La Paz 1-day itinerary

Start at the Mercado de las Brujas (Witches' Market) on Calle Linares, where indigenous Aymara women sell dried llama foetuses, medicinal herbs, love potions, and ritual items for Pachamama (Mother Earth) offerings. The market is a window into Bolivia's living indigenous spiritual traditions. Walk downhill through the colonial streets to Plaza Murillo, flanked by the Presidential Palace and the Cathedral. The colonial centre is compact and the steep streets offer glimpses of Illimani (6,438m) towering over the city at every turn.

Ride the Mi Teleférico, the world's longest and highest urban cable car network. The system connects La Paz's steep neighbourhoods with colour-coded lines — take the Red Line from the centre up to El Alto at 4,100m for the most dramatic views of the city filling the canyon below with Illimani behind. The Yellow and Green lines traverse the length of the city. At 3 bolivianos per ride ($0.45), it is the cheapest scenic transport in South America. Each line offers a different perspective of this extraordinary vertical city.

Head to Sopocachi, La Paz's most cosmopolitan neighbourhood with restaurants, bars, and cafes catering to both locals and visitors. Try salteñas — Bolivia's answer to empanadas, filled with a spiced meat and potato stew sealed in a sweet pastry. The craft beer scene in Sopocachi is growing, with local breweries producing excellent ales. After dinner, walk to the Mirador Killi Killi for a nighttime view of the city lights filling the canyon — one of the most dramatic urban panoramas in the world.