MAY 2018 | NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELLER INDIA 87
BOLIVIAI was staying in one of the local houses at the base of the
dormant Tunupa volcano, which one can climb after buying
a ticket. The hike to the top appeared easy but turned out to
be moderately difficult. Even with the sun beating down hard,
it was a rewarding trek—the closer I got to the mouth of the
volcano, the more fascinated I was.
The historic city of Sucre, about nine hours from Tunupa, is
an ideal final spot. The first capital of Bolivia, it was founded
by the Spanish in the first half of the 16th century, and is a
UNESCO World Heritage site. If time-travel is your brand of
adventure, the well-preserved architecture of Sucre will thrill
you more than any extreme sport. I chose to end my golden
run by catching a football match at The Red Lion English Pub,
one of Sucre’s many English watering holes.¾
ESSENTIALS
GETTING THERE AND AROUND
There are no direct flights to Bolivia’s capital city La Paz
from India. Flights from Mumbai and Delhi fly to the El Alto
International Airport with two or more stops and a European
or Middle Eastern and South American gateway city. From the
airport, private taxis taking you to the city centre are available
for anything between BOB60-100/`580-960. It is a good idea to
bargain for a steal rate.
ADVENTURES AHEAD
A Brush with Death Road
The ‘most dangerous road in the world’ can be reached from La
Paz as part of sundry conducted tours operating out of the city
(BOB350-750/`3,365-7,220; includes transport to and from La
Paz, bikes and protective gear, and one meal).
Zip it Right
For activities like zip lining at Yolosa village at the bottom of the
Death Road, connect with adventure agency Zzip the Flying Fox
(zzip the flying fox on Facebook).
Climbing Huayna Potosi
Start at the Zongo Pass to tackle this grand mountain, located
25 km north of La Paz in the Cordillera Real range. You can take a
cab from La Paz to Zongo Pass (2 hr; approx. BOB300/`2,900)
or the slower and cheaper option of a bus from El Alto at 5 a.m.
or 6 a.m. After the climb, another early morning bus from the
pass can take you back to the comfort of your room in La Paz.
A convenient option is to book a tour from La Paz with a
professional adventure company. Altitud 6000 Mountaineering
(Altitud 6000 Mountaineering (Bolivia) on Facebook) and Andean
Ascents (www.andeanascents.com) are good options.Salt Safari
Reach the tourist town of Uyuni by bus (regular and luxury),
train, cab or flight from La Paz. To tour the salt desert of Salar
de Uyuni, hire a four-wheel ride, which can cost between
BOB250-1,000/`2,400-9,600.Volcano Voyage
You can climb the dormant Tunupa volcano at the end of your
salt flat safari, as a part of the Salar de Uyuni pacaked tours. It is
best accessed from Uyuni or Tupiza. The 4x4 vehicles, part of the
packaged tour, are good transport options.The panoramic view of
La Paz, Lake Titicaca and
the high Andean plateau
of Altiplano from the
summit of HuaynaPotosí
mountain is well worth
the taxing ascent from
Zongo Pass.The Death Road, infamous as
‘the most dangerous road in the
world’, is a 64-kilometre dirt road
running from La Paz to Coroico
and is popular with thrill-seeking
downhill bikers.MARK CHIVERS/ROBERTHARDING/ROBERTHARDING/GETTY IMAGES (MOUNTAIN CLIMBING),TIM CLAYTON-CORBIS/CONTRIBUTOR/CORBIS SPORT/GETTY IMAGES(DOWNHILL BIKING)