Destination: Bolivia

Itinerary: Breathtaking Circuit

ONE MONTH/SOUTHERN ALTIPLANO, CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, AMAZON BASIN

Many people who come to Bolivia stay for at least a month, which is just about the right amount of time to experience the highlights.

After acclimating around Lake Titicaca and La Paz while doing Bolivia 101, head south across the unforgettable emptiness of the Southern Altiplano. If it's Carnaval time, don't miss Oruro's wild La Diablada festivities. Take the train to Uyuni and get together with a group for a Southwest Circuit tour of the astounding Salar de Uyuni and the extraordinary Reserva Eduardo Avaroa. After a hot shower back in Uyuni, catch the bus to Potosi.

Even if the altitude didn't get you in La Paz, it might slow you down here. Allow a couple of days to adapt by taking guided tours of the Casa Real de la Moneda and a cooperative mine. Then share a taxi to relatively balmy Sucre, where you should time your visit to coincide with Tarabuco's vibrant Sunday market.

Had enough of the highlands? Catch a flight from Sucre back to La Paz, where you can wing or bus it to tropical Rurrenabaque. Chill in a hammock while gearing up for wildlife watching on a jungle or pampas tour. Or treat yourself to a few days of hiding in the jungle at a community-run ecolodge such as Mapajo or Chalalan.