Death Road Mountain Bike Tour from La Paz
- Duration1 day (about 12 hours)
- Daily
- Group
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Overview
This Death Road bike tour from La Paz is the classic Bolivian adventure: a downhill ride of about 64 kilometres on the old Yungas Road, dropping some 3,500 metres from the icy La Cumbre pass to the warm cloud forest at Yolosa. You ride a full-suspension downhill bike with hydraulic disc brakes and full protective gear, in a small group of up to 14 led by an English-speaking guide, with a bike mechanic and a support vehicle following, so you can rest whenever you like. Breakfast, snacks, unlimited water and lunch at the Senda Verde animal refuge are included, along with photos of your day. It starts in central La Paz, returns in the evening and is for adults aged 18 and over.
Highlights
- Ride about 64 km down the famous Death Road, the old Yungas Road
- Descend some 3,500 metres from La Cumbre at 4,700 m to the cloud forest
- Full-suspension downhill bikes with hydraulic disc brakes
- Helmet, gloves, pads, jacket and trousers provided
- English-speaking guide, bike mechanic and support vehicle with every group
- Lunch and a visit to the Senda Verde animal refuge
- Breakfast, snacks, unlimited water and photos of your day included
- Small group of up to 14 riders
Full Description
La Cumbre pass: the start at 4,700 metres
The day begins with a drive of about an hour from La Paz up to La Cumbre, the high pass that separates the Altiplano from the Yungas valleys. At around 4,700 metres the air is thin and cold, and on a clear morning you see snow-capped peaks, a small glacial lake and grazing llamas and alpacas around you. Here you eat breakfast, put on your protective gear and get to know your bike.
Your guide gives a full safety briefing and a short test ride so you can try the brakes and find your rhythm. The first section of the Death Road bike tour runs down a smooth asphalt road with wide bends, allowing you to build confidence while taking in the mountain scenery. There are regular stops for photos, snacks and rests, so nobody feels rushed.
The Death Road (North Yungas Road)
After a short undulating section, you reach the real Death Road, known in Spanish as Camino de la Muerte. This narrow dirt track was cut into the mountainside in the 1930s to link La Paz with the Yungas, and for decades it carried heavy traffic along sheer drops of hundreds of metres, earning it the title of the most dangerous road in the world. Since a new highway opened in 2006, the old road is used mainly by cyclists and a few local vehicles.
Over this part of the ride you descend around 2,000 metres through mist, low cloud and waterfalls that spill onto the track, with the cloud forest growing greener and warmer at every turn. The guides stop at the most dramatic viewpoints, explain the road's history and set a safe pace. The support vehicle follows behind, and you can climb aboard at any point if you prefer to rest.
Yolosa and the Yungas valleys
The ride ends at Yolosa, a small village at the foot of the road in the subtropical Yungas region, roughly 3,500 metres below where you started. The change is remarkable: you leave the frozen Andes in the morning and arrive among banana plants, coffee bushes and humid forest by early afternoon, hot, dusty and thrilled to have completed one of the best-known rides on Earth.
The Yungas valleys are a region of steep green slopes, rivers and small farming towns that supply much of the fruit and coffee sold in La Paz. Before lunch you have time to wash, change into fresh clothes and take photos of the valley. If you are wondering how to get to the Death Road from La Paz, a guided tour like this, with transport both ways, is the safest and simplest way.
Senda Verde animal refuge
Just around the corner from Yolosa lies the Senda Verde animal refuge, a sanctuary set in lush gardens beside the river. It cares for animals rescued from the illegal wildlife trade, including hundreds of monkeys, an Andean spectacled bear, capybaras, parrots and many other birds and native species of the Yungas. Your entrance is included, and your visit helps support its work.
Here you enjoy lunch, walk the paths among the enclosures and relax after the ride. The guides share photos of the day, which are uploaded later so you can download them. In the afternoon the vehicle drives you back up to La Paz by the newer highway, a journey of a few hours with mountain views, arriving in the city in the evening.
Itinerary
- Meet in central La PazMeet the team at 07:00 outside a café in the city centre and board the vehicle.
- Drive to La CumbreAbout an hour up to the 4,700-metre pass for breakfast, gear fitting and the safety briefing.
- Asphalt descentRide the first paved section past snow-capped peaks and grazing llamas, with photo and snack stops.
- The Death RoadDescend the narrow dirt road through cloud forest and waterfalls for most of the day, with regular rests.
- Arrival in YolosaFinish the ride at the bottom of the road, about 64 km and 3,500 metres below the start.
- Senda Verde animal refugeLunch, a shower and change of clothes, and time to see the rescued animals.
- Return to La PazDrive back to the city by the newer highway, arriving in the evening.
What's included
- Transport from La Paz to the start and back
- Full-suspension downhill bike with hydraulic disc brakes
- Helmet, gloves, elbow and knee pads, jacket and trousers
- English-speaking guide, bike mechanic and support vehicle
- Breakfast, two snacks and lunch
- Unlimited water
- Entrance to the Senda Verde animal refuge
- Photos of the day shared online and a neck buff to keep
Not included
- Death Road access fee (paid in cash on the day)
- Gratuities (optional)
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Nature and wildlife lovers
- Travellers who want a proven choice — rated 4.9/5 by past travellers
Think twice if
- You prefer short outings — this takes 1 days
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
- Walking is difficult for you — expect active parts
Not suitable for
- Children and teenagers under 18
- Pregnant women
- People with mobility impairments
- People who cannot ride a bike
- Wheelchair users
- People under 120 cm (3 ft 9 in) tall
Meeting point
Meet the team at 07:00 outside a café in central La Paz; we send you the exact meeting point and map pin with your confirmation. Hotel pickup is not included. The vehicle brings you back to central La Paz in the evening.
Important information
- Bring your passport or ID card
- Bring warm clothing for the start and a change of clothes for the end: temperatures range from freezing to hot
- Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent and a small daypack
- Wear closed shoes such as hiking shoes
- Bring cash for the Death Road access fee, paid on the day
- The support vehicle follows the group and you can get in at any point
- The guide may ask a rider to continue in the vehicle for safety reasons
- Spend a couple of days in La Paz first to adjust to the altitude
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
Is this a shared or a private experience?
It is a shared small-group tour of up to 14 riders, each group with its own guide, mechanic and support vehicle.
How long does the Death Road tour take?
It is a full day, starting at 07:00 in La Paz and returning in the evening, with most of the day spent riding and around an hour and a half at the animal refuge.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. The tour starts from a meeting point in central La Paz, and we send you the exact location after booking.
What is included?
Transport, bike and full protective gear, guide, mechanic and support vehicle, breakfast, two snacks, lunch, unlimited water, entrance to the animal refuge, photos and a neck buff.
Is the price per person or per group?
The price is per person; the booking panel on this page shows the current price of each option.
Is the Death Road safe to ride?
With quality bikes, protective gear, experienced guides and a support vehicle, the ride is well managed. You ride at your own pace and can stop or use the vehicle at any time.
Do I need mountain biking experience?
No. You need to be able to ride a bike confidently; the guides coach you on the asphalt section before the dirt road.
Is it suitable for children or reduced mobility?
No. The tour is for adults aged 18 and over who can ride a bike, and it is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.
What should I bring?
Passport or ID, warm layers, a change of clothes, hiking shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, cash and a daypack.
What happens in bad weather?
The tour runs in most weather with jackets and trousers provided. If conditions become unsafe, the guides adapt the ride or move riders into the vehicle.
What is the best time of year to ride the Death Road?
The dry season from May to October gives the best views and firmer roads. The rainy season brings more mist and mud but also bigger waterfalls.
How do I book and confirm?
Choose your date on this page and book online; our team confirms the details and meeting point on WhatsApp within minutes.