Set amongst the picturesque Andean
Landscapes with its rich diversity and warm locals, BOLIVIA is a
fascinating country to visit.
Bolivia is full of ancient
history woven into the great Andean empires of the ‘Aymara civilization’. This
ancient land is the home of the pre-Incan Tiahuanaco ruins and the world
famous Lake Titicaca. As legend has it, ‘Manco Capac and Mama Oclio, the
ancestors of Incan culture, rose from its depths to bring knowledge to
humanity’.
The
scenery and wildlife in Bolivia is immense with some of the last unspoilt
natural beauties of the world. The wildlife is rare and unique, and the people
traditional and caring. Bolivians are extremely welcoming and you will instantly
be drawn in by the friendly locals. You can experience
first-hand the country's amazing heritage and rich cultural diversity.
Our projects are
all located in Cochabamba, Bolivia's largest market town that is famous
for, amongst other things, it's colourful buses! Considered as the capital of the valleys,
Cochabamba is surrounded by fields of cultivations and valuable
pre-Incas vestiges. It occupies a fertile green bowl in a landscape of
fields and low hills, and was founded in 1574.
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PROJECTS YOU CAN DO IN BOLIVIA
Teaching:
You can
teach anything from English to Maths and Sports to
children aged between 7 and 17 years.
Care
for Orphanage Children:
You'll work in a poor community orphanage in Cochabamba. Some of our
orphanages are
for very young children and babies and others for older children.
You'll be able to help with all ages.
Spanish Language Courses:
You can
take an intensive 1-week course prior to starting
your project, or take lessons during the period of your placement -
absorb the language!
SPECIALS, EXTRAS & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ABOUT BOLIVIA
Bolivia
is full of ancient history woven into the great Andean empires
of the ‘Aymara civilization’. This ancient land is the home of the pre-incan
Tiahuanaco ruins and the world famous Lake Titicaca. As legend has it,
‘Manco Capac and Mama Oclio, the ancestors of Incan culture, rose from
its depths to bring knowledge to humanity’
The
country is 1,098,580 sq km with an awesome diversity of the
topography, including the immense snow-capped peaks of the Andes mountains,
impenetrable jungles, desolate desert plains, broad fertile valleys and
impressive flora and fauna. There are also beautiful national
parks, dozens of significant archaeological sites and a wide variety of
colourful native festivals and holidays.
Bolivia
(nicknamed “The Tibet of the Americas") also has a unique range of
wildlife, especially on the Altiplano, where the most important animals
are
the llama; alpaca and guanaco. Several varieties of cavy (guinea pig)
are found there too.
Lake Titicaca has several varieties of fish and in
the tropical Amazon region you'll find puma, coati, tapir, armadillo, sloth,
peccary, capiguara (river hog), and ant bear, as well as several kinds
of monkeys. Birdlife is also rich and varied throughout Bolivia, with
reptiles and an enormous variety of insects found below 3,050 m (10,000
ft). Because of the wide range in altitude, Bolivia has plants
representative of every climatic zone, from arctic growth high in the
sierra to tropical forests in the Amazon basin.
Major
tourist attractions include La Paz, the highest capital city in the
world, and the nearby stunning Andean peaks; beautiful Lake Titicaca,
the ‘highest navigable lake in the world’ which includes the cultural
delights of Copacabana and Inca history on Isla del Sol, and also the
Bolivain Amazon - the planet's ‘greatest ecosystem’.
Landlocked Bolivia is divided into nine departments and sits astride the
Andes in the west-central part of the South American continent. Bolivia
has 6,083 kilometers of land boundaries, which adjoin five countries,
including: Brazil to the north and east, Paraguay to the southeast,
Argentina to the south, Chile to the southwest, and Peru to the
northwest. The western part, enclosed by two
chains of the Andes, is the ‘great plateau - the Altiplano’, with an
average altitude of 12,000 ft (3,658 m). Almost half the
8,586,443population lives on the
plateau, which contains Oruro, Potosí, and La Paz.
Bolivia
is the fifth-largest country on the continent with five geographical
regions:
The
highly populated Altiplano, a 3500-metres-high plateau
stretching from the Peruvian border north of Lake Titicaca to
Argentina;
The
Highland valleys, with near optimum climatic conditions and
fertile soils;
The
Yungas, the transition zone between the icy peaks of the
Andes and the steamy Amazonian forest;
The
Chaco, a hot, dry, impenetrable and uninhabited plain along
the Paraguayan and Argentine borders;
The
swamps, savannas and rainforest of the Amazonian Basin.
Bolivia is also rich in human diversity. More than 30
ethnic groups together account for more than 50% of Bolivia's
population. Groups include Quechua 30%, mestizo 30%, Aymara 25%, white
15%. Over 95% of the population are Catholic, and the age-old customs,
fiestas and culinary treats of the Aymara, Quechua, Tupi, and Guarani
cultures are ever-present.
CLIMATE There are generally two seasons: wet and dry, but with its extreme
geographical variations, Bolivia has a wide range of climatic patterns.
Generally, temperatures are cool, with the rainy period extending from
November to March in most of the country.
The cities of La Paz and Potosí often
experience very cold temperatures and sometimes snow, while the Altiplano
region is prone to severe flooding.
During the dry period the climate is
pleasant, though clear skies can cause night-time temperatures to drop. In
the lowlands, the weather is hot and sunny, with the occasional cloud to
help cool things down. But altitude, not latitude, determines climate and
in the Andes, they can experience all four seasons in a day.
THE ARTS Bolivia has always had a great cultural and intellectual life.
Architecture, ceramics, temples and other symbols scattered throughout
the country give testimony to this diverse culture.
The kollas, the first inhabitants of the Andes Mountains and part of the
highly organized Aimara family as well as their first conquerors, the
Incas, all imposed their language, (Inca was ‘Quechua’), as well as
their art and culture. The Incas also brought a new system of roads and
aqueducts, hanging bridges, and surgical and medical practices.
Other Incaic influences included new designs and geometric shapes on clay
objects; new rituals and songs were also introduced. Centuries later,
with the arrival of the Spaniards, the era was dominated by churches,
images, woodcarving and embroidery.
DANCE & MUSIC - Dance and music are the most popular cultural
expressions found in Bolivia, especially during carnival and the
regional celebrations of both the kollas and the yungas.
The mixture of indigenous and Spanish cultures gave birth to various
dances such as the dance in honor of ‘Our Lady of Copacabana’, called El
Gran Sicuri, which uses drums and flutes; the ‘puli-puli dance’,
characterized by its flowery crest and feathers, and the participation
of women dressed in the traditional garments of the highlands. Other
carnival dances are: the Oruro carnival, the diabladas, or
devil-dancers, which are known for their masks and costumes. The dancers
are generally accompanied by guitar, harp, flute, or a small guitar
called a charango.
Bolivian celebrations bring together a
whole gamut of folklore and national traditions, which is a must see for
any visitor.
BOLIVIAN FOOD
Local dishes, such as the empanadas salteñas (a type of meat pie), the
plato paceño and a big variety of tuberous vegetables and sauces are
just a sampling of true Bolivian cuisine.
Also, Bolivians are not shy at using every part of the cow, consuming:
tongue, kidney, stomach, all cuts of meat, which allows for the creation
of both local and international food. Exotic foods include quinua, a
plant with triangular leaves and abundant seeds. This authentic Andean
food has a high nutritional value, and has actually awakened scientific
curiosity, and today, the quinua is included as part of a balanced diet.
Other unusual foods include dehydrated
potatoes, or habas and cebada,
and you might find llama, alpaca and vicuña and lamb dishes listed. In
the lake and river regions, fish dishes are a local delicacy. Bolivia is
also known for its fantastic frogs legs from Lake Titicaca; these are
even exported to France!
Language: Spanish is the official
language of Bolivia.
Currency: The local currency is the
Boliviano
HISTORY OF BOLIVIA
Bolivia was named after
independence fighter Simon Bolivar, when they broke away from Spanish
rule in 1825. However, much before this the Andean was inhabited for
approximately some 20.000 years. Beginning about the 2nd century B.C.,
the Tiwanakan culture developed at the southern end of Lake Titicaca.
This culture, centered around and named for the great city of Tiwanaku,
developed advanced architectural and agricultural techniques before it
disappeared around 1200 A.D., probably because of extended drought.
Contemporaneous with the Tiwanakan culture, the Moxos in the eastern
lowlands and the Mollos north of present-day La Paz, also developed
advanced agricultural societies that had dissipated by the 13th century.
In about 1450, the
Quechua-speaking Incas entered the area of modern highland Bolivia and
added it to their empire. The Spanish defeated the Inca in the mid 16th
Century until Simon Bolivar entered the fray.
Since Independence, though,
much of Bolivia’s subsequent history has consisted of a series of nearly
200 coups and counter-coups. Comparatively democratic civilian rule was
established in the 1980s, but leaders have faced difficult problems of
deep-seated poverty, social unrest, and drug production. Current goals
include attracting foreign investment, strengthening the educational
system, resolving disputes with coca growers over Bolivia's counter-drug
efforts, continuing the privatization program, and waging an
anticorruption campaign.
Bolivia may be one of the
poorest countries in South America, but its cultural wealth, the beautiful
Andean landscapes and the remnants of mysterious ancient civilizations add
to its allure.
It is also the most indigenous
country on the continent, with more than 50% of the population maintaining
traditional values and beliefs.
Inca Stone Circle
ABOUT
LA PAZ
‘The city, that
touches the sky’ is located high above sea level, and sits in a bowl
surrounded by the high altiplano. La Paz is the highest capital city in
the world and due to the high Altitude in which the city is located, it
is virtually fireproof.
The picturesque
city is situated in the canyon of the Choqueyapu River below a plateau
with an altitude of 3,600 meters. It overlooks the majestic
triple-peaked Illimani, always snow covered and beautiful.
Founded in 1548 by
Alonso de Mendoza at the site of the Native American settlement called
Chuquiago, In 1898, La Paz was made the de facto seat of the national
government, with Sucre remaining the nominal capital only. As of the
2001 census, the city of La Paz had a population of about one million
Today La Paz is a
vibrant city, growing and expanding in all directions.
Climate
La Paz has different climate environments according to each zone's
altitude. While the center of town is at 3,650 meters above sea level, the
zone of Aranjuez is at 3,300 m. El Alto (where the international airport
is located) is at 4,082 m. The average temperature in winter is 15C (59F)
and 22C (72F) in summer. In the summer, rain falls on most afternoons, In
the winter, days are slightly cooler, but the sky is mostly clear and
sunny.
Things to Do
and See
Plaza Murillo,
originally the Plaza de Armas, was after General Murillo, one of the
heroes of the Bolivian independence movement.
Iglesia de San
Francisco - reconstruction from
1784 of the original 1548 church.
Museo Nacional de
Arqueología - items from Tiwanaku,
Bolivia's premiere archaeological site.
Señor del Gran Poderreligious festival.
Carnaval
- annual
Carnaval celebrations
include the famed Devil's Dance, or diablada, in Oruro
Attend a peña - musical folklore show with singing and
dancing.
Stroll the narrow, cobbled-stoned Jaen Street, a walk back in
time to colonial days.
Copacabana: Site of the Virgin of Copacabana,
this town located on the shores of the Titikaka lake, attracts hundreds
of pilgrims each year for the Virgin's festivities.
Feria de Alasitas: This fair is celebrated
each year on January 24 in honour of a little god of abundance known as
Ekeko, which means dwarf in Aymara.
Casa de Pedro Domingo Murillo: Once the house
of Pedro Domingo Murillo, martyr of the independence revolution of 1809
(hanged in the plaza that now bears his name), the house displays a
collection of furniture, textiles and art from colonial times.
La Paz
COCHABAMBA, BOLIVIA'S LARGEST MARKET TOWN
Considered as the capital of the valleys,
Cochabamba is surrounded by fields of cultivations and valuable
pre-Incas vestiges. It occupies a fertile green bowl in a landscape of
fields and low hills, and was founded in 1574.
Cochabamba is
Bolivia's largest market town and was once the nation's granary. It is
still prosperous and progressive, and has a group of historical and
archaeological attractions, including the 400-year-old cathedral, the
Convento de Santa Teresa and the Museo Arqueológico
Before the arrival
of the Spanish conquerors it was inhabited by primitive cultures that,
later on, fell under the domain of the Collas. Then, the ‘sons of the
Sun’ extended their empire so that these rich lands were part of the
Collasuyo region. Cochabamba conserves its colonial semblance and the
customs inherited from its Quechua and Aymara ancestors, which makes it
a wondrous place to visit.
Cochabamba is also well-known
for its colourful "Micros" (buses) which each have their own name.
Climate
Cochabamba lies in a fertile valley at 2,558 meters above sea level,
surrounded by the Tunari hill, the Alalay lagoon and the San Sebastian
hill. Its weather is mild and pleasant. It is considered the best in the
whole country, with warm-sunny days and cool nights. The average
temperature in winter is about 17C (61 Fahrenheit). In summer the average
temperature is 26 C (78 Fahrenheit).
Things to see
El
Cristo de la Concordia: Located in the San
Pedro hill, El Cristois a monumental sculpture of Jesus Christ made by César Terrazas Pardo,
who wanted to perpetuate in his work the image of a protective
Christ. It stands higher than the Cristo del Corcovado
in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and there are great overviews of the city to
be seen from the top of the monument.
La Coronilla: This hill depicts a monument
dedicated to courageous women who defended the city from the Spanish
forces in 1812, during the struggles for independence.
Palacio Portales: Located in the zone of
Queru-Queru, this building, provides evidence of the great wealth of tin
baron
Simón I. Patiño. Most of the material used to build the house was
imported. Construction began in 1915 and was completed by 1927. Today
this beautiful place serves as an art museum and cultural centre.
From San
Pedro hill, you will have the best view of the valley of
Cochabamba.
Plaza 14 de Septiembre: it is the heart of
the city. You must visit this place to feel the essence of
Cochabamba.
La Cancha: A
colorful and kind of wild market where you can find everything.
Cochabamba, Bolivia's third largest
city, with the Tunari Mountains in the background Colonial architecture on the Plaza 14
de Septiembre
LAKE
TITICACA, THE ISLA DEL SOL AND AMBRO NATIONAL PARK
Lake
Titicaca: the name conjures up images out of one's imagination, a place we've read
about in books - and now suddenly it becomes much more real ... if you
choose to do your placement in Bolivia, you should definitely allow time to
explore the country and visit well-known and often written about places like
Lake Titicaca!
This is the world's highest lake navigable to large vessels, lying at
12,500 feet (3,810 m) above sea level in the Andes Mountains of South
America, astride the border between Peru to the west and Bolivia to the
east. Titicaca is the second largest lake of South America (after
Maracaibo). With snow-capped peaks along its far shores, the vast blue lake
at 3,800m is one of the Andes' most enchanting scenes.
The
meaning of the name Titicaca is uncertain, but it has been variously
translated as Rock of the Puma or Crag of Lead. In Inca mythology, Manco
Capac and Mama 0cllo, children of the Sun, emerged from the depths of Lake
Titicaca to found their empire. Ruins on the shore and on the islands attest
to the previous existence of one of the oldest civilizations known in the
Americas, antedating the Christian era. The chief site is at Tiahuanaco,
Bolivia, at the southern end of the lake.
Isla del Sol
Forty-one islands, some of them densely populated, rise from Titicaca's
waters. The largest, Titicaca Island (Spanish: Isla de Titicaca, also called
Isla del Sol), lies just off the tip of the Copacabana Peninsula in Bolivia.
Ruins
of a temple mark the spot where the islands
legendary Inca mythology was born including several revered entities, such
the sun itself. With a host of ancient ruins, tiny traditional villages,
beautiful walking routes and a distinctly Aegean look, Isla del Sol is a
great place to stop.
Amboro National Park
A
three hour drive west from Santa Cruz lies an untouched junglescape and one
of the last unspoiled tropical habitats in the world. Amboro National
Park, covering an area of over 630,000 hectares, lies within three
distinct ecosystems: the foothills of the Andes, the northern Chaco and the
Amazon Basin.
Two contiguous parks, the
Amboro and Carrasco national parks, span evergreen and cloud forests,
high-alpine grasslands, whitewater rivers and dramatic waterfalls. They
encompass pure, spring-fed streams and some of the last virgin rain forest
on Earth. The rich, humid region, bordered by the cities of Santa Cruz and
Cochabamba, known as the “Valley of the Eternal Spring,” has sustained
indigenous communities for centuries. Mysterious ruins and ceremonial
grounds near the city of Samaipata hint at the religious life of the Incas
and other cultures before them to reveal a long history of pre-Columbian
settlement.
Because of its unique geographical locations, both highland and lowland
species are frequent visitors. Recent studies place the number of plant
species at 638, though many species have, as of yet, not been clearly
identified.
Perhaps most impressive is the huge number of birds that inhabit the area
including such rarities as horned curassows, quetzals, cock-of-the-rocks
(found almost exclusively in Bolivia), and the more frequent
chestnut-fronted macaws and cuvier toucans.
Most
mammals native to Amazonia are also represented. They include capybaras,
peccaries, tapirs, several species of monkey such as howlers and capuchins,
jungle cats like the jaguar, ocelot and margay, and the increasingly rare,
spectacled bear, the only species of bear found in South America.
Ambro is a place of special beauty, which continues to inspire the most
hardened traveller with its untouched wildernesses; of which could well be
one of the last few on earth.
The landscape bursts with
color, noise and life. Shrill-voiced toucans announce the day, jaguars prowl
the forest, and howler and capuchin monkeys swing from the trees.
Ground-feeding birds like horned curassows hunt for food on the forest
floor, while vibrant cock-of-the-rock soar above. Brilliant native orchids
of every size, shape and color imaginable illuminate a lush sea of green;
ferns abound, some even sporting leaves large enough to shelter a human. The
ancient puya raimondii, the world’s largest bromeliad, bursts into bloom
once every 80 to 100 years, then dies.
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