Bolivia Guide
The southern Altiplano
Tupiza
Some 200km southwest of Uyuni, the isolated mining town of TUPIZA nestles in a narrow, fertile valley that cuts through the harsh desert landscape of the Cordillera de Chichas. Sheltered from the bitter winds of the Altiplano by the jagged mountains that rise steeply on either side of the valley, the town enjoys a comparatively warm climate, while its several thousand friendly and laid-back inhabitants are helping to make it an increasingly popular stop for travellers passing through southern Bolivia. The real attraction, though, is the dramatic desert scenery that surrounds Tupiza, a landscape of red, eroded rock formations, cactus-strewn mountains and deep canyons that is ideal for hiking, horse-riding or just touring in a jeep. All these activities are easy to arrange in the town, a peaceful and friendly place where a fledgling but well-organized tourist industry has sprung up to cater to the growing number of foreign visitors.