Santa
Cruz de La Sierra, commonly known as Santa
Cruz the second-largest city in the country It is
a hub of transport and trade The weather is tropical, with
an average annual temperature around 26 °C (or 86 °F),
so is generally warm all year round.
Amboró is only 3 hours west of Santa Cruz, and it is one of the most pristine
national parks in all of Bolivia. The park covers more than 600,000 hectares
(1.5 million acres) and encompasses four different biodiversity zones, including
a part of the Amazon basin, subtropical forests, temperate woodlands, and the
cool mountainous terrain of the Andes. More than 700 species of birds have been
seen in the area. Some of the rarer species include the red-fronted macaw. There
are also some fantastic hiking trails that will take you to caves and waterfalls.
Sucre the official capital of Bolivia,
has much to offer to the visitor. Amongst them Tarabuco (72
Km from Sucre) is best known as the home of the Yampara culture.
Each Sunday, a colorful and vibrant open-air market attracts
locals and tourists alike. Many people wear traditional Yampara
costumes, which not only preserve their identity but also advertise
their location of origin. In a country filled with lively, colorful,
and character-filled markets, Tarabuco may be one of the best.
The trip continues to Potosí famous for
the rich silver mountain, where now mines are still exploited as in the colonial
times.
The tour heads to the Uyuni Salt Fields the world's
largest salt flat. Salar de Uyuni is also the breeding grounds for three species
of South American flamingos. Highlights include the Red and Green Lagoon, a salt
hotel and some so-called islands.
Trip by train-bus from Uyuni to La Paz.
Near La Paz is Tiwanaku center of a powerful, self-sustaining empire. The roots
of the Tiahuanaco capital can be found in the early village underlying the 1.5-square-mile
civic-ceremonial core. The city was settled by 400 B. C. on the Tiahuanaco River,
which empties into Lake Titicaca 9.3 miles to the north.
The small farming village evolved into a regal city of multi-terraced platform
pyramids, courts and urban areas, covering a total 2.31 square miles Traditionally
it is thought to have been built by the predecessors of the Inca Civilization
over 2,000 years ago. It is a mysterious ruined city of extremely ancient origins.
Coroico is 3 hours drive from La
Paz , is nestled high in the mountains under La Paz and a peaceful
little village. The views of the surrounding hills are lovely,
the nearby hiking trails are picturesque, the bars and restaurants
in town are pleasant, and there are worthwhile excursions. Here
in this tropical town, you'll find fruit orchards, twittering
birds, coca fields, endless greenery, oxygen-rich air, warm weather,
and friendly people.
In the Titikaka Lake a visit to the Sun Island
is a must. where according the Mythology the Inka Empire founders Manco Kapac
and Mama Ocllo, came into existence. The Sun Island is a high island, with 9.6
Km length and 4.6 Km width, located one hour navigation by boat from Copacabana.
In the Island we can find important archaeological pre-columbian monuments like
Pilkokaina, Chinkana, Yumani and many inka-terraces. Views from the Sun Island
are spectacular.
The trip continues from Copacabana to Puno, where you will have the opportunity
to visit the floating islands of the Urus located at 5 kilometers from Puno and
at an altitude of 3.810 m.a.s.l. It is a group of 40 big, floating islands of
totora where the inhabitants still live like their ancestors.
The Urus call themselves "kotsuña" = people of the lake. Their
origin goes back to the time before the Inkas. They still keep their fishing
traditions, especially for fish and hunt.
From Puno to Cuzco is a pleasant trip, with some visits in the way. Cuzco the
Inca's main city is a town full of history. There are still Inca building remains
and foundations, which have been in some cases been proved to be stronger than
the foundations built in the present day Peru. Among the most noteworthy buildings
of the city is the cathedral of Santo Domingo.
The major nearby Inca sites are Pachacuti's presumed winter home, the "fortress" at
Ollantaytambo and the "fortress" of Sacsayhuaman in the Sacred Valley
of Incas. Naturally the main attraction is Machupicchu The site was designated
as a World Heritage Site in 1983 when it was described as "an absolute masterpiece
of architecture and a unique testimony to the Inca civilization.
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