Adventure Life Bolivia trip named Tour of a Lifetime

According to National Geographic Traveler magazine, tour operators are reporting big spikes in inquiries and bookings. But an uncertain economy, ongoing wars, and the fragile health of the planet have, perhaps permanently, reordered priorities. Travelers now seek more perspective, meaning, and challenge. They want to see the unvarnished reality of a place, not just the fantasy. Outfitters have responded by dialing down the luxury and refocusing on core offerings. Their itineraries are more innovative and experiential—aimed at developing lasting connections between people.Adventure Life's Bolivia Backroads and Oruro Festival was named one of the 50 of the world's best guided tours for 2010, as chosen by the editors of National Geographic Traveler .

Kicking off with Carnaval de Oruro, Bolivia’s most spectacular festival, this journey immerses you in local rituals that are still part of everyday life, such as baking bread in a traditional adobe oven at a working hacienda and shopping at the Tarabuco Market, where even the younger generation dons traditional ponchos, sandals, and headgear. There’s action, too: Explore the salt desert and cap your trip with a climb up the 16,500-foot volcano Tunupa. Adventure Life: “Bolivia Backroads and Oruro Festival,” 13 days, $2,790.