RCGS: Highlights of Bolivia with George Kourounis

Discover Bolivia with the Royal Canadian Geographical Society accompanied by explorer, George Kourounis

This special departure of our popular Highlights of Bolivia is accompanied by George Kourounis, renowned National Geographic explorer, filmmaker, photographer, TV personality, daredevil, and Chapter Chair of the Explorers Club. Whether it’s swapping travel and expedition stories from across the globe, learning about Kourounis’ thrilling adventures and expeditions, or gaining tips and training on photography techniques this epic adventurer will be there every step of the journey to share his expertise.

Bolivia is a quintessential South American country both in terms of the immensity of its landscapes and its strong indigenous culture. Amboró National Park boasts almost unparalleled biodiversity and the charming gateway town of Samaipata gives access to the nearby Pre-Columbian UNESCO site of El Fuerte.  Gaze at the incredible salt flats of Salar de Uyuni, the largest on the planet! This exciting journey is a comprehensive three-day 4WD adventure that reveals Bolivia’s eye-catching multi-colored lagoons, cacti islands, and spouting geysers. In stark contrast to the incredible nature, visit the vibrant cities of Sucre, Potosi, and La Paz whose history and culture run deep with the Incas and the Spanish Conquistadores. To finish your adventure wind down with a night in an eco-lodge on the Isla del Sol overlooking the deep, tranquil waters of Lake Titicaca - surrounded by snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera Real.

Your Guide to RCGS Quests

People, Places & Planet

We work hard to create trips that have a positive impact on the people and places we visit and look after the planet we explore. Learn more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.

Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:

People

How this trip helps improve life for local communities.

• Local guides keep you well informed about local traditions and cultural-social sensitivities.
• This trip brings income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally owned hotels, restaurants, and other enterprises, and by championing locally produced food wherever possible. A number of the hotels used are family owned.
• Read more about our other initiatives here.

Places

How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.

• By travelling in a small group we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.
• We work with our partners on the ground to proactively reduce waste; this includes eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles by providing refills for re-usable bottles.
• The payment of entrance fees to natural reserves and archaeological sites generates income which is used for upkeep and development of these important sites.
• We visit the ASUR an indigenous art museum which supports the local communities close to Sucre by helping to keep traditional weaving techniques alive.
• We visit the Eduardo Avaroa National Park and fees collected fund conservation initiatives.
• We rewild 100 square metres per passenger to compensate for all trip and flight emissions.
• Read about our commitment to nature protection and restoration here, including our rewilding commitment for every customer who travels with us.

Planet

How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.

• Accommodation and restaurants in the itinerary use locally sourced food which has not been transported long distances.
• A number of the hotels we use are eco-friendly and use solar panels: Tayka del Desierto, Regutio Los Volcanes and La Estancia at Sun Island.
• Read about our climate action here, including our carbon reduction and compensation commitments.

Tips for sustainable travel on this trip

• Leave no trace: we do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, consider bringing recyclable materials home with you.
• Plastic waste reduction: please bring a re-usable water bottle on this trip, also consider avoiding single-use hotel toiletries, which generate a large amount of plastic waste.

Visa

Bolivia

Travellers from the UK, EU, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa do not require visas to enter Bolivia. US citizens who are not of Bolivian origin do need a visa. For full details, visit www.boliviawdc.org. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/americas/bolivia
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/bolivia
• United Kingdom: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/bolivia
• USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Bolivia.html

Vaccination

Bolivia

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for hepatitis A, tetanus, typhoid, hepatitis B, rabies, tuberculosis and yellow fever. Please confirm which vaccinations you will need with your doctor or travel clinic. A yellow fever certificate is required for travellers over one year of age arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Additionally, there is a low risk of malaria in some areas of the country. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic whether you need antimalarials.

You should also be aware that dengue and zika are known risks in some areas of Bolivia. There are no vaccines or prophylaxes available; therefore, we strongly recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Eating and Drinking

All breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners are included. 

Some of the lunches are box lunches whilst others are restaurant meals. Where meals are not included your leader will be able to recommend a variety of local restaurants.

Drinking water will be provided in large containers to minimise the amount of single-use plastic bottles; please bring a refillable bottle with you.

Bolivian cuisine is a fusion between Spanish and Andean traditions and varies from one region to another. In the lowlands fruit, vegetables, yucca and fish are abundant whereas in the altiplano these are less readily available and there are more spiced dishes to combat the cold. Bolivian cuisine has a reputation for its meat dishes but corn (maize), quinoa and potatoes are also part of the staple diet.

Common street food and snacks include ‘salteñas’ (baked pastries filled with spiced meat or vegetables), ‘buñuelos’ (sweet or savoury bread – often stuffed with cheese) and ‘papas rellenas’ (deep-fried battered stuffed potatoes).

Popular main dishes include ‘pique a lo macho’ (a kind of beef stir-fry, served with chunky chips), ‘picante de pollo’ (spicy chicken) and ‘tucumanas’ (a sort of pasty). In Sucre try ‘mondongo’ (a dish made of chicharron – crispy fried pork usually accompanied by corn, potatoes and a rich chilli sauce) and in La Paz check out a ‘sandwich de chola’ (pork sandwich).

Weather

Differences in topography and climate separate Bolivia’s lowlands and highlands into distinct areas. Weather conditions vary significantly from region to region.

Lowlands, including Santa Cruz - A humid tropical climate with clear-cut wet and dry seasons and an average temperature of 30 °C (86 °F). One of the wettest regions in Bolivia, the rainy season extending from late September to May, sees an annual rainfall average between 1000 and 4000 mm (40 – 150″). The heavy rainfall is caused by winds blowing in from the Amazon rainforest. From the month of May there is less rain and more blue sky due to drier winds. 

Altiplano (highlands), including Lake Titicaca, La Paz, Sucre, Potosí and Uyuni - Climate varies from cool and humid to semi-arid. The average annual temperature ranges from 15 to 27°C (60 – 80ºF) but in the dry season its more likely to be 10 to 15°C with the coldest temperatures occurring in the south-western portion of the Altiplano during the months of June and July. Nights can get very chilly, dropping to around 0 °C. In Salar de Uyuni, night-time temperatures in the dry season may fall as low as -15°C (particularly from May to August). Between April and September there is a chance of snow, especially to the north of the highlands, but it is not very common. The unrelenting rainy season occurs between December and March, but we do not run any departures as getting around can be difficult and treacherous. 

Weather Charts

La Paz, Bolivia

Is this trip for you?

Bolivia is less developed than many of its South American counterparts and things do not always happen as planned; expect the unexpected and approach travel here with an adventurous spirit.

There is a daywalk through the jungle of Amboró National Park and a walk to our lodge at the top of Isla del Sol. The sightseeing around archaeological sites and tours of some of the cities may involve walking up and down steep streets or on uneven steps/ground. As such, you should have a good level of mobility and a reasonable level of fitness.

Although graded Leisurely/Moderate (level 2), the altitude can make physical activity feel more tiring than at sea level. As this trip spends considerable time at altitude we ask you to refer to the Altitude Warning within the Trip Notes for more information and advice on how to limit the effects of altitude sickness. The tour allows for gradual acclimatisation, spending two days in Sucre (2,800m) before continuing to Potosí (4,060m), Salar de Uyuni (ranging from between 3,650m and 4,850m), La Paz (3,640m) and the Isla del Sol (4,000m). The maximum altitude on this trip is 4,850m at Sol de Mañana – please ensure that your insurance covers you up to this altitude.

Due to the altitude you should expect some low temperatures, particularly during the Salar de Uyuni adventure when it regularly falls well below freezing at night. 

There are some long drives during the tour and in Uyuni you will spend a considerable amount of time in the 4WD vehicle, although there will be plenty of stops to enjoy the landscape, take photos, and to explore on foot. 

Samaipata is little-visited and accommodation and facilities here, and also in Uyuni town, are basic.

Strikes are not uncommon in Bolivia and whilst these are generally peaceful protests, they can result in roadblocks and disruption to travel. In this event, your leader will amend your itinerary if necessary to minimise any impact on the itinerary.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as not suitable for full wheelchair users, but it may be suitable for other persons of reduced mobility. Please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.