La Paz in Bolivia is the highest capital city in the world and the gateway to the world-class trekking of the Bolivian Andes. It sits on a high plateau, 3660m above sea level, surrounded by icy peaks and the colossal sacred mountain, Illimani. As city locations go, it must rank among the most spectacular.
Your first glimpse of “The City That Touches the Sky” is as you burst through a valley of clouds to come in to land at the world’s highest international airport. Beneath you, a hotchpotch of colourful abodes tumble down the mountainside to the bustling centre in the valley.
La Paz has both a modern side and a real old-world charm. Its busy cobbled streets snake and twist past faded colonial mansions, open plazas and spiralling churches. But there are always gleaming skyscrapers and hi-tech office blocks springing up to remind you of the city’s other side.
The same duality between old and new extends to La Paz’s people; the city is a confluence of European and indigenous Aymara cultures. It’s the latter who give its zest, turning the city into a giant and colourful open-air market. Visiting the ghoulish Witches’ Market is an essential La Paz vacation experience.
La Paz is a hotbed of luxury trekking, especially for the ancient Inca trails, which range in difficulty from easy to moderate to pretty demanding. When booking a luxury vacation to La Paz with Lightfoot Travel, our Bolivia specialists will design your perfect tailor-made itinerary including expert advice on the best and most suitable treks for you.
The mountains surrounding La Paz are a playground for outdoor adventure. It’s one of the best places in the world for high-altitude mountain climbing, downhill mountain biking, horse riding, whitewater rafting and kayaking. With a bespoke luxury itinerary from Lightfoot Travel, you can you can enjoy all the thrills of this outdoor paradise in style.
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