What is a Death Road tour in Bolivia?
The Yungas Road is a cycle route about 60 km long which links the city of La Paz and the Yungas region of Bolivia. It draws about 25,000 tourists per year and is a major La Paz tourist attraction. Many tour operators cater to downhill mountain biking, providing information, guides, transport and equipment.
What is so dangerous about Yungas road?
North Yungas road is known as “Death Road” for all of the reasons you’d guess. Driving up or down this 43-mile (69-kilometer) switchback is extremely perilous due to fog, landslides, cascades, and cliffs that drop 2,000 feet (610 meters) at every turn. Nearly 300 drivers were killed here every year until 1994.
Where does Death Road start?
Nuestra Señora de La Paz
The Death Road elevation profile starts in Nuestra Señora de La Paz at an elevation of roughly 3,650 m (11,975 ft) above the sea level. After a sharply winding and precipitous ascent in a a steep and narrow zig-zag road in, the road then climbs up to around 4,650 metres (15,260 ft) at La Cumbre Pass.
Why is the death road called the death road?
In case the name doesn’t give it away, Death Road got its name because of its high death rate. There are reports that nearly 300 people were killed on this road every year until 1994.
Is death road still open?
In 1995, the Interamerican Development Bank declared it the “World’s Most Dangerous Road“, an unenviable moniker which is still in use today. An estimated 300 people per year perished here before construction of a newer road between La Paz and Coroico was completed in 2006.
What is North Yungas Road called in Spanish?
el Camino de la Muerte
It constantly features on the aforementioned countdowns and in 1995 the Inter-American Development Bank christened it as the “world’s most dangerous road.” Its name is the North Yungas Road but it is commonly known by its nickname Death Road (el Camino de la Muerte).