Cultural sightseeing in Bolivia. What to visit - museums, temples, castles and palaces

If you are going to visit Bolivia, you should remember that the country is located in the highlands of the Andes. Therefore, the lack of oxygen is felt on most of it. You can get used to it pretty quickly. The main thing is to give yourself time to acclimatize. There are many landscapes of incredible beauty in most parts of this country, as well as impressive huge stone cities. They remained here as a reminder of the great Inca civilization.

Lake Titicaca is the highest mountain lake in the world. It is located in one of the mountain gorges on the border between Peru and Bolivia. Its depth reaches 120 meters in some places. Its waters are truly crystal clear. According to the beliefs of Bolivians, this lake was the source of the birth of mankind. It is believed that the first people came out of its waters. The Quechua people who lived on these shores gave it its name in ancient times. It sounds like "Puma at the rock" in approximate translation. The mirror surface of the lake holds many mysteries. The locals treat it with respect. However, fishing is widespread here. Many types of grasses and shrubs grow on the land around the lake. Local residents grow corn and potatoes. Herds of llamas and alpacas roam the mountains. There are also predators here. They are foxes and wolves. The scenery that opens up from the shores of Titicaca is striking in its beauty and grandeur.

The Altiplano plateau is located in the central part of the country. Every traveler coming to Bolivia should visit it. You will not find such an amazing variety of types of alien landscapes in any place in the world. These places began to gain popularity among tourists just a few decades ago. A trip to the plateau is actually a trip to a world that has not been touched by human activity. There are only a few small hotels with facilities located outside. Electricity is provided for a couple of hours a day in the best case. However, tourists do not come here for comfort but for impressions. The places are so pristine that many wild animals are not even afraid of people. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Uyuni is the largest salt flat in the world. Its snow-white surface is covered with a thin layer of water. It reflects the clouds floating in the sky like a mirror. Actually, the feeling of the horizon disappears and the illusion of walking on the sky is created here. A desert surrounded by volcanoes follows. The incredible beauty of the Red lagoon of Colorado is located a little further away. This is one of the most visited places in the country. Iron oxide gives the water and the coastal zone a unique ochre color. The color of the water may change depending on the weather conditions. A reservoir is of huge size. However, its depth does not exceed 30 centimeters. A huge population of elegant flamingos looks surprisingly harmonious. Flamingos of three species are found here. The microorganisms that inhabit the lagoon attract them. Some species of wild animals are found on the banks of the reservoir.

Madidi is a beautiful National Park. Its name translates from Indian as "black ant". Its vast territory (about 20 thousand hectares) begins in the highlands of the Andes and gradually descends to the Amazon basin. This is one of the largest protected areas in the country. It has the largest species of biological diversity. More than 160 species of animals and 950 species of birds, many plants, including poisonous ones, and, of course, huge numbers of insects make this area not the best place to walk. You should bring a repellent to visit the park. It will be even better to have all the necessary vaccinations.

Mirador State Park is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its huge territory (more than 1, 5 million hectares) covers several different ecosystems. It includes rivers, waterfalls, and endless savannas. The wide variety of flora and fauna will impress your imagination.

The complex of buildings of the ancient Tiwanaku is located 70 kilometers away from La Paz and 15 kilometers from Lake Titicaca. The ruins were discovered by the archaeologist Posnansky in the XIX century. According to modern researchers, this majestic city was the major administrative center of the state of Tiwanaku already in the second-century ad. It lasted until 1180. It was abandoned by the inhabitants at this time. According to legend, this is where the first Inca rulers came from. The remains of stone structures have been perfectly preserved to our time. This is the Gate of the Sun, Kalasasaya, amazing statues, walls with strange bas-reliefs in the form of heads, and a huge step pyramid with a megalithic staircase leading to its top.

El Valle de la Luna is 11 kilometers away from the city of La Paz. This is a unique place. You can easily get lost in its canyons. The valleys resemble the lunar surface. A fenced path is laid for tourists. There are turrets and craters on the way of tourists.

The Witches' Market is the most famous attraction in La Paz. This unusual place with the most real shamans, sorcerers, and healers, who sell their potions, is located on the square in front of the majestic Catholic Cathedral of Iglesia de San Francisco. This neighborhood is unusual. But this is normal for Bolivia. After all, the new religion brought by the Spaniards, organically intertwined with the beliefs of local residents. Therefore, you can see various amulets, dried Lama Fetuses (to protect the house from evil), as well as skins, herbs, and everything you may need to fight evil spirits in the market. Tourists like to walk around this strange market. However, it is strongly recommended not to take photos of sellers or products.

Oruro is a small town. The country's grandest carnival takes place here every year in early spring. Representatives of many indigenous peoples in the most incredible costumes come here. Bright colors and a variety of clothes, loud music and an incredible sense of celebration amaze inexperienced viewers. Several hotels are built for tourists here. The restoration of city buildings built in the past centuries has also been carried out. Souvenir shops, restaurants and cafes – everything looks very cozy and colorful. The second attraction of this modest town is the snow-white statue of the Virgin Mary. It was installed in 2013. Its height is 45 meters. It is installed on an elevation. Her eyes are fixed on the town.