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Bolivia
General Information

The highest and the most isolated of all South American countries, Bolivia is also one of the most untouched by tourists. It is a land of stark contrasts – between elegant colonial cities and remote impoverished Indian villages, and between the treeless landscapes of the highlands and the prolific low-lying jungles of the Amazon basin. The outstanding natural beauty, the richness of the indigenous culture and the courage of a people at the mercy of nature and of history make a visit to Bolivia both a moving and a rewarding experience.

LA PAZ

Situated in a natural bowl in the Andes at over 3,600 metres, Bolivia's largest city has an unexpected vibrancy, its animated streets bustling with traditionally dressed Aymara Indians selling an amazing variety of wares. There are flower markets, artisans’ markets and even the famous witchcraft market selling herbs and folk remedies as well as some more unorthodox ingredients to appease the spirits of the Aymara world. La Paz is an excellent base for excursions to nearby attractions such as the pre-Inca ruins of Tiwanacu, Lake Titicaca and the pretty village of Coroico, reached by road on a hair-raising descent into a semi-tropical landscape.

LAKE TITICACA

The highest navigable lake in the world is located in the heart of the ‘Altiplano’ between Peru and Bolivia and a visit to the Bolivian side of the lake offers excellent possibilities to experience the culture and traditions of a unique area whose inhabitants have preserved the centuriesold customs and rituals of their ancestors. Against a backdrop of the stunning snowcapped peaks of the Andes, boat trips through Bolivian waters visit the Island of the Sun, central to the beliefs of the local people, and onwards to the town of Copacabana whose cathedral houses the important shrine of the Virgen Morena (Dark Virgin).

SUCRE & POTOSI

Bolivia's official capital, Sucre, is the nation's best preserved Spanish Colonial city with a wealth of attractive museums, churches and mansions. Within reach of the city on a day trip is the colourful Indian market at Tarabuco, considered one of the most authentic in South America. Also worth visiting is Potosí, once the largest and wealthiest city in the Americas due to its vast deposits of silver; this elegant city still retains traces of its former greatness with its magnificent colonial buildings and baroque churches, and in the mines where the notoriously harsh working conditions are little changed since the heyday of the Spanish Empire.

UYUNI & THE REMOTE SOUTHWEST

The southwest corner of Bolivia is a remote and stunningly beautiful area where the more adventurous traveller can reach the world’s largest salt flat, the spectacular Uyuni, and the isolated Red Lagoon whose flaming mineral rich waters are a breeding ground for colourful Andean flamingos. In the mining town of Oruro, the famous Carnival of the Devil - the 'Diablada' - is a fantastic display of colourful costumes and traditional Andean dances. This area can be easily combined with a visit to the Atacama region of northern Chile.

Austral Tours Ltd: 20 Upper Tachbrook Street
London SW1V 1SH - United Kingdom
Tel. +44(0)20-7233 5384 / Fax +44(0)20-7233 5385
Email: info@latinamerica.co.uk

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