The World's Most Dangerous Road, or the North Yungas Road

We made our way to the collection point at a cafe a few blocks away from our hostel. There were only four of us interested in biking down the Death Road....Shane, myself, Jane and Maki. We took more than an hour to reach the start point. The Death Road starts at 4,700m and descends over 64kms to an elevation of just 1,100m, a drop of 3,600m.

The road is the only way through the mountains from La Paz to Yungas and was built in the 1930's using Paraguayan prisoners of war.  The narrow road plus sheer drops on this route is so treacherous that between 200 - 300 people died each year trying to use the road. A new road was opened in 2006. The old 'road' (actually mostly a track as only the first 22kms have tarmac)  has been left and is now  largely used by mountain bikers and the few people who live along it.

Getting the bikes ready for the descent.

I am ready to start riding. 

A view down the valley.  

Another view do the valley and a selfie; we were lucky as the clouds often obscure the view.

A short section of road which is dual carriageway.

Another view down the valley. 

The new road peels off and this is the start of the dirt track and the Death Road. This is the only road in Spanish Latin America where drivers drive on the left...so that they can see where the tyres are in relation to the drop which is on the left hand side as you descend. And there are no crash barriers.

The start of the road and the cloud had drifted in so it was patchy visibility.

 The classic photo of the road showing the 400m drop. 

And a close up of the road above the drop.

 The road disappearing around the slope of the valley side. 

Part of the track where it has been washed away.

 It might not appear to be downhill as the road goes away from the viewer but it is...so hardly any pedalling required for over 60kms.

 Another steep drop.

And of course some more of me.

 Sitting on the edge of a 400m drop...and note that there is no barrier. 

These two pictures were taken at the some time, one zoomed in to show the white van, to illustrate how big the valley sides are.

At the end of the road we celebrated our survival with a cold beer and then went to see an animal refuge. Lots of animals were there such as this capybara,

a tortoise,

a resting tapir,

and a deer standing on its lunch.

Then it was a long drive back to La Paz and I took a walking tour of the city.. It starts in Sn Pedro Plaza with  a prison down one side holding 2,500 prisoners who look after themselves with just 15 prison guards.

One of the shops in the witches market...she would cast a spell on you if you took a picture of her, hence the odd angle. She sells everything you may need to take to a witch doctor for whatever you want to achieve.

The main play with the president's palace guards by traditionally dressed soldiers plus an MP.

The palace itself.

The parliament building.

A Christmas Tree just to remind us that despite the sun and the temperatures, it is nearly Christmas.