“Superlative in its natural beauty, rugged, vexing, complex and slightly nerve-racking, Bolivia is one of South America’s most diverse and intriguing nations.
“
lonely planet
Bolivia is one of the most amazing and interesting countries in South America. While economically poor, it is rich in nature and outdoor experiences. It has well-trodden tourist sights with incredible diversity, including La Paz (the highest elevation national capital in the world), Lake Titicaca, the Andes Mountains, and the jungle. Yet the country is one of the least visited in South America, getting only 1/6th the number of visitors as its neighbor Argentina. We’ll visit all these locations on this Bolivia tour as we kayak, cycle, hike, and raft our way through the country.
But the history of Bolivia is also fascinating. We’ll learn about and visit ruins from the Tiwanaku culture, whose empire was larger than that of the Inca’s and lasted four times as long. It was one of the greatest civilizations of the Americas and yet relatively unknown. After acquainting ourselves with this history, we’ll see how modern-day Bolivia and its majority indigenous people live lives that come straight from the Tiwanaku and Incan cultures.
Bolivia Tour Highlights
We truly do visit all of the amazing locations listed above. All are within a reasonable drive of La Paz. Yet the diversity is incredible – from city to mountains to jungle to desert.
La Paz itself is an enchanting city full of Spanish colonial architecture mixed with indigenous Bolivian culture. In fact, Bolivia has the highest percentage of indigenous people out of any country in South America. We’ll learn about local customs, eat local food, and meet many indigenous people on this tour.
We visit Tiwanaku, a UNESCO world heritage site. Lake Titicaca is famous as a tourist destination in Peru but almost half the lake and much of the shoreline is actually in Bolivia. We spend a night in the foothills of the Andes. We visit the edge of the rain forest and raft down a (moderate, class III) river. The variety of environments we experience in a short amount of time is stunning.
Our Activities
Equally as varied are our activities. We hike (multiple days) plus kayak, bicycle, and river raft (one day each) on this Adventure. Most of these activities are designed to accommodate travelers of various ability levels and you can always opt out of any specific activity. After all, spending a day relaxing at our hotel or walking the streets of town can be a fantastic break in the schedule. So if there is one activity that just doesn’t appeal to you, feel free to skip it!
At the same time, this Bolivia tour is active and you should be able to hike 3 – 6 miles over rough terrain at a moderate pace. You should be in reasonably good shape.
Altitude
You will fly into the La Paz airport, at 13,325 feet the highest international airport in the world. La Paz itself is at roughly 11,975 feet. This is higher than Breckenridge or Vail in Colorado and you will feel the effects. The key is to stay hydrated, take pain relievers if you get a headache, and don’t do much the first few days you are in the country. You will likely fly into La Paz the day before the tour and we only have a walking tour on our first tour day.
We do have experience with high altitude, including treks in Tibet, on the Inca Trail in Peru, and up Mount Kilimanjaro. We are conservative in how we approach altitude (i.e. we focus on acclimatization) and have had a great success rate on these tours. Hundreds of thousands of people fly into Bolivia every year and do just fine. We’ll discuss this more in your Pre-Departure Packet of information we provide as well as on the first day of the tour.
Bolivia Tour Exploratory Adventure
We first ran this tour in 2026 as an Exploratory Adventure, in part because it was new to us. That has changed – we know the activities, the food, the culture, and the region. However, one thing that has not changed is that Bolivia receives far fewer tourists than its neighbors and this lack of crowds means things can and do go wrong. Road closures, flat tires, changing restaurant hours – you need to be a patient traveler to succeed in Bolivia. We will also be ensconced within the local culture in terms of Bolivian food and accommodations. The food is based on the traditional Inca and Aymara peoples and features corn, potatoes, quinoa, and beans. It is generally delicious with bursting flavors. The accommodations range from luxurious to simple and include one overnight in basic, community-owned lodging. This is a very real adventure.
Details
- Cost Per Person: $4,400
- Single Supplement: $500
- Private Tour Minimum: 4
- Activities: Hiking, Kayaking, Biking, River Rafting, and Cultural Visits
- Guide(s): Local Guide
Difficulty
Moderate
This tour is rated of Moderate difficulty. We kayak, bicycle, hike, and river raft and each activity is very different. Participants should ideally have some basic familiarity with each activity. However, our distances are not long and all activities can be skipped.
Talk to Our Team: 888-758-8687
I Have QuestionsTrip Highlights
- Walk through the ruins of Tiwanaku to learn about this pre-Columbian society that was larger than the Incan Empire and last four times as long
- Kayak on the sparkling waters of Lake Titicaca, considered the highest navigable lake in the world
- Spend a day in the six-family village of Tuni and get to know the traditions and customs of the local Aymara people
- Hike to the Chiarkhota lagoon in the Cordillera Real, the Andean foothills, for breathtaking views of the nearby peaks
- Raft down the Class III (moderate) Coroico River as it comes down out of the Andes and into the jungle
- Bicycle on an all-downhill road leading from the mountains to our near-jungle base in Coroico
Day 1
We meet at our La Paz hotel in the morning and depart for the ancient ruins of Tiwanaku. Tiwanaku is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the most important pre-Columbian ruins in Bolivia. Tiwanaku was a spiritual and political center of the Andean world between 600 and 1,000 AD. The civilization had a larger land masse than the Incan Empire that came after it and lasted four times as long. Yet most Americans have never heard of it. We explore the ruins to learn about the roots of the Incan Empire and the Aymara indigenous people who live in the La Paz area today and dominate the local culture. After our visit, we'll drive to the small town of Copacabana on the shores of Lake Titicaca for dinner and overnight.
Day 2
After breakfast we'll start our day by doing a walking tour to explore the town of Copacabana, learning why it is so famous among both Bolivians and Peruvians. We'll then take a boat along the shores of Lake Titicaca. When we reach the sheltered bay of Yampupata, we disembark and get into kayaks for the paddle to the Isla del Sol. As we approach, we see and then get out to explore the stone ruins of Pilkokaina, ancient ruins of the Incans including the two-level Palacio del Inca, thought to be have constructed during the reign of Emperor Túpac Inca Yupanqui. After our visit, we rejoin our motor boat to eat lunch on a secluded hamlet, explore the much larger ruins of Chinkana. According to Incan tradition, it was here the sun made its first appearance on earth. To reach our isolated hotel, we need to climb up 500 steps from the shoreline through a small village, with outstanding views of Lake Titicaca below.
Day 3
In the morning we boat back to Copacabana and then depart the lake, heading for the tiny village of Tuni in the heart of the Cordillera Real mountains. Tuni is a village of six families, most of whom are related. Traditional llama and alpaca herders, the village now houses several rustic guesthouses, allowing us to stay overnight. This will be a very real experience where we will learn about life in an Aymara village in Bolivia. We can participate in daily tasks, which depending on the time of year can be harvesting potatoes or shearing llamas. We can even help with the cooking, the specialty being Huatia, cooking in an oven dug in the ground. Dinner tonight is with our local hosts.
Day 4
Today we depart Tuni for a hike in the nearby Cordillera Real mountain range. Our vehicles drop us off at La Rinconada, well up a dirt road, where we begin our trek. We start along a gently ascending path to an alpine lake. We'll see the bofedales, high-altitude peat bogs where llamas, donkeys, and sheep graze. After an hour's walk, we reach another alpine lake, Chiarkhota, where there are various refuges and base camps for climbing the various peaks in the massif. We'll return in a loop back to our cars, although those wishing to go further can head up a rocky trail made of broken slate to reach a pass and then the summit of Pico Austria. We're at 5320 meter or 17,454 feet! Regardless of the distance you choose to hike today, the views are exceptional. Returning to the village and after lunch again with our village hosts, we jump back in the vehicles and return to La Paz. Dinner tonight is on your own.
Day 5
After breakfast, we depart La Paz for La Cumbre, the start of our biking expedition. We will be on mountain bikes and on a gravel road the entire time. Plus, it is all downhill as we go from the cooler heights of western Bolivia down to the warmth of the Yungas, the tropical forest. While this ride is colloquially called the Road of Death due to the many car accidents that happened in previous years, before a wider bypass road was built in the valley below, it is more like the Road of Descent for us. You do need to be a competent biker and should not be afraid of heights, as the road twists and turns down the mountain. But there is little danger unless you go too fast, ride too close to the edge, and lose control - pretty much all three things would need to happen. We choose to skip the first 22 kilometers of the traditional ride most people do, as it is on a paved road with vehicles and trucks. Those who want can shorten the biking distance even more or even skip it entirely. After our ride, we eat lunch in a lovely junglesque hotel and then shuttle to our forest lodge, the Uma Experience Hotel, in the outskirts of Coroico for well-deserved luxury and a nice dinner.
Day 6
All the rivers of the Amazon originate in the Andes mountains and we put on life vests and helmets and raft down the Coroico River this morning. A class II and class III (ie moderate) river, we'll get some thrills from rapids but also get to admire the surrounding forests and sub-mountains on our flanks. Along the way, we'll stop on the short and walk to a nearby waterfall with a lagoon that makes for perfect swimming. We'll have lunch after our river ride and then return to our hotel, which is such a lovely place it deserves two nights!
Day 7
This morning after breakfast we'll do a hike in the nearby hills of Coroico. The vegetation is lush and if we are lucky we'll see birds and animal life. Returning to our lodge, we'll check out, jump in our vehicles, and return to La Paz. The road is long but beautiful - up and over the Real Cordillera mountains and back down (sort of) to the heights of La Paz. This is our final night in the city and we'll celebrate with a delicious dinner.
Day 8
Today is our final day. If you need to fly out early, you can certainly do so. Otherwise, we'll depart after breakfast for a walking tour of the city of La Paz. We hire a lustrabota, an actual shoeshine boy, to take us around and show us the real sights of La Paz, part of an economic development project to give marginalized locals opportunities in tourism. We pass by the Calle de Los Andes, street of the carnival costume makers; sample mate de coca leaves that are said to help adapt to the altitude; and visit the Mercado de Las Brujas market. We take a cable car ride to see the city from above, using La Paz's amazing transportation system. In all, this final walking tour is a way to connect the pieces, from the ancient Tiwanau civilization through the Incan Empire and to the Aymara people who dominate the La Paz region culture today. We'll end in the late morning and you can choose to fly out later this day or extend your vacation.
Book this Tour
Trip Accommodations
NIGHTS 4 & 7: Madero Hotel & Suites / La Paz
This four-star, highly-rated hotel is located in the center of the city, perfect for exploring. We are walking distance from most of the sights of the city. You can book extra nights at the hotel if you plan to arrive early or stay after the tour ends.
NIGHT 1: Hotel Las Olas / Copacabana
This simple hotel is located on a hill with a breathtaking view of Lake Titicaca. Our host, Martin, will warmly welcome us to his small oasis. Each cottage was individually designed by two local artists and built of local materials.The suites have a kitchenette, private bathroom, and a relaxation area with hammock. The hotel is located on a quiet edge of town, so easily walkable into the center.
NIGHT 2: Ecolodge La Estancia / La Isla del Sol
The ecolodge is built on an island in Lake Titicaca that we reach by canoe. That itself would make it a worthy destination! But the three-star, highly-rated hotel will reward our efforts. Built on restored pre-Incan agricultural terraces and designed to mesh with the local environment, you will love your rustic but comfortable cabin but will be more likely be outside enjoying the incredible views of the lake or eating the delicious food in the hotel's restaurant.
NIGHT 3: Ecolodge Tuni / Tuni
Built by the community of Tuni itself, with the help of our local operator in Bolivia, this simple hotel is located between the west face of Huayna Potosi and the famous Condoriri, in the heart of the Andean mountain range. Tuni is a very small village of only about 10 families that was based on subsistence living until the 1970s when the first foreign trekkers came through the area. The ecolodge is simple but well cared-for. Our hosts are Jaime and Marisol and they will help show us what life is really like in a Bolivian village populated by the Aymara people.
NIGHTS 5 & 6: Uma Experience Hotel / Coroico
This hotel is located in the Yungas area of Bolivia, a tropical forest that lies between the mountains and the jungle. Coroico is the main town in the area and the Uma Experience Hotel is a luxurious stop on our trip. Each room is individually and creatively designed: the Thaya room is actually suspended in the air, the Zen room is an a-frame construction, and the Yaku room has huge windows looking out into the forest. With an outdoor pool, you will be tempted to while away the hours.
Arrival & Departure
Our arrival city is La Paz, Bolivia. You can arrive at any time of the day and because we start our tour in the morning on Day One, you very likely will need to arrive the day before the tour. You can book additional nights directly with our La Paz hotel but there are many other options in the area. We end in the late morning of Day 8 in La Paz.
What's Included?
- One local guide and one professional Zephyr guide except on smaller private tours, in which case there will just be a local guide.
- Double occupancy lodging is included. If you are coming on a trip solo, you have two options: 1) Pay the single supplement to receive your own room. 2) Ask us to try to find you a roommate of the same gender to share a room with; if we are not successful you will be charged the single supplement and receive your own room.
- All breakfasts, all lunches, and six dinners are included. One dinner is not included when we are in La Paz with many restaurant options within walking distance.
- All your transportation is included once you meet your guides on the first day until we say goodbye in La Paz on the last day. Airport transfers are not included but we can arrange them for you.
- All scheduled visits are included.
- NOT INCLUDED Beverages with meals, gratuities to your guides, personal expenses, the optional final day excursion, two dinners as indicated above, and travel to and from the destination.
Weather
Like other South American countries not too far from the equator, Bolivia does not so much have a summer and winter as a wet and dry season. High Temperatures in La Paz average in the mid to upper 50s year round - there is variation but it is not predictable by the calendar. However, there is little rainfall from May through August, with most of the rain falling from December through March. When we are in the tropical forest of Coroico (for two nights), we can expect high temps around 70 degrees (on average) with a similar rainfall pattern but just a bit more of it. When we are in the mountains, temperatures will be distinctly cooler.
Ability Level
This tour involves multiple activities: hiking (multiple days) plus kayaking, biking, and river rafting (once each). You should be prepared for hikes of 3 - 6 miles on mountain trails. No technical skills are required. If you wish to skip out on any of the activities, you are welcome to do so.
Changes to the itinerary
While everything under “What is Included” will remain the same, the actual restaurants, hotels, and activities listed in our itineraries are subject to modifications. Changes that are out of our control are common – a restaurant closes or loses its awesome chef, a brewery changes its visiting hours, a hotel gets remodeled, a road or trail undergoes construction. You are entrusting us to create an outstanding vacation for you and so it is possible we may take the liberty of making necessary changes to the itinerary that will improve your overall trip experience. If there is any one experience that is going to make or break your trip, please discuss this with us in advance! We will attempt to keep our website itinerary as current as possible and communicate any major changes with you in the weeks prior to the tour.
Related Blog Posts
Travel to Bolivia
December 10, 2024
Why Bolivia and Oman Have a Lot in Common
April 7, 2026
I'm Interested!
Ready to book this trip? Click here to head to our registration page.
Not quite ready to sign up yet, but you are interested in staying in touch about this trip? No problem, we can add you to our "Interested" list. This means we will follow up with you via email or phone as we get closer to selling out the trip to see if you are ready to make a decision to book or not.
Please note this does NOT mean we are holding a spot for you on the trip. In order to hold your spot, you will need to pay a trip deposit.
More Information
I'm interested in this tour and want more information. Get in touch with us.
Plan a Private Tour
Looking to book this itinerary as a private tour? Complete our private tour inquiry form to get started.