How to drive the unpaved road to Rhity Apacheta Pass in La Paz Department?
Bolivia, south-america
123 km
4,874 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up for Paso Rhity Apacheta in Bolivia's La Paz Department! At a staggering 4,874m (15,990ft), this pass is seriously high up there — one of Bolivia's loftiest!
You'll find it nestled within the Ulla Ulla National Fauna Reserve, north of the wild Paso Sanchez, near the Peruvian border, in Franz Tamayo Province. This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks!
The entire 123km (76 miles) route, stretching from Ruta Nacional 16 (near Villa Gral Pérez) to Cueara, is unpaved and seriously rugged. Expect hairpin turns, super steep climbs, narrow stretches, and curves galore. A 4x4 isn't just recommended; it's essential!
Seriously, if you crave getting *way* off the grid in the heart of the Apolobamba mountain range, this is your calling. Get ready for views and a drive you won't soon forget!
Where is it?
How to drive the unpaved road to Rhity Apacheta Pass in La Paz Department? is located in Bolivia (south-america). Coordinates: -16.7977, -62.8970
Road Details
- Country
- Bolivia
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 123 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,874 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -16.7977, -62.8970
Related Roads in south-america
hardMecoya-Mecoyita Pass
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up for the Paso de Mecoya-Mecoyita, straddling the Bolivian-Argentinian border at a lung-busting 2,373m (7,785ft)! On the Bolivian side, you'll be tackling the RN45, while its Argentinian counterpart remains nameless. Prepare for some serious climbing, folks! The altitude is a real beast, so listen to your body – altitude sickness is no joke up here. Connecting Mecoya in Bolivia with Ruta Provincial 5 near Santa Victoria in Argentina, this gravel track demands respect. Expect loose surfaces, especially near the edges, and be warned – rain turns it into a slippery, muddy mess. Storms can render it impassable, even for 4x4s. But hey, the views! Imagine panoramic mountain vistas stretching as far as the eye can see. Just be aware that some sections are seriously narrow, requiring expert reversing skills if you meet oncoming traffic. And if you're afraid of heights, this might not be your cup of tea: sheer drops of hundreds of meters are common, with no guardrails to save you!
moderateRuta Provincial J
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, buckle up, adventurers! Ruta Provincial J in Argentina's Tierra del Fuego is calling your name. Seriously, if you're near the "End of the World," you NEED to experience this 90km stretch of pure gravel bliss. Starting from Ruta Nacional 3, this road winds its way to the stunning Estancia Moat, taking you on a ride you won't soon forget. It's an old mining road that heads toward the Overo Volcano. The road might be a little rough around the edges, but the scenery is absolutely worth it. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure!
extremeIs the road to Caranavi difficult?
🇧🇴 Bolivia
Okay, buckle up thrill-seekers, because the road to Caranavi, a little town nestled in the Yungas region of Bolivia, is a WILD ride! You'll find Caranavi not too far from the tourist-magnet city of La Paz, but getting there is half the adventure (or maybe the whole adventure, depending on your perspective!). Forget smooth asphalt – this 61.7 km (38.33 miles) stretch, a section of Ruta Nacional 3 heading south-north from Coroico, is mostly unpaved and seriously narrow. We're talking clinging-to-the-side-of-a-mountain narrow, with some seriously scary drop-offs right next to you. Oh, and did I mention the constant traffic? This road is basically carved into the mountainside, hugging a river the whole way. It’s incredibly challenging after it rains. One wrong move and… well, let's just say you really, REALLY don't want to make a wrong move. So, if you're planning a trip, make sure you're prepared for some serious driving.
extremePortezuelo Sairécabur: Driving the 5,541m abandoned mining road in the Atacama
🇨🇱 Chile
Okay, picture this: You're northeast of San Pedro de Atacama, right on the wild border between Chile and Bolivia. You're about to tackle Portezuelo Sairécabur, a seriously high mountain pass hitting a mind-blowing 5,541m (that's 18,179ft!). This isn't your Sunday drive; it's an abandoned mining road that's pure off-road madness, some of the most desolate, stunning scenery the Andes can throw at you. The adventure starts near Guatín, and the "road" is marked as B-221. Think volcanic rubble meets high-altitude desert. This place is REMOTE. You're on your own, so pack everything – especially water, because the local stuff can be dodgy with volcanic sulphur. Now, about the drive... forget smooth asphalt. We're talking loose gravel, deep sand, and sharp volcanic rock. Only a high-clearance 4x4 will cut it. It's a constant uphill battle, averaging a 7% grade, and the thin air robs your engine of power. You'll navigate 15 tight hairpin turns, where losing momentum in the loose sand is a real risk. The "road" can vanish under fresh snow or shifting sand in a heartbeat. At this altitude, the lack of oxygen is brutal. It's one of the highest points you can drive to in South America, so be acclimatized, or altitude sickness will hit hard. Even moving feels like a marathon, and the mental fog is real. Expect your engine to lose half its power. Low gear and patience are your best friends. And the weather? Wildcard! Sunny mornings can turn into snowstorms in minutes. It's always windy and freezing, even in summer. Summit temps rarely get above freezing and can plummet fast. Check the forecast, but pack for the worst: thermal gear, emergency blankets, and enough fuel to run the heater if you get stuck in a sudden storm. It's epic, challenging, and unforgettable.