Viscachani hot springs
La Paz Department · Nature and hiking
On the road from La Paz to Oruro, near Ayo Ayo, Viscachani has simple natural warm-water baths, little known to travellers. A pleasant break on a long bus ride, or half a day from La Paz.
3,850 maltitude
0 to 1 dayto spend there
High altitude. Above 3,500 m, altitude sickness (soroche) is common. Arrive gradually, drink plenty and take it slow on the first day.
Things to do
- Warm-water baths
- A break on the La Paz – Oruro road
- Altiplano landscapes
What to eat
- Sajta de polloChicken in a yellow ají amarillo chilli sauce, with chuño and potato. Typical of the Altiplano.
Tip. Minibus from El Alto towards Patacamaya: ask to stop at Viscachani, then about 20 min on foot.
How to get to Viscachani
La Paz Road (bus, car) · about 1 h 30
Minibus from El Alto towards Patacamaya (Viscachani stop).
More places in this region
La PazThe world's highest seat of government, in a bowl at the foot of Illimani.
El AltoThe big Aymara city on the Altiplano, right above La Paz: a giant market, cholets and cholita wrestling.
Valle de la LunaMoon-like clay formations in the southern suburbs of La Paz.
Valle de las ÁnimasA forest of earth spires on the edge of La Paz, bigger and wilder than the Valley of the Moon.
ChacaltayaA former ski area at 5,400 m: the highest view of the Cordillera Real.
Huayna PotosíA 6,000 m peak known as one of the most accessible, with a guided 2 or 3-day climb.
Cordillera Real: CondoririGlacial lagoons and snowy peaks, two hours from La Paz.
TiwanakuUNESCO-listed pre-Inca site: the Gate of the Sun and the Kalasasaya temple.- Uru community of IruitoAn Uru community on the Desaguadero river, keepers of a very old lake culture.
Jesús de MachacaAn Aymara Altiplano village and its 1706 church, south of Lake Titicaca.
Comanche and its Puya raimondiiA forest of Puya raimondii, the world's largest bromeliad, on the Altiplano.
SorataA quiet village at the foot of Illampu, a base for treks.
Charazani and ApolobambaLand of the Kallawaya Andean healers (UNESCO), with hot springs and great treks.
Death Road (bike)The world's most famous mountain bike descent: from 4,650 m to 1,200 m in a day.
Choro trek (Inca trail)Three days on a pre-Hispanic trail, from the snows of La Cumbre down to the Yungas forest.
Takesi trek (Inca trail)Two days on one of Bolivia's best-preserved Inca trails, down to Yanacachi.
Yunga Cruz trekThe wildest pre-Hispanic trail down to the Yungas: 4 to 5 days below Illimani.
Coroico (Yungas)A hilltop village in the subtropical Yungas: coffee, waterfalls and pools with a view.
Chulumani (South Yungas)A small South Yungas town among coffee, coca and cloud forest, away from the crowds.