I lived in Bolivia for a little over two years when I was a Peace Corps Volunteer there in the late ‘90s and have decided to organize a yoga retreat adventure to this colorful country that I 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 the Inca Empire, Bolivia has the highest percentage of indigenous people relative to its total population. 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 I’ve put together a 10-night itinerary that includes the places I most recommend from my personal experience and knowledge of the country.
After flying into La Paz airport (13,325 ft), we’ll acclimate for a 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.
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.
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. Their 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.
After our time in the Amazon, there will be an optional two-night add-on in Coroico, a small, subtropical hilltop town not far 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 adrenaline junkies.
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