Altiplano

The Bolivian Altiplano is the area of the Andes above about 3,500 m in Bolivia. The altiplano stretches into neighbouring Peru and Argentina.

Regions

La Paz (department)

Oruro (department)

Potosí (department)

Cities

• 1 La Paz
• 2 Copacabana
• 3 Llallagua
• 4 Oruro
• 5 Potosí
• 6 Tupiza

Other destinations

• 1 Chacaltaya – An abandoned ski resort, now a ghost town, located right by one of the country's highest mountains.
• 2 Huayna Potosí – A popular commercial hiking destination from La Paz. Though, with 6,080 m still 500 m short of Bolivia's highest mountain Nevada Sajama, which can also be climbed.
• 3 Madidi National Park – Popular for organised jungle trekking.
• 4 Sajama National Park – The underrated gem of Bolivia, impressive and challenging trails in an often quiet and altiplano surrounding.
• 5 Salar de Uyuni – Definitely the highlight of Bolivia, and even though very touristy, still worth doing a tour here, especially the 3-4 day tour towards the Chilean border.
• 6 Tiwanaku – An archaeological site just 1.5 hr from La Paz, but a little overpriced.
• 7 Yungas Road – "Death Road", infamous for being the most dangerous road in the world, in the Yungas Region, the notoriety of this road from La Paz to Coroico has turned it into a popular destination for international tourists, especially bicyclists. Bolivia has finally finished the alternate paved route, so there is far less traffic on this road, and is at least a little safer for that.
• 8 Lake Titicaca

See

The Salar de Uyuni salt flat

One of the highlights of this region is the Salar de Uyuni: 200 square miles of flat dazzling white salt at an altitude of 3700 metres. There are many tours of this salt flat from Uyuni - or for a four-day tour choose the one from Tupiza near the Argentine border. There are many fascinating islands on the lake with giant cacti growing everywhere. On longer tours, you can see the highland lagunas in the southeast near the border with Chile. Best known are the Laguna Colorada and the Laguna Verde, as well as the Árbol de Piedra.

Stay safe

During the Bolivian winter time (in June and July) the temperatures can drop really low so bring good winter clothes and a sleeping bag suitable for temperatures below 0 degrees.

Go next

Altiplano