Cholet Tour - Andean Architecture and Culture - El Alto

Recommended by 97% of travelers

La Paz, Bolivia

3 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Explore our promoted experiences

Valle de Las Animas, Moon Valley and Killi Killi half day tour

La Paz, Altiplano

4.9

(70)

Valle de Las Animas, Moon Valley and Killi Killi half day tour

from $85

La Paz City Walking Tour Including Historical Streets

La Paz, Altiplano

4.9

(509)

La Paz City Walking Tour Including Historical Streets

La Paz Shared Tiwanaku Tour

from $60

Viator earns higher commissions on experiences featured here

Overview

The highland town of EL Alto is renowned for its unique Andean architecture and traditional “Cholet” buildings. With this tour, ride the cable car from La Paz to El Alto, enjoy magnificent views over the town, then follow your guide on a walking tour around the city. Peek inside a typical Cholet, learn more about Andean culture and heritage, then head back to La Paz in time for lunch.

Guided walking tour of El Alto: admire the colorful buildings
Ride the cable car to El Alto with tickets included
Visit a traditional Cholet and have a chance to see inside
Intimate small-group experience with up to 12 people

What's Included

Snacks

Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Mi Teleférico Línea Morada - Estación Obelisco
FVX7+XWM, La Paz, Bolivia
We meet at the doors of Michelline cafe, next to the ticket stand for the Purple Cable Car station in the center of the city. Look for your guide with a Red Cap.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Operating hours
.10:00 am

Itinerary

Mi Teleferico

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

El Alto

2 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation

Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.8

based on 77 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Enjoyable tour to see El Alto

Jennifer_C, Sep 2025

We are so glad we booked this tour. Denise was a fantastic guide and we learned so much that we would not have otherwise learned visiting El Alto on our own. The history of cholets and the different types that can be seen around El Alto was fascinating to learn about. The tour covered a lot of area - it was a good experience to ride the cable car and it was even more interesting to use the local public transport to get around to see some cholets. Denise is well organised and is very knowledgeable.

El Alto

lizawormell, Nov 2024

An interesting insight into El Alto, local culture and cholets. I had visited the Sunday market but I wouldn’t have been able to find my way around without a guide and wouldn’t have understood the definition and purpose of a cholet.

A special experience.

David_H, Apr 2024

I wanted to visit El Alto with a local guide and learn about the traditions and culture behind the cholets. I also wanted to ride the Teleférico. Max was a great guide and good company.

Interest experience worth seeing

Karen_B, Oct 2023

Cholitas wrestling was an interesting experience and well worth seeing. Disappointed ‘vip seating’ meant scramble in as fast as you can to find a spot and then don’t move else you’ll lose it, also disappointed when I booked it displayed my hotel as a pick up point but actually wasn’t of which I only found out as I contacted to confirm pick up time. Overall it just didn’t feel well organised

Did not meet expectations

Fernanda_A, Jul 2023

Our tour guide R. didn't seem knowledgable about indigenous/aymara culture. We did not have enough time to enjoy and truly take in the amazing colors, architecture, etc. of El Alto. Our tour was primarily walking quickly from site to site or just hopping on and off buses. Honestly, I was disappointed. I think it depends on the tour guide you get that makes or breaks the tour.