Leisure in Bolivia

Come to La Paz, the informal capital and the Bolivian centre of commerce, finance and industry, and take your time to explore it. Visit to the cathedrals and churches, the Sagarnaga Street, where you can buy excellent souvenirs, and, of course, the Witch Market, where fortune-telling and magic spells await, and the witchery and amulets are available. Rent a car and hit the road to Tiahuanaco ruins (72 km) deemed as a cradle of Inca civilization or visit to the world's highest ski resort, Chacaltaya, (5600 m) in 55 km. Another option is to take 10 km southwards to the Valley of the Moon with crater-like formations made of sand. There is much to see, however, don't be frustrated if not manage attending everything planned since you return to La Paz as the tour ends. Spend the next day traveling to Uyun, where the excursion to Uyuni Salt Flats starts. Enjoy three day adventurous 4x4 excursion to visit the dry salt lake, as well as to view landscape of mountains, active volcanoes, geysers, mud pools, flamingos and variety of cacti. There is a few metres thick crust of salt on the top of it, which seasonally gets covered by a thin layer of water and turns the lake into a huge mirror. Its total area exceeds 12000 sq. kilometres and about 25 000 tons of the salt is extracted there annually. Take your time with photography, as the endless white of the salt flats creates great depth illusions that are fun to play with in photos.

Then head to the city of Potosi, one of the highest of its size in the world (4070 m), which is located at the foot of Cerro Rico – the "rich hill". UNESCO declared it the World Heritage Site in recognition of its tragic history in the mining of silver during the time of Spanish colonization. Potosi provided large share of the silver mined and shipped back to Spain and propped up the Spanish empire for over 300 years. Working conditions for miners were appalling and large portion of the indigenous population was decimated. African slaves were brought in to replace the native worker; and it is estimated as many as eight million indigenous people and Africans died in the mines during this period. The optional trip underground into the mines of today is an experience that you should not miss as it opens eyes to the real-life hardships of many in Latin America. After spending the morning in Potosi travel to Sucre, a fascinating, historic town that is commonly referred to as the Bolivia's White City. Before the conquest, military, religious and political leaders of the local indigenous population made their homes on the present day city site. It is splendid! Stay and stroll on the historic city streets, visit rich buildings and a textile cooperative, or head to the Dinosaur Park (10 km) to visit to dinosaur footprints, enjoy mountain biking and hiking. After that return to La Paz to spend one more evening on your choice.