THE GUIDE - The Rough Guide to Bolivia - page 112

backpacker-oriented agencies in La Paz, selling all the usual tours including the Salar de Uy-
uni, mountain biking to Coroico, pampas trekking, etc. Additional offices in both the Loki
and Adventure Brew hostels.
La Paz On Foot Prolongación Posnanski 400, Miraflores 02 2248350, lapazon-
foot.com . Conservation-minded, culturally orientated company with strong community links
and an academically astute staff numbering biologists, archeologists, anthropologists and
ecologists. Alongside city tours, their impressive portfolio includes trips to the Lago Titicaca
village of Santiago de Okola, an organic Yungas coffee farm and butterfly sanctuary, and
treks in the Apolobamba range.
Luna Tours Sagárnaga 380 02 2310940, lunatours.com.bo . The most high profile of
the Coroico mountain biking newcomers, with a café and a separate office. They're wholly
Bolivian owned, use Bolivian guides (all with at least eight years experience) and bikes are
apparently equipped with the best parts available in the world.
Motorcycle Tours Bolivia Av Florida 609, Mallasa 02 2745572, motorcycletours-
bolivia.com . Bolivia's sole legal motorbike tour agency, with a sizeable fleet of machines and
a choice of either guided trips (Salar de Uyuni, Yungas gold mining route via Mapiri and
Guanay, etc) or a self-determined itinerary; they'll supply a support vehicle. Alternatively,
you can simply rent a bike for the day for Bs525 ($75).
Topas Adventure Travel Bolivia Carlos Bravo 299 02 2111082 or 73088333, to-
pas.bo . Operating since 1973 and now Danish-Bolivian owned and run, this veteran operat-
or is housed in the basement of El Consulado boutique hotel / restaurant , with knowledgeable
andenthusiastic English-speaking staffandguidesspecializing intheCordillera Apolobamba
and the Choro, Takesi and Yunga Cruz trails.
Travel Tracks Sagárnaga 213, inside the Chuquiago Gallery 02 2316934, travel-
tracks.com . Another relatively new, often recommended operation run by lovely Dutch expat
Ayla, specializing in two/three-day trips to the mountain of Huayna Potosí with a hands-on
approach (check the photo on the flyer) and certified guides (one guide per two climbers),
and also organizing Choro Trail and Salar de Uyuni tours.
< Back to Information and tours
ACCOMMODATION
There's been an explosion in the La Paz accommodation scene in recent years, even if prices
have likewise risen steeply and there now seems to be a real dearth of rooms at lower mid-
range. Budget accommodation - from around Bs50 - tends to be pretty spartan and chilly;
ask for a room that gets some sunlight, as this makes a big difference in temperature. Heating
is only available in the top-range hotels , though most places have 24hr hot water; it's worth
checking to make sure it's not merely lukewarm - if it is you'll freeze.