La Paz Day Tours: More than Just a Layover City
More than Just a Layover City
When traveling to Bolivia, most international flights will arrive in the cities of La Paz and Santa Cruz. For most visitors, the Uyuni Salt Flats are on top of their travel lists, and La Paz day tours are at the bottom. However, getting to Uyuni requires another flight or other form of transportation. So it makes sense to do a layover and take a city tour in the afternoon, before taking a flight to Uyuni the following day.
This is also recommendable to acclimatize to the altitude (the “El Alto International Airport” in La Paz is at 4,061.5m or 13,325 ft. above sea level). However, if you have a few more days to spare, here is a list of La Paz day tours to consider. They are surprisingly varied and showcase Bolivia’s rich cultural heritage and amazing landscape.
LA PAZ DAY TOURS
1. La Paz City Tour & Moon Valley:
This half-day tour takes you through the city’s main tourist attractions, including the iconic Witch Doctor’s market, the San Francisco Colonial Church, Plaza Murillo and the bohemian cobblestone street of Jaen. It also includes a ride in the city’s modern cable car transportation system with bird’s-eye views of the Andean City. It ends with a fascinating trip to Moon Valley, on the outskirts of the city, a valley of other-worldly rock formations. See Tour.
2. Tour Yungas: “The Death Road” Tour:
You can take either a very extreme bike tour (not for the faint at heart) or a sightseeing tour through this famous road that connects the Bolivian Amazon with the city of La Paz. The road ascends to 4,650 meters (15,260 ft.) to La Cumbre pass and then descends to 1,200m (3,900 ft.) to arrive in the town of Coroico. This tour exhibits Bolivian landscape at its best. You will pass from an altiplano terrain to an Amazonian one, crossing by heart-stopping precipices. It is one of those life-changing experiences reserved for those with an adventurous heart. See Tour.
3. Copacabana & Sun Island Tour on Lake Titicaca:
Lake Titicaca is only a 3 ½ – 4-hour drive from the city of La Paz. You can easily become acquainted with the town of Copacabana on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Its point of interest include the Basilica and the 12 Stations of the Cross, with amazing views of the lake. As you walk around, you will appreciate the Catholic and Aymara cultures coexisting in perfect harmony. Finally, the tour includes a boat ride to Sun Island, with visits to several Inca ruins. These include the Pilkokaina Palace, the Inca Fountain and the Escalera del Inca. See Tour.
4. Tiwanaku Tour:
The Tiwanaku (“Tiahuanaco”) archeological site was the Spiritual and Political Centre of the powerful Pre-Columbian Tiwanaku Culture. At only 72 km from La Paz, this site includes beautiful excavations of monumental stone buildings. You will see temples, palaces, pyramids and monoliths, as well as an impressive collection of objects and tools of ancient civilizations. See Tour.
Now you know that La Paz is not just a layover city. It is also a hub for many wonderful travel experiences in the surrounding areas. If you have questions about any one of our tours, please contact us and we’ll gladly answer them.
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