Lonely Planet guide to Bolivia

Rough around the edges, rugged and slightly complex, Bolivia is one of South America's most diverse nations

Lonely Planet guide to Bolivia

Adventure

Rough around the edges, superlative in its natural beauty, rugged, vexing, complex and slightly nerve-racking, Bolivia is one of South America's most diverse and perplexing nations. Every second of every day is an adventure in Bolivia. Just finding your way from summit to city can be a challenge in itself. Then there are the peaks, the rivers, the treks, the jungles, the gut-bursting mountain-bike descents, and the vast, impenetrable and remote expanses that tug you ever further into the wild. It's a place that calls for a boldness and braveness of spirit, the kind of drive that took early explorers to the next rise on the horizon and the next turn on the river. For climbers, the steep mountain peaks offer a lifetime's worth of adventure. Plunging from the Andes down to the edge of the Amazon, multiday journeys follow ancient Inca paving, making this one of the world's top trekking destinations, while trips along rivers deep in the heart of the Amazon take you past the riotous barks of monkeys and a thriving mass of biodiversity that will leave you awestruck. Culture The cultural, historical and spiritual depths and richness of Latin America's most indigenous nation are astounding. Officially declared a Plurinational State, Bolivia is a place to visit, learn from and experience a diverse mix of peoples. There are at-risk cultures and languages that could disappear within our lifetime, and traditions and beliefs that reach back to the days of the Inca kings and Tiwanaku cosmologist priests. Nature Bolivia is a wild place and nature lovers, aesthetes and poets alike will find landscapes, views, and nature-born experiences not seen in many other places on the planet. The sheer amount of geographic, topographic, climatic and biological diversity will astound you. Then there are the playful bands of monkeys, the elegant and reclusive herds of vicuña and more than 1000 unique bird species to entertain, inspire and elevate you to a new proximity to the natural world. Five Top Experiences Salar de Uyuni Who knew feeling this cold could feel so good? While a three to four-day jeep tour through the world's largest salt flat will leave your bones chattering, it could quite possibly be the defining experience of your Bolivian adventure. The vastness, austerity and crystalline perfection of the salt flat will inspire you. Trekking in the Cordillera Real Walk in the path of the Inca along the many trekking routes that weave their way from the Andes into the Amazon Basin, through the remarkable skyward-bound wilderness of the Cordillera Real. These four to 14-day treks are no small undertaking, but it will be worth every step, every drop of sweat and every blister. Along the way, you'll have the chance to dine with indigenous families, cool off beside cascading waterfalls and connect with Pachamama (Mother Earth) deep within her potent green realm. Tiwanaku Bolivia's hallmark archeological site sets your imagination on fire. Despite lacking the power and prestige of other ruins in Latin America - those who have visited Machu Picchu or Tikal will be hard-pressed not to strike comparisons - this pre-Inca site has a lot to offer. A massive celebration is held on the winter solstice, with smaller ones at the other solstice and equinoxes . The on-site museum provides a thought-provoking glimpse into life in this religious and astronomical centre. An easy day trip from La Paz, Tiwanaku is a good place to start your Andean odyssey. Parque Nacional and Area de Uso Multiple AmBorO Sandwiched between the old and new roads to Cochabamba is one of Bolivia's most biodiverse, and fortunately most accessible, protected areas - the breathtaking Parque Nacional Amboró. Here the lush, leafy Amazon kisses the thorny, dusty Chaco, and the sweaty lowlands greet the refreshing highlands. Stunning scenery, wonderful wildlife and the assistance of professional tour agencies make this a wilderness just begging to be explored. Isla del Sol, Lake Titicaca Plopped on to sprawling Lake Titicaca like the cherry on top of an ice cream sundae, Isla del Sol is considered to be the birthplace of Andean civilisation. You can easily spend four days here, tracking down forgotten Inca roads to small archeological sites, removed coves and intact indigenous communities. At the end of the day, take in the sunset with a cerveza (beer) from your ridge-top lodge. The lake itself has a magnetism, power and energy unique in this world. Need to Know When to Go High season (May-Oct.) Expect mostly sunny days, but it's cooler in the Altiplano. Reliable weather makes for easier transit, and better climbing, trekking and mountain biking. Prices are generally higher. August is the most popular month. Shoulder season August to October is a great time to visit the Salar de Uyuni. This is a good period for budget hunters. Low season (Nov-Apr) The rainy season; it can be miserable in the lowlands. Overland transportation is hard or impossible in some areas. Don't Leave Home Without Bolivia is a tough travel destination. Make sure you are prepared before your trip by checking travel advisories, and packing the following: Proof of vaccination for yellow fever; first aid kit and bug spray Copy of your passport and of your travel insurance policy Plug adaptor for your camera battery charger Binoculars for wildlife watching, plus an all-purpose knife or tool and a headlamp A little extra cash to pay for emergencies or once-in-a-lifetime trips A pack lock or other luggage security for peace of mind Sense of humour - your patience and courage will be tested in queues and on buses.