PHOTO ON PREVIOUS PAGE: Peter Adams Photography Ltd / Alamycnrillo tourscnrillo tours130 BoliviaBolivia at a glance2THE NORTHERN ANDES AND ALTIPLANOFrom La Paz a short drive across high steppes leads to the pre-Columbian ceremonial site at Tiwanaku; a spine-tingling roller-coaster road leads down to the subtropical Yungas; and a scenic road across the altiplano to Lake Titicaca.514321The amazoN and the oriEnteA vast area of untouched rainforest and savannah grasslands. Conservation areas such as Madidi National Park are being opened up to visitors. La Paz, a great, vibrant place; an unexpected delight. Driving through the altiplano was hard going at times, but driving rather than flying gives you a feel for the vastness, isolation, climate and soul of the place. JB, HendonSanta Cruz.La PazSalar de UyuniANDESUyuni.Sucre..Tarija.Potosí.Tarabuco.CochabambaANDES.Coroico.RurrenabaqueAltiplanoLake TiticacaBeni Lowlands.OruroCopacabana..TrinidadAmboró National ParkMadidi National Park.San Javier.Concepción.San IgnacioBOLIVIAPERUARGENTINACHILECORDILLERA REALVillazón.BRAZIL..San Pedro de Atacama.Cusco

.Santa CruzBOLIVIASucre..TarabucoPotosí..La PazPuno..Cusco.Machu Picchu.LimaPERULake TiticacaAMY INGHAMISTOCKPHOTO.COMcrillon tours131Essentials Climate Varies according to elevation. Winter months, June-August, generally offer clear skies and warm days (until the sun goes in). The altiplano is cold, even more so during the winter. Rainy season November?March.Festivals La Diablada (Oruro's Carnival) 04?07 March 2011; Virgen de la Candelaria (Copacabana) 01?02 February 2011. Travelling from UK Time difference (GMT) -4hrs Travel time 20hrs Highlights of Bolivia with Peru 17 days, 14 nightsSanta Cruz 1 night, Sucre 2n, Potosí 2n, La Paz 3n, Lake Titicaca 1n, Cusco 4n, Lima 1n.Day 1 Fly from the UK arriving the following day in Santa Cruz, capital of Bolivia's eastern lowlands. Day 2 At leisure. Day 3 Morning free to explore. Afternoon flight to Sucre, a serene colonial city of cobbled lanes and attractive plazas. Day 4 Full day excursion to the market at Tarabuco, one of the most authentic in Latin America. Day 5 Scenic drive past the snow-powdered Andes to Potosí. Afternoon city tour and visit to the Imperial Mint where the silver mined in Cerro Rico, the conical hill dominating the cityscape, was converted to currency for the Spanish court. Day 6 Morning visit to the drift mines that burrow deep into the hill. Day 7 Transfer to Sucre for flight to La Paz, Bolivia's exuberant high-altitude capital. Day 8 Half day excursion to the pre-Columbian temples at Tiwanaku, standing on the lonely steppes of the altiplano. Day 9 Day at leisure in La Paz. Day 10 Drive to Lake Titicaca, via Uros Iruitos floating islands, cross the border into Peru. Overnight at the lakeside town of Puno (p124). Day 11 Full day journey through Peru's Central Valley to Cusco (p116). Day 12 Full day excursion to the fertile Sacred Valley of the Incas, including the ruined temples and fortresses at Pisac and Ollantaytambo. Day 13 Afternoon tour of the city and Inca sites nearby. Day 14 Full day trip by train and bus to Machu Picchu (p116). Day 15 One hour flight to Lima, Peru's monumental capital. Tour of the city's colonial highlights. Day 16 Fly to the UK, arriving day 17.Prices from £1,930pp based on two sharing, excluding transatlantic flights. Regular departures from the UK 3UYUNI SALT FLATSThe route south to Chile passes through a landscape of salt pans, volcanoes, geysers and wind-eroded rock formations. This remote area has only a rudimentary transport and tourist infrastructure, which adds to its appeal.4THE SOUTHERN ANDESThe sunny Andean foothills are the setting for colonial Sucre. Higher on the plateau, the mining town of Potosí retains the grandiose buildings of an affluent past.5SANTA CRUZ DE LA SIERRAThe eastern lowland grasslands are dominated by Bolivia's second city; not far away are the Jesuit missions of Chiquitano and eco-diverse Amboró National Park.020 8747 8315 / journeylatinamerica.co.uk bookings, consultant advice and additional information how about?» A few days in Buenos Aires on your way to Bolivia (p152). » Trekking along the original Inca Trails in Peru (pp118-119). » Visiting the Jesuit Missions from Santa Cruz.100 Miles200 KMBRAZIL