The most incredible geological formations, colours, caves, waterfalls and dinosaur foot prints
Hardly discovered by tourists - off the beaten track but well worth the effort.

Google map: bit.ly/yQB1em

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The setting is perfect - wedged between the jagged foothills of the Bolivian Andes and the impenetrable expanse of the Amazon rainforest, the open grasslands of the Reyes pampas are home to poncho-wearing cowboys, known as vaqueros, who spend their lives on horseback rounding up the cattle on their vast estancias (ranches).
Visitors are welcome at the ranch house where they stay alongside the vaqueros. For the next few days, you can accompany the vaqueros as they milk the cows, prepare traditional (and very filling!) meals and ride horseback through the exquisite tropical forests and lagoons filled with exotic birds, monkeys and caimans!
It's a fascinating insight into a really unique way of life, and an unexpected way to spend your time in the Amazon. I'm no expert at horse riding, but I really felt at home with my new cowgirl lifestyle by the end of the trip!

www.lipiko.com
+591 38922221
Reyes is just a couple of hours' drive from the town of Rurrenabaque.
Tours to the estancias (from one day to several weeks) can be tailored and booked with Lipiko Tours. If you are in Rurre, stop by their office (and delicious French cafe!) on Av. Santa Cruz.
Google map: bit.ly/t4QGAw

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Take a trip to the mines of Cerro Rico in Potosi, once famous for silver. In the mines it is claustrophobic, hard to breathe and hot but a trip down these narrow tunnels gives an emotional insight into the miner's world and their way of life. Mouths stuffed with coca leaves, they slave on for hours spurred on by the gifts of drinks and dynamite that tourists bring from the miner’s market. Tours are run by ex-miners who talk about the history and legends of the mines, including ‘El Tio’, a figure who the miners make offerings to, to keep them safe. The tour is not easy, but definitely worth it to see how the miners work. You will definitely appreciate your own job more!!

Koala Tours: Calle Ayacucho #3, 33 Potosí, Bolivia.
www.koalabolivia.com

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One of the highlights of my travels in South America has to be cycling Death Road. After leaving La Paz, the ride begins at 4,700m above sea level and the first 25km is downhill on tarmac so you can really build some speed up. After that the road is a narrow, windy, dirt track clinging to the cliff side with massive sheer drops but fantastic views. As you descend the vegetation becomes greener and more jungle-like and you rapidly begin to lose layers as it gets hotter. It is the world’s most dangerous road, but luckily it is mainly only bikes that use it now, and it is so much fun.

Downhill Madness, La Paz: www.madness-bolivia.com/downhill

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Mention the words carnival and South America and you will probably think Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. However, the carnival in Oruro, an old mining town in Bolivia, is gaining ground and becoming a popular destination for tourists.
The Oruro Carnival is the second largest carnival in Latin America. UNESCO was so impressed with it that they declared the Oruro Carnival an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2001. It made us locals very proud.
As a native of Oruro I may be biased but to me the Oruro carnival is the place where fantasy, reality, religion and mysticism blend together and come alive for a week long celebration.
Oruro is a small, sleepy (and dusty) old town high in the Andean plateau at over 3700 metres above sea level.
Thousands of dancers and musicians in amazing and sometimes outlandish costumes descend (or rather ascend) to the town of Oruro the first week of February or March (depending on when Lent is) and party for nearly a week. But the preparations for the carnival start in late October or November the year before with dance rehearsals and plenty of partying every Saturday.
The actual carnival comprises of many different types of dances and music from different regions of Bolivia. There are dancers representing the Andean regions, the valleys and the rainforests of Bolivia. The centre piece of the carnival however is La Diablada or the Devils’ dance.
The dancers have to be very fit as they have to dance for about four or five kilometres in full costume. Some of the costumes (like the ones from the Diablada or Morenada) weigh upwards of 25 kilos depending on the complexity of the design and embroidery of the costumes and design of the masks.

When I was growing up in Oruro one of my favourite things about the carnival, apart from the dancing, were the water balloon fights. So take plenty of changes of clothes, buy yourself a water gun, water balloons and join in the water fights.
Also due to the altitude going to Oruro is not for the fainthearted. Make sure when you go there you first acclimatise to the altitude for a few days prior to the carnival; otherwise it will be very difficult for you to walk fast let alone dance along with the parades of dancers.

Three hours from La Paz by coach. Get in touch with travel agents with plenty of time because Oruro is a small town and hotels get booked very quickly.
www.travel-bolivia.com/carnaval-de-oruro.html
www.orurocarnaval.com/orurocarnaval1/
Google map: bit.ly/eKYeKA

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Last year I was volunteering with Bolivia Volunteers in a local orphanage, and it was Carnival time in Oruro.
I went on their organized weekend break to Oruro, and had a blast!
Theyrre arranging the same thing again this year if anyone´s wanting to go to Carnival in Oruro.

boliviavolunteers.webs.com/carnavaldeoruro.htm

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The Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia is one of the most stunningly beautiful places I have ever seen. If you're into your landscapes, forget Peru and Machu Picchu, head instead for Bolivia and for US$90 you can spend three days in paradise.

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You pass beautiful local villages and people and the landscape and views are breathtaking - every one should do it!

Copacobana - Bolivia.The walk is detailed in the Lonely Planet and various agencies in Copa.

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The best international-standard restaurant in town has an impressive old Europe setting and a strong Germanic influence. It’s not cheap by Bolivian standards, but a good excuse to dress up and mix with the local high society; the set lunch is a good value way to soak up the atmosphere.

Calle Frederico Zuazo #1905
Tel: 244 1660
www.restaurantvienna.com

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