Motorcycle trip in Bolivia's extreme landscapes

You are about to begin one of the most interesting motorcycle trips in South America! We will pick you up at the airport in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. From there we will drive to the small town of Samaipata (120km, 3 hours travel time). There we will check into a comfortable hotel and let the day end relaxed. If your flight should arrive later, we will spend a night in Santa Cruz. In that case, day 1 will begin the following day.

Our motorcycle trip through Bolivia begins today! Today we start with a briefing, where we learn more about our route, about the local "traffic rules" and get to know each other. To get used to the motorcycles, we take a trip to the archaeological site El Fuerte, a small Inca town, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This was built around the, even older and largest stone sculpture in America.

In the morning we stop in Villagrande to see the laundry of the hospital where the lifeless body of Ernesto Ché Guevara was presented to the world public in 1967. After lunch, we continue our journey towards the small mountain village of La Higuera, the place where Ché was captured and executed. Along the way, we may see condors, the largest birds in the world. Before we reach our hotel, we have the opportunity to make a detour to a breathtaking view. In the evening, we listen to Don Juan's experiences from the time of the guerrilla war by the campfire. 175 km, 50% off-road

We leave Villa Serrano in the early morning to visit the Tarabuco Sunday market. This is the only place where we can take photos of traditionally dressed locals without them turning away. After lunch, we continue our journey towards the capital of Bolivia, Sucre. The rest of the day you can explore the city. The entire city center of the colonial city is painted white and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 190km, 30% off-road.

We leave Sucre in the early morning. On smooth asphalt, we ascend towards the Altiplano (high plateau) until we reach Potosí, with 4,100 meters above sea level the highest city in the world. During the ascent, we will receive instructions from the guides on how to deal with the altitude. In the afternoon, we visit the Miner’s Market, where one can acquire everything from coca leaves to dynamite.

Here we can buy some interesting souvenirs. Then we continue to the mines, where we equipped descend into the belly of Pacha Mama (Mother Earth) to visit the 500-year-old, still operating silver mine. Not recommended for people with claustrophobia: Of course, on this motorcycle trip, we do not shy away from adventures. 155km, 0% Offroad.

We drive through an incredible landscape and stop at a spectacular canyon. After we have passed some small villages, we stop and look out for vicuñas (a camel species), emus, and thousands of llamas.

Finally, we reach the small mining village of Pulacayo, there we stroll around the old train station, past the mine entrance, and board the train wagons in which the American outlaws Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid came to Bolivia 110 years ago.

Our next stop is in Uyuni, where we visit the train graveyard, a fantastic collection of decommissioned locomotives from the 19th century. 205 km, 5% off-road.

The Salar de Uyuni is a dry salt lake, larger than Lower Bavaria. There are no trees, houses, mountains there and because there are only 2 colors (blue sky and white salt) one has absolutely no size ratios.

So one can take insane photos. On the way to the cactus island Incahuasi we visit the salt market, the flag monument, the salt hotel, and of course the Dakar monument. This motorcycle trip is designed so that it gives you the complete picture of Bolivia, and for the fans of motorsport, the Dakar monument must not be missing at all. 195 km, 90% off-road, mostly salt.

We take our motorcycle and in the morning we leave Salar de Uyuni behind us. Passing picturesque desert landscapes of the Altiplano and several small villages, we head to Oruro, famous for its markets and grill restaurants. Grilling in the evening becomes a delight, but before that, we still observe a peculiar phenomenon, about which nothing will be revealed here. 320km, 0% Offroad.

To avoid the chaotic traffic in El Alto, we take the newly built highway as a shortcut to Lake Titicaca. Over a pontoon we cross the crystal blue water to the peninsula of Copacabana and enjoy the view of the snow-covered mountains above the clear blue lake. 360 km, 20% off-road.

Today we exchange our motorcycles for a boat and visit two legendary islands from Inca times. On the Island of the Sun we make a short hike with fantastic views of the snow-capped mountains that border Lake Titicaca. On the Moon Island we visit the ruins of the Temple of the Moon Virgin.

This morning we leave Lake Titicaca and arrive in La Paz in the afternoon. There it is possible to visit the witch market, where one can buy everything from potions, amulets to mummified llama embryos. In the evening we can observe the changing of the guard at the presidential palace. 145 km, 0% off-road.

From La Paz we drive to Coroico on a road that once was considered the most dangerous road in the world. The descent into the tropical Yungas region offers magnificent views, and when we reduce our motorcycle speed, we also have a good chance of safely arriving in Coroico. For the truly brave, we end today’s day with a 500m long zipline adventure.

After that, it is only a 45-minute drive to the hotel pool. Don't be afraid, our motorcycle trip is always accompanied by the best guides who are trained to ensure safety at the highest level. 85km, 80% offroad.

We leave Coroico and follow narrow, unpaved mountain roads through Yungas, known for the coca plantation. Passing small picturesque mountain villages, we arrive in Chulumani around noon. Now we have time to swim in the pool, to explore the chaotic trading center Yungas. Now it's time to relax, but not too much, it's just a break in your motorcycle adventures! 78km, 100% off-road.

Today stands again a day with narrow, unpaved roads with gorges, crossing rivers and passing small settlements. The last hour before our arrival in Quime, we drive on a small, winding gorge road with splendid views. Quime is a mining town that lies between massive mountains. Our hotel and the dinner are very simple but also very Bolivian. For every motorcyclist a great experience. 195km, 100% off-road.

After a traditional breakfast, we leave Quime. At a cult site, we sacrifice cigarettes, alcohol, and of course, coca leaves to the local patron saint. On winding roads with magnificent views, we drive up to 4,400m in height before we descend into the valley of Cochabamba. After we have mastered the traffic, we plunge into the hustle and bustle of the Plaza and go to Café Cortado. For dinner, we treat ourselves to the traditional dish Pique Macho. 315km, 10% off-road.

In the morning we will visit, in Cochabamba, the largest Christo sculpture of South America. With almost 40m, it is a little higher than the famous Christo statue in Rio de Janeiro. Afterwards we will leave the city to enjoy fresh fish for lunch and it goes towards Totora, a small colonial town in the mountains, where time seems to have stood still for 100 years. 145 km, 0% off-road.

The last day with the motorcycle stands before us today and we drive right at the beginning on an 80km long stone road. After we have passed the valley of the Rio Mizque, the landscape becomes wide and colorful, the road demanding. In the afternoon we reach Samaipata again via a beautiful road through the mountains. We park the motorcycles and look forward to a swim in the pool. 265km, 40% offroad.

In the late afternoon we make our way to Santa Cruz, where we can still buy one or other souvenirs. We spend the evening with a cozy farewell dinner and reflect on the past days.

Our journey ends here and we say Adiós. Be happy, you have experienced one of the most beautiful motorcycle trips in South America! But who knows, maybe you will come back. You would not be the first! The team from OVERCROSS tour operator will miss you!