BOLIVIA: A YOGA ADVENTURE

Christy lived in Bolivia for two years and three months when she was a Peace Corps Volunteer there in the late ‘90s and has decided to organize a yoga retreat adventure to this colorful country that she fell in love with, traveled fairly extensively and came to know quite well. 

Though landlocked, Bolivia is unmatched in its diversity of landscape—from the soaring peaks of the Andes and Altiplano (the most extensive high plateau on Earth outside Tibet) to the lush expanse of Amazon rainforest to the world's largest salt flat. And, having been at the center of Inca civilization with at least 30 different indigenous, Bolivia has the highest percentage of indigenous people relative to its total population and is one of the most multi-cultural countries on the continent. It’s no wonder that the deep spiritual connection to Pachamama (Mother Earth) remains very much alive throughout Bolivia. 

One of South America’s best-kept secrets, Bolivia is often overshadowed by its more touristy neighbors like Peru. But for those open to straying from the well-trodden path, Bolivia offers some of the most untouched and breathtaking landscapes and richest indigenous cultures in all of South America.

There are so many incredible places to see in Bolivia that it’s difficult to narrow it down to just a few. But Christy has put together a 10-night itinerary to the places she most recommends from her personal experience and knowledge of the country. For those interested in extending their stay, Christy will be happy to suggest additional destinations.

The retreat will include daily yoga and meditation with Christy, with the exception of one or two travel days. The menu will be primarily vegetarian with gluten-free and dairy-free options. Please let us know if you have additional dietary restrictions.

ITINERARY

APRIL 10-12: Two-night stay at a boutique hotel in La Paz's Zona Sur with its vibrant expat population, lower elevation and warmer climate—a modern, safe, upscale neighborhood that's a good spot to land after a long flight and catch up on rest.

MET Hotel

We'll stay at the MET Hotel, Zona Sur's highest rated hotel and one of La Paz's newest. Designed by a Bolivian architect (in collaboration with a NY design firm), it features artwork by local artists and a rooftop bar with incredible views of the city. Read more here: "Touch the Sky at this Sky-High City's First Rooftop Bar," Forbes)

Valley of the Moon

After morning yoga and a nourishing breakfast on April 11th, we'll head 10 km from the city to Valley of the Moon which is a landscape unlike any other. This high-altitude, jagged maze of erodes spires, honeycombed cliffs and narrow canyons was sculpted over millennia by the elements. We'll take a short and easy 0.7 mile hike and then head back to La Paz for a gourmet lunch at one of the city's best restaurants and to ride the world's longest and highest network of public transit cable cars, or gondolas, aka Mi Teleférico. Since the city is built in a valley while the majority of the population lives on surrounding hills, the gondolas are critical for people to get around. But it's not just the locals who make use of them. It's also a wonderful way for visitors to see the city from above. 

The world's longest and highest network of public transit cable cars

We'll head back to the hotel in the afternoon for a little downtime to enjoy the hotel's spa, get a massage or rest before reconvening for an early dinner together at the nearby Atix Hotel's rooftop restaurant. 

Isla del Sol ("Island of the Sun"), Lake Titicaca

APRIL 12-15: Next we’ll journey to Lake Titicaca (the highest navigable lake in the world, at 12,507 ft) and stay three nights on Isla del Sol, a sacred site in Inca mythology, believed to be the birthplace of the sun god, Inti, and the origin of Inca civilization. It’s home to significant Inca ruins like the Temple of the Sun and continues to be a major pilgrimage destination for Incan descendants. 

On Isla del Sol, there are no cars. Travel on this incredibly scenic island where it feels like traveling back in time takes place on foot or by donkey along ancient Incan paths. In addition to daily yoga and meditation, we’ll hike, see ruins and take a boat ride to visit the smaller Isla de la Luna.

We'll travel by boat from the town of Copacabana to the southern tip of  Isla del Sol and for an unforgettable three-night stay at Ecolodge La Estancia that's built on restored pre-Incan agricultural terraces and which incorporates a passive solar heating system to warm the rooms and provide hot water. A fairly strenuous uphill, 40-minute hike (or donkey ride) with 1300ft of elevation gain is required to reach La Estancia's breathtaking location. With its majestic views of Lake Titicaca and the Andes Mountains, we think it will be worth the effort! But packing light will come in handy. You can plan to carry your daypack and we'll arrange for donkeys to carry the rest of the luggage.

Ecolodge La Estancia, Isla del Sol

APRIL 15-16: From Lake Titicaca, we’ll travel back to La Paz for a one-night stay at Illampu Art Boutique Hotel then take a short flight the following morning to Rurrenabaque, a small town on the Beni River known as a gateway to the Amazon. During our afternoon in La Paz, we'll visit the nearby Witches' Market, a fascinating cultural destination known for its sale of items used in Andean indigenous rituals and spiritual practices centered around Pachamama (Mother Earth).

Illampu Art Boutique Hotel

APRIL 16-19: After landing in Rurrenabaque, we’ll travel by boat for a few hours to Mashaquipe Ecolodge which is owned and managed by indigenous families and located within the Madidi National Park, in the heart of the Amazonian rainforest. Committed to eco-tourism and sustainability, our guides will take us on jungle hikes and boat trips to see the flora and fauna of the jungle and Amazonian pampas, flooded, grassy wetlands on the edge of the Amazon basin. The pampas, distinct from the park’s dense jungle, offers easier wildlife viewing (pink river dolphins, capybaras, caimans, monkeys, toucans, macaws, parrots and occasionally anacondas, jaguars, spectacled bears, giant river otters, etc.) due to its open landscape. The accommodations here will be more rustic than our others, but each cabin will be clean and comfortable with a modest touch of elegance and private bathroom, hot shower, mosquito net, towels, biodegradable soap, beside table, etc.

Mashaquipe Ecolodge - Madidi National Park

APRIL 19-20: After traveling by boat from our Amazonian eco lodge, we'll spend one night in Rurrenabaque at a basic but clean hotel that's the best in town, Maya de la Amazonia, so that we can catch a morning flight the next day back to La Paz. Afternoon flights are available but they're sometimes delayed or cancel due to wind and weather. So best to stay the night and catch a morning flight. There's a lovely outdoor garden area with a pool, so you may want to bring a bathing suit and a good book in case there's time to lounge between afternoon yoga and dinner!

APRIL 20-22 (Optional post-retreat add-on): There will be an optional two-night, post-retreat add-on to Coroico (5,003 ft). Coroico is a small, warm, subtropical, hilltop town located midway between the Andean Altiplano and the Amazon basin about two hours from La Paz, with breathtaking views of the jungle valleys below and a palpable sense of tranquility—a perfect place to chill for a couple days before heading home. It will be possible to travel to Coroico either on a mountain bike on the old road or in the comfort of a car on the new and modern, two-lane asphalt road with guard rails and drainage system that was built to divert traffic from the older, gravel road knick-named the "most dangerous road in the world" that has since become popular for mountain biking and adrenaline junkies (and which Christy traveled on by bus back in the day).

The old road to Coroico, now popular for downhill mountain bikingUMA Experience Lodge

We'll culminate our Bolivian adventure with a restful and relaxing stay at UMA Experience Lodge in the Yungas Valley, with its stunning views of subtropical mountains, luxurious amenities, delicious food, elegant and minimalist architecture, and peaceful, secluded atmosphere.

PRICING & REGISTRATION

Accommodations in higher-end, boutique lodges and hotels are priced as follows:

Double-Occupancy: $5995/person (10 nights)

Single-Occupancy: $6995/person (10 nights)

Superior Room Supplement: $1250/person

Included: Accommodations; all meals; daily yoga, meditation and other sessions with Christy; retreat transfers, excluding flights

Not included: Flights, airport transfers, massage and spa treatments, some excursions (mountain biking to Coroico), laundry service, alcoholic beverages, gratuities, pre- and post-retreat add-ons

A non-refundable $1000 deposit will hold your space. Subsequent payments are also non-refundable unless we're able to fill the space. 

Payment schedule: 50% of the remaining balance due three months prior to the start of the retreat; final payment due two months prior to the start of the retreat.

To register, or for questions, please contact Christy at christy@christybrownyoga.com.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BOLIVIA AND ITS PEOPLE:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2018/feb/22/rise-bolivia-indigenous-cholitas-in-pictures

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/travel/places-to-visit.html?place=rurrenabaque

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/ancient-island-hidden-lake-titicaca

https://www.chimuadventures.com/en-us/blog/history-bolivia

https://www.kuodatravel.com/blog/best-time-to-visit-bolivia-travel-guide/

https://lambontherhodes.com/unseen-bolivia-top-10-off-the-beaten-track-destinations/

https://thetravellingtriplet.com/2018/12/01/rurrenabaque-and-exploring-bolivias-amazon/

https://activeadventures.com/blog/how-safe-is-bolivia/

https://www.tastesfromabroad.com/blog/is-bolivia-dangerous

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/bolivia

https://www.thetimes.com/travel/advice/where-is-hot-in-april-vs0l9xhzz