Bolivia’s famous route is fairly easy to work out. Most travellers have heard of La Paz, the Salar de Uyuni and Sucre before they even arrive. They’re worth seeing, but there’s another side to the country that can get lost when everyone is following roughly the same itinerary.
For me, the usual gringo trail Bolivia route isn’t really about finding a secret village in the middle of nowhere. It’s more about choosing places that give you a different type of day. Maybe that means red-rock valleys instead of salt flats, archaeological ruins instead of viewpoints or simply somewhere you can slow down for a bit.
These are the places I’d look at when the usual route starts feeling a little too predictable.
Samaipata
Samaipata Is Where I’d Go for a Breather
Samaipata feels quite different from the mountain towns further west. The climate is milder, the pace is slower and it’s the sort of place where a few extra days can make sense rather than rushing through for one night. El Fuerte de Samaipata is the main draw, with its enormous carved rock and pre-Columbian history, but I found the town itself just as useful for slowing down. There’s countryside to explore and, more importantly, no need to catch another bus every few hours.
Why Samaipata Works So Well in a Longer Trip
The altitude is another reason Samaipata feels different. It sits at around 1,650 metres, which is a fair bit lower than La Paz. After a few days at higher elevations, that drop can feel like a welcome change.
Tupiza Is the One for a Completely Different Landscape
Think Bolivia and you’ll probably picture the Salar de Uyuni. Then you get to Tupiza and find yourself looking at dry valleys, red rocks and huge canyons instead. It feels a world away from the salt flats and makes for a pretty good detour in the south.
You can explore the area on foot but horseback riding is another option. There’s something quite enjoyable about seeing the valleys from a horse rather than spending another day sitting on a bus or walking along a standard sightseeing route.
El Sillar Adds Another Surprise
El Sillar is worth knowing about if you’re already travelling through Tupiza. It’s a striking geological formation and gives you another reason to spend time in the area rather than simply using Tupiza as a stop between bigger destinations.
Gate of The Sun at Tiwanaku
Tiwanaku Is for Travellers Who Want More Than Pretty Views
You don’t have to go miles off the main route to find somewhere a bit different. Tiwanaku is actually quite close to the usual tourist trail but it can still get overlooked when Lake Titicaca and the bigger attractions are filling up the itinerary. It’s an easy one to skip even though it offers something completely different from the usual sightseeing stops.
The site gives you a look at a civilisation that predates the Incas by centuries. There’s a lot of history here but it is one of those places where a little preparation makes a big difference. Without some context you can end up wandering around looking at enormous stones and wondering what you’re supposed to be noticing.
Remember the Altitude
Tiwanaku sits at roughly 3,850 metres so you haven’t escaped the high-altitude side of Bolivia just because you’ve left La Paz. I’d take the visit slowly if it’s early in your trip and give yourself some time to actually look around rather than racing through the ruins.
It also works particularly neatly if Lake Titicaca is already on your route. You can add Tiwanaku without completely rebuilding the itinerary.
Oruro Has a Very Different Side When Carnival Is Over
It’s hard to think about Oruro without thinking about Carnaval de Oruro first. The festival is enormous and brings together costumes, dancing, music and religious traditions, making the city feel completely different while it’s on. I still think there’s more to Oruro than the carnival though. Its mining history and local culture are much easier to appreciate when things have calmed down. That gives you the chance to experience somewhere that isn’t constantly being defined by one huge event.
Decide Which Oruro You Want to See
If the carnival is the attraction, then obviously the timing matters.
For anyone more interested in the city itself I’d look at travelling outside the festival period. It’s also worth checking the local calendar before you go because major events can have an effect on accommodation and transport.
Huayna Potosí
Huayna Potosí Is Off the Tourist Route in a Different Way
Huayna Potosí is hardly an undiscovered corner of Bolivia. It’s close to La Paz and plenty of travellers know about it, but that doesn’t make the experience any less different. Instead of taking in the Andes from a viewpoint, you’re actually trying to climb them.
At more than 6,000 metres, the mountain takes several days to tackle with an experienced guide. The final ascent involves snow and glacier conditions, so this definitely isn’t one to casually add between lunch and dinner.
For adventurous travellers it offers a completely different way to experience Bolivia. Instead of looking at the Andes from below you’re actually trying to climb them.
This Is Not the Place to Rush
Huayna Potosí might be one of the more accessible climbs at this sort of altitude but that doesn’t make it easy. You’re still dealing with extreme altitude, freezing temperatures and a pretty demanding summit day. Acclimatisation is important and I’d also make sure you choose a reputable operator with good equipment and experienced guides. There’s really no point trying to prove how tough you are up there.
Sometimes the Detour Is the Point
I think this is where the idea of going beyond the usual route gets a bit more interesting.
You don’t necessarily need a destination that has never appeared on another traveller’s itinerary. You can take somewhere familiar and experience it differently. Go horseback riding in Tupiza. Spend a slower afternoon in Samaipata. Give Tiwanaku the time it deserves instead of rushing through it.
Even Huayna Potosí is a good example of this. It isn’t hidden at all but it can completely change the way you experience the area around La Paz.
The dazzling salt flats at Salar de Uyuni
How I’d Fit These Places into a Route
I wouldn’t try to visit every one of these destinations on a short trip. Two weeks disappears quickly in Bolivia and long journeys can take up much more time than you expect.
Instead, I’d look at where they naturally fit. Samaipata works well with Santa Cruz. Tupiza makes sense for a southern route. Tiwanaku can be added from La Paz and Oruro works well if you’re already travelling across the Altiplano.
The trick is leaving some breathing room. If every bus connection has to work perfectly then a small delay can turn into a very long day.
What You Get from Going Beyond the Main Route
The biggest difference isn’t necessarily that these places are quieter or less crowded.
It’s that they give you a slightly broader picture of Bolivia.
Samaipata shows you a milder and slower side of the country. Tupiza brings completely different scenery. Tiwanaku adds a deeper look at the history of the region. Oruro shows how much culture can sit behind a single festival while Huayna Potosí gives you a more demanding way to experience the Andes.
None of them require you to pretend the famous sights don’t exist.
They just give you more options.
Final Thoughts
I’d still go to the Salar de Uyuni and spend time in La Paz, even if the aim is to get away from the usual gringo trail Bolivia route. Those places are worth seeing, but adding a couple of less obvious stops can make the trip feel very different. It could be red-rock valleys in Tupiza, a few quiet days in Samaipata, the history of Tiwanaku or a much bigger challenge on Huayna Potosí, while Oruro gives you a chance to see the city without making everything about its famous carnival. For me, that’s the fun of it. You don’t have to disappear somewhere completely unknown, you just have to be willing to take the odd turn and see where it leads.
About the Author
Stephen writes Facts & Footsteps, a travel blog built on 107 countries and counting. His focus these days is South America, with a particular depth on Bolivia, from routes and costs to safety and daily life. Find more at factsandfootsteps.com or on Instagram @facts_footsteps.
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