Though we only spent six weeks in Bolivia, it has easily become one of our favorite countries as the people are friendly, the food is cheap, and the cycling is absolutely spectacular. We cycled up a dozen or so 4,000-5,000m passes, camped in the -20C chilly high altiplano, and passed through and stayed in a multitude of small villages. We struggled across frozen streams, survived steep climbs in the humid and hot Yungas region, and ate the typical “lunch,” and “dinner,” of soup plus a plate of potatoes, rice, and meat whenever we passed through towns. We also got to do a little mountaineering when we climbed Huyana Potosi (6,000m). Without further ado, here it is; Bolivia through the lens.
A friend who once said that “it doesn’t have to be fun, to be fun,” and I couldn’t help but think that his quote fit our first 500km in Bolivia perfectly. Though I’ve always preached that cycle touring is a lifestyle, this first section was definitely more of an expedition than anything else. We carried eight days of food and a fare amount of water which made our bikes heavy as we struggled to climb a 4,800m+ pass (or two) a day. That being said, this alternative lagunas route was definitely the highlight of Bolivia for us as well for the sheer isolated beauty of the high Andes.
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey Headed into Bolivia, it's just around this corner!](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-Q_KdL1.jpeg)
Headed into Bolivia, it’s just around this corner!
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey Admiring one of the funny colored lakes: colored due to the minerals.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-NoLIMn.jpeg)
Admiring one of the funny colored lakes: colored due to the minerals.
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey We got dust thrown on us during the first 100km as cars (tourist jeeps) past. Thankfully after that we were all alone!](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-bE_8tL.jpeg)
We got dust thrown on us during the first 100km as cars (tourist jeeps) past. Thankfully after that we were all alone!
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey Cycling into the Andes!!](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-cRbGh9.jpeg)
Cycling into the Andes!!
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey The mountains certainly made us feel small.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-KeOPEP.jpeg)
The mountains certainly made us feel small.
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey All around was sand upon sand, though thankfully, the route wasn't all that bad.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-kgbrTH.jpeg)
All around was sand upon sand, though thankfully, the route wasn’t all that bad.
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey image](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-xUpGWE.jpeg)
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey Laguna verde (green).](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-_TMcuw.jpeg)
Laguna verde (green).
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey You can see Kevin to the left, a tiny blob cycling in a vast landscape.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-TI9ug8.jpeg)
You can see Kevin to the left, a tiny blob cycling in a vast landscape.
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey Another lake along the route.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-EUEEtO.jpeg)
Another lake along the route.
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey More sand!](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-PCEAwr.jpeg)
More sand!
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey image](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-EFjod3.jpeg)
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey There was a whole lot of salt due to the mineral deposits throughout this region.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-qTj9H9.jpeg)
There was a whole lot of salt due to the mineral deposits throughout this region.
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey These were some of the weirdest roads we have ever been on!](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-zXbXxJ.jpeg)
These were some of the weirdest roads we have ever been on!
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey Kevin far ahead.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-JEgayE.jpeg)
Kevin far ahead.
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey Kevin in his](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-i1IBOF.jpeg)
Kevin in his “I’m going to rob a bank” outfit, which also doubles as great skin protection from the wind and sun. He caught this fish in a small stream at 4,300m making it by far his most unique catch!
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey image](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-N93qXH.jpeg)
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey Beautiful camping!](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-7bvaL7.jpeg)
Beautiful camping!
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey A false summit. Still a few meters to go!](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-ROtJVg.jpeg)
A false summit. Still a few meters to go!
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey This is what makes all the hard climbs worth it!!](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-dmcqv_.jpeg)
This is what makes all the hard climbs worth it!!
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey We got snowed on during one of our climbs which made the world even more beautiful!](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-LWzMzv.jpeg)
We got snowed on during one of our climbs which made the world even more beautiful!
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey Kevin crossing a half frozen stream barefoot as its snowing. Miserable!](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-CJvhmf.jpeg)
Kevin crossing a half frozen stream barefoot as its snowing. Miserable!
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey image](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-75MTFZ.jpeg)
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey Contemplating the ride.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-b7K1jX.jpeg)
Contemplating the ride.
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey Riding through a small altiplano village.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-Llmsw6.jpeg)
Riding through a small altiplano village.
After a few days off in the extremely touristic down of Uyuni we then headed out and across the jeep tour heaven of the Salar de Uyuni (largest salt flat in the world) before crossing a desolate forty kilomter sandy “road” which led us to the start of another slightly smaller salt flat where we didn’t see a soul the whole time. Sleeping on the salar, completely alone amongst the millions upon millions of bright stars, was definitely the best part about this 300km section.
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey My four dollar Chilean cowboy hat has been a savior out here! The sun reflected off the salt and burned any exposed skin.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-q3t6Ns.jpeg)
My four dollar Chilean cowboy hat has been a savior out here! The sun reflected off the salt and burned any exposed skin.
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey Kevin far off in the distance. The Salar de Uyuni (though not the smaller one I'll talk about next time) has this hexagon shaped natural marks all over the whole thing.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-xC_wrK.jpeg)
Kevin far off in the distance. The Salar de Uyuni (though not the smaller one I’ll talk about next time) has this hexagon shaped natural marks all over the whole thing.
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey image](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-rxwPau.jpeg)
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey No hands!](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-bjNrBH.jpeg)
No hands!
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey The hexagons of salt were so defined, we assume it has something to do with how the water evaporates because every rainy season the salt flats turn into a lake.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-3Cf8g7.jpeg)
The hexagons of salt were so defined, we assume it has something to do with how the water evaporates because every rainy season the salt flats turn into a lake.
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey image](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-PRyAmj.jpeg)
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey We ate lunch on the island on our second day.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-frUHIU.jpeg)
We ate lunch on the island on our second day.
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey Some of the best camping ever!](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-MWLCgI.jpeg)
Some of the best camping ever!
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey Us, our bikes, and our home!](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-j0feTI.jpeg)
Us, our bikes, and our home!
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey Beautiful sunset in solitude.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-kMqT2G.jpeg)
Beautiful sunset in solitude.
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey Finally a cycling photo of both of us!](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-EQCmfp.jpeg)
Finally a cycling photo of both of us!
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey image](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-yzllJZ.jpeg)
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey Typically when we stop cycling for the day I start cooking as Kevin sets up the tent.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-wKqnPi.jpeg)
Typically when we stop cycling for the day I start cooking as Kevin sets up the tent.
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey image](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-3peRCF.jpeg)
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey This, for us, is a road. Little jeep paths such as these are what makes Bolivia so fun!](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-7QbGob.jpeg)
This, for us, is a road. Little jeep paths such as these are what makes Bolivia so fun!
After an easy 200km on the paved highway, we came to Oruro where we spent a few days wandering around the hundreds of vendors and markets which sprawled through dozens of streets, before heading through a 400km, 10,000m altitude gain section through the hot and humid South Yungas. This jungle-like terrain showed us a different side of Bolivia where villages and towns are perched atop the huge green hills amongst fields of cocoa leaves and bananas. We spent days climbing up and down through the low altitude valleys before climbing all the way back up to the altiplano with a 4,800m pass which led us straight to La Paz.
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey Sleeping in a field of quinoa.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-pq_qgI.jpeg)
Sleeping in a field of quinoa.
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey A lady watching her sheep.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-1NVfoB.jpeg)
A lady watching her sheep.
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey Llama llama showering off her earrings!!](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-M2OOXZ.jpeg)
Llama llama showering off her earrings!!
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey Some of the towns throughout this area were deserted as many people are headed to the cities.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-PjCURy.jpeg)
Some of the towns throughout this area were deserted as many people are headed to the cities.
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey image](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-4DKdS_.jpeg)
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey These patchwork hills were stunning!](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-5ZnrHJ.jpeg)
These patchwork hills were stunning!
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey image](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-otZy74.jpeg)
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey Little villages in the middle of nowhere!](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-lOXM0b.jpeg)
Little villages in the middle of nowhere!
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey image](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-OPQ08i.jpeg)
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey image](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-as3w2e.jpeg)
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey image](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-jX2F0M.jpeg)
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey Switchbacks anyone!?](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-UFy0wB.jpeg)
Switchbacks anyone!?
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey image](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-OJ57X8.jpeg)
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey image](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-wF8zfH.jpeg)
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey image](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-WO2dG_.jpeg)
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey image](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-Z8j30K.jpeg)
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey image](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-imrpcZ.jpeg)
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey These guys were not happy to see us on their road! Most aggressive Turkey we have ever met.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-80e0s0.jpeg)
These guys were not happy to see us on their road! Most aggressive Turkey we have ever met.
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey This is where we slept the night before, the soccer field belonged to these few houses hidden in the hillside.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-DY_IMd.jpeg)
This is where we slept the night before, the soccer field belonged to these few houses hidden in the hillside.
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey image](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-UF6a4e.jpeg)
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey Cycling through a stream, great way to cool down!](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-seSM4b.jpeg)
Cycling through a stream, great way to cool down!
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey image](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-xYSRKt.jpeg)
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey A lady and her son walking down the road.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-mWFfyN.jpeg)
A lady and her son walking down the road.
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey Typical farming house.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-3bRILe.jpeg)
Typical farming house.
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey image](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-aziQUP.jpeg)
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey A cyclists nightmare; tunnels.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-tGdd_9.jpeg)
A cyclists nightmare; tunnels.
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey image](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-f3a3cM.jpeg)
After a few days of rest and socializing in the Casa de Cyclista of La Paz, we set out to climb Huyana Potosi – a 6,088m/20,000ft mountain I climbed four years ago as well – with another America cyclist we befriended in the city. After “sleeping” at a 5,300m base camp, we reached the summit right before sunrise and watched as the sky and surrounding mountains turned brilliant colors.
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey On the summit! Thanks John for the photo!](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-JS3nfS.jpeg)
On the summit! Thanks John for the photo!
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey Huyana Potosi with miners graves in front.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-BAv25o.jpeg)
Huyana Potosi with miners graves in front.
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey image](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-5MSI0w.jpeg)
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey Climbers coming up the last section before the summit.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-gYYFH8.jpeg)
Climbers coming up the last section before the summit.
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey El Alto (sort of like the upper part of La Paz) in the early morning.](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-gmviKg.jpeg)
El Alto (sort of like the upper part of La Paz) in the early morning.
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey Mountains, mountains, everywhere!!](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-7QGtyx.jpeg)
Mountains, mountains, everywhere!!
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey Happy to have exchanged my bike for a backpack for the weekend!](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-WIzY5t.jpeg)
Happy to have exchanged my bike for a backpack for the weekend!
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey image](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-EQSigA.jpeg)
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey image](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-geOIyf.jpeg)
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey Only one dollar for this delicious street meal of potatoes, rice, and meat!](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-qC_T0R.jpeg)
Only one dollar for this delicious street meal of potatoes, rice, and meat!
For those of you who are interested in cycling through Bolivia, I would highly suggest checking out the Pikes on Bikes as they have written extensively about these amazing routes.
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey image](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-zAQM62.jpeg)
Make sure to check back next week to begin following our adventures through Peru which should take us through our highest, most difficult, and most impressive routes yet! The Peruvian Great Divide, here we come.
![Cycling Through Bolivia: A Photographic Journey Facemasks ready for the wind and dust!](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/125/1255738/cycling-through-bolivia-a-photographic-journe-L-5RR20_.jpeg)
Facemasks ready for the wind and dust!
For a photo of the day and other updates follow me on facebook here, and for some awkwardly cropped photos from our journey, follow us on Instagram @awanderingphoto!