Bolivia (6-Week Sample Itinerary)

The following is a sample itinerary based on past courses; actual itineraries may vary.
Week 1 We arrive to the dramatic El Alto International airport, at 13,300 feet the highest international airport in the world. We are greeted by stunning snow-capped peaks and the bustling city of La Paz. From La Paz we descend in altitude to our orientation site in the sub-tropical Yungas region, situated in a lush cloud forest. Here we will have workshops on group dynamics, our goals and expectations for the course, and tips for navigating the culture and places we visit. We will also climb a nearby peak, and explore the colorful markets and rich agricultural diversity of the Yungas.
Closing out our orientation, we return to La Paz to take in this fascinating city. Staying in El Alto we partner with a theater and arts group, learning about El Alto’s vibrant political history, visiting the largest black market on the continent, and interacting with an inspiring group of young artists and activists. We venture into the city of La Paz regularly by teleférico (cable car) to explore the city and prepare for our first trek.
Week 2 From La Paz we travel north to the dazzling, snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera Real range. Here we will participate in a five-day trek through glaciated peaks, alpine lakes, and herds of llama and wild vicuña. We will hone our trekking skills while coming together as a group in this dramatic setting. Our trek ends in the beautiful mountain town of Sorata, where we will spend the night before heading to our first homestay site.
Week 3 From Sorata we travel to an Aymara village on the shores of sparkling Lake Titicaca. Here we will stay with local families while learning about traditional highland agriculture, Andean spirituality, and Aymara history. We will have the opportunity to go fishing on the lake at dawn and climb the mountain that overlooks the town, called the Sleeping Dragon.
Weeks 4 and 5 Closing out our village stay we travel overland to the central Cochabamba valleys, the breadbasket of Bolivia and center of Quechua culture. Here we settle down into homestays in the semi-rural community of Tiquipaya while delving into language lessons, independent study projects, and meetings with local activists and community partners. Our time in Cochabamba will allow us to build relationships with the local community and explore issues in the arts, traditional agriculture, development and Bolivian social movements.
Week 6 From Cochabamba we venture east towards Santa Cruz, the homeland of Guaraní culture and a mix of tropical forests and sweeping savannahs. From the lowland town of Buena Vista we trek through tropical primary forests, bathe in crystalline rivers and waterfalls, and hopefully get a glimpse of some of the wildlife in this spectacular national park. This will mark the expedition phase of the course, where students will take increased responsibility over the planning and execution of our trek.
After our trek we head to a beautiful and relaxing site outside the town of Samaipata to reflect on our journey, celebrate our time together, and prepare for the transition home.