The Highest and Longest Urban Cable Car in the World is Not Where You Thought

La Paz, Bolivia. Mountains, hills, and rivers surround the city. Navigating the city streets can be challenging, and to connect La Paz with El Alto, Mi Teleférico was inaugurated on May 30, 2014, featuring 30 kilometers of suspended cable connecting both municipalities at various stops. Besides being the longest in the world, this cable car is also the highest, reaching an elevation of 3,600 to 4,000 meters above sea level. In fact, El Alto is the highest city in the world with over 30,000 inhabitants, situated at 4,150 meters above sea level.

This cable car has been in the planning stages since the 1990s, but it wasn't until four years ago, during Evo Morales' administration, that the first line was inaugurated. Currently, Mi Teleférico consists of eleven lines - red, yellow, green, blue, orange, white, light blue, brown, purple, silver, and gold. These will be the 'leitmotif' of one of the activities during the upcoming VIAJAR Expedition to Bolivia, departing next November to the country, led by Fernando Javier Santa Cecilia, an expert geologist and great connoisseur of the region, in a journey organized by Viajes Azul Marino and the magazine VIAJAR.

This cable car not only serves as a perfect means of transport for residents from the outskirts of La Paz to the city center, but it has gradually become one of the most important tourist attractions in the city. From its cabins, one can enjoy stunning views of the capital of Bolivia. Moreover, it is often said that the sunsets seen from within are some of the most beautiful in the country.

Not only that, but there are several small kiosks here where the yatiris (Andean ceremony masters) perform a gratitude ritual to Pachamama (Mother Earth) according to Andean traditions, with a breathtaking view of the Illimani Volcano that dominates the city.

Travelers will attend and participate in a well-being and gratitude ceremony, symbolized by a ch'alla with specific offerings to Pachamama and the corresponding prayers.

As for the price of the cable car, it is 3 bolivianos, and each cabin can transport up to 10 passengers, all comfortably seated. Cabins run every 12 seconds throughout the day: Monday to Saturday from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM and Sundays from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

Information about flights, accommodations, pricing and the complete program can be found at club-viajar.es/expediciones, by sending an email to expedicionviajar@clubmarcopolo.es or by calling 900 909 698.