City tour in La Paz

City tour in La Paz with Cable Car and Moon Valley

La Paz, one of the highest cities in the world at over 3,600 meters above sea level, offers an unforgettable experience through this tour, where you’ll discover its striking contrasts: from the impressive Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley), with its unique natural formations, to an urban flight aboard the famous La Paz Cable Car, considered the highest and most extensive cable transport system in the world.

It not only connects the cities of La Paz and El Alto, but has also become a symbol of Bolivian innovation, offering 360° panoramic views of the Andean mountains and the majestic Illimani.

Experience the magical blend of tradition, modernity, and nature that this tour offers a perfect mix of culture, history, and landscapes, ideal for those who want to discover the true essence of La Paz from above and explore its most authentic corners.

🌿 History of La Paz

🏰 Founded in 1548, La Paz is one of the most unique cities in the world, an nestled in a valley surrounded by the imposing mountains of the Cordillera Real at over 3,600 meters above sea level, it combines indigenous traditions, colonial heritage, and modern life all in one place.

🚡 The La Paz Cable Car, inaugurated in 2014, marked a turning point in the country’s urban mobility and designed to connect the city with El Alto, it has become a modern icon and one of Bolivia’s most emblematic tourist attractions.

🌕 Moon Valley, on the other hand, owes its name to astronaut Neil Armstrong, who upon visiting said the landscape reminded him of the Moon’s surface. Formed by the erosion of clay and limestone, this place offers a one-of-a-kind natural spectacle with its towers, spires, and labyrinths carved by wind and water over thousands of years.

🗺️ Detailed Itinerary – City Tour in La Paz

🏨 Pickup from your hotel in La Paz

We begin with the hotel pickup in the morning from your hotel or agreed meeting point in the historic center of La Paz, accompanied by your professional local guide.

🌕 Visit to the Valley of the Moon

We will head to the southern area of the city to visit the Valley of the Moon, an astonishing natural scenery formed by the erosion of clay and limestone over millions of years. Its pointed towers, cones and canyons create a setting that looks like something from another planet.

During the walk along its trails, your guide will explain how the wind and water shaped this landscape and why astronaut Neil Armstrong gave it its name, and take advantage to take pictures of this magical site where the play of light and shadow highlights its ocher and whitish tones.

🚡 Experience on the La Paz Cable Car

On the way back to the center, a unique experience begins: an urban overflight on the La Paz Cable Car, the largest and highest cable transportation system in the world.

You will go through two of the Yellow, Silver, Red and Orange lines, which connect La Paz with El Alto, while you enjoy impressive 360° panoramic views over the colorful neighborhoods, the mountains of the Royal Range and the imposing Illimani snow-capped peak.

🚶🏻 Walk along Jaén Street

Once on land, you will walk along the charming Jaén Street, one of the most picturesque and best-preserved in the historic center. With its colorful colonial houses, wooden balconies and old lanterns, it is a corner that seems frozen in time.

Here are located small museums such as the Gold Museum, the Museum of Musical Instruments and the Costumbrista Museum, which keep fragments of the history and culture of La Paz.

🏯 Murillo Square

We will continue to Murillo Square, the political and historical heart of La Paz, in this emblematic space are the most important buildings in the country:

• The Presidential Palace, also known as the “Burnt Palace”.
• The Metropolitan Cathedral, with its imposing neoclassical façade.
• The National Congress, symbol of the Bolivian legislative power.

Your guide will share stories about the most relevant events that marked the history of the country in this place.

🌉 Basilica of San Francisco

The next stop is the majestic Minor Basilica of San Francisco, a jewel of the 16th century that combines baroque elements and Andean mestizo art, its stone-carved facade and ornate interior reflect the fusion between indigenous and Spanish cultures.

You will be able to enter to appreciate its altarpieces, sculptures and colonial paintings, while you learn about the fundamental role of the Franciscans in the evangelization of the Andes.

🧙‍♀️ Witches’ Market

The tour ends with a visit to the mystical Witches’ Market, a place full of ancestral traditions where the “yatiris” (Andean sages) offer amulets, medicinal herbs, minerals and potions for good luck.

Here you will discover how the Andean worldview combines spirituality with nature, a practice that remains alive to this day. It is the perfect place to purchase a symbolic souvenir of your trip.

🚌 Return to the hotel or agreed point

After a morning full of history, culture and unforgettable landscapes, you will be transferred back to your hotel or to the point you choose in the city center.

✅ What’s Included in the City Tour in La Paz?

🚐 Pickup from your hotel or central meeting point in La Paz

Punctual service in tourist transportation, valid for hotels located in the historic center or surrounding areas.

🚌 Round-trip tourist transportation

Comfortable, safe, and authorized vehicle for rural and high-Andean routes, featuring panoramic windows and suitable space for groups.

🧭 Professional bilingual tour guide (Spanish/English)

Specialized local guide who accompanies you throughout the tour, explaining archaeological, geographical, and ritual aspects of the experience.

🏯 Murillo Square

We will continue to Murillo Square, the political and historical heart of La Paz, where the most important buildings in the country are located.

🌉 Basilica of San Francisco

You will be able to enter and admire its altarpieces, sculptures, and colonial paintings while learning about the fundamental role of the Franciscans in the evangelization of the Andes.

🧙‍♀️ Witches’ Market

Here you will discover how the Andean worldview blends spirituality with nature, a practice that remains alive to this day. It is the perfect place to purchase a symbolic souvenir of your trip.

🌉 Cable Car Ticket

Full exploration of La Paz’s cable car system on the Yellow, Silver, Red, and Orange lines.

🛟 Permanent assistance throughout the tour

Support from the team of guides and drivers in case of any needs during the trip.

❌ What’s Not Included?

💼 Travel or personal insurance

Medical assistance insurance is not included. It is recommended to purchase your own travel insurance.

🎟️ Entrance fees to the Valley of the Moon

Bring local currency — 30 BOB per person.

💸 Voluntary tips for guides or local communities

Not mandatory, but a greatly appreciated gesture by the local team and host families.

🧥 Personal items (raincoat, sunscreen, hat, etc.)

Personal gear is not included. It is recommended to bring a backpack with everything you need for the day.

📷 Photography equipment or personal cameras

Multimedia equipment is not provided. Visitors must bring their own phone, camera, or drone if they wish to take photos or record videos.

🌟 Recommendations

🌞 Sun and eye protection

Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat and the high-altitude sun can be strong even on cloudy days.

🧴 Stay hydrated and bring personal snacks

Although the tour includes breakfast and lunch, it is recommended to bring a bottle of water, nuts, or energy bars for the journey.

📸 Camera with enough battery and storage

This tour offers plenty of photo opportunities, from Andean landscapes to cultural portraits along the way.

❤️ Respect the environment and cultural spaces

In places like the San Francisco Basilica, Jaén Street, and the Witches’ Market, avoid using flash or taking photos without permission.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be in good physical condition for this tour?

The tour does not include long walks or demanding activities, but it does reach high-altitude areas, It is suitable for most people in good general health.

Is the tour available year-round?

Yes, the tour operates all year round, however, the best months are from April to November, when the weather is drier and the clear skies offer better views from the cable car.

Is the service shared or private?

This itinerary is offered as a group service, but it can also be arranged privately upon request.

At what altitude does the tour take place?

La Paz is located at an average altitude of 3,650 m (11,975 ft) above sea level, and some areas—such as El Alto—exceed 4,000 m (13,100 ft). If it’s your first day in the city, we recommend acclimatizing before the tour.