a race but the 'finish' is at 1100 metres and will take around five hours to get to. As you screech through, digesting mouthfuls of du... (Read more...)
If you have a distinct lack of self-preservation and a lot of guts (plus some fresh underwear for the finish) then get yourself up to the wheezy heights of La Cumbre at 4700 metres where the ride begins! As you hurtle down the mountain towards insanity, the ‘road’ drops and twists sharply. Tarmac gives way to dirt track, and two lanes shrink – alarmingly – to one.
It's not a race but the 'finish' is at 1100 metres and will take around five hours to get to. As you screech through, digesting mouthfuls of du... (Read more...)
st and wiping sweat from your brow, you’ll feel very pleased to be alive, I guarantee it!
If near-death experiences aren’t your cup of tea then Bolivia offers a remarkable selection of other mountain bike adventures. Explore the vast playgrounds of the Altiplano and the Andes in the west, or breeze along the shores of Lake Titicaca. For the determined rider, there's plenty of Amazonian jungle trails to be tried. Or travel to the scrublands of the south, and check out the lunar-like landscape and giant cacti.
If near-death experiences aren’t your cup of tea then Bolivia offers a remarkable selection of other mountain bike adventures. Explore the vast playgrounds of the Altiplano and the Andes in the west, or breeze along the shores of Lake Titicaca. For the determined rider, there's plenty of Amazonian jungle trails to be tried. Or travel to the scrublands of the south, and check out the lunar-like landscape and giant cacti.
Mountain Biking
Probably one of the most famous, increasingly popular and extreme activities to do while in Bolivia is ride the Death Road!
If you have a distinct lack of self-preservation and a lot of guts (plus some fresh underwear for the finish) then get yourself up to the wheezy heights of La Cumbre at 4700 metres where the ride begins! As you hurtle down the mountain towards insanity, the ‘road’ drops and twists sharply. Tarmac gives way to dirt track, and two lanes shrink – alarmingly – to one.
It's not a race but the 'finish' is at 1100 metres and will take around five hours to get to. As you screech through, digesting mouthfuls of dust and wiping sweat from your brow, you’ll feel very pleased to be alive, I guarantee it!
If near-death experiences aren’t your cup of tea then Bolivia offers a remarkable selection of other mountain bike adventures. Explore the vast playgrounds of the Altiplano and the Andes in the west, or breeze along the shores of Lake Titicaca. For the determined rider, there's plenty of Amazonian jungle trails to be tried. Or travel to the scrublands of the south, and check out the lunar-like landscape and giant cacti.
Trekking
Bolivia’s mountains and wide-open spaces offer world-class trekking. There is a variety of long trips through the Cordillera Real in the west (an area with around fifty mountain peaks and thirteen that summit over 5000metres), here the scenery is snow-capped and breath taking.
Trekking and exploratory trips are available through the Salar de Uyuni salt flats in the south-west; this otherworldly environment packs an adventure-loving punch. Around Lake Titicaca, you can follow obscure Inca paths and ancient trails - easily a highlight of any Bolivia tour.
Multi-day treks are available through the Apolobamba area. These trails wind their way up and down the spectacular valleys, and through welcoming native villages.
Whitewater Rafting
In a country that has so many mountains and valleys, rafting has to be one of the top adventure sports to experience. In the north-west, right in the heart of Bolivia’s largest national park, is the Tuichi River area - a rarely visited land of outstanding natural beauty. Rafting the Tuichi River will take you along the shores of Lake Titicaca, through the breathtaking Apolobamba Mountain range and into the Amazon basin, with its virgin cloud forest and huge waterfalls.
Alternatively, there's the Coroico River, which runs through the Nor Yungas district (central Bolivia); this is Bolivia's most popular, commercially rafted river. Depending on the amount of recent rainfall, the rapids on the River Coroico range from 50 to 900 metres long and are graded class II to V. Dramatic drops, bends, boils, turns and challenging technical spots are all on offer on this river.
Rock Climbing
Chachacomani and Chearoco are two peaks in one of the least visited areas of the Cordillera Real range; they are the perfect challenge for the ice climber who already has some experience. The routes to the summit have very rarely been tackled, so if you are after a unique climbing expedition, this is the one for you.
Sajama is the highest mountain in Bolivia and stands apart from the others, slap-bang in the middle of the Altiplano. Sajama is a dormant volcano with a perfectly conical shape and a summit at 6542 metres. It's a beautiful climb, best suited to intermediate and advanced ice climbers
Charquini is an ideal peak for people who have had no prior experience of ice climbing (Charquini is also recommended for people who want to do a preparation/acclimatisation climb before tackling something longer and higher). This three-day climb will see you walking, climbing and abseiling on the glacier.
Further west, on the border with Chile and Peru, there are high quality mountaineering/ice climbing circuits. These tracks will take you through the Altiplano and up to the apex of Andean mystical summits.
4x4 Driving
Bolivia has less than ten percent of its roads paved. Off-road adventures are not just the best way to get around but also the most exciting. Some of South America's best off-roading is in Bolivia. From the world-famous salt flats of Salar de Uyuni, to the curvy, high-altitude mountain roads around La Paz; deserts to snowy peaks, glacial lagoons to volcanos, Bolivia is the perfect place for off-roading either on a dirt bike or in a 4x4.
Classic Itineraries
Arrive in La Paz and spend a few days acclimatising to the breathy heights of the world's highest capital city. Catch a bus north to Copacabana on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Maybe go via the ancient Inca ruins at Tiahuanaco. At Lake Titicaca kayak and marvel at the stupendous views that surround it. A few days later, organise a bus to take you in to the Cordillera Real range. Choose from the many trekking or rafting excursions on offer and get set for an adventure. Return to Copacabana on Lake Titicaca and arrange a bus/train journey south, to the Salar de Uyuni salt flats. Here 4x4 expeditions are the best way to see this massive natural wonder; highlights in the Salar include visiting Isla Pescado, the desert of Chiguana, seeing the pink flamingos at Laguna Hediona, the coloured rock formations of the ‘Salvador Dali’ desert and Laguna Verde.
Other Activities
The unique landscape and heritage of Bolivia means that the cities are vibrant and countryside is tranquil. If you're lucky enough to be near Potosí near the end of August it's definitely worth checking out the thriving Ch'utillos Festival. There are other events around too, often known as 'carnavals'. The theme is almost universally dancing and colourful costumes.
For those more at home in rural surroundings you might be surprised to find that the Bolivian countryside has some of most relaxing activities in the world. Tours of the extensive wineries inject unexpected culture to your visit. And there's no better way to see the natural marvels than on the back of a horse.
