16 May My Experience as a
Cyclist on the Death Road
Exploring Bolivia & Facing the Infamous Death Road
During my travels to South America, I slated 10 days to explore Bolivia — a geographically diverse country in the heart of the continent. Beforehand, I must admit I didn’t know much about Bolivia, but I had read several intriguing testimonies. Since a 3-day group tour I had signed up for ended in Bolivia, I saw the perfect opportunity to explore the country briefly en route to Peru.
During my research on things to do there, I came across something unforgettable: The Death Road. This ominous label refers to a bicycle route officially named Yungas Road. In 1995, the road earned the infamous title of the World’s Most Dangerous Road from the Inter-American Development Bank due to the staggering 200 to 300 annual deaths reported at the time. As risky as it sounds, the Death Road has become a popular adventure activity for thrill-seeking tourists.
A number of tourists flock to Bolivia’s capital La Paz to cycle the 69 km (40 miles) downhill on the winding and narrow mountain road. It felt like the perfect challenge for my adventure-loving spirit. I immediately began preparing for my risky escapade, sifting through hundreds of reviews and a dozen different company websites. I finally picked one and booked my ride!
As the day approached, my adrenaline-packed excitement began to morph into anxiety. I began to doubt my ability to ride downhill on a mountain bike… on an actual mountain! I’m from Ontario — we don’t even have mountains!
Still, I told myself, “If it excites you and scares you at the same time, it might be a good thing to try.” I chose to ignore the “might” and decided to go for it.
Sounds a bit spine-chilling, doesn’t it?
Well… better an “oops” than a “what if,” right?
Commencement of the Tour: Facing the Unknown
Before the tour began, I could feel a mix of fear and excitement buzzing through our group of cyclists as we piled into a small bus with only 18 seats. I had no idea what to expect, but there was no turning back now — I was all in.
We drove one hour high up into the mountains to the starting point called La Cumbre (4,640 m). After a light breakfast, it was time to suit up for the ride ahead.
A little hiccup happened when I tried on my cycling suit — the pants were way too tight! (Thanks to the operator I did paperwork with the day before who thought I was smaller than I am!) Luckily, the company had a spare suit, but it was comically too big.
The guide reassured me that I could take the pants off after 25 minutes of cycling because their main purpose was wind protection — what a relief!
As our bicycle tour commenced, the paved road looked promising and the surrounding scenery was absolutely lavish and breathtaking. But the downhill slope was terrifying, and the drop seemed never-ending.
We quickly descended from 4,640 m to 990 m, passing tiny villages dotting the mountainside and spotting cattle grazing peacefully. Other biking groups zoomed past me like lightning, but I reminded myself I was here to admire the spectacular views — and I soaked in every moment.
Embarking on the Famous Death Road
After almost an hour of cycling, the paved road ended and the infamous Death Road appeared before us. I won’t lie — my anxiety surged immediately. Thick fog blanketed the mountainside, and we could barely see the winding road below, with a staggering 1000 m cliff drop to the left.
Surprisingly, our tour guide instructed us to ride on the left lane — the side with the terrifying drop! I was gripping my handlebars for dear life, silently praying for safety. I told myself, If I live, I will definitely recommend this experience because, even at a slower pace than most of my group, I was having the time of my life. Better late than dead, right?
It was hard to grasp the fact that two lanes of traffic shared this narrow road. Honestly, I wasn’t shocked that many vehicles had fallen over the edge. After this experience, I was certain I would never drive down Yungas Road myself.
As we descended past cascading waterfalls and entered the lush Amazon Jungle, I noticed many crosses scattered along the mountainside — somber memorials to travelers who had tragically fallen to their deaths. I kept a constant watch on the drops to my left and regretted not having a parachute strapped to my back.
My nervousness made me keep a death grip on my handlebars, while my fingers constantly monitored the front and rear brakes. At times, I was going so slowly I joked that a wheelchair might pass me — just kidding! But that gives you an idea of my cautious speed.
There was very little pedaling since the road was almost entirely downhill. The route had just a few flat stretches and some small uphill bumps. We encountered muddy, wet patches and dangerously large rocks that could easily send you flying if you weren’t careful. I witnessed a couple of minor mishaps — thankfully, no serious crashes.
A Successful End to a Thrilling Journey
After nearly 4 hours of rapid descent, the tour bus was waiting for us at the end of the route. One by one, the cyclists arrived, victorious after conquering the infamous road. We had descended a staggering 3345 meters, safely navigating every dangerous curve and drop — all of us intact!
My palms felt bruised from gripping the handlebars so tightly, and my arms were exhausted from holding the same position for hours. Yet, despite the fatigue, I was filled with an overwhelming sense of exhilaration and accomplishment .
After the ride, we headed to a cozy hotel where we enjoyed a buffet meal, relaxed by the resort’s swimming pool, and freshened up with showers . Later, our tour bus whisked us back to La Paz, tired but triumphant.
About My Tour
Company:
I chose Xtreme Downhill, an outstanding downhill biking company. Their prices were reasonable — not the cheapest, but not the most expensive either. (Keep in mind that cheaper tours may compromise on equipment and safety.)
Cost:
420 BOB + 50 BOB (entrance/exit fee)
~58 EUR / 68 USD / 86 CAD
What to Bring:
Raincoat
Sunblock cream
Sunglasses
Insect repellent
An extra pair of clothes
Swimsuit for after the tour
And don’t forget your camera! If you have a GoPro, it’s an absolute must! We took frequent breaks for photography because capturing the experience is priceless.
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