Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Viajes Planeta
(
www.lapazcitytour.net
)
Viajes Planeta runs tours of the city and Zona Sur in a red,
double-decker, city-tour bus (B$50 per person; around three hours). Stops on the Zona Sur
trip include Valle de la Luna (admission B$15). The recorded narration is in seven lan-
guages. Tickets can be purchased in many travel agencies, or on the bus. Buses depart
from Plaza Isabel Católica at 9am and 3pm for city tours, and 10:30am and 1:30pm from
the Zona Sur.
BUS TOUR
Zig-Zag
(
245-7814;
www.zigzagbolivia.com
; Office 5, Illampu 867, Rosario)
Offers a range of
trekking tours (including Choro and Takesi), beginners' climbs and custom-made adven-
tures around Bolivia.
HIKING
Festivals & Events
La Paz is always looking for an excuse to celebrate. Check with the InfoTur (
Click here
)
for a complete list of what's on.
Alasitas
During Inca times the Alasitas (Aymará for 'Buy from me'; in Spanish it's
Cómprame
)
fair coincided with the spring equinox (September 21), and was intended to demonstrate
the abundance of the fields. The date underwent some shifts during the Spanish colonial
period, which the
campesinos
weren't too happy about. In effect they decided to turn the
celebration into a kitschy mockery of the original. 'Abundance' was redefined to apply
not only to crops, but also to homes, tools, cash, clothing, cars, trucks, airplanes and even
12-story buildings. The little god of abundance, Ekeko ('dwarf' in Aymará), made his ap-
pearance and modern Alasitas traditions are now celebrated on January 24.
AYMARÁ
La Festividad de Nuestro Señor Jesús del Gran Poder
Held in late May or early June, El Gran Poder began in 1939 as a candle procession led by
an image of Christ through the predominantly
campesino
neighborhoods of upper La Paz.
The following year the local union of embroiderers formed a folkloric group to participate
in the event. In subsequent years other festival-inspired folkloric groups joined in, and the
celebration grew larger and more lively. It has now developed into a unique La Paz festiv-
al, with dancers and folkloric groups from around the city participating. Embroiderers pre-
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