Travel ideas for Bolivia - unique sights, worth Guinness records

The worldwide known Death road is in Bolivia. An incredibly difficult and dangerous route connects the city of La Paz and Coroico. It is a very narrow and full of sharp turns serpentine road that bears no resemblance to those mountain roads which can be seen in many other states. The track which has a length of about 70 kilometres almost completely lacks any coverage and protecting walling.
According to statistics, about 30 serious accidents happens on the track every year. From 100 to 200 people die on the road annually since its opening. Very often accidents happen with tourist buses and trucks, who simply cannot safely overcome the narrow track sections and slide off the precipice. The first mountain road in these places was built over 80 years ago. Thousands of Paraguayan prisoners have been involved in this work. Over the years the track has not changed much. In many areas there is still no asphalt coating, the warning signs are still out of the question.
The trail starts at an altitude of 330 meters above sea level and gradually rises to an altitude of 3600 km. By an unspoken rule the advantage have those vehicles that climb the hill. In 1995 the Death road has been recognized as the most dangerous one in the world. Travellers who’re planning to ride by car should take into consideration that a significant portion of the transport stream is massive trucks and buses. Numerous cyclists also complicate the situation. Inexperienced drivers are not recommended to set out in the rain. ... Complete sights collection

Lake Titicaca is probably the most famous high mountain lake in the world. The lake is located on the Altiplano high plateau, at the height of 3 812 meters above sea level. Lake Titicaca has formed as a result of active glacier melting. According to the approximate calculations at least 300 glacier flows flow into it. The maximum depth of the lake is 304 meters, Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake on the earth. The Indians of the Ketschua tribe have named the lake. Literally one can translate the name from the original language as 'Steinpuma'.
To understand the meaning of this name, you have to look at the lake from the bird's perspective. Its outlines really remind you of the silhouette of the puma. Titicaca has been attracting numerous explorers and explorers for several years. Many tourists visit this area to enjoy the unique nature. The others are drawn from the mysterious legends about the Inkashatz. According to ancient legends, Inkas have hidden more than 2 tons of gold on the lake floor. Until now, the researchers have found no material confirmation of the beautiful legend.
The scientists have found that the lake was part of the ocean millions of years ago. In the course of the tectonic changes a part of the ocean was literally lifted to the height of 3 750 meters. This theory of the formation of the high mountain lake gives the new reasons for further archaeological research. In 2000 the divers discovered a part of the ancient stone wall and the pavement, as well as the parts of the sculptures and the huge stone terrace on the lake floor. According to the preliminary version, these elements belonged to the mythical Vanaku city. ... Complete sights collection

Bolivia is home to the largest salt lake in the world - Salar de Uyuni, whose area is 12,000 sq km. The salt plane is usually dried out. Its surface is covered by the layer of salt crystals, which form very beautiful and structured landscapes. Everything changes when the rainy season begins in the desert. A fine water layer is formed on the surface of the huge salt lake, which transforms it into the ideal clean mirror.
The border between the salt lake and the horizon is literally invisible in this period. In the middle of the desert level one can completely lose the sense of reality. The scientists believe that Salar de Uyuni has formed more than 10 million years ago when the ocean began to fade from the mainland. The at first sight lifeless salt lake has many secrets. It has been used for many years as a favorite home of graceful pink flamingos. For some decades now the salt has been won, which is used for industrial and construction purposes.
Within easy reach of the plain were the cozy hotels built for the numerous tourists. The salt blocks served as the main construction material for the erection of them. Staying at such hotels will be memorable. This creates the special microclimate, which promotes the effective prophylaxis of respiratory diseases and the strengthening of the immune system. The first hotel in Salar de Uyuni has received the guests in 1995. Since then, the unique natural sight remains very popular with the followers of active and unusual recreation. ... Complete sights collection

Lake Titicaca in Peru has been attracting an attention of researchers and travelers for many years. As scientists believe, millions of years ago, this picturesque lake, which today affects with its size, was a sea. Even now, its waters are inhabited by rare marine fish and sharks. An interesting feature of the lake are the floating islands. Uros Indians inhabit these places for hundreds of years. Getting to know their way of life and culture is the goal of many travelers. A visit to the amazing floating islands can be a real journey into the past.
Uros Indians began to build artificial islands on the lake in the prehistoric era, during the war against the Incas. Hostile Inca drove them from the land. Eventually, Uros adapted to the harsh life and came to a quite successful and comfortable existence. Even now, they don’t agree to change their place to another environment. Indians built amazing islands of dried reeds; that’s also the main building material in the construction of houses.
As many hundreds of years ago, the main activities of aborigines are hunting and fishing. Surprisingly, in such harsh conditions, they are engaged in some simple forms of agriculture. Many islands of Uros Indians are available for tourists to visit. However, not that many travelers manage to get to the most remote and authentic islands. This can be done only if accompanied by an experienced guide. An acquaintance with craft traditions of the indigenous inhabitants of Lake Titicaca will be incredibly amazing. ... Complete sights collection

Fans of walks along historical places certainly have to visit the ancient city of Sucre in Bolivia. Its main feature is a number of survived monuments dating back to the colonial era. Some of them were built in the early years after the city has been founded. The official date of foundation of the city is November 30, 1538. Originally it was called Chuquisaca. The place got its current name in 1825. A significant part of the historical buildings that can be seen today were built in the first half of the 17th century.
At that time, active development of silver mines was held close to the city. Many local residents have invested all their money in the construction of luxurious palaces. During that period, the most magnificent churches and monasteries were built. Their grand decoration continues to fascinate even these days. The Sucre Cathedral stands among the main attractions of the city. That's one of the largest and most imposing structures here.
One of the most unusual monuments is the building of the Supreme Court. It is surrounded by a picturesque landscaped garden with a variety of sculptures. The church of La Merced and the monastery of La Recoleta are noteworthy among the religious monuments. The prefectural Chuquisaca Department stands out of business facilities. Each historical building in the city of Sucre is a unique monument of the architecture. All of the buildings were constructed in a unique style with special architectural elements. The Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho Theatre, which was built in the early 20th century, stands out among the more recent historical monuments. ... Complete sights collection

Those who love natural attractions will get a lot of impressions from walk through the Noel Kempff Mercado National Park. It is located in the eastern part of Bolivia, at the border with Brazil. An area of ​​the park is a little less than 16 000 square km. The park features a variety of landscapes. There are rocky areas with deep canyons, large plains, and evergreen Amazonian forests.
There is the Guapore River, whose channel structure includes several beautiful waterfalls. This river is home to over 250 species of fish, 25 of which are found nowhere else in the world. The largest waterfall in the park is called Arcoiris. Its height is about 50 meters. It's very pleasant to enjoy this waterfall on a sunny day, when the rainbow is formed upon it. One of the first researchers who visited these amazing natural places, was the British traveler Percival Harrison Fawcett. He began to investigate this land in 1908. Unusual rocky landforms and pristine rainforests have attracted scientists there.
The territory occupied by the Park Noel Kempff Mercado National Park can be called truly unique. It almost hasn't been influenced by man during the last two thousand years. Even today, tours around the park are carried out only accompanied by trained guides who care for preserving unique flora and fauna. While walking around the park it's very convenient to watch birds. More than 600 species live here, and a number of plants' varieties is more than 4 000. ... Complete sights collection