Surrounded by the peaks of the Andean Plateau and overlooked by the 6402m Mt. Illimani, La Paz is a truly breathtaking city whose buildings sprawl across the surrounding canyon, reaching altitudes of up to 4100m. While the sight of the city is reason enough to visit, La Paz holds a number of attractions sure to keep tourists fascinated. Take a walk along Calle Jaen, a colonial street lined with museums, explore the city's cathedrals or wander through some of the colourful markets, including the 'Witches' Market' where llama foetuses and dried frogs can be found for sale.
Set on the shores of Lake Titicaca lies the historic town of Copacabana. For centuries, this small Bolivian destination has been a deeply sacred site, drawing many of pilgrims. They flock here to visit the famed Camarín de la Virgen de Candelaria, a statue believed to possess miraculous healing powers. Visitors can marvel at this renowned figure housed inside a grand basilica, which is one of the oldest churches in the country. Visitors can look forward to hiking up Cerro Calvario, a steep hillside climb lined with the Stations of the Cross and rewards hikers with breathtaking views of the glittering lake below. The town truly comes alive during its vibrant festivals. Local Aymara women take to the streets, dancing in their traditional, brightly coloured dresses and iconic bowler hats.
The largest island on Lake Titicaca, the “Island in the Sun” is an ancient holy Inca site with over 80 ruins dating back to the 15th century AD. The rocky piece of land can only be explored by foot and there are several walking tracks to help visitors get around. Among the Inca monuments, tourists will find the Inca Table, a platform thought to have been used for human sacrifices; the remains of a two-story palace; and a set of rock impressions dubbed The Footsteps of the Sun. The island also boasts an Inca gold museum and a spring that the Spaniards thought to be the fountain of youth.
As previously described
