Destination: Bolivia

Odyssey travels by coach and occasionally uses local transport, including trains and ferries. Specifics are always outlined in your tour itinerary. Buses are the most common and most inexpensive form of travel in Bolivia, with buses heading areas generally inaccessible by other forms of transport. Taxis can be found in almost any town and are also a fairly cheap option. Air travel is a more expensive way of getting around, but can save you days of travel time. Train services however are limited, with passenger trains only serving a fraction of the country.

In major cities, Odyssey stays in centrally located 3-4 star hotels, with easy access to public transport. In smaller towns or rural areas, we usually stay in family-run hotels or guesthouses. On our longstay tours, during which you spend the length of the tour in a single location, we use serviced apartments.

Odyssey always engages local guides with regional knowledge to ensure an authentic experience during which you can learn as much as possible about the history and culture of places you visit.

Bolivia is a landlocked country and covers and area of 1,098,581 square kilometres. The Andean mountains dominate the western half of the country, with the Andean region one of the highest inhabited areas in the world. Between the Cordillera mountain chains lies the Alipanto, a flat plateau about 800km long and 130 km wide, lying at elevations between 3,650 metres and 3,800 metres. To the east of the country, the terrain descends into swamps and rainforests of the Oriente region.

Climatic conditions differ across the three regions of the country. The Altiplanto highland region has a variable climate ranging from cool and humid to semi-arid, while the Yungas lowland region and the Llanos tropical region feature humid and rainy conditions. Depending on where in Bolivia you travel, and when you intend to go, check

Bolivia has 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You can view the official list of the sites here (https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/bo). The listed sites include:

Fuerte de Samaipata, an archaelogical site featuring the largest single rock-carving in the world
Jesuit Missions of the Chiquitos, Christian missionary settlements which were constructed in a striking blend of Catholic architecture and local traditions.
Noel Kempff Mercado National Park, one of the largest parks in the Amazon Basin and home to an incredible array of flora and fauna.

Bolivia’s rich culture celebrates both its Spanish and indigenous heritage through numerous festivals and events over throughout the year. The syncretic nature of Bolivian culture is showcased in colourful events such as the Carnaval de Oruro, an exuberant street parade in the town of Oruro with revellers wearing elaborate both Catholic and native deity-themed costumes and parading through the streets. Alasitas is one of the more curious festivals held in Bolivia, with thousands of Bolivians heading to La Paz to purchase miniature replicas of the things they desire in the coming year. The traditions and customs of much of Bolivia’s indigenous past are preseved and commemorated through occasions such as the festival of San Francisco Xavier, featuring native dances, and Aymara New Year, whereupon the winter solstice is celebrated with music and festivities, and crops are offered as gifts to Inti, the god of fortune.

A Concise History of Bolivia, by Herbert S. Klein
The Enigma Of Tiwanaku And Puma Punku: A Visitor’s Guide, by Brien Foerster
Bolivia in Focus: A Guide to the People, Politics, and Culture, by Robert J. Werne
The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon, by David Grann

Bolivian cuisine melds both Spanish and native influences, with native ingredients such as potatoes, corn, and beans making their way into popular dishes such as salteñas (pastries filled with potatoes, carrots, peas, and meat) and papas rellenas (potatoes stuffed with meat and vegetables, coated in flour batter and deep fried). The fare of Bolivian cuisine is generally filling and hearty, with meat commonly featuring in Bolivian food; notable dishes including pique macho (a mix of sausage meat, steak, onions, tomatoes and chilli peppers) and silpancho (layers of white rice, boiled potatoes and egg, topped with salsa).

If you’re looking for some beverages to try, beer is widely available in Bolivia, with all major cities having their own breweries. Chicha de colla is a traditional alcoholic beverage in Bolivia made from fermented corn, and has a slight bittersweet taste. For something non-alcoholic, traditional non-alcoholic drinks include Licuado (water or milk blended with fruit and sugar) and mocochinchi (peaches and spices brewed in water).

As of writing, smartraveller.gov.au advises travellers to exercise a high degree of caution when travelling through Bolivia. Civil disturbances due to domestic issues may occur, so avoid large crowds. Be aware that if you ascend altitudes greater than 2,500 metres, you may develop altitude sickness, so check the destinations on your travel itinerary and take any necessary preventative measures if required.

Whenever you travel overseas, it’s always wise to take an appropriate travel adaptor. Bolivia’s electricity supply runs at 115/230 V and 50Hz. Bolivia uses both Type C and Type A plugs, so make sure you have the right travel adaptor with you.