Bolivia

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Outdoor enthusiasts are guaranteed to love Bolivia where the unique wilderness can be found with its memorable and contrasting Andean scenery. It’s relatively unexplored, which simply enhances its appeal for many visitors.

          Bolivia has a plethora of opportunities for climbing, mountain biking and trekking. May to September is the best time to visit this country. The wet season runs from December to March, sometimes as late as April, turning everything to mud and floods with cloudy views.

Trekking

          Whether you’re after a leisurely stroll or an advanced expedition to the Amazon, Bolivia has a variety of trek options from which to choose. Cordillera Real is the favourite region for trekkers thanks to its accessibility from La Paz and magnificent Andean scenery. You’ll find an overlapping network of paths in these mountains where people use mules frequently, which has provided top quality routes for trekking. The Incan stone-paved highways are among the best to be seen during the trip to the region. You can follow these Inca paths over the Cordillera Real and down to the Yungas’s tropical valleys due to the country’s three favourite treks, which all start from or close to La Paz: the Choro, Takesi and Yunga Cruz. The way from the town of Sorata to La Paz’s north, is another good location from which to begin many top-notch treks.

          Other fantastic options for hiking that offer less challenging gradients can be found on the shores of Lago Titicaca and Isla del Sol. Cordillera Apolobamba, where you’ll find the renowned Trans-Apolobamba Trek, is ideal for trekkers seeking very remote regions. The mountains that surround Sucre are equally splendid. The Reserva Biológica del Sama near Tarija is also a great choice.

Climbing

          The country is the home to a variety of mountain peaks that exceed 5,000m -6,000m. Cordillera Real remains the regions favourite for climbers since the weather is fairly reliable during winter and routes are easy to begin from La Paz. Other fantastic choices include Cordillera Occidental’s volcanic peaks – especially Sajama – and the more distant Cordillera Apolobamba and Cordillera Quimsa Cruz. Only experienced climbers should attempt many of the country’s higher peaks although Cordillera Real’s Huayna Potosí (6090m) is one that can be summited by experienced and amateur climbers alike.

          It’s possible to rent equipment in La Paz, but serious climbers are advised to bring their own equipment if they’ll be climbing independently. Many operators in La Paz offer guided climbs for the peaks, but make sure that your guide is not only certified, but also experienced and provides decent equipment. As always, it’s crucial to acclimatize properly to avoid altitude sickness, but make sure that you can also recognize the symptoms of altitude sickness and are well-read about the dangers of extremely low temperatures.

Mountain Biking

          You’ll find some of the world’s best mountain biking routes in Bolivia. Experiencing the Andes by bike is a memorable trip. You’ll find several tour options for downhill biking trips starting in La Paz. It means you have to go to one of the region’s high passes and bike down, accompanied by both a guide and a support vehicle. Make sure you’ve chosen a reputable company and don’t cut costs on the quality of the service.

Without a doubt, the most popular route is a magnificent 3,500m descent from La Paz to Coroico in the Yungas, which requires no prior experience and is an easy day-trip from La Paz. Other favourites are the route from Chacaltaya to La Paz, Chacaltay to the Yungas’s Zongo Valley and, for experienced bikers, the Takesi Trail. If you bring your personal bike with you, the options for mountain biking are limitless.

Rafting and Kayaking

          The Upper Amazon valleys are filled with rivers that run from the Andes and are ideal for both kayaking and whitewater rafting although the sports could be more developed. In the Yungas, the Río Coroico is easy to access and provides a variety of gradients with single day trips available possible from Coroico. The Río Tuichi is certainly the most exhilarating option for experienced paddlers; it starts in the Andes and ends in the Parque Nacional Madidi’s rainforests.