When it comes to customs, traditions and history, Bolivia and Peru are probably the most authentic countries in South America.The Andes and high plateaux were a natural barrier for the Spanish colonisers, and thus their influence on culture and daily life was relatively weak.
Yes the Incas are gone, but the 'indian background' has remained strong and is part of everyone's life. Still a lot of people speak only quechua or aymara, spanish being only taught to those wo go to school and can pay for their education.
Street life, big markets, slow and very difficult transportation, the altitude, the very large spaces, empty deserts, we are very far from home and feel like we are in a different world!!! After almost 6 months spent between Argentina and Brazil, we feel like we are starting a new trip!!
We then are very excited to go to Bolivia first, and then to Peru, for a period of 6 weeks in total.
ITINERARY BOLIVIA
Length of stay: 1 month
Itinerary:
Santa Cruz -Samaipata -Vallegrande - La Higuiera
Sucre - Potosi - Tupiza - Sud Lipez - Salar d'Uyuni - La Paz - Copacabana / Lac Titicaca
'Reportage ELECTRODANCE in the magical landscapes of the South Lipez', IN MUSIC
Sud Lipez, Bolivia, June 09
After the relatively high prices of Brazil, Bolivia did a lot of good to our wallet!! We accomodated ourselves at very low costs (although accepting very low conditions of hygiene too…), ate well and cheap (accepting too some digestion problems...), and saved much in our transport budget travelling at the back of the trucks!!! Our only treat was to offer ourselves a 3 nights/4 days 4x4 expedition trip through the South Lipez and teh Uyuni Salar. We do not regret it at all, it was one of our best experience with nature!
| BOLIVIA | Exp. (bolivianos) | Exp. (€) | Days | Average by day for 2 people |
| Logement (accomodation) | 1 380 | 153 € | 27 | 5.7 € |
| Repas (food) | 1 768 | 196 € | 27 | 7.3 € |
| Transport (transport) | 1 464 | 163 € | 27 | 6.0 € |
| Activites (activities) | 527 | 59 € | 27 | 2.2 € |
| Internet (internet) | 101 | 11 € | 27 | 0.4 € |
| Divers (others) (*) | 858 | 95 € | 27 | 3.5 € |
| Expedition Lipez | 2 200 | 244 € | 3 | 81.5 € |
| TOTAL | 8 297 | 922 | 30 | 30.7 € |
(*) Others: winter clothing, souvenirs, mail, hygiene products, laundry...
* The POSITIVE points :
- La Bolivia is the cheapest country in all over South America!! We can travel looooooonger!
- The very good soups in the market and restaurants
- The village of Samaipata, full of charm, the knidness of its inhabitants
- The markets in Bolivia, very lively and colorful
- The deserts (flans, rice and milk) at 1 peso, at any hour
- The unbelievable beauty of the country (between the 4000m high plateaux, volcans, teh South Lipez and Uyuni Salar, the Titicaca Lake, the island os the Sun...)
- The town od Sucre and its baroque treasures, its colonial style. We loved to wander around this town lost in the middle of the desertic moutains
- Feeling far away from the modern world, in small and remote villages like in La Higuiera
- Meeting an authentic population, welcoming and full of humour
- Our adventure on the Che Guevara's route
- Our 4x4 expedition throught the Lipez South and Uyuni Salar
* The NEGATIVE POINTS :
- Cold showers when it'sfreezing outside!!
- The uncomfortable feeling of the cold (-15degC at nigght!) in the South Lipez at night without heating
- Our travel from Samaipata to Sucre at night in the front cabin of a bus, with 8 other people, in a very dirty, sticky and smelly atmosphere
ITINERARY PERU
Length of stay: 15 days
Itinerary:
Cusco - Choquequirao - Cusco - Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Lima
'The car christening ceremony in Holy Copacabana', IN FRENCH AND MUSIC
Copacabana, Titicaca lake, Bolivia, July 09