Bolivia

Known as the ‘Tibet of the Americas’, Bolivia is the highest and most remote country in South America. The landlocked destination includes the East Andes Mountain Range and the Altiplano Highland Plateau, where most of its people live.

Bolivia’s history spans the ancient Aymara, who lived on Lake Titicaca; the Altiplano’s Inca Empire; and the Spanish conquest in the 16th century. Visitors can still see traces of these civilisations in the country’s ruins, museums and past colonial cities.

Culture lovers should note that Bolivia has one of the continent’s most concentrated indigenous populations who have, for the most part, retained their traditional way of life. Visitors will encounter authentic houses, age-old agricultural methods and ancient weaving techniques. Haunting panpipe melodies ride the Altiplano’s crisp mountain air, while livelier tunes fire up the warmer lowlands.

Thrill seekers will relish the country’s dramatic geography: explorers can track wildlife in the Amazonian Basin or drive the Salar de Uyuni’s surreal landscape. They can also venture to the world’s highest navigable lake, Titicaca; scramble through muddy shafts in the silver mines of Potosi; and hike in the magnificent Andes.

Ancient culture and a distinctly South American aura of mystery draw travellers to Bolivia. Remote, rugged and sometimes overwhelming, this destination belongs on every adventurer’s bucket list. Bold visitors will not be disappointed, whether they gravitate towards the splendour of the Amazon, the vast emptiness of the world’s largest salt flat or the towering height of the Andes.

Bolivia also commands respect for its cultural and spiritual wealth. Culture lovers can immerse themselves in ancient Aymara, Tiahuanaco and Inca civilisations. In fact, Bolivia has one of Latin America’s most concentrated indigenous populations, with many people still embracing the beliefs, rituals and lifestyles of their ancient predecessors.