Highlights of Gringo Trail

La Paz is the administrative capital of Bolivia and at 3,600 metres is the highest capital city in the world. La Paz is nestled in a steep canyon on the Bolivian Altiplano, underneath the peak of Mount Illimani. La Paz was founded in the 16th century due to a nearby discovery of gold deposits and although the gold boom didn't last, its strategic location along the silver route ensured its prosperity. La Paz is characterised by spacious plazas, cobblestone streets and narrow alleyways, with its colourful markets being a major attraction. With a large indigenous population, the markets of interest include the Witches' Market selling potions and incantations made from herbs, seeds and other products, the Carnaval market selling colourful costumes and numerous shops selling ponchos, gloves and hats made from alpaca wool. Buildings of note in La Paz include the Palacio Legislatico, the San Francisco Cathedral and the Museo National del Arte.

Tiwanaku

The ruins at Tiwanaku near La Paz are Bolivia's largest archaeological site and the remains of the capital of powerful pre-Hispanic empire extending over northern Bolivia, southern Peru, northern Chile and north-western Argentina. Initially settled around 1200 BC, the empire reached its apogee between 500 and 900 AD and is distinct from other pre-Hispanic empires in the Americas. The Temple of Akapana and the Gate of the Sun are the most notable structures found at Tiwanaku.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Tiwanaku: Spiritual and Political Centre of the Tiwanaku Culture

Potosí

The biggest silver lodes in the Americas were discovered in Cerro de Potosi, the mountain overlooking the city, in 1542 and the site soon became the world's largest industrial complex, producing more than half of the silver found in the continent. The silver production made the town one of the wealthiest in Latin America and fuelled the Spanish economy for almost 300 years. The human cost was horrific however, with an estimated 8 million people (indigenous and African slaves) dying in the mines. It's possible to visit the mines today, still used to extract tin, but it is an uncomfortable and distressing, though enlightening experience. Conditions for the miners are still difficult but are now much fairer as it is run as a co-operative. The silver wealth ensured that Potosi was one of the most beautiful colonial cities in the Americas and much of that heritage still exists today. The highest city in the world at 4,090 metres, Potosi has some grand colonial architecture and numerous ornate Baroque churches. Buildings of note include the Church of San Lorenzo, the Convent of Santa Teresa and the Casa de la Moneda, the original 18th century royal mint which is now a museum.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: City of Potosí

Historic City of Sucre

The colonial city of Sucre was founded in 1538 as La Plata and was the first capital of Bolivia. The city's name was changed to Chuquisaca in 1776 and later to Sucre in honour of the general who fought for Bolivian independence. The House of Freedom is Sucre is one of the country's most important historical monuments, where many of the keys events in the independence struggle took place. Today Sucre is the cultural and education centre of Bolivia, with a host of historic buildings and museums. Its 16th-century religious buildings include San Lázaro, San Francisco and Santo Domingo while the Cathedral contains the jewel encrusted ‘Virgen do Guadalupe’ by Bernardo Britti. The colonial ambience and student culture make Sucre a great city to explore and enjoy while the surrounding countryside is ideal for hiking, mountain biking and horse riding.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Historic City of Sucre

Amazon Rainforest (Bolivia)

The rainforest of the Amazon Basin extends over vast areas of the north-east of Bolivia. This is a region of enormous biodiversity of flora and fauna, with hundreds of species of birds and butterflies in addition to animals such as shy tapir, jaguar, howler monkey, deer and sloth. The region includes the protected areas of the Madidi National Park and the Noel Kempff Mercado National Park, the latter a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Staying in jungle lodges, you can explore the Amazon with walks through the rainforest and canoe rides along the rivers, spotting wildlife and learning about the importance and uses of the jungle plants.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Noel Kempff Mercado National Park

Salar de Uyuni

The Salar de Uyuni, or Great Salt Desert, in south-western Bolivia is the world's largest and highest salt flats and one of Bolivia's most spectacular natural features. The salt lake covers some 12,000 km² at an altitude of 1,650 metres and the contrast between the bright blue skies and the blindingly white salt crust is spectacular. Three to four day tours of the region can be taken in 4x4s to explore the remarkable landscape and various sites of interest. In addition to taking the compulsory perspective defying photos, you can visit the village of Jirira at the foot of the Tunupa Volcano and explore the natural caves on the volcano, the volcanic Fish Island home to some enormous cacti and a salt works to learn of the extraction process. Other natural features of interest include Laguna Colorado, a bright red lake and Laguna Verde, a striking blue-green lake, which are coloured by algae and rich minerals and the geysers and thermal baths of Sol de Manana.

Iguazu Falls can lay reasonable claim to being the most spectacular waterfalls in the world. Certainly, the sheer breadth of them, 275 distinct waterfalls across 2.5km, is without parallel while they are higher than Niagara Falls with heights of up to 80 metres. Located at the confluence of the Rio Iguazu and the Rio Alto Parana, the Falls can be viewed from both the Argentine and Brazilian side of the border - the Brazilian side gives great panoramic views, especially of the Devil's Throat area, with the Argentine side allowing you to get closer to the waters from above and below. A short helicopter ride over the waterfalls offers a different and spectacular vista. Close to the national park is the Parque das Aves which contains many examples of Brazil's subtropical birds as well as mammals and reptiles. There is also the option to visit the Itaipu Dam, one of the engineering wonders of the world and second only in size to the Three Gorges Dam in China. With a dam 8km long and 65 storeys high and a reservoir that covers 1400 km², Itaipu supplies 80& of Paraguay's electricity and 25% of Brazil's.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Iguaçu National Park

The town of Bonito is located within the beautiful Serre da Bodoquena National Park. Surrounded by lush forests, rivers, waterfalls and caves, this is an area both of exceptional natural beauty and a place to try some exciting activities. These include abseiling into a cave at Anhumas abyss, rafting and kayaking on the rivers, exploring the caves and swimming and snorkelling in underground lakes and rappelling, as well as horse riding and trekking.

The Pantanal is a vast area of wetlands in central Brazil that is one of the best areas in South America for wildlife viewing. Covering some 230,000 km², it is one of the world's largest freshwater wetland ecosystems. The diversity of animal species in the Pantanal is staggering - over 650 bird species, 400 fish, 50 reptile and 80 mammalian, with the landscape ensuring they are much easier to see than in other parts of the continent. Animals include jacare, giant anteater, ocelot, jaguar, cougar, giant river otter, capybara and pamba and march deer while some of the bird species of note are the hyacinth macaw (the world's largest parrot), jabiru storks and roseate spoonbill. The wetlands can be explored on foot, horseback, boat rides or on vehicles depending on the terrain and time of year.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Pantanal Conservation Area

Paraty was an important port town during the height of the Brazilian gold rush and today is a beautifully preserved Portuguese colonial town. Its town centre is filled with colonial whitewashed buildings and pedestrianised cobbled streets, some of which are partly covered with seawater at high tide. There are four impressive colonial churches, the most imposing of which is the Nossa Senhora dos Remedios. As well as exploring the atmospheric town, its bay has islands with excellent beaches and inland the town is surrounded by mountainous national parks filled with trails and wildlife.

Rio de Janeiro is one of the most beautiful and vibrant cities in the world. Known as the Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvellous City), its setting is almost unparalleled - crammed between stunning white beaches and soaring mountains with the peaks of Sugarloaf Mountain and the Corcovado guarding its bay. The 1,300-metre long cable car ride to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain gives you spectacular views across the city and Guanabara Bay, which are matched by those on Corcovado on top of which lies the magnificent statue of Christ the Redeemer, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Back in the city, Rio's famous beaches (Ipanema, Copacabana and Leblon) are filled with sun worshippers, the colonial part of the city has many historic buildings and museums and the picturesque barrio of Santa Teresa is known as 'The Montmartre of Rio'. Its at night when Rio really comes alive though, with the samba bars of Lapa and the bars and restaurants of Ipanema and Copacabana filled with live music, energy and people having fun. The whole city goes wild with parades and parties in the week leading up to the Mardi Gras Carnival every year in February. The contrast between the opulent downtown and the poverty in the hillside favelas can be seen on a tour of Rocinha (the largest in South America). Another must-see attraction is a football game at the world famous 95,000 seat Maracena Stadium to experience the unique Brazilian football atmosphere. For quiet time away from the city's bustle, the beautiful Botanical Gardens or tropical rainforest of Tijuca National Park provides a welcome break from the concrete jungle.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Rio de Janeiro: Carioca Landscapes between the Mountain and the Sea