Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

Bolivia….waiting to be experienced….   

“The world is a book, & those who do not travel read only one page” - Saint Augustine

Real travelers love South America. Andean peaks, Amazonian rainforest, Patagonian glaciers, Incan ruins, colonial towns, white-sand beaches and vertiginous nightlife: the wonders of South America set the stage for incredible adventures. It is as though the continent was built for travel; a place that excites, thrills, challenges & infuriates.

Be mindful of what you are getting into: South America can be a lifetime addiction. You would not realize this when you first hike on Andean trails & be awed by the pre-Colombian sites, but you come back for more. You will fall in love with the incredible wonders of this continent: its mist-covered peaks, thundering falls & vast rainforests. Add to this, the human-made treasures: buzzing indigenous markets, picturesque colonial towns & vibrant cityscapes. This is just the beginning, and in South America there really is no end.

From the snow-capped peaks of the Andes to the undulating waterways of the Amazon, South America spreads a dazzling array of natural wonders. This is a continent of lush rainforests, towering volcanoes, misty cloud forests, bone-dry deserts, red-rock canyons, ice-blue glaciers & sun-kissed beaches. As landscapes go, there aren't many other places on earth that offers so much variety.

South America's diversity doesn't end with geography. You will find colonial towns where cobblestone streets lead past gilded churches & stately plazas, little changed since the 18^th century. You can haggle over colorful textiles at indigenous markets, share meals with traditional dwellers of the rainforest & follow the pounding rhythms of Afro-Brazilian drums corps. South America is home to an astounding variety of living & ancient cultures, and experiencing it first-hand is as easy as showing up.

You can hike past ancient temples first laid down by the Incas, contemplate the awe-inspiring power of Iguazu Falls, or spend the day watching wildlife from a dugout canoe on one of the Amazon's countless igarapes (narrow waterways). You can barrel down Andean roads by mountain bike, go white-water rafting on class V rivers and surf amazing breaks off both coasts. And once you think you have experienced it all, head to the dramatic landscapes in Tierra del Fuego, go eye-to-eye with extraordinary creatures in the Galapagos, & scramble up tableland mountains in the Gran Sabana for a panorama that seems straight out of the Mesozoic era.

This is one of the world's great music destinations. Nothing compares to hearing the rhythms of Colombian Salsa, fast-stepping Brazilian Forro & Samba, Argentine Tango & Andean folk music in the place where they were born. Buenos Aires' sultry Milongas (tango clubs), Rio's simmering Garrafeiras (dance halls), Quito's Salsotecas (salsa clubs) – all great places to chase the heart of Saturday night. Yet this is only the beginning of a great musical odyssey that encompasses Peruvian Trovas, soulful Ecuadorian Passillos, whirling Venezuelan Merengue, steel-pan Guyanese Drumming, Paraguayan Harp music & more. Simply plunge in – though you might want to take a dance class along the way!

Sweat yourself dizzy on an Amazon canoe ride before ending the day caiman-watching on a black-water lagoon. Brave a white-knuckle bus ride down Peruvian slopes & be astounded by endless Andean vistas. Endure Patagonia’s wind-driven rain while chasing life affirming sunsets or simply lose yourself (and possibly your belongings) in the break-neck chaos of Buenos Aires or Salvador.

The real reward, however, is the South American spirit. It seems like the entire continent approaches life with the enthusiasm of an old-fashioned road trip: windows down and stereo blaring. There is as much music as there are adventures to be had. Samba spices up the sandy streets of Brazilian beach towns, panpipes liven Andean markets, Argentine folklorica (folk music) trickles out of truck radios in the pampas, and the jolting rhythm of cumbia makes those Andean bus rides even more absurd. South America is a continent that engulfs you and changes you – your state of mind, your outlook on life. As soon as you step foot on South American soil, the transformation begins.

And then there is Bolivia. Beautiful, defiant & intense. Superlative in its natural beauty, rugged, vexing, complex & slightly nerve-racking, Bolivia is one of South America’s most diverse & intriguing nations.

Culture | Natural Wonders| Captivating Landscapes | Cuisine

Bolivia, landlocked at the heart of Andean Latin America, remains something of a well-kept secret. Throughout the country's colonial history, Bolivia was known as 'Upper Peru', until after Simon Bolivar led the country to independence in 1825, when it was named in his honor. You just prepare to be charmed.

Bolivia is not for the faint of heart: rattling down the World's Most Dangerous Road into sultry Yungas; soaring breathless above verdant La Paz valleys in a paraglider; jumping on a horse for a Wild West adventure near Tupiza; pulling a catfish that outweighs you out of an Amazon river (& maybe cooking it for dinner!). Whether your tools are crampons & an ice axe for scaling 19,685 feet Andean peaks, or a helmet & bravado for jumping into the abyss on a glider, Bolivia's rocks, rivers & ravines will challenge - nay, provoke - you into pushing your own personal limits.

Bolivians love a Parade & hardly a month passes without a procession of brightly costumed celebrants honoring an important historical date or deity. You will hear them from blocks away before the brass bands & whirligigging dancers approach and then envelop you (you may even get to join in).

It is also South America’s most indigenous country, with over 60% of the population claiming indigenous heritage, including Aymara, Quechua, Guaraní & over 30 other ethnic groups. The authentic culture has not been watered down. Native religions, dialects, clothes, music & medicines all form part of the daily life on the streets, too.

Learn about their history & vibrant culture through the continued presence of traditions & customs in everyday life, participating in community-based activities & at the excellent Museums. Unparalleled beauty is also reflected in its charming Spanish colonial architecture, most notably in cities such as Sucre & Potosi & whispers of ancient civilizations. Amateur archaeologists can delve into a rich, multilayered treasure trove of artefacts

Bolivia has remained close to its roots, electing its first-ever indigenous President Evo Morales, in December 2005. But, the social & political fronts have been in flux since then. Optimism is generally high, especially among the indigenous majority, although many changes are afoot. Protests, marches & demonstrations are a perpetual part of the country’s mind-boggling landscape.

Bolivia is so bio-dioverse that unique species are being discovered to this day. Tiptoe into caves of tube-lipped nectar bats, their 3in tongues probing the darkness. Tread lightly on the terrain of the poisonous annellated coral snake, deadly in look & effect. Listen for the cackling call & response of a dozen different Macaw species (among the 1000 bird species) including the world’s rarest, the Bluebeard, which only lives here. Multihued, brilliant butterflies & moths flit at your feet in the jungle; lithe alpacas & vicunas stand out in the stark altiplano

This landlocked country boasts the soaring peaks of the Cordillera Real around Sorata & the hallucinogenic salt flats of Uyuni, the steamy jungles of the Amazon Basin & wildlife-rich grasslands of the Southeast. Bolivia has it all…except, that is, for beaches. 

Ever had a llama tenderloin? Here is your chance: maybe with a glass of up & coming Tarija wine, or artisanal coca or quinoa-based beer.

Bolivia's food is as diverse as its peoples & you will find new delicacies to sample in every town. Markets are a good place to start, though the steaming pots of unfamiliar concoctions might test your nerve.

The daily bread varies from the Frisbee-like mama qonqachi cheese bread of Cochabamba, big as your head, to the sourdough-like maraqueta hard roll, staple of pacena breakfast, to Santa Cruz’s mouth-watering cunapes (cheese bread balls). Vegetarians can feast on sonsos, the yucca & cheese pancake of the camba, & savor freshly blended tropical fruit juices like maracuya (passionfruit) & chirimoya (custard apple). Fresh Amazon surubí tastes like it leaped onto your plate.

Yungas coffee & chuquisacena (sucre) chocolate complete a perfect postre (dessert) can be found in a number of new cafes that are popping up around the country. La Paz, Cochabamba & Santa Cruz have thriving restaurant scenes where you can sample contemporary takes on traditional local dishes.

In Bolivia, adventure is what happens on the way to having an adventure & that is just the beginning. Sweat yourself dizzy on an Amazon canoe ride before ending the day caiman-watching on a black-water lagoon. Brave a white-knuckle bus ride down Peruvian slopes & be astounded by endless Andean vistas. Endure Patagonia’s wind-driven rain while chasing life affirming sunsets or simply lose yourself (& possibly your belongings) in the break-neck chaos of Buenos Aires or Salvador.

The country’s innate charm lies in its staggering breadth of contrasts: the clash of indigenous & European culture, the sweep of landscape from jungle to high-altitude mountains & the diversity of activities from adrenaline sports to ancient monuments. Although the poorest country in South America (& boy, do Bolivians get tired of hearing that), it is also one of the richest in terms of natural resources.

Now is a great time to visit, so get your spirit in gear & prepare for an unforgettable adventure. Yep!...... Bolivia is waiting & The Journeys is ready to take you on well, a journey (or journeys) of discovery.

Come…be inspired & discover the World with us

We are in the process of updating our Offerings & experiential journeys to Bolivia. Please contact us in the interim if you want to explore options & we will be happy to offer suggestions based on your personal preferences…