Chacaltaya - the world's highest ski slope, and Tiwanaku ruins

Daily from La Paz
Half day

Drive out of La Paz, following the road that climbs into the Cordillera Real, past flocks of sheep and llamas, to reach the upper slopes of Mount Chacaltaya, which hosts the world’s highest ski lodge. 

We don’t advise you to ski - there is usually not enough snow nowadays - but the views from here of the snow-capped Andes and the altiplano below are literally breathtaking. (The last few kilometres of the road to the top are in very poor condition, this can add to the wilderness adventure!)

Tiwanaku Ruins

Daily from La Paz
Half or full day

There are spectacular views of the snow-capped Cordillera Real, as you climb out of the canyon onto the altiplano. 

The conquistadores arrived here to find indians living among ruins of a civilisation of which they had no knowledge. This city of stone is thought by some archaeologists to date from 1600 BC.

It’s worth spending a full day to allow plenty of time to visit the museum, which houses over a hundred new items excavated from the Tiwanaku area.