World’s Most Dangerous Road
World’s Most Dangerous Road
The title says it all, a trip along the world´s most dangerous road conveniently located here for us in Bolivia. For years I heard and read about the famous Yungas Road and how many people have lost their lives each year. We were not surprised when you see how narrow and unprotected the road is clinging to the side of an imposing mountain. Upon arrival in Bolivia and La Paz on Saturday night, we headed into town and on one street there seemed to be nothing but agencies selling death road packages. It was quite difficult to decide which operator to choose as prices and of course free T-shirt choice varied. The start of our journey along the World’s Most Dangerous Road.
World’s Most Dangerous Road Going Around The Twist
It is also quite important to choose a good operator as the quality of bicycle provided could be the difference between life and death. Some operators were charging approximately $100 dollars per person while we found one for $50. Included in the full day tour package was, transport pickup at our hotel, bicycle, helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, gloves, jacket , pants, light breakfast snacks, tour guide, after shower and dinner buffet and transport back to La Paz. We would also receive a T- shirt saying we survived the death road and a DVD of our day.
As the following day, Sunday, was election day in La Paz, there were no tours scheduled for that day so on Monday morning we would be picked up at our hotel. We were collected around 8.30am and joined five other crazy/brave adventurers. We headed out of La Paz for about 30 minutes and pulled over beside a nicely paved mountain road. In this car park area we were given our bikes and safety equipment and the guides gave a demonstration on how to use the brakes properly and the route we would take. We were at over 4,600 metres at this point so it was quite cold but we came prepared with thick jumper and coat which we wore alongside our supplied biking equipment. There were two guides who would take the journey with us, one at the back of the group and another riding at the front. There would also be our support vehicle behind us at all times.
Our lead guide departed and we swiftly followed along the winding roads with awe-inspiring scenery. There were very few vehicles on the road at this point but they just overtook us when needed. Our lead guide set quite a pace and Paula and I kept up as we whizzed down the mountain road. At our first stop some thirty minutes in to the ride we felt good but our faces a little chilly!! Three Brazilian riders in our group decided to go a little bit slower than the rest of the group so we sat and waited for them at the side of the road. After another ten minute cycle we stopped for a break with a light snack provided consisting of a bottle of Coke, an egg roll and chocolate bar. Ahead would be an eight kilometre uphill ascent, however the guides decided to put our bikes back on the roof of our support van and we drove the eight kilometres, a decision we were all happy with!!
After the eight kilometre trip we reached the start of Yungas or death road, we were informed that it would be a little bit different to our earlier cycle as now we would be on an unpaved and narrow road. We were all excited and some a little nervous but we couldn’t wait to start our journey of some 64 kilometres, mostly downhill. Our guides took some pre-departure pictures of us and we were off. The road conditions were definitely different from before as it was now bumpy and dusty. Luckily I chose the most expensive bike costing approximately 400 Bolivianos which had front and back suspension while Paula took the mid-range bike without back suspension, a decision she would later regret!!
We were also informed that Yungas Road was closed to traffic in early 2007 and that a new road was constructed for vehicles. The only things we needed to worry about was the odd motorbike and keeping to the right side away from the cliff edge. Our guide at the front whizzed along the road at great speed followed closely by a French rider and Paula and I. Paula wanted me to travel behind her at all times but I was itching to go faster. As we continued however Paula gained confidence and kept up with the lead riders, we hurtled down the mountain and barely had time to take in the fantastic scenery. Occasionally there would be stops for photographs and to let the riders at the back catch up, we took the iconic picture of our group with our legs dangling over the edge and we also travelled under some breathtaking waterfalls. The reality though of where we were was never far away and there was a sombre reminder when we stopped at a memorial to a young Israeli girl who died doing the same trip back in 2001.
We continued to pass along some beautiful scenery and as we picked up speed loose rocks and dust trailed in our wake. As we were rapidly heading downhill the temperature was starting to pick up as we headed to only 1,200 metres, no longer was the air frigid but now the sun was beating down on us meaning less layers. Along the route more pictures and videos were taken by our guide as we headed towards the finish at Coroico. About 30 minutes before the end however we were unexpectedly delayed when construction workers above were dislodging rocks with an earth mover. This meant that huge boulders were crashing down on the road leading to us having to stop until it was finished. After about 10 minutes we were free to pass as we breezed through a large puddle on the route resulting in soaking wet feet, but in the heat they dried quickly. Before we knew it we had arrived outside a small town and into more groups of riders.
World’s Most Dangerous Road Survival and Supper
We finished at a local bar where the tour guides took our bikes and hosed them down before putting them back on our vehicle. Our group sat in the afternoon sun and we had a nice local beer. The neighbouring bar was full with backpackers who had also completed the journey and as the music played we watched a nearby zip line run. After giving back our equipment our guides took us a short distance to another hostel/resort where we had the option of showers and a buffet dinner. There was also a pool available for use but we sat and ate. The buffet included large chicken breasts, salads, potatoes and pasta bolognese. Paula and I opted for the bolognese and beer and coke as we chatted to a nice guy in our group from Marseille, France. At the other table were the rest of our group from Brazil and Austria and I suspect they thought our table maybe was a bit crazy as we were the ones who took on the road at top speed!! We sat for a couple of hours chatting, eating and drinking in the peaceful courtyard before we started the long three-hour trip back to La Paz.
Unsurprisingly we slept most of the way back looking forward to reaching our room and a nice hot shower as we did not avail of it back at the hotel. At approximately 8pm we reached La Paz and we were dropped off at the “No Fear” office. No Fear was the company we went with but there are many others. At the office we were asked our T Shirt sizes and given our DVD of the day. We headed back to our hotel happy but tired and Paula with a sore back and bum, she should have taken the bike with the back suspension after all!!! A trip to the World´s Most Dangerous road is a must whilst in La Paz. It caters for all ability levels but you don´t really need to be too fit as most of the trip is downhill and there is little or no uphill sections. As we rode along the road we could not believe that this could ever be used for vehicles. The narrow sections and sheer drops with no safety barriers gave Yungas Road its fearsome reputation. You have to spare a thought though for the many people over the years who have travelled the same route and never came home, it is certainly not a place to fool around!
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