Bolivia is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. It's nice to spend a few days in La Paz, but the surrounding mountains are truly spectacular and mighty enticing. Nearby you have the opportunity to climb some of the highest peaks in the world, bike down one of the most dangerous roads in the world, golf in one of the highest courses in the world, or ski down one of the highest slopes in the world.
Climbing, Hiking & Trekking -- If you're serious about climbing, you should check out Club Andino on Calle México 1638 (tel. 0102/2312-875 or 0102/2324-682; Mon-Fri 9:30am-12:30pm and 3-7pm). The staff here can help arrange treks and climbs as well as recommend the best outfitters and guides. They can also help organize a trip to an acclimatizing center or a ski outing to Chacaltaya. But you don't have to be a skier to enjoy Chacaltaya: You can hike from the ski lift to the glacier. At 5,240m (17,187 ft.), the air is thin, but the views are what's really breathtaking. Hiking trips to Chacaltaya cost Bs80 ($10/£5), including transportation and admission.
Bolivian Journeys, Sagárnaga 363 between Linares and Illampu (tel. 0102/2357-848; www.bolivianjourneys.org), is one of the most experienced climbing and hiking outfitters and organizes trips up the 5,990m (19,647-ft.) Huayna Potosí.
Futbol (Soccer) -- Four teams play year-round at Estadio Hernando Siles in Miraflores. There are games most every week on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday. You can buy tickets on game day at the stadium. Prices range from Bs10 to Bs25 ($1.25-$3.15/65p-£1.60). To get here, just hop on any trufi with a sign marked ESTADIO in the front window, or take a taxi.
Golf -- The 18-hole, 6,900-yard Mallasilla La Paz Golf Club (tel. 0102/2745-462), located about 15 minutes outside of La Paz, is considered to be one of the highest golf clubs in the world. Greens fees are Bs550 ($69/£35) per person plus Bs80 ($10/£5) for equipment and Bs80 ($10/£5) for a caddie. Crillon Tours, Av. Camacho 1233 (tel. 0102/2337-533, or 305/358-5353 in the U.S.), can arrange golf packages.
Mountain Biking -- Gravity Assisted Mountain Biking, Av. 16 de Julio 1490 (tel. 0102/2313-849; www.gravitybolivia.com), is by far the best biking outfitter in Bolivia. They specialize in the 64km (40-mile) descent from La Paz to Coroico along the most dangerous road in the world. The road is narrow, unpaved, crowded with trucks, and carved out of a cliff. Be careful: In 2001, a woman died here when her brakes snapped. Make sure your bike is in good condition. Gravity Assisted Mountain Biking also arranges rides to Sorata and the Zongo Valley.
Skiing -- From January through May, you can ski on the glacier at Chacaltaya, one of the highest ski slopes in the world. Club Andino, Calle México 1638 (tel. 0102/2312-875), is in charge of arranging ski outings. Transportation costs Bs80 ($10/£5) per person, equipment rental is Bs80 ($10/£5), and you have to pay Bs55 ($7/£3.55) for the lift ticket. Dress warmly (although at this altitude the sun is brutal) and make sure that you have acclimated to the altitude -- there's not much air at 5,156m (16,912 ft.).
