Today enjoy a full day tour of the city of Nuestra Señora de La Paz. With its pre-Hispanic traditions, including magic rites that are practised on the streets, this city has an interesting mixture of indigenous, colonial and modern areas and is framed by the majestic triple-peaked Illimani Mountain.
Spend the morning on a shared Walking Tour guided by a 'lustra bota' (shoe shiner), a local activity inspired by the Hormigon Armado newspaper (the 'Big Issue' of La Paz). Meet your guide outside the former train terminal and hop on one of the many teleférico (cable cars) to the main cemetery, where your tour starts. After a short visit, continue walking to Fish Street Market, the Flower Market and the Uruguay Market, where various species of animals and food can be seen. Also visit Eloy Salmón Street, which is lined with shops and stalls selling the latest technology, and the Cholitas Market, where 'cholitas' (local ladies) can be seen shopping for traditional handicrafts, skirts and blankets. The tour finishes at the famous Witches’ Market on Linares and Sagarnaga Streets.
In the afternoon enjoy a private City Tour of La Paz. See street markets rich in handicrafts, weavings and witchcraft items, then visit the colonial sector of the city. On Plaza Murillo, the main square, you will see the Cathedral, the Government Palace and the National Congress buildings. We also view San Francisco Church, whose mestizobaroque facade features carvings of masks, dragons and tropical birds. Some interesting museums are clustered on the charming colonial street of Calle Jaen. We also visit the scenic Mirador Killi Killi viewpoint for outstanding views over La Paz.
Afterwards we descend to the more modern southern part of the city to reach Moon Valley, where a clay mountain has been impressively shaped by erosion, creating dramatic lunar landscapes and tall clay and sandstone spires. The colours here are breathtaking, ranging from beige tones to red and dark purple, due to variances in the mineral content. Several species of cacti grow among the stalagmites in this otherwise barren landscape. There are two circular walking tracks, with Devil’s Point (at the end of the longer 45-minute track) offering the most spectacular views. There is also a shorter 15-minute track.
Note: All museums in Bolivia are closed on Mondays and public holidays. Wear comfortable shoes with a good tread today.