How to drive the road from Quime to Sacambaya Valley in La Paz?
Bolivia, south-america
50 km
N/A
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for the Quime-Sacambaya Valley Road in Bolivia's La Paz Department!
This wild ride sits southeast of La Paz, snaking through the Inquisivi Province in the western Andes. Forget smooth tarmac; this is a completely unpaved trail, roughly 50 km (31 miles) of pure adrenaline.
Expect hundreds of twists and turns, unbelievably narrow sections, and some seriously stomach-churning drop-offs. Rain can wash out parts of the road, and landslides? Common! It's intense, folks, because there are zero guardrails between you and the abyss. Plus, the margin for error is minuscule if you meet oncoming traffic.
But the scenery? Epic! You're completely surrounded by the towering Andes. The route runs from the mining town of Quime to the Sacambaya Valley, where the Inquisivi and Ayopayo Rivers meet. You might even recognize it from Discovery's Treasure Quest. Get ready for an unforgettable experience!
Where is it?
How to drive the road from Quime to Sacambaya Valley in La Paz? is located in Bolivia (south-america). Coordinates: -15.2401, -62.8279
Road Details
- Country
- Bolivia
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 50 km
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -15.2401, -62.8279
Related Roads in south-america
hardCurvas de Huanchaca: 24 Switchbacks on a Narrow and Steep Road
🇵🇪 Peru
Get ready for the Curvas de Huanchaca, a wild ride through the Peruvian Andes! This road, snaking along the border of Cusco and Apurimac, is famous for its mind-boggling series of 24 hairpin turns. Seriously, it's one of the most intensely switchbacked roads on the planet, promising a drive that's both spectacular and maybe a little dizzying. You'll find this beauty in the southern highlands of Peru, nestled in the Urubamba Valley, about 40km west of Cusco. It's known locally as Curvas de Huallpachaca too. Route 3SF has been recently paved and even though it's barely wide enough for one car in places, most vehicles can handle it. But don't let the fresh pavement fool you – this road is a challenge! Those 24 switchbacks are carved right into the rock, and there are no guardrails to keep you from the sheer drop-offs. If you're not a fan of heights, maybe focus on the road ahead! This incredible feat of engineering climbs steeply through the mountains, maxing out at a 17% gradient in some sections. The intense part is 12.5km (7.76 miles) long, starting at the Puente Huallpachaca over the Apurimac river at 2,142m (7,027ft) above sea level and topping out at 2,901m (9,517ft) asl. That's a whopping 759 meters of elevation gain, averaging out to a 6.07% gradient. Trust me, you'll feel it!
extremeWhere does the road to Don Mario and Punta Pumacocha start and end?
🇵🇪 Peru
Ready for the ultimate Andean challenge? This 42km route punches through the heart of central Peru, connecting the Lima and Junin regions with some serious high-altitude thrills. We're talking two colossal passes and elevations pushing 5,000 meters! This isn't your Sunday drive. Think remote mining country, where the air is thin and the slopes are steep – a real test for both you and your rig. This epic traverse runs west to east, from the Laraos District to somewhere near Junin, carving through a landscape of jagged peaks, desolate plateaus, and valleys bursting with minerals. The first hurdle is the Don Mario Pass. Leaving the mine area behind, the road gets gnarly – unpaved and aggressively steep. Traction can be a nightmare, especially in wet conditions. After that initial climb, you'll cruise across a high plateau for a bit, but don't get too comfy. The altitude is already playing games, and your engine's gonna feel it. But the real fun starts as you climb toward Punta Pumacocha. The final stretch is brutal. The road becomes a gravelly, incredibly steep climb, averaging a gut-punching 10.5% grade in the last section. At this altitude, it’s simply savage on any vehicle. Expect your engine to be gasping and your low-range gearing to become your new best friend. And if you're not a fan of heights? Let's just say the drop-offs and narrow track will definitely test your nerve. Mining operations try to keep this route open, but the weather up here is wild. Even a little rain turns things into a muddy mess. Landslides, avalanches, and heavy snow can block the road without warning. Plus, frequent freezes on those steep slopes make things extra sketchy. And don't even think about skipping acclimatization – high-altitude sickness is a real risk. Before you leave, make sure you're packing extra fuel, emergency thermal gear and maybe some supplemental oxygen. You're gonna need it!
extremeWhere is the Puente Mal Paso located?
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, buckle up, road trippers! You absolutely HAVE to check out Puente Mal Paso in Salta, Argentina. This historic bridge is like a portal to the past, guarding the entrance to the legendary RP33 – your gateway to the stunning Cuesta del Obispo and the Calchaquí Valleys. Picture this: you're cruising along RP33, and suddenly, BAM! This incredible bridge pops into view, nestled in a deep gorge carved out of vibrant red rock. While the modern highway now sweeps alongside it, the original Puente Mal Paso stands proud, a testament to a bygone era. "Mal Paso" translates to "Bad Pass," and let me tell you, back in the day of horse-drawn carriages, this place lived up to its name! Treacherous river crossings and steep slopes made it a real obstacle for travelers. These days, you won't actually drive *over* the old bridge; the new road is right next door. But trust me, you'll want to pull over for a photo. The contrast of the weathered bridge against the fiery red mountains is seriously Instagrammable. Heads up: even with the modern road, the drive through the gorge can be a bit of an adventure. It's paved, but narrow, with towering cliffs on one side and the Escoipe River on the other. And if you're traveling during the summer months (December to March), keep an eye out for flash floods – just in case the "Mal Paso" wants to remind you of its reputation!
extremeDriving to Casiri Hembra and Macho: High-altitude lagoons in the Chilean Andes
🇨🇱 Chile
Want an off-the-beaten-path adventure? Head to the Arica and Parinacota Region of Chile, near the Bolivian border, and discover Laguna Casiri Hembra and Laguna Casiri Macho! This is one of the highest drives in Chile, snaking through a dramatic volcanic landscape. Your journey starts in the tiny village of Caquena. From there, the unpaved track stretches for about 16 km, steadily climbing toward the high plateau. Get ready to gain some serious altitude – we're talking about a 540-meter climb! You'll end up at the shores of the lakes: Laguna Casiri Hembra (4,825m) and Laguna Casiri Macho (4,856m). Now, let's talk road conditions. Forget smooth asphalt! This is a bumpy, gravelly, volcanic rock affair. Expect a "tippy" ride with some seriously steep bits thrown in. A 4x4 isn't just recommended; it's essential! If you're not a seasoned off-roader, this might be one to skip. At nearly 4,900 meters, the altitude will definitely make itself known – to both you and your engine! Snow usually makes the road impassable in winter. And those summer thunderstorms? They can turn the dry gravel into a muddy nightmare in minutes, making the road dangerous or even impossible to navigate. But trust me, the views are worth it! Think stunning volcanoes, jagged rocky peaks, and Laguna Casiri Macho's unique underwater algae garden. Even with the harsh conditions, you'll find plenty of mosquitoes along the lagoon edges, framed by ancient volcanic rock. This is a remote spot, so come prepared! Make sure your vehicle is in top shape, pack extra supplies, and be ready to be self-sufficient. The road is narrow and winding, with sharp turns that demand your full attention – especially when navigating those rocky embankments at such a high elevation.