Top 10 destinations Bolivia
Number 1: Uyuni Salt Flats
Salar de Uyuni comprises over 10,000 sq km in the Potosi region. The salt is over 10 meters thick in the center. In the dry season, the salt plains are a completely flat expanse of dry salt, but in the wet season, it is covered with a thin sheet of water that is still drivable.
The Salar de Uyuni was formed by the disappearance of an inland ocean that covered most of the Altiplano and extended all the way to the Titicaca Lake. This body of water disappeared about 13,000 years ago.
Number 2: National Park Madidi
The National Park Madidi is located to the Northeast of La Paz in the Franz Tamayo, Abel Iturralde and Larecaja Provinces. The park borders to the West with Peru. It has a surface of 1.895.750 hectares (18,957 km2). The climate is cold at the mountain range area, warm at the mountainous intermediate lands and hot at the north lands. The altitude varies between 6,000 and 200 meters above the sea level.
The Area has a wonderful diversity of physiographic environments, from the Apolobamba high mountain range until the Amazon area, including mountainous regions and the Sub Andinean system.
Number 3: Lake Titicaca
This lake is located in the Department of La Paz, at three hours by bus from the capital city of the same name. It is 283 meters deep and has a total extension of 176 Km. in length by 70 Km. in width.
The Titicaca Lake is the highest-navigable lake in the world. It has an average height of 3,810 meters above the sea level. A portion of the lake belongs to Bolivia and the other one to Peru. It is divided into two major basins, named "Lago Mayor del Titicaca" (Major Lake of the Titicaca) and "Lago Menor del Titicaca" (Minor Lake of the Titicaca).
Number 4: National Park Sajama
The park counts with archaeological and historic places of cultural value as the Chullpas, pictographs, pre-Colombian ruins and colonial churches like Curahuara de Carangas. It borders with the Lauca park in Chile and of the Ciudad de Piedras in La Paz.
The Area occupies the region of the Western or Volcanic mountain Range, characterized for its extensive altiplano (high plain), altoandinas lagoons, and imposing volcanic cones as the Payachatas and the snowcovered Sajama Mountain which is the highest peak in Bolivia.
Number 5: Oruro Carnival
This event is held as a sign of devotion to the "Virgen de la Candelaria" (Virgin of the Candle Mass) or Virgin from "Socavon" (Entrance of the mines). This is one of the largest cultural events and festivities of greatest importance in Bolivia and Latin America.
During this festivity, men and women from various ages dance in honor to the Virgin. They all dress up in elaborate costumes made by artisans of great skill that produce outfits of unbelievable beauty and quality.
Number 6: Jesuit Missions
Prior to the colonial times the area of Chiquitos was populated by various indigenous jungle tribes. These were Evangelized by missionaries from the "Compania de Jesus" (Company of Jesus). Shortly afterwards various Spanish communities were constructed in the middle of the jungle. This included the various Jesuit missions of the area of Chiquitos, which were founded between 1691 and 1767. The Jesuit missions have remained intact and after hundreds of years, they continue to marvel the world. Today they are considered a valuable legacy from colinial times. Most of the churches have a classic baroque style with a strong influence of Bolivian half-breed decor. Inside the churches there are murals, golden altars, series of wooden carvings painted with gold, pulpits, sets of drawers and impressive columns.
Number 7: Silver Mines
One of the main tourist attractions of the city that was once known as the wealthiest and most populated city in the world is "Sumaj Orko", better known as "Cerro Rico". From the depths of this amazing mountain, a huge amount of silver has been extracted since 1545. The mine can be accessed through an elevator that takes visitors directly to various galleries where lead-silver, zinc-silver and tin are extracted. Most of these galleries are at about 240 meters below the ground.
Number 8: La Paz City
La Paz is the administrative capital of Bolivia, while Sucre is the constitutional capital and the seat of the Supreme Court. La Paz was established in 1542, and is located in the Andes mountains. Altitude of the city ranges from about 4058 meters (13,313 feet) above sea level in El Alto (where the airport is located) to 3100 meters (10,170 feet) in the lower residential area. It is the highest national capital in the world.
La Paz was built in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River (now mostly built over), which runs northwest to southeast. The city's main thoroughfare, which roughly follows the river, changes names over its length, but the central tree-lined section running through the downtown core is called the Prado.
Number 9: National Park Toro Toro
The Park is located to the north of Potosi, in the province Charcas, though it is more easily accessible from Cochabamba city. It has a surface of 16,570 hectares (166 km2). It is an authentic paradise for the lovers of geology and paleontology since tracks of large reptiles of the Mesozoic era and deep caverns of carstic origin can be found here. Among the attractions are the extensive cavern of Huma Jalanta, the cavern of Huaca Senka and others. Also, there are tracks of dinosaurs and zones with abundant fossils. Toro Toro harbors the Inca ruins of Flame Chaqui and cave paintings. A particular attraction is the impressive canyon of the Valley of Toro Toro. The altitude varies between 3,600 and 1,900 meters.
Number 10: Tiwanacu
Tiwanaku (Spanish spellings: Tiahuanaco and Tiahuanacu) is an important Pre-Columbian archaeological site. Tiwanaku is recognized by Andean scholars as one of the most important precursors to the Inca Empire, flourishing as the ritual and administrative capital of a major state power for approximately five hundred years. The ruins of the ancient city state are near the south-eastern shore of Lake Titicaca, about 72 km (44 miles) west of La Paz.
