Introduction to the Bolivia expedition

The highest and most isolated of the South American republics, landlocked Bolivia lies in the southern half of South America. It is bordered to the north by Brazil, to the west by Chile and Peru and to the south and east by Argentina and Paraguay. Bolivia also boasts the highest capital city in the world, La Paz, at 3,632m. The Bolivian Altiplano is a high plateau that encompasses the Cordillera Real, the Andean range with a number of mountain peaks over 6,000m offering fabulous trekking. Teams may also visit the Highland Valleys east of La Paz, the Yungas, a fertile area near La Paz and Cochabamba, the jungle lowlands of the Amazon Basin, the expansive Salt Flats of the South or the Eastern Lowlands, the gateway to the diverse Amboro National Park. These contrasting environments make Bolivia an excellent destination for a team that not only wants to trek at altitude and head into the jungle but also wants to appreciate some of the strongest indigenous cultures in Latin America.

Expedition summary for Bolivia Location: Bolivia, South America Duration: 21 to 28 days Ideal for: Adventurous high altitude trekking. Highlights: Indigenous Indian culture, Lake Titicaca in the north or the spectacular Salt Pans of the south.

Teams can either arrive in or depart from La Paz or Santa Cruz, and therefore thoroughly experience the geographical diversity of the Bolivia’s beautiful terrain. Bolivia is one of the more adventurous destinations in South America, and anyone who joins an expedition to this fascinating country will take away memories to last a lifetime.

Some possible Bolivia expedition objectives are given below, please note these may alter between now and your expedition. The Expedition Program Manager for Bolivia will design an expedition itinerary for you to best match the abilities and aspirations of your team.

Acclimatization
There are several day treks near La Paz and around Lake Titicaca which enable the team to acclimatize before commencing the main trek. Alternatively, from Santa Cruz, the team can head to the village of Samaipata which is a great starting point to explore Amboro National park.

Main Trekking phase
Northern Bolivia - Cordillera Real & Apolobamba
The trekking possibilities in Bolivia are unrivalled in South America. Teams may choose to complete a high altitude trek traversing great ranges or to walk along one of the old Inca Trails. They may decide to tackle a trek that starts off in the high Altiplano before dropping down into the fertile valleys of the Yungas.

Central Highlands - Torotoro National Park
Teams may choose to trek in the relatively untouched Central Highlands of Bolivia. This area boasts unexplored caves, where dinosaur footprints and fossils are still visible, the Inca ruins of Llama Chaqui, as well as ancient Batea Cocha cave paintings many millions of years old.

The Amazon Rainforest
Teams can head to Rurrenabaque and Villa Tunari, both serve as a staging post for jungle exploration. The surrounding rainforest and pampa supports Amazonian wildlife in relatively large numbers, with the tropical resort of Villa Tunari, east of Cochabamba, offering teams a unique opportunity to visit an animal rehabilitation center.

Projects
Projects include working in rural schools in Samaipata near Santa Cruz, or undertaking basic construction work in orphanages and street children centers in and around the capital La Paz.

Rest and Relaxation
After a dynamic itinerary there are a number of options for a period of rest and a chance to see some of Bolivia’s more unusual sights. From Lake Titicaca, which is the highest navigable lake in the world, you can explore the Island of the Sun, which is where the Incas believe their empire originated from.

Thankyou so much for this opportunity. I could never have imagined that one country would be so varied. I feel as if I could leap for joy at the thought of what we've done. I've seen and learnt so much, the future seems to be full of opportunities.
Daniel Rawnsley - Challenger, Bolivia

The expedition to Bolivia has been one of the most, if not the most, memorable and rewarding experience of my life. I have no regrets and would do another expedition without a moments hesitation.

Emily Harding - Challenger, Bolivia

Raising their own funds gives students a personal commitment to their expedition and is their first major challenge whilst preparing for an inspiring expedition. WCE’s Money Management programme puts pupils on the path to success giving them the tools to develop their skills in financial planning, money handling and organisation, allowing students of all means to take part in an amazing opportunity. In the increasingly competitive areas of education and work, admissions tutors and employers value evidence of a student’s commitment, skills and enthusiasm. Successfully completing the programme demonstrates an ability to balance the challenges of studying and preparing for an exciting adventure.
Andrew Griffin - Link Teacher, Bolivia

Find out more
T: 877 – 333 – 1060
E: infoUSA@wcexpeditions.com