Bolivia

Population: 9.2 million souls, mostly living in the highlands

Religion: 95% Catholic, 5% Protestant

Government: Left-leaning corrupt ‘democracy,’ with a propensity for exacerbating internal ethnic conflict.

Language: Spanish, Quechua, Aymara, and other tribal dialects in the jungle

Visas: Most countries get 30 days on arrival; ask for 90 days if needed.

Climate: Widely varied depending on altitude and latitude. Mountains and Altiplano are cool in the day with intense sunlight and freezing cold at night. Temperatures can drop below 20 degrees centigrade in places. The Yungays are the foot lands of the Andes, and much warmer in the day, though the nights are comfortable. The jungle and deforested lowlands are extremely hot and humid.

When to go: High season is May to September in both the mountains and jungle, as the weather during this period is drier and cooler. The rest of the year sees substantial tropical rains which wash out roads and make travel in some areas impossible, though the temperature in the mountains is somewhat higher during the rainy season. Typically, April and May are the best months to go hiking in the mountains, as wildflowers are in bloom and the weather is better, but not as cold as in the heart of the dry season.

M.J Lloyd was born and raised on a small farm in rural Ohio. At the age of 18 he hit the road to Alaska with a meager savings and no plan. Over the next 2 years he wandered in search of real answers and a livable life. The journey has taken him through three continents, various loves, battles with the loneliness and insanity of the road, and extreme poverty. Though the lessons haven’t been easy, he has learned much from the trail, and has reached a much happier and more peaceful understanding on the nature of his life.

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