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El Alto and Aymara Mansions
La Paz, Bolivia
- 4 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
As you float above El Alto in cable car, you’ll easily spot the bold creations of visionary architect Freddy Mamani. These fantastical Andean mansions, known as cholets, draw from tradition in a strikingly modern way, turning up the volume on traditional palettes and motifs. You’ll see the dramatic murals of the WHIPALA complex by painter Mamani Mamani and learn the fascinating history of design in El Alto.
- Visit El Alto by cable car for a glimpse of truly unparalleled design
- Guide explains the economic and cultural shifts behind these creations
- Unique visual experience perfect for photographers
- All entrance fees and transport included in tour price
What's Included
- All activities
- Driver and local transportation
- Professional guide
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Plaza Mayor de San FranciscoZona 10, Av. Mariscal Sta. Cruz, La Paz, Bolivia
Departure Point: Tour departs from the San Francisco square, right in front of the San Francisco Church, meeting time is 14:50 to check in with the guide. The church is right on the main Avenue Montes and the corner of Sagarnaga St. Address: Montes Avenue and Sagarnaga Street. San Francisco Church
Start time
03:00 PM
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Most travelers can participate
- Not wheelchair accessible
- May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Traveler Photos
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Reviews
4.5
25 reviews
Elsa_C, May 2024
Wonderful tour. By far one of the best I have ever taken in my life and I travel a lot for work and leisure. Luis my tour guide was incredible. He had a lot of knowledge about the history of Bolivia and I definitely learn a lot. I felt totally like a local in this tour since we had to take a mini bus full that local use daily. Then we took a cab in el alto to tour around and of course we took different lines of the teleférico. By far one of the best and most surreal tours I have ever done. Highly recommended. FYI the pictures that Luis took me were outstanding. Great photographer included. Thanks a lot !
TzeHuaJohn_P, May 2024
We wanna thank Luis for the most unique adventure of El alto. He made the trip fun and informational.
Sara_H, Mar 2024
La Paz and El Alto are such fascinating cities! Our guide Luis was so knowledgeable, we really learned a lot in just a few hours. I love when tours involve taking local transportation, as well. We took a short ride in a microbus, and then rode several lines of the teleferico to get from La Paz to El Alto. It was fun to see the cities from so high up. We learned that the teleferico exists because La Paz wasn't originally meant to be as big a city as it has become, but some compromises had to be made between the government and transportation unions. It's all very intriguing. The backstory to many elements of the cities make them far more interesting than you might think. I was very pleased with this tour. Great job, Luis!
Response from Host, Mar 2024
We're thrilled to know that you enjoyed your experience. Your feedback serves as a guiding light for us as we work towards constant improvement. Thank you for taking the time to provide us with your valuable review!
Faezeh_M, Jan 2024
On the morning of the tour, around 11 am, we got a message from the tour operator asking whether we could cancel or do the tour another day. We only had less than 48 hours in La Paz, so I said no. The tour operator replied an hour later and said they would have the tour.
We showed up at 3pm and were greeted by a guide who confessed that she worked for the tour's office and not as a guide. She really tried her best and we are grateful for that, but her English was very basic and she had little knowledge about the history of El Alto, the Chole5s, etc. The only reason I gave one star, is because Veronica did her best. Otherwise this tour and tour company are not reliable.
Response from Host, Feb 2024
Sorry the trip was not fully to you liking, we will keep working to improve and make sure we give you a 5 star service next time! Thank you for your feedback!!
Daniel_Y, Nov 2023
Raphael, was great in taking me up to El Alto and explaining the cable car system. We then jumped in a taxi and went around to see the different cholets with him explaining the significance of each one. This is a great trip for any photographer or person that likes taking photos!!! I could have stayed up in that area for the full day.
Response from Host, Feb 2024
We're happy to learn that you had a positive experience with us. Your feedback is highly appreciated and aids us in our mission to deliver exceptional service. Thank you for sharing your review!
Anja_M, Apr 2023
Cholera are a very unique part of the culture of El Alto. When you have time it is well worth exploring.
Jose_T, Mar 2023
It was more than I expected, as we not only saw El Alto from the cablecars, but got to walk around and even go into one of the cholets. Claudia was an awesome guide.
Response from Host, Apr 2023
We appreciate your review, it helps us grown and improve continuously. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Joseph_R, Oct 2022
A really interesting tour showing parts of el alto that many tourists just don't see. Maria did a great job showing me around and explaining things.
Only criticism is that I didn't get to spend enough time at the wiphala condominiums.
Jeni_H, Jun 2022
Excellent trip . Highly Recommended . Our guide Fernando is a highly edicated young man with profound knowledge of Bolivian culture, history and folklore which expanded from ancient centuries to contemporary times. Fernando showed us unique buildings, structures and cholets and we travelled with the most sophisticated cable car public transportation in the world. See La Paz from above to embrace the city!
Rosario_G, May 2022
The tour is very interesting as you visit El Alto take the funicular and visit some special Aymara mansions (we visited two of them).
Everything was well organised and I am fully satisfied.
From $25.00
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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