La Paz & Lake Titicaca

Snow-covered moutain Illimani dominates the skyline. The streets are cobbled, the women wear traditional brightly coloured textiles and bowler hats, and the innumerable markets are eclectic, bustling and invariably fascinating.

Virtually every street is alive with stalls and traders selling everything from herbs and potions to obscure animal parts; the most famous being the Witches Market, uniquely atmospheric with its billowing incense, reminiscent of a similar scene in Nepal. Outside La Paz, the mountains provide plenty of adrenaline sport opportunities, from skiing to mountain biking.

In the northwest of the country, and shared with neighbouring Peru, Lake Titicaca sits at 11,000ft, its altitude meaning that the air is unusually clear and the azure waters particularly striking.

The Peruvian side of the lake may boast the floating islands of the Uros tribe, but the Bolivian side is well worth exploring, in particular the fascinating islands of Isla del Sol and Isla de la Luna, which are dotted with ancient Inca ruins rife for exploration.

Isla del Sol, believed by locals to have been home to the supreme Incan god Inti, is the largest of the Lake’s islands. It is scattered with Incan ruins and sacred sites and the charming Posada del Sol means you can spend the night on the island rather than making the rather lengthy day trip from Copacabana.

From Isla del Sol, it is just a short hop by boat across to Isla de la Luna. Less visited than it’s neighbour, this tiny island is regarded as the birth place of the Inca Goddess Mama Quila and was once home to the 'Virgins of the Sun.' You can still visit their crumbling old convent as part of a trip to the island.