(Here's the link to Bolivia Travel Part 1)

Bolivia abounds with mini-adventures reachable by car.  You can divide the country into 3 zones if you like.  The highlands, which includes La Paz, Potosi, Uyuni and the Salt Flats.  The semi-tropical areas which include, Coroico, Sucre and the thriving Santa Cruz. Then the low-lying Bolivian Amazon.  According to the Bolivians, it's one of the last places on earth to experience authentic and pristeen Amazon adventure.  

I almost forgot about Lake Titicaca. It's a unique region, also part of the highlands, centered around the village of Copacabana, nestled on the lake.  With restaurants, artsy hotels, and a charming central plaza, Copacabana has a "hipster" vibe as the gateway to explore the Sun and Moon Islands.  If you get that far, you must spend the night at the top of the Sun Island.  Mind-blowing vistas and wifi-free, family-run hotels offer a glorious escape from the grind.  The only requirement is that you have to do a little hike to the top of the island.  

Probably the most well-known destination in Bolivia are the Uyuni Salt Flats.  Travelers can fly from La Paz or take the bus to Uyuni.  But preferable to the bus is private transfer.  The main road between La Paz & Uyuni, is now paved, but still a long drive at 4-5 hours. For being one of the top destinations in the country, you would think the road would be super speedy. The government has spent 7 years working on the paved road to Uyuni.  Get a good reliable operator to plan this trip.  Don't even think about renting a car. Gas stations?  Ha!  We carried spare gas in tanks on the roof racks to refuel.  

For many visitors, the trip to the Salt Flats is a one day whirl, then back to civilization.  Before you book that quickie 1-day trip, you need to know about the treasures you're missing in the surrounding desert.  Lagoons full of flamingoes, volcanoes, geysers, bubbling mud pits and thermal bath await those who dare to trek by jeep into the remote, forgotten valleys, where time stands still as a rock.  

The Bolivians know there are only 2 vehicles trustworthy enough for this trek.  Toyota land cruiser and Nissan Patrol.  Other vehicles have been tested on the route, only to wiggle apart after rambling for days on kidney-crushing roads of salt, dirt, rocks and dust.  Here's the deal: no wifi, hours spent sitting in a dusty jeep, cold temps, and rustic accommodations.  If this sounds enjoyable, or even tolerable, you will be rewarded greatly my friend.  With the most amazing, mind-blowing adventures. 

And here's the best part of this story.  Anyone can do this!  You don't have to be a trained mountain climber.  Or a fitness freak.  You can be an ordinary traveler.  Like the rest of us.  Our group was comprised of people ranging from age 23 to 70 years.  Some of us were in better shape than others!  The trip was an opportunity for different age travelers to learn to work together.  When we had to hike up to the top of the Sun Island, one of the younger guys carried the backpack for our