Complete guide to Bolivia

Bolivia spans three distinct geographical levels. At 3,600 meters, the Altiplano stretches its mineral plains all the way to the Salar d'Uyuni, 10,500 km² of salt crust where nights drop to -15°C in June. Lower down, the temperate valleys of Cochabamba and Sucre offer mild weather year-round, around 20°C, and vibrant market cuisine that we love exploring with our travelers: silpancho, salteñas, chicha de maïs.

To the east, Bolivia shows a different face. The Amazonian plains of Rurrenabaque and the Jesuit missions of Chiquitania set a different pace—more humid, more leisurely. Lake Titicaca, shared with Peru, marks the northwest frontier and is home to Isla del Sol, the spiritual heart of Aymara cosmology. Ethnic diversity remains a concrete reality: 36 peoples recognized by the Constitution, with Quechua and Aymara spoken daily in the markets of Tarabuco and Copacabana.

Our La Paz-based team recommends allowing a minimum of 12 days to travel from the Altiplano to the salt flats, and three weeks if you wish to add the Amazon or the South Lipez. The altitude requires serious acclimatization over the first two days: we systematically arrange a gradual arrival from Sucre or Santa Cruz if you're concerned about altitude sickness.