Discovering El Alto, Bolivia – A Guide for Exploring Andean Architectural Treasures with a La Paz Tour

Are you making travel plans to Bolivia in South America and hoping to get a glimpse of ancient architectural wonders? La Paz, the Bolivian capital city, is a vibrant metropolis located in one of the most geographically diverse countries on the planet. But it is right near the city where visitors to the country can explore many architectural wonders that are a testament to the country’s rich history, culture, and traditions.

These ancient Andean architectural treasures can easily be explored with an El Alto tour in La Paz, Bolivia. There are various El Alto tours available in La Paz ranging from a half-day tour to full day tours that vary in time and price. With a La Paz tour of El Alto, visitors can discover charming plazas and cobblestone streets, picturesque churches and old monastery ruins, and breathtaking views of the city.

To help you plan your tour of El Alto in La Paz, Bolivia, here’s an in-depth guide exploring the area and the unique architectural attractions that can be seen there.

What Is El Alto?

El Alto (“The High Place” in Spanish) is a rapidly growing city in Peru located about thirteen kilometers away from the city of La Paz. It is the highest major city in the world, sitting at an altitude of 4061 meters (13,324 ft) above sea level. It has an estimate population of 1.3 million people making it much larger than La Paz with only 3/4 of the population size.

El Alto is one of the most culturally diverse cities in Bolivia with a large indigenous Aymara population living mainly in the downtown area. The local Aymara culture is evident in El Alto and the traditional clothing often worn by locals is one of the reasons why many people visit here on their tour of La Paz.

The Highlights Of El Alto

There are numerous fascinating attractions and places of interest in El Alto, so it can be quite daunting to choose what to see on your tour. Here are some of the highlights that you shouldn’t miss:
* The Plaza de los Reyes, (Plaza de la Costumbre), sometimes referred to as “The heart of El Alto”, is an important entertainment hub for locals, who often gather here to watch performances by local folkloric bands, listen to lectures from famous writers and poets, or show off their wares at the bustling markets that take place every day.
* The old walls of Tambo Quemado, another main attraction of El Alto. The walls that surround and protect this ancient ceremonial site date back to pre-Inca times and contain various interesting architectural ruins including old gates, towers and other carved monoliths.
* El Cementerio General de la Ciudad de El Alto, or “The Cemetery of El Alto” is an interesting spot for visitors to explore as it contains numerous unique tombs, monuments and crypts that have been constructed with an eclectic mix of both traditional and modern architectural elements.

El Alto Tour Operators

For those who wish to take advantage of an organized tour of El Alto, there are a number of operators that offer tours to travelers and visitors in La Paz. Some of these tour providers are:
* The WayFarer’s El Alto Tour offers half-day and full day tours of El Alto as well as day trips that include some other local attractions . All tours are guided with an English-only speaking guide and come with private transportation from La Paz city center.
* GetYourGuide’s El Alto Tour also offers half-day as well as full day tours that focus solely on exploring architecture in El Alto, including some hidden gems known only to locals. All GetYourGuide tours come with English speaking guides as well as roundtrip transportation from La Paz.
* Viator’s El Alto Tour gives travelers the option to choose between a half day or full day departure time as they explore all sights and attractions of El Alto at their discretion without being held up by a set tour schedule.

Conclusion – Reasons To Explore Andean Architecture With An El Alto Tour

Exploring ancient Andean architecture in El Alto on a tour from La Paz can be a rewarding experience for travelers to Bolivia. It is a great opportunity for visitors to learn about the complex history, culture and traditions of the country through its unique architecture, as well as to take in some breathtaking views of both the old and new city from high up in some of Bolivia’s tallest peaks.

And with so many unique sites to explore in El Alto as well as a range of tours to choose from among tour operators such as GetYourGuide or Viator, travelers should not hesitate or miss out on this interesting experience when planning their trip. Visit GetYourGuide today to book your El Alto tour now!