Highlights of Bolivia

Most Inspirational Moment

The time in the desert and the salt flats. I'd seen images of the salt flats and was not disappointed, but the desert was a revelation - lakes streaked with crimson and white, or a vivid blue. Multi-hued mountains in the 'Salvador Dali' desert, Flocks of flamingos, rocks carved by the wind into fantastic shapes.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Melanie was outstanding. She coped so well with the road blocks - often negotiating our way through, or finding ways around. The group trusted her judgement. I owe her a special thank you. When walking in the jungle at Refugio de los Volcanos, I hit my head on a tree branch. I bled so much and the only way out was a 4-wheel drive up a steep and rocky track. Although it was Sunday evening she managed to summon a doctor, who opened up his clinic, cleaned, stitched and dressed the wound and gave me some antibiotics - all for the equivalent of £7! As we moved around, she always located somewhere for my dressing to be changed. Fantastic service. I should also mention our drivers, especially those in the desert who organised a lovely lunch in the middle of the flats and later, sunset drinks and snacks.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Being an Exodus group, the attitude to the challenges of the trip was, 'it's all part of the adventure.' Go with a similar approach and you won't be disappointed. The strikes and road blocks around Santa Cruz, and also some of the long road trips, made getting food difficult. As I'm diabetic, the snacks available in shops weren't suitable, so packing some healthier options would have been a good idea. On the plus side, I lost 4kg!

Most Inspirational Moment

Some of the landscapes in the Atacama desert are breath-taking, as are the salt flats. We never felt like we were on a well-trodden tourist route which made it feel very special.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Julia was superb. Flexible, open and extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of the culture particularly indigenous life. She was also excellent fun!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for long journeys and the effects of altitude. But go now!

Suggestions

It was an unforgettable trip and I'd really love to revisit Bolivia more extensively having had this introduction.

Most Inspirational Moment

loved the lakes and the salt flats

Thoughts on Group Leader

Exceptional - Julia is the best i have ever had as guide - best ever!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for long travel on uneven roads - but you will be rewarded with the destinations that seem to get better as trip progresses

Suggestions

It is expensive but well worth it - accommodation the majority of the time was v good for Bolivian standards.

Most Inspirational Moment

The amazing landscape just kept giving from start to finish, but I guess standing on the Salt Flats at Uyuni and driving through the spectacular wilderness of Alti Plano had to be the most inspirational moments of the trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Melany was just fantastic. She kept us all well organised and well informed at all times. Her general, cultural and historical knowledge of all the different places that we visited was really good, along with her knowledge of South America as a whole.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take plenty of layers for the different climates between the low lands and the higher altitudes and you will be fine.

Most Inspirational Moment

Salt flats and Lake Titicaca. Do the trek on the island if you can - exhausting at altitude but so rewarding too. Buying a stick of dynamite to give the miners at Potosoi! Seeing vacuna and lamas flamingos and an Andean fox.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Exceptional. Melanie was so kind and helpful with our large group of very experienced travellers. Wise head on young shoulders. Mel made the trip for me. Always smiling and laughing even with crises that seem to be inevitable in travelling in Bolivia. She deserves a medal!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do take care regarding the advice on the cold and altitude. This is a totally full on trip rather than a relaxed holiday! Expect to be exhausted at times but repaid with stunning scenery.

Suggestions

Just to thank my group for being friendly and supportive even when we were all exhausted cold and in some cases ill. Hope Donna and John OK. Thanks guys!

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many unforgettable events & places - parades, marching bands & street dancing in Sucre, fantastic pre Incan archaeological ruins, impressive Baroque cathedrals & churches, spectacular scenery, places with beautiful jacoranda trees in purple bloom, women in colourful costumes, especially in La Paz, numerous rocks that were a geologists paradise, Lake Titicaca & a trip on a reed boat’ but our three day adventure by jeep, to Iyuni and the salt flats stood out. We saw desert scenery, ’ bubbling mud pools, experienced hot springs and visited the vast salt flats, as well as staying in the splendid Salt Hotel, it was a pity we were only there for one night.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Marco, our group leader was very experienced. He was extremely caring & solicitous & made sure everyone was ok. Several people had tummy upsets & Marco produced medicine where necessary. He was very knowledgeable with an excellent command of English.He was also ably assisted by Linda from the office in La Paz, who was also friendly & very caring, checking every detail. She too spoke excellent English. Our third guide, Ericka was monitoring the trip as it was only the second recent trip.by Exodus. In several places we had local guides’ who were also very knowledgeable & spoke good English. I especially enjoyed Leroy on our trip to Iyuni who giggled at every opportunity & was instrumental in fishing out large quantities of salt crystals from below the salt crust. Also George we had at the end in Lake Titicaca & LaPaz. He too had excellent English & explained everything with enthusiasm. He was very dedicated to his job, & took us and a fellow traveller, to our hotels in La Paz on the last night’ while the rest of the group flew to Santa Cruz for their flight home. They all were superlative.

Advice for Potential Travellers

There is a considerable amount of walking’ so make sure you have walking boots with a good grip. The was especially important on Isla Del Sol in Lake Titicaca. Walking poles there were also advantageous. We took a travelling kettle, tea & coffee with us. Important if you like early morning teà though milk was not usually available. Don’t pack too many clothes, Like others we took too much.. Strong insect repellent is a must in some places., with sunscreen/ sunblock especially in the Salt Flats with UV sunglasses. Hand gel was also useful on many occasions, though Marco had a supply, as well as toilet paper in toilets where we stopped by the roadside. Don’t forget a light towel if you want to go for a dip in the hot pools. We bought puffa jackets with hoods before we left & these were excellent. They are light, warm, wind proof & waterproof/ showerproof, with the added benefits of scrunching up small. I would recommend packing them into a small plastic bag. A good camera is another must as there is so much to photograph., Jeans were useful when it got cold, thought the bedsocks recommended by Exodus we’re not necessary. I managed with a pair of walking boots and a pair of trainers, though I would have liked a pair of light shoes , especially for the evenings. I also had a pair of slipper socks which were handy for bedrooms. Leave room in your suitcase for souvenirs as there many lovely things on sale very cheaply. The Witches Market in La Paz was a good place to shop.

Suggestions

If you are reasonably fit & don’t mind a bit of walking, go for this trip. It is no way relaxing as each day was packed full of adventures. Some days were very long with early starts. Many in our group said they would have liked more time in various places, especially the Salt Flats, but then it would have been more expensive & extended the trip. Personally I would have liked another night on Isla Del Sol as it looked a very interesting place. We thoroughly enjoyed our trip. It is one to be remembered & offers has something for everone as well as giving us an insight to a fascinating country & culture.

Most Inspirational Moment

Uyuni was wonderful. It isn't all salt pan. In fact we only spent one day on salt pan. That was what made it so wonderful. We went to see the salt and saw so much extra interesting stuff. Thoroughly enjoyed the company and support of the drivers and local tour guide. Treated exceptionally and all told had an unforgettable time there. Sand, Salt, Rocks, Grass land, Lagoons, Wildlife (including rabbits with long tails but forgot their name), Flamingoes (lots) and LLamas/Alpacas/Vicuna.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Marco was trying very hard. He speaks very good English.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be ready to go slowly in Altiplano. Its high and less oxygen. You can experience a lethargy, but I don't remember any of our group having altitude sickness. But this isn't a walking holiday so relaxed is ok. I remember some of the group getting sun burnt so cover up and use sun screen. There is lots of opportunity for photography so keep equipped with all cards and batteries.

Suggestions

Uyuni and the Altiplano is must see place in the world. theres nothing like it.

Most Inspirational Moment

The main reason for going on the trip was for the few days in the Salar de Uyuni. That didn't disappoint, I would have loved another couple of days in that area of Bolivia at a slower pace to take in all the wonderful sites and take loads more photographs. The cable car trip in La Paz was a surprise highlight, flying low over the city and looking into peoples gardens.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Marco was a great leader. Helpful and informative and always cheerful. If any problems occurred (eg.vehicle breakdown) he had a solution to hand and on we went. He was ably assisted by all the drivers we had during the two weeks as well the local guides.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This trip has something for everyone. Masses of history, good hotels, great food, wonderful scenery, friendly locals and of course the superb salt plains plus a few hundred dinosaur footprints. Go and enjoy.

Suggestions

Some walks (especially the first) were a bit tougher than expected but Marco ensured that the slower walkers were encouraged and not made to feel as though we were (read' I was') being a nuisance.

Most Inspirational Moment

Without doubt the three day 4WD jeep safari to the Salar de Uyuni. We saw the train cemetery, salt flats which are half the size of Wales, lagoons, and cactus island. Some of the days were long, but we felt that we saw it all and as we are unlikely to go back then it was good to pack it in, although perhaps an extra day here would have been good. We had great fun taking optical illusion photos on the salt plains, as well as other surprises the guide and jeep drivers laid on for us. The scenery was just beautiful, I took a lot of photos but there were so many photo opportunities I could have been there twice as long !

Thoughts on Group Leader

Marco was enthusiastic about his country and genuinely wanted us to enjoy it. His English is excellent and he explained a lot of things to us along with local guides.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Definitely go if you are thinking about it. the trip notes say take lots of layers, this is good advice as its pretty hot at times, but did get quite cold also. I took far to much, there were opportunities to wash a few things out even though we move hotels regularly. Sun screen a must, particularly on the salt plains when some people got pretty burnt, hats and sunglasses to vital for here. We thought there would be lots of nice coffee in hotels at breakfast but often it was a jar of instant, so coffee bags might be a good idea. Be prepared to feel the effects of the altitude, most were tired and a bit breathless at times from it, its manageable though and the guides do look out for you and carry oxygen if it was necessary.