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 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 that includes the places she most recommends from her personal experience and knowledge of the country and given the trip duration. For those interested in staying on longer, Christy will be happy to suggest additional places to visit.

APRIL 9-10 (Optional pre-retreat add-on): One-night stay at a boutique hotel in La Paz's Zona Sur with its vibrant expat population, proximity to the airport, 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.

APRIL 10-12: After flying into La Paz airport (13,325 ft), we’ll acclimate for another couple nights in the tranquil and picturesque little town of Sorata (8786 ft), a town perched high in the hills between the high plateau of the Altiplano and the Amazonian plains that’s a popular base for hiking and trekking.

Sorata

APRIL 12-15: Next we’ll journey to Lake Titicaca (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.

Island of the Sun, Lake Titicaca

APRIL 15-19: From Lake Titicaca, we’ll travel back to La Paz for one night and take a short flight the following morning to Rurrenabaque, a small town on the Beni River known as a gateway to the Amazon. We’ll travel by boat for a few hours to an eco jungle lodge that’s owned and managed by indigenous families and located within the Madidi National Park, in the heart of the Amazonian rainforest. Dedicated 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.

Mashaquipe Ecolodge - Madidi National Park

APRIL 19-20: After traveling by boat from our Amazonian eco lodge, we'll enjoy one night in Rurrenabaque so that we can catch a morning flight the next day back to La Paz.

APRIL 20-22 (Optional post-retreat add-on): There will be an optional two-night, post-retreat add-on in Coroico, a small, subtropical hilltop located 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 bikingOur boutique hotel accommodation in Coroico

Double-Occupancy: $4950/person (10 nights)

Single-Occupancy: $5975/person (10 nights)

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

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

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