La Paz

La Paz sits in a canyon carved by the Choqueyapu River on the edge of the Altiplano, with the downtown at about 3,600 meters altitude and neighborhoods climbing the slopes up to El Alto on the upper plain, around 4,000 meters. Founded by the Spanish in 1548, it is the seat of Bolivia's government, housing the presidency and parliament; the constitutional capital is Sucre. In the background, the snow-capped Illimani, over 6,400 meters high, can be seen from almost the whole city.

The historic center revolves around Plaza Murillo, with the Cathedral, the Government Palace and the Legislative Assembly. A few blocks away are Calle Jaén, a colonial street of colorful houses with museums, and the Basílica de San Francisco, with a carved stone façade in the mestizo baroque style. On the streets above the church, the Mercado de las Brujas sells herbs, amulets and offerings used in Aymara rituals to Pachamama.

Mi Teleférico, the urban cable car network that links La Paz with El Alto, is everyday transport and also the easiest way to see the city from above. Viewpoints such as Killi Killi show the whole canyon with Illimani behind. To the south, Valle de la Luna has clay formations sculpted by erosion, and 70 km away on the Altiplano, Tiwanaku preserves the ruins of the culture that dominated the region before the Incas.

Take it easy on the first day.

This destination brings together 1 city: La Paz.