La Paz & Tihuanaco Ruins: Is This Bolivian Tour Worth It?

Visiting Bolivia could be one of those travel experiences that sticks with you, and exploring the ancient sites of Tihuanaco and Puma Punku seems like a no-brainer if you’re already hanging around La Paz. Now, many outfitters provide these tours, but is that experience something you really should look into? What could you possibly expect, and could the history be as mind-blowing as some say? That is something we are getting into right now. So keep reading, and let’s take a peek at what a getaway to these awesome ruins might just involve.

What the Tour Promises

Usually, most tours like these would include convenient pickup from your hotel in La Paz, which is pretty great since mornings there are, as a matter of fact, quite busy. The journey to Tihuanaco is normally by private transportation, taking about an hour and a half, which can give you some scenic views of the Altiplano. A guide is there, someone who speaks pretty good English, and could fill you in with loads of historical context during the drives and also while you’re exploring the ruins. So you are looking at potentially having access to seeing main areas within Tihuanaco, such as the Kalasasaya temple, the Gate of the Sun, and, in addition, the Pumapunku complex. What would that day look like for you?

The Reality of the Experience

First, the drive. Expect some pretty breathtaking views. You get the expansive Altiplano that, frankly, could stretch as far as you’re able to make out. Then there are the ruins. Tihuanaco has the Gate of the Sun, an intricately carved stone arch that is possibly iconic, and maybe you have seen it on a postcard. Then there’s Pumapunku, that just has these gigantic stone blocks which kind of fit together with what I would describe as extreme precision. This area is especially interesting if you’re someone who ponders ancient engineering.

What’s also worthwhile to notice, I’d say, is your tour guide. When they’re quite good, they would do far more than point things out; yet they tell the story of the Tihuanaco culture, bringing what could be simple stones to life with tales of their civilization, rituals, and, of course, everyday life. Yet it’s nice if your guide really knows what they’re talking about.

Puma Punku: More Than Just Rocks

Pumapunku could possibly just be the highlight for lots of folks. The gigantic stones, that are very precisely cut, kind of get people talking about how this was constructed a long time ago. It’s not unusual to hear whispers of lost technology, or, as a matter of fact, maybe something from outer space, amongst the tourists wondering exactly how it happened.

But getting beyond those mysteries, one might see what these stones probably symbolize about the people that created all of that. What’s also nice to do is try picturing the place when it had been completed, shimmering, maybe, in the Andean sun, definitely an awe-inspiring monument to what people could be doing. If you do visit, give yourself time to really take it all in; it’s an almost strange spot.

The Tihuanaco Museum

Lots of tours are combined, or may also include a trip to the Tihuanaco Site Museum, where you are potentially going to get even closer to numerous artifacts recovered at that place. Pottery, tools, and even skeletal remains have been found. You know, viewing these items actually gives a tangible connection with past lives and really shows the level of artistry as well as, arguably, skill of this ancient civilization.

You would probably note that seeing those artifacts would make one recall the lives of people there, a bit like how people currently cherish items, just like those things also did that way back when. It is often amazing how items from times way, way back show things you would see that might as well be from today.

Things You Might Love About the Tour

Convenience: Hotel pickup is quite handy.
Knowledgeable Guides: Your tour guides make what could just be rocks come to life.
Altiplano Views: The drive is something special; those landscapes could just linger in your head.
Insightful Museum Visit: See relics that really connect you up close and personally to the ancient culture.

Things To Keep in Mind

Altitude: You’re really, really high up, and also the altitude, so too it’s a factor; maybe drink a bit of coca tea prior.
Weather: The weather actually changes very fast; in that case, layers may be better.
Lunch Quality: What’s usually lunch really isn’t always super great. Bringing along snacks could really help.
Crowds: Some parts do get quite crowded at some points; going in the mornings, or for that matter, weekdays, probably makes a big difference.

Is the Tihuanaco and Puma Punku Tour Really Worth It?

Alright, here is what you are really wondering about. Do you take a trip there? And frankly, I feel this is a very big “yes,” you probably should go, and this really could be especially relevant if:

You dig history; in this scenario, this actually isn’t just ancient rocks; so, too, it is stepping literally into olden civilizations.
You may have been fascinated, perhaps, with ancient technologies, especially how old peoples have crafted such really massive works.
You truly adore culture. Knowing, and arguably getting, an appreciation, as a matter of fact, for pre-Columbian societies probably seems that important.

Booking and Costs

These trips, if one can book them, have prices that depend probably on what they’re putting in. I’d suggest checking online sites. Maybe see customer opinions. Perhaps that ensures it’s someone reputable. Don’t hesitate to really shop for a tour option and see how it looks. Consider whether the meal plans, guide profiles, along with added museum trips, would definitely fit your standards.

As an example, it’s not difficult to potentially see that trip packages include, naturally, admission, travel fees, as well as expert guide help and typically take anywhere from 6–8 hours. Lunch also gets incorporated into that payment.

Getting Ready

If one can manage it, preparing beforehand greatly improves the trip enjoyment. You, I mean your, fitness amount could have impact considering how very elevated this is. Make it a point you possess relaxed-fitting walking footwear and, furthermore, have numerous, secure garments so you could accommodate varying degrees.

Do consider bringing items such that sunshine protections may get insured through cream or, similarly to your face shade. Another important notion includes acquiring some Bolivianos; more or less modest mementos or personal treat costs may become more comfortably addressed should you get small finances along.

Making Your Tour an Incredible Experience

Find Out A Bit Ahead: Know a little history ahead. Reading some can really enrich what it does do on-site.
Communicate: Do feel all right in that instance should questions actually get had and even clarify. A strong tour directs those who might explore something far deeper.
Get Amongst the Space: Detach, generally, during that busy life back “there”, and rather absolutely submerge and notice everything over here. Take snapshots with your personal memories plus personal equipment to fully relish those instances and times afterwards all around the planet when actually there is space accessible!

Is it OK for a Solo Traveler?

Absolutely, you know, a solo trip would potentially be an awesome thing there, frankly because many groups really love those with individual explorations in order. All single tourist people appear fairly accepted into a category plus maybe not thought upon in any unpleasant means within these destinations!

The thing solo folks ought to, if that is even a tiny issue, verify before the fact if trips happen given smaller groupings! Solo guests, at certain occasions, might want a tiny category ambiance just while it actually allows far simpler community plus much better individual safety! So, if that is of important nature, do inquire previously!

Key Insights

Tihuanaco is potentially a history fan’s thing.
Puma Punku displays very cool stone structures that kind of amaze the ones you have visit.
Tour selection is literally necessary to having a positively superb traveling recollection there, too.
Readiness regarding elevation concerns must basically remain very paramount.
Submerging and, even more, taking everything within simply will build this day incredible and memorable within yourself to consider usually.