Bolivia

Bolivia is weird. At least that's what the Lonely Planet guide told me in its first paragraph, and having since travelled through this oft-ignored South American country I'm inclined to agree. Mulitcoloured lakes, rock formations, flamingoes, dried llama foetuses on sale in the towns, volcanoes, sulphur springs... I have very strange memories of this surreal yet fascinating place. One of my fondest memories comes from the time I hired a Jeep and a guide to take me through the National Park. He took me and my travelling companions on a day trip across the Salar d'Uyuni, a truly indescribable ...  Read the complete review

Sucre was founded in the late 15th century and quickly became one of the most important cities in Spanish ruled Latin America. Four centuries later it was the venue of Bolivia's declaration of independence. Curiously, it remains the constitutional capital of Bolivia despite it size (250,000) and the fact that La Paz holds most of the governments law making institutions. Aesthetically, Sucre is probably the most pleasing city in Bolivia. It has a easy going nature that is only partially blighted by a sizeable community of beggars. It is a little more expensive than the rest of the country which you'll notice straight away as you look for a ...  Read the complete review

The majority of travellers who head for South America often end up in Peru. When my two friends and I were planning a 2 month trip to South America in the summer of 2001, the Inca Trail, which leads to the lost city of the Incas, Machu Picchu, was at the top of our list of destinations. Having journeyed away from the slums of Lima, Peru's bustling capital, we eventually arrived at the city of Cuzco. A couple of days rest allowed us to adapt to the high altitude before we set of on the gruelling 3 day trek to Machu Picchu. Upon arrival we were not disappointed. The views over the vast mountaintop ruins were breathtaking. However my fondest memories of our ...  Read the complete review

In English it means salt lakes, and they are like no other that you will see in the world. The largest and deepest salt lakes on this planet are located in Southern Bolivia, near Potosi. At the far end you can see the borders for Argentina and Chile, while 2 active Volcano's smoke lethargicaly in the distance. At the centre of the lakes the salt is 45 metres deep, and all that can be seen in every direction is pure, blinding white interupted by floating brown islands (Mirages). Approaching these islands, you find cactus reaching 26 feet into the sky like giant fingers breaking the earth. 2 mornings into the trip after driving 100 miles into the lakes, it ...  Read the complete review