One Day Outside La Paz
Adventure, contrast, and a taste of something different, just a short trip from the city.
july 2025
Early Mornings & Adventures
Hi and welcome back to another blog post from La Paz, Bolivia. It’s a sunny cold morning and the first group of travelers has just left for the first adventures. They’re coming in a little bit before seven, a lot of clothes, because its still cold, hats, gloves, and their adventure bags, which often, depending on the backpack size, kind of tell where the adventure is heading.
Maybe it’s a full day on the Death Road, a one-day hike, a cultural trip to Tiwanaku, or just a quiet coffee and big breakfast before heading up into the mountains. But one thing’s pretty sure: if someone walks into the café around 7:00 AM, they’re either on their way somewhere… or they’ve just arrived on a night bus. You can feel it, there’s adventure in the air.
Today, we’re not really diving into the stories of those early-morning adventure people, but more into where they’re actually heading on these one-day trips outside La Paz. You can also scroll down and hit the play button to listen to this week’s podcast and get more behind-the-scenes tips and stories.
But first, give me just a minute… let’s start with a little weekly update.
A Quick Stop at Tambo
Normally we’re talking about Café del Mundo and Travel del Mundo in this blog post, but today I want to mention our little local restaurant here in La Paz, Restaurant Tambo, where we’re having a lot of fun.
Tambo is the place where we invite travelers from all around the world to try Bolivian food, with flavors from across the country! But it’s also a place where we want the real culture and traditions to come to life.
We have traditional clothes you can try on, Bolivian table games, and even the mini soccer game canchitas. And every Tuesday we have live music, and on Wednesdays, live dance performances right in the restaurant.
It’s a great moment to feel a bit more of Bolivia while you’re here. So don’t forget to subscribe and check this week’s newsletter for the best deals while visiting Tambo! And when you’ve finished your day tour, step in here for an After Adventure moment, where travelers share stories from the day, talk about their adventures, and enjoy some good drinks together.
A Day Outside the City
Ok, now I’m ready to go back to the one-day tours around the city of La Paz. A lot of travelers come to La Paz, visit the city a bit fast, and then continue their trip. But a lot of the magic of this place is in feeling the contrast, between the sometimes crazy movement of the city and all the beauty and calm you can find just a short spin outside.
So… city person, nature traveler, or both? Here in La Paz, with just a little bit of investigation, you can actually get it all.
Of course, some tours are longer than one day. There are beautiful treks down to the jungle or up to high mountain peaks that take several days. But most of the time, those kinds of adventures are something travelers have already planned in advance. A day, that’s something people might suddenly find extra in their travel schedule. But squeezing in three days? That rarely happens unless it’s planned.
So today, let’s focus on the day trips. While writing this post I’ve tried to pick out options that work for different kinds of travelers, the adventure person, the more calm one, the nature lover, and the culture traveler.
Let’s hope you find your perfect day out here!
Death Road, From the Andes to the Jungle
Let’s start with what I would easily consider one of La Paz’s top day tours, and honestly, one of the best adventures you can do in just a day from the city.
This is more than just biking,it’s a journey that takes you from the cold mountain peaks of La Cumbre (4,700 meters above sea level) all the way down to the green jungle. You’ll ride along what’s famously known as El Camino de la Muerte, once the most dangerous road in the world. But today, it’s all about beautiful views, and a once-in-a-lifetime ride.
Time: 7:30 AM to around 8:00 PM
What to Expect: 60 km of mostly downhill biking, changing landscapes from high mountains to jungle, lunch, and some time in the jungle
Physical Condition: 3/5 .You need to know how to bike and feel comfortable on gravel and narrow roads. No big climbs, just control and a bit of courage.
Coroico Coffee Tour – A Full Day of Jungle, Mountains & Flavor
If you love coffee, nature, and dramatic landscapes, this day is for you.
This day trip takes you on a private trip down to the Yungas region, but instead of biking the Death Road, you travel by car along the newer, safer route. After about 2.5 hours of beautiful mountain roads and amazing views, you’ll arrive at a top-quality coffee farm just outside Coroico.Here you’ll learn how Bolivian coffee is grown, harvested, and roasted. You’ll even get to try a top-quality specialty coffee, the same kind that’s proudly exported to coffee lovers around the world.
Time: 7:00 AM to around 8:00 PM
What to Expect: Mountain road views, a few hours on a coffee farm, tasting, learning, and lunch in a warm jungle setting.
Physical Condition: 2/5 – Some walking on uneven ground through the plantation. It can get warm, but it’s a relaxed pace.
Pico Austria – High Peaks, Cold Air & Panoramic Views
This one’s for the mountain lovers.
The hike to Pico Austria takes you up to 5,300 meters, and the views up there are unreal. Think snow-covered peaks, wide valleys, and the feeling of standing on top of the world, all in just one day.
The day starts early with a drive to the Condoriri area in the Cordillera Real. From there, you hike up slowly, passing lakes and wild landscapes, until you reach the summit with one of the most beautiful panoramic views in all of Bolivia.
Time: 7:00 AM to around 6:00–7:00 PM
What to Expect: A high-altitude hike, clear mountain air, and views you’ll remember forever. You’ll walk past lakes, possibly see llamas, and reach over 5,000 meters.
Physical Condition: 4/5 – Not technical, but the altitude makes it tough. Around 6 hours of hiking total.
Charquini – Emerald Lakes & A Touch of Snow
This is a hike that combines adventure with beauty, but with a more relaxed pace than Pico Austria.
Located just outside La Paz, Charquini offers a short but breathtaking hike to an emerald-colored lagoon sitting at nearly 5,000 meters. On the way there, you’ll pass abandoned mines, mystical graveyards, and dramatic rock formations, and if you’re lucky, you might even catch a dusting of snow.
Time: 7:30 AM to around 5:00 PM
What to Expect: A short, steep hike (around 2 hours up), incredible views, and time to enjoy a mountain lagoon in peace.
Physical Condition: 3/5 – Short hike but high altitude. Take your time and enjoy.
Tiwanaku – Ancient Stones & Living Mysteries
This one is for the culture lovers, history fans, and the curious.
Tiwanaku isn’t just a pile of old stones, it’s one of South America’s most mysterious ancient sites, and a key to understanding the pre-Inca cultures that shaped the Andes. The site was once the heart of a powerful civilization that stretched across Bolivia, Peru, and parts of Chile and Argentina.
You’ll walk through temples, monoliths, and the famous Sun Gate. But what makes this tour special is how alive everything still feels. These aren’t ruins people forgot about, they’re places people still visit to leave offerings, connect with the past, and ask for protection.
The landscapes around are wide and open, and the light out there near Lake Titicaca gives a surreal feeling. It’s a quiet, deep kind of day, the kind that leaves you thinking long after it’s over.
Time: 8:00 AM to around 4:00–5:00 PM
What to Expect: A cultural and historical journey, local lunch, and the wide open spaces of the altiplano.
Physical Condition: 1/5 – Mostly flat walking. Bring a jacket, hat and sun glasses. It can get windy and there is almost no shade out there.
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Ready to Explore?
So whether you're into high peaks, deep history, jungle adventures, or coffee with a story, La Paz has a day trip for you. And the best part? You don’t have to go far to find completely different worlds.
These one-day tours are just a taste of what’s waiting right outside the city. You can start your morning with a good breakfast, step out into an adventure, and be back in time for dinner, with new memories, photos, and stories to tell.
If you're visiting soon and not sure which trip is right for you, feel free to write to us or stop by the café. We’re always happy to help you plan your day, or your next big adventure.
