Exploring Bolivia: Land of heights and flat lands

(6 Reviews)

Valentin Borriello

New York, NY
Luxury & Adventure Travel Specialist

As a Luxury and Adventure Travel Specialist, I curate extraordinary journeys that blend comfort and sophistication with unforgettable adventures.

Committed to excellence, I design bespoke travel experiences that cater to the personal tastes...

Uyuni salt flats

Bolivia is a country of contrasts, where towering Andean peaks give way to surreal salt flats and colonial cities tell stories of the past.


My journey took me through La Paz, Lake Titicaca, the Uyuni Salt Flats, Potosí, and Sucre. Each destination offering its own magic.


Landing in La Paz felt like arriving on another planet. At over 3,600 meters (11,800 feet) above sea level, the city is a chaotic blend of steep streets, vibrant markets, and the world’s highest cable car system. From El Alto, I gazed at Illimani Mountain towering over the urban sprawl, an incredible sight. Wandering through the Witches’ Market, I found llama fetuses and potions for good luck—an insight into Bolivia’s deep-rooted traditions.


A few hours from La Paz, I reached Copacabana, the gateway to Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake. The deep blue waters reflected the sky so perfectly that it was hard to tell where one ended and the other began. Visiting Isla del Sol, where Incan myths say the sun was born, I hiked along ancient trails with panoramic views, stopping at centuries-old ruins along the way.


A night ride on a luxury bus took me to the desert town of Uyuni. No words can fully capture the vastness of the Uyuni Salt Flats. Stretching endlessly, the white expanse felt otherworldly, especially at sunrise when the sky and land became one in a mirror-like reflection.The nearby train cemetery, with its rusting locomotives, added an eerie yet fascinating contrast to the pristine salt flats.


A few hours away  lies Potosí. I took another bus, not that luxurious this time but it gave me a glimpse in the real life of locals. Once one of the richest cities in the world, Potosí still carries echoes of its colonial past. I visited Cerro Rico, the "rich mountain" that fueled the Spanish empire with silver. Descending into a working mine, I met miners still extracting minerals in harsh conditions—a sobering reminder of history’s impact on the present. Despite its tragic past, Potosí’s baroque churches and grand colonial buildings stand as a testament to its former glory.


I ended my journey in Sucre, Bolivia’s constitutional capital and a real colonial gem. Whitewashed buildings, leafy plazas, and a relaxed atmosphere made it a perfect place to reflect on my travels. I wandered through the Recoleta, sipped local chocolate, and admired the elegant architecture—proof of why Sucre is often called Bolivia’s most beautiful city.


Bolivia is a country of extremes, where altitude, landscapes, and history collide to create an unforgettable experience. From the dizzying heights of La Paz to the silent immensity of Uyuni, every stop on my journey revealed a different facet of this incredible land.

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