Visit Bolivia - Coroico's Budget Friendly Nature Getaway

The country of Bolivia is probably not a well known place for many tourists probably because it is one of the highest and most remote countries in the world. However, this place on earth is actually one of the best areas to spend a nature getaway.

Coroico is one of the best places in Bolivia to visit. Situated specifically in the Yungas region, the town overlooks the scenic foothills of Andes mountain ranges, and is a frequent access point harsher and more rugged mountainous landscape of the northern region. Coroico experiences nice warm climate and possesses calm and relaxing ambiance, making it an ideal retreat spot. The suitable environment in Coroico is also a perfect site to engage in activities like jungle hiking, waterfall trekking, wildlife viewing, and following trails set by the ancient Inca tribe. When you visit Bolivia do not miss seeing the Cotapata National Park, a small natural reserve that houses highly diversified ecosystems. Just three hours from Coroico, is the ancient rock paintings called the Kellkata Petroglyphs.

Unlike other high-profile tourist destinations, you don't have to spend too much money or deal with boisterous crowds to experience a great nature getaway. When you visit Bolivia, the view of the valleys and mountain from the town is already an attraction in itself. In fact, a number of tourists are content staring off into the scenic surrounding while drinking the local coffee or tea the town is known for.

Best Places in Bolivia

Aside from the budget friendly nature getaway in Coroico you can also visit numerous places of interest around the town. For instance, you can go for a tour around plantations for coffee and banana, and the citrus orchard. Expose yourself to the agricultural heritage of the locals and visit the distinct villages in the area like the Jewish-community of Charobamba and the Afro-Bolivian community called TocaÒa.

The rivers (rio in Spanish) of Kory Huayco, San Juan and Coroico are also few of the best places in Bolivia that you ought to see. It is simply near to the town and are great spots to have a refreshing swim and lovely picnic. The nearby Huarinillas River is a favorite spot for thrill seekers as its strong currents are ideal for rafting. Guided tours are available for those who like the see the beautiful waterfalls in the area. When you visit Bolivia, you should not be contented without seeing its notable spots such as the Paradise Falls, Perolani waterfalls and Pozas del Vagante.

History

Ironically, some of the best places in Bolivia have a deadly history. For instance, the Yungas Road that runs from La Paz to Bolivia's Amazon rainforest region in the north of the country has been dubbed the "World's Most Dangerous Road because of its scary downhill direction. Based on statistics, it is the most dangerous road in the world, killing 100 to 300 people every year. But despite its frightening view, it is one of the favorite places that bikers and adventure-seekers love to go. If you are confident with your biking abilities, then you can join the ranks of the few tourists who dare to bike on this road as part of your nature getaways. Other less-risky mountain biking trails are also available within the town's vicinity.

Your nature getaway in Bolivia is made more convenient with the availability of affordable hotels and accommodation. From big luxurious hotels to eco-lodges, Bolivia hotels offers the best price and service. You can also have a delightful dinner at one of many Coroico's restaurants, which serve both international and local cuisines. To make your night more fun and memorable, head out to some of the several cafes, bars and small clubs, which are located near the best places in Bolivia.

To get a daily doze of inspiration of the best travel destinations in the world please visit: Traveler Dreams

Silver Mountain - Rags and Riches in Bolivia

At more than 13,000 feet above sea-level in the Andes, we were as close to heaven as most mortals can hope to get - and closer to hell than anybody would want to be.

A group of miners steadily chewed coca leaves, mixing the wad with ash. They claimed it immunized them against cold and hunger. Armed with carbide lamps, most not wearing safety helmets, they began to file into the mine, ducking to avoid broken timbers, crawling through puddles.

I thought about the dark stains smearing the mine entrance. They were from the blood of the llamas ritually sacrificed to appease El Tio, the devilish deity who rules underground.

Coca juice numbed my mouth and claustrophobia gnawed at my stomach. My heart thumped with the exertion at this altitude. What the devil was I doing here, deep in the depths of Cerro Rico (rich hill), the mountain that broods over Potosí in Bolivia?

The astounding wealth below the surface of the cone-shaped hill, called Sumac Orcko ("beautiful hill") in the Quechua tongue, was discovered by Diego Gualpa, an Indian, in April, 1545. One story says he detected silver when his llama scratched the earth.

If Diego had known how much suffering his find was to bring to his people in the former kingdom of the Incas, he would surely have kept quiet. But five rich veins were located close to the surface, the mountain was renamed Cerro Rico and soon Potosí had 160,000 inhabitants, a colourful mixture of officials, traders, desperadoes, and millionaires, plus at least 800 professional gamblers and 120 prostitutes.

From its mines poured an estimated 46,000 tons of silver, worth anything from US$5,000 million upwards in modern terms. It brought undreamed-of wealth to a handful of adventurers, adorned churches and palaces, and helped pay for Spain's Great Armada and a series of wars. It also brought misery and death to thousands of Indians forced to work below ground.

In Potosí only the best was good enough for the silver barons. They competed in licentiousness and conspicuous consumption. They shipped their finery back to Paris to have it properly dry-cleaned while their ladies wore elegant shoes with heels of solid silver.

Today the city, declared by UNESCO a World Heritage site, is remote and sleepy and conditions underground are still perilously primitive, as I learned when a young student guided me through some of the 785 kilometres of tunnels honeycombing Cerro Rico. Little silver comes out these days for the most accessible veins are exhausted.

Tin replaced it in importance, making fortunes for a lucky few. But, after the bottom fell out of the tin market in 1985, thousands of miners lost their jobs and only a few mines struggle on.

The dream of easy wealth contributed to Spain's stagnation, helping to impoverish it for centuries. The riches of the Indies were frittered away - and that perhaps is the revenge of Potosí.

Those who carried off its treasure were left with nothing either. Except memories of the silver rush, enshrined in a popular Spanish phrase: "Vale un potosí! It's worth a king's ransom!"

Journalist and author David Baird has worked all over the world but is now based in Spain. His book about a little-known conflict that raged in the 1940s, Between Two Fires - Guerrilla War in the Spanish sierras, has won praise from such leading historians as Paul Preston and Ian Gibson. His latest books are works of fiction. Typhoon Season is a thriller set in Hong Kong. Don't Miss The Fiesta! is a tale of passion and adventure set in southern Spain. More information at the Maroma Press website, http://maromapress.wordpress.com/

Backpacking Inspiration - 1 Month - Peru, Bolivia and Chile

The natural untouched beauty of the mighty Andean mountain range, the majestic Inca ruins of Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca Islands that are barely affected by the modern world. Street markets and Andean culture in Bolivia, sand-boarding in the Atacama Desert and 4x4 drives across the Bolivia salt flats. All this can comfortably be experienced in around a month travelling through this awe-inspiring corner of South America.

Below is a suggested one month backpacking itinerary, starting and finishing in Peru and travelling by bus throughout.

Fly into the ancient Inca capital of Cusco, Peru. With Machu Picchu on its doorstep, Cusco is a tourist hot-spot where you can organise tours into the Amazon rainforest, explore Inca culture and history, become acclimatised to the Andean altitude, and see the many Inca ruins, most notably the Inca city of Machu Picchu. If you're into trekking, the 4 day Inca Trail finishing at Machu Picchu at sunrise is a must. In and around Cusco, there's a wide selection of museums, galleries, Andean villages and markets to explore.

From Cusco, head to Puno on the shores of the enormous Lake Titicaca. Whether you book onto a tour or just turn up at the pier and get on a boat is up to you, but you won't want to miss a trip to the remote islands on Lake Titticaca. The floating reed islands are postcard-perfect and on Isla Amantani, staying with a local family will give you a real insight into life in this remote part of the world where life has barely changed for centuries.

Next head by bus to Copacabana, on the shores of Lake Titicaca, Bolivia. The highlight of this is the day trek up the coast to a little village where you can hire a small boat and driver to take you across to Isla Del Sol. The scenery is spectacular, and what a night on Isla Del Sol may be lacking in luxury and comfort (supplies are carried up by mule and water is at a premium), the Island more than makes up for in spectacular scenery and walking opportunities.

Back to Puno and on to La Paz, a major city in Bolivia. One of the highest cities in the world, La Paz is nestled in the mountains which provide a perfect backdrop for wandering the stall-lined streets, and exploring the bustling markets and museums.

From La-Paz, head south and get on a 4x4 tour through the huge salt flats at Salar De Uyuni. You'll end up at the Chilean border and on to San Pedro de Atacama, the centre of tourism in the spectacular Atacama Desert. You can go sand-boarding, mountain biking, horse riding and trekking with San Pedro de Atacama as your base, but however you choose to see it, experiencing the desert should be on your list.

Next, head to the Northern Chile coastal town of Iquique, a place where high desert plains abruptly meet the Pacific Ocean creating spectacular cliffs and probably one of the top paragliding destinations in the world. Amazing climate, familiar food and travelling in comfort will all probably be appreciated in Chile after a few weeks in Peru and Bolivia.

Next, head North to Arica and on to the barely discovered gem, the highlight of Northern Chile; Parc Nationale Lauca. One of the best ways to explore this area is to hire a car in Arica for a couple of days. Stay in a rural village like Putre, and explore the spectacular natural landscapes of snow-capped volcanoes reflected in crystal clear lakes, spot flamingo, alpaca and vicuna and buy Andean handicrafts from the villagers.

Continue North into Peru and head for Arequipa. This beautiful city has lots to offer the visitor, not least a trip into the nearby Colca Canyon. From the village of Cabanaconde on the Canyon rim (about 100 miles from Arequipa), you can trek into the canyon in a few hours where you bathe at the Oasis (sheer bliss) and stay in a hut by the river. Your hosts (a local family - no need to reserve, in fact it's probably not possible to reserve) will cook you a meal, light you a fire and provide you with basic accommodation. The sense of tranquility in such a remote location and the expansive natural surroundings mean a trip into Colca Canyon should feature on every traveller's itinerary.

After another day or so relaxing in the cafes and restaurants of beautiful Arequipa, it's a convenient transport hub for flights back to Lima and home, or on to your next destination.

Excluding the cost of flights and travel insurance, and travelling independently as a backpacker, this trip is likely to cost around $1800 - $2500 per person.

Andrew Marsden is a researcher and travel journalist for [http://www.roam-the-world.com]. Probably the most comprehensive resource on the web for independent travelling costs. Roam The World are passionate about helping you to plan an adventure using accurate and reliable information.

Bird Watching Holidays in Bolivia: Dream Trips for Birders

If you're an avid bird watcher looking for your next intrepid adventure, why not consider Bolivia? Famous for its prolific birdlife, Bolivia offers plenty of opportunities to spot many of the 850 species that reside here. Its diverse geography and range of ecosystems provide the perfect habitats for the different species.

A trip to Bolivia makes for a fascinating and memorable experience but, before you book, make sure you do some research on the bird watching holidays on offer. You should book with a company that offers small groups, a local tour leader, and a varied itinerary to ensure you get the most out of your once in a lifetime visit to this spectacular country.

Highlights of Bolivia

Most bird watching holidays to Bolivia include Amboro National Park on the itinerary, which, because of its incredible range of flora, is home to an astounding number of bird species, including Flycatchers, Tanagers, hummingbirds and Antbirds. This ecological hotspot covers half a million hectares and encompasses three main ecosystems: the Amazon basin, the northern Chaco and the Andes. The mountainous region towers above the extensive lowland areas and, consequently, both highland and lowland animal and plant species are found here.

Los Volcanes is home to several species that are endemic to the area. The Grey-checked Parakeet, Black-streaked Puffbird, Bolivian Recurvebill and the Yungas Manakin are among the many unusual inhabitants to be found in this reserve. It is thought that 170 different avian species live here, which is extremely high considering its habitat and elevation. Experts attribute the diversity to the fact that the forest includes both deciduous trees and evergreens. The well-mapped trail system makes for ideal access to all areas of the reserve for those on guided bird watching holidays.

Because Bolivia is home to the Andes, it has extensive areas of semi-deciduous woodlands in the foothills and other areas of shrub desert. These particular regions offer the perfect habitat for the Red-fronted Macaw, the Red-tailed Comet and the Yellow-billed Tit-tyrant, all sought after species for the avid bird watcher.

Bolivia also boasts the stunning cloud forest of Siberia, a unique ecosystem that is made up of north-south valleys sheltered by the Andes from the extreme Amazonian weather. Comarapa is an area of cloud forest in the Serrania de Siberia where the Rufus-faced Antpitta is often spotted, along with the Golden-headed Quetzal and the Pale-legged Warbler. In the transition zone, where the cloud forest meets the drier valleys, the Ringed Warbling Finches are a common sight.

Bird watching holidays to Bolivia are perfect for those with a long list of exotic birds on their wish list, and a trip to this stunning region of South America will certainly be one to remember.

Marissa Ellis-Snow is a freelance nature writer. If you're looking for bird watching holidays, Naturetrek specialises in expert-led natural history and wildlife tours worldwide. Naturetrek brings over 25 years of experience to polar expeditions and tours to other spectacular regions on Earth.

Places of Interest on Your Holidays in Bolivia

Who would have guessed that one of the poorest countries in South America has the rich and exciting destination of the vastly differing Amazonian and Andean landscapes and the remnants of mysterious ancient civilization? This is the destination for people who are looking for untamed traditions and beliefs because 50% of the population maintains their traditional values and belief.

One of the popular attractions of Bolivia is the Lake Titicaca located in La Paz. The lake is regarded as the highest lake with a depth of 12, 580ft and which covers 3,861 square miles. This lake is attributed to its majestic roots. Around the lake there are two major islands, the Islas del Sol and Isla de la Luna, which are in high regard as they are the mythical sites of the creation of the Inca people.

According to legend, the Sun God sent his son and daughter to earth to improve the way of life of the Andean people, and so they descended unto Islas Del Sol and founded the Inca Empire. There are stunning views across the lake to the snow-capped peaks of the Andean range. The islands themselves are incredibly picturesque.

Tourists can see fishermen sail by on handmade reed boats. Present on the lake shore are the llamas and alpacas herded along the mountain paths to villages scattered on the hillsides. Along the way, there are a few Inca ruins, among them the Sun Temple and the Chincana complex on Isla Del Sol and the Inca stairways.

Another big attraction of Bolivia is the Rurrenabaque, the starting point for a trip to the Amazonian pampas and jungle. This is suitable for lovers of nature and wildlife. It is considered the loveliest of the Bolivian lowland villages. Tourists can have a ride on the dugout canoe as they cross the river in Rurrenabaque. The rainforest and pampas are abundant in wildlife. There are anacondas, capybaras, monkeys, turtles, macaws, caymans, piranhas, and the beautiful pink dolphins. There are also a plenty of birds life to be seen and heard.

For tourists looking for a photographer's delight, Salar de Uyuni must be the place to stay. It is the world's largest salt desert set in elevation of 11, 970 ft and filled with an estimated 10 billion tons of salt. It is considered as one of the most spectacular natural attractions in Bolivia. It is a superb landscape combining salt pans, wind-eroded rock formations, and wandering llamas in a completely unspoilt region. At the center lies the Isla de Pescadores, it is a landmass appearing as a mountain out of the white nothingness. In Sala de Uyumi, there are plenty of other marvellous sites such as the Laguna Colorada and Laguna Verde. These lakes are homes to flamingos and are surrounded by extinct volcanoes. Also surrounding them are bubbling mud pools.

There is also Bolivia's famous museum, the Casa Real De Moneda. It was originally the Royal Mint House, where the colonial Spanish transformed the silver from the mines into coins. It is one of Bolivia's best museums that explain the history of silver production and its influence. Aside from silver coins, they also display restored presses and wooden minting machines, coins and coin stamps and religious art.

The other must see attraction is the Mercado de Brujas or the Withches Market. It is one of the most bizarre markets in the world. Merchandise sold here are fairly odd, things such as herbs and remedies used in any traditions to potions, charms, and dried llama foetuses. Available also are the Andean art and handicrafts.

The other must see attraction is the Mercado de Brujas or the Withches Market which you can visit if you rent one of the many holiday cottages. It is one of the most bizarre markets in the world. Merchandise sold here are fairly odd, things such as herbs and remedies used in any traditions to potions, charms, and dried llama foetuses. Available also are the Andean art and handicrafts which you can buy when you come here on self catering villa holidays [http://compareaway.co.uk/villa-holidays].

10 Things I Like About La Paz Bolivia

"I don't think travelers come here to unwind." Not only will you feel shortness of breath in La Paz because of high altitude, the city's steep roads are a challenge even if you are super fit. La Paz is the highest capital in the world sitting at 3636 meters (12,000 feet) at a steep canyon on the altiplano.

La Paz is one of the most fascinating cities in South America and here are 10 things I like about La Paz Bolivia:

Ten: It is the cheapest city in South America

Our cheapest dinner was at Jackie Chan Chinese restaurant for four including water and beer was US$5. Dinner at a touristy restaurant called Sol y Luna with three entrees, one pisco sour, two fruit juice and one bottled water for four was US$34.

Teatime with two salteñas, one empanada and one apple pie was US$5 at El Montanes Café on Calle Saganaga (across the street from the popular Café del Mundo). The teahouse serves the best salteñas in Bolivia.

Six bottles of one and a half liters bottles of mineral water were US$2.

Nine: Plaza San Francisco

Locals and tourists congregated at the plaza during the day and night. Colonial buildings, street markets, vendors, shops and the church and monastery of San Francisco surround Plaza San Francisco.

The church was built in 1549 and depicted the mix of Spaniard and indigenous influences. This mestizo-baroque façade has a blend of Catholic images and indigenous symbols like birds, snakes, dragons and faces. The Plaza San Francisco is a great place to have a feel of La Paz- where you can spot cholas in Bowler hats and traditional skirts, men and women selling all types of souvenirs and food, musicians, tourists and vehicles like old buses.

Eight: Old buses

Mini or regular buses in La Paz are mostly old and tattered with beautiful colors and drawings. Though these buses are not fuel efficient vehicles and are bad for our lungs, they do give La Paz a different feel from other South American countries.

Seven: Steep cobblestone streets

You will have a good workout walking up and down the steep cobblestone streets of La Paz. The high altitude took my breath away every time I walked up Calle Saganaga. I must have walked on that street at least 15 times in my four days stay in La Paz.

These cobblestone streets are filled with local vendors selling food, drinks and souvenirs, street markets and the famous Witches Market.

Six: Witches Market

The colorful Witches Market is filled with scents, potions and lotions, alpaca sweaters, leg warmers, hats, souvenirs, restaurants and llama fetuses. It is a must-see in La Paz because of the various types of items sold that are unique to Bolivia's culture and traditions.

If you are looking for alpaca-made clothing and accessories, the Witches Market offers variety and great prices. After 10 days in Bolivia, most of these souvenir shops with alpaca-made things began to look the same but if you take a careful look, the Witches Market offers a great variety compared to shops and street markets in Potosi and Uyuni.

Five: Moon Valley

Moon Valley is like a sponge, when it rains it becomes dangerous to walk around the area. It was like walking through huge egg cartons. The Moon Valley offers different trails and you can spend 30 minutes or one hour walking on the trails through rock formations that resembles the 'moon' (I haven't been to the moon, thus the quotation marks).

The Moon Valley is only less than 10 km from the city of La Paz but it is warmer and drier. The valley is quiet and offers an excellent acoustic sound and if you stay silent for a few minutes you could actually hear your own breathing.

Four: Plaza Murillo

This is where the Bolivian government buildings, Presidential Palace, Cathedral and locals gather with pigeons and vendors in the square. One interesting thing I observed was a little girl barely three years old walking straight to a ice-cream vendor to purchase an ice-cream cone.

The Presidential Palace has gunshot holes and is also known as the Burnt Palace because of the many uprising and protests in the area.

Three: The view

La Paz sits in a canyon with an altitude of 3636 meters at the Plaza Murillo, the center of the city. Traveling into the city on an overland truck from Potosi, I will never forget the view of La Paz and the snow-capped Mt. Illamani. These are photos we took from one of the lookout points.

Another lookout point is at Mirador Killi Killi at 3685 meters above sea level. From here you can see the city's skyline including the stadium.

Two: Eating llama meat

Yes, I did eat llama meat and alpaca meat in Bolivia. The best llama meat dish was at Luna's Restaurant on Calle Saganaga. Traveling to me is about trying new food and experiencing the culture and traditions of the country I visit. I had a hard time making myself eat llama meat but I am glad I tried it.

One: Bowler hats and traditional clothing

The most fascinating part of my visit to La Paz was walking and trying to make a conversation with the cholas and cholitas with bowler hats and traditional clothing.

I discovered La Paz, Bolivia is the cheapest city in South America. Your dollar will go a long way in the city. It is fairly safe to travel but never walk or take a taxi on your own during the night. We were told to be careful with our belongings.

Have you been to La Paz? It is definitely worth a visit if you like to visit a country steep in culture and traditions with a hint of westernization like great accommodations and food.

Claudia Looi is a travel copywriter. She spent eight months in South America visiting eight countries with her husband and two teens. You can find her at http://www.travelwritingpro.com

Suggested Two Week Bolivia Itinerary

If you have around two weeks for a Bolivia holiday, here is my suggestion on what to see and do. You will cover all the main highlights, including Lake Titicaca, the Amazon Jungle, the Salar de Uyuni and the historic cities of Potosi and Sucre.

Starting your Bolivia trip in the sky-high city of La Paz, I suggest spending a couple of nights here. As La Paz is at an altitude of around 3660m it does take time to get used to the thin air. The beautiful San Francisco church and the famous witches market, where you can buy anything from the usual tourist tat to dried llama foetuses, will keep you busy for a day. Another day on your Bolivia tour you can arrange a cycling adventure down the world's most dangerous road (well worth it if you have the nerves).

Copacabana is only a 4 hour bus ride from La Paz and is a great place to spend the night and explore the beauty of Lake Titicaca and the Isla del Sol.

Back in La Paz you can continue your Bolivia holiday by organising a 3 or 4 day adventure to the jungle and pampas around Rurrenabaque. It's about a 20 hour bus ride from La Paz, so the 1 hour flight is a much better option. Wildlife spotting opportunities here are great, with monkeys, sloths, caiman, capybaras and anacondas often spotted.

From La Paz you can then catch the night bus south to Uyuni. From Uyuni you can organise day trips to visit the world's largest salt flats. The Salar de Uyuni is simply stunning and a must see place on any Bolivia holiday. If you have an extra couple of days, you can organise a 2 night 4x4 trip taking in the salt flats as well as the surrounding volcanoes, coloured lakes, hot springs and geysers.

Back in Uyuni it's a 6 hour bus ride to the highest city in the world, Potosi. Potosi was once one of the richest cities on earth due to the abundance of silver in the surrounding hills, and while here on your Bolivia tour you'll have the opportunity to visit one of the current silver mines and experience what life is like for the miners.

After a couple of nights in Potosi it's a 3 hour bus ride to Sucre, Bolivia's official capital city, and a definite 'must see' on any Bolivia holiday. Sucre is a beautiful city, with a wealth of churches and museums, excellent accommodation and plenty to see and do in the surrounding area, such as the dinosaur park which is home to the largest collection of dinosaur footprints in the world.

Last up is Bolivia's largest city, Santa Cruz. There is a relatively large international airport for returning home or flying back to La Paz. But before you do, as the climate is lovely and warm, I'd recommend spending a day or two here just relaxing and doing any last minute souvenir shopping you may need before your Bolivia tour ends.

Trek through the snow-capped Andes, go island hopping on Lake Titicaca, try an Amazon jungle lodge adventure and follow the Inca trail to epic Machu Picchu. Build your own Peru and Bolivia adventure.

The Incredible Valley of the Moon in Bolivia

If you ever wonder what the moon looks like up close, one of the best places to get an idea is the Valley of the Moon in Bolivia. The valley, which is called Valle de la Luna in Spanish, is indeed a spectacular site. Here, you will be in great awe at the giant sharp monoliths trying to reach out and touch the sky.

It is hard to believe that these series of stalagmites are just what is left of a mountain of sandstone and clay that was torn down little by little by rain and strong winds over a multitude of years. The valley's lunar landscape has been formed through the erosion of the soft soil. Father Time and Mother Nature are the true sculptures of the Valley of the Moon, and visitors who come here are fortunate to see today.

Although it is named a valley, the site itself is technically not a valley but a congregation of canyons and huge spires. One thing that really makes such spires stand out is their variation in color. Some of them exhibit a reddish hue, while others are dark purple and beige. This color difference is scientifically attributed to the variance of minerals present in the mountains that once stood in this site.

You can find this incredibly unique valley just 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) southwest of the main city of La Paz. The nearest town to it is called Mallasa. You can reach the site by taking a taxi or a bus. There are two available hiking trails that circles around the valley and lead you to various viewpoints. The longer of the two trails takes about 45 minutes to complete. The shorter one only takes about 15 minutes. Most visitors agree that the best viewpoint is the Devil's Point, located at the end of the longest track. At the entrance of the valley, there is a tourist information center which offers maps of the trails.

While it is truly an amazing experience to trek around the Valley of the Moon, there are a few things to keep in mind. The designated trails, while clearly marked, are usually narrow, uneven and have sharp pointed edges. So make sure that you are wearing sturdy footwear if you intend to walk around a lot. You also have to take extra care and vigilance where to step as the soil is soft enough to break away easily. It is usually warm and sunny around the area, so don't forget bring your chosen sun protection and plenty of water, especially if you wish to tackle all trails around the site.

The highlight of visiting the valley is the landscape itself. Due to its arid terrain, there is not much wildlife inhabiting the area. But what you should still watch for is the strange animal named viscacha, which is a kind of lizard that looks like a hybrid of a rabbit and fox. Valley of the Moon is also home to some cacti variance like hallucinogenic Choma. As you go through your tour, you will discover the different prominent rock formations, which were given names based on the shapes they resemble. Examples include el Sombrero de la Dama (lady hat) and la Madre Luna (mother moon).

It is possible to stay overnight near the site, but the only option is camping at a designated area along the main road. Although not a five-star hotel, the site is equipped with toilets, showers, outdoor kitchen; not to mention you get incredible views of the valley from here!

http://yourbesttraveler.com TRANSFORMING THE WAY WE TRAVEL

Bolivia: Potosi

A nice relaxing day after our horse ride in Tupiza and unfortunately, it was time to move on. The muscles are still a bit tender, but on the mend. Up early, (on a side note, back to Copacabana when we ran into the 2 Finnish girls...well we ran into them in La Paz and in Tupiza as well...) a quick breakfast of saltenas (pastries filled with chicken or beef and potatoes, etc. (http://www.boliviaweb.com/recipes/english/saltenas.htm ) see here for more info... and off to the bus station to jump a bus to Potosi some 7 hours north.

The arriving bus was about 30 minutes late and finally we were off. A filthy, beat up local bus and nothing but a long, bumpy, dusty, washboard road taking us up to Potosi at 4060m lie ahead. We rolled, bumped, climbed and the air got thin and cold. 6000m snow capped peaks surrounded us on all sides. The scenery was still amazing!

A short 20 minute stop in some dusty little village for everyone to get something to eat added 30 minutes to the trip. A road block only a short ways out of Potosi threatened to have the entire bus disembark, walk 500m and get on another bus. Thankfully, the road block was opened and we continued on our way. We arrived in Potosi, with the sun going down, the temperature plummeting, headaches battling the climb to altitude or was it the constant battering of the vibrations from the not-so-smooth road underneath? Whatever the case, we finally got out of the bus, into a taxi and arrived at hostel shortly thereafter.

Not wasting any time, we headed out to dinner at what used to be Potosi’s finest, called El Meson. Properly attired waiters, cloth napkins and a old school feel led us to a pretty good dinner of fresh tomato and vegetable soup, filet mignon and wine. All for the ultra low bargain price of Bs145 (= approx. $18USD). Try that anywhere at home. In fact, that was my third steak of the week for under $3USD and we haven’t even hit Argentina yet!

Trying to sleep for the night proved to be another challenge. 6 wool blankets not only made it too hot underneath, but also felt like 200tons of lead on your feet. Kicking off a blanket or two, invited drafts down any crack that opened up and if you moved to another more/less comfortable position to try and sleep, that part of the bed was freezing. Add a bit of cotton mouth, a little dehydration and a fear of freezing your feet off should you need a wee in the middle of the night and you’re enjoying a typical night of sleeping at altitude. Seeing your breath billowing from your mouth while brushing your teeth is another story.

Daylight finally came and necessitated all the usual layers and protection from the elements. At over 4000m, Potosi is touted as the highest city in the world and a continual cold is always present. Potosi is noted for its present day silver mining, decades after the boom town collapsed. There are tours that take you down into the mines to see the workers and real conditions. We opted out of this tour, deciding to move on to Sucre after we had a killer (cheap and filling) breakfast and wandered around the local markets for a bit.

Not wanting to waste the day waiting for the local bus to depart and after our hellish journey from Tupiza the day before, we decided on a shared taxi which would shave about two hours off the entire journey and deliver us door-to-door. The tiny Nissan Sentra was less than comfortable stuffed with Rachel, myself and a local guy in the back, the driver and another passenger in the front.

Nonetheless, he zoom us along the windy mountain roads passing slower trucks, dodging donkeys and curious dogs at speeds over 100km/h and dropped us down into Sucre (2760m) about 2 1/2 hours later.

Sucre will give us another couple of days to chill out before making our way up to Santa Cruz (our final week in Bolivia...boo hoo...) and finally over to the Brazilian Pantanal (hence the reason for the Brazilian visas we got back in La Paz).
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Bolivia: Copacabana

We finally finished the Peruvian leg of our South American tour and headed off with much anticipation to Bolivia. A short 3 hour bus ride brought us to the border, where we all (tourist bus, so all travelers) unloaded, changed our Peruvian soles to Bolivians (more very thin, crinkled and always counterfeit looking funny money!!) and walked over to the Peruvian immigration to get our departure stamp. A quick scarf of a excellent tasting saltena (filled with potato and mixed veggies surrounded by a flaky pastry exterior) and we walked into Bolivia. As simple as that.

The road was crammed with street vendors selling everything under the sun, busses, vans and random dogs. Into the Bolivian immigration, 3 stamps later and our 30 days visa was granted in 30 seconds. No hassles. Another new country and only 8km to Copacabana. Not the famous beach in Rio, but a quaint little village on the shores of Lake Titicaca where another boat tour was waiting to take everybody out to Isla de Sol to see the ruins of the birthplace of the first Incas. After our last slow boat to China, we were not even tempted to investigate the tour, rather happy to just chill for the rest of the day and next morning, as our bus to La Paz did not leave until 1330.

Our hostel was bare bones to say the least, but an interesting introduction to Bolivia at a mere Bs20 for the night. (current exchange is $1USD = Bs8) The communal toilet was up or down one flight of stairs and the shower, well we never found it, therefore foregoing freezing our asses off trying to get squirt of hot water for that day. We decided to wait another day until La Paz when we could secure a bano privado. After 4 days on the Inca Trail, what was one more day?

We headed up to the sun terrace, where we met an array of other travelers from Oz, Scotland, Chile, Denmark and Finland. After we bolted off for some lunch, we rejoined the above travelers with some beers and continued chatting about our random travels and then decided to head down to the beach to get some warmth from the sun as it was slowly dipping into Lake Titicaca, promising a good view from shore side.

Rach and I were treated to a great view from the sand, surrounded by hundreds of local kids who were out and about celebrating something. Seems every little town we hit has some sort of festival going on. Sharing an incredible curry, we bundled up and decided to call it a night. Well the night actually lasted a long time as our bed was the worst ¨taco¨ anyone has ever encountered. No matter how hard we tried to scale the sides, the center pulled us in like quicksand leaving me with sore neck and Rachel with a shore back in the morning and neither one of us with a good night’s sleep. Well for $2.50USD total, I guess in the end you get what you pay for!

Well, the next day we were off to La Paz and sure to find a better bed to sleep in and a much needed shower.