Driving the remote Sarani Pass in the Bolivian Andes

Driving the remote Sarani Pass in the Bolivian Andes

Bolivia, south-america

Length

140 km

Elevation

4,522 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Sarani Pass in Bolivia's Larecaja Province is calling your name. We're talking seriously high altitude here - 4,522m (that's 14,835ft!) of pure Andean bliss (and thin air!).

Picture this: You're north of La Paz, deep in the La Paz Department, smack-dab in the eastern Andes. This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks. The whole route is unpaved, a proper rugged dirt track. Originally a llama trail (imagine!), it's been beefed up for mining and crazy travelers like us.

The "Illampu route" clocks in at around 140km (87 miles) from the town of Sorata. Be warned: this baby stays above 4,000 meters pretty much the whole time. Expect some seriously steep climbs, parts that have seen better days, and a serious need to get used to the altitude before you even think about hitting the gas.

Oh, and did I mention it's at the northern edge of the Cordillera Real? Translation: snow is a real possibility, especially when it's not the dry season. My advice? Only tackle this beast when the weather's playing nice. Trust me, the views are worth the planning!

Where is it?

Driving the remote Sarani Pass in the Bolivian Andes is located in Bolivia (south-america). Coordinates: -15.0973, -63.1470

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Bolivia
Continent
south-america
Length
140 km
Max Elevation
4,522 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
-15.0973, -63.1470

Related Roads in south-america

Laguna La Viudaextreme

Laguna La Viuda

🇵🇪 Peru

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you're anywhere near the Lima Region of western Peru and you're craving an adrenaline rush, you HAVE to check out Laguna La Viuda. This stunning high-mountain lake sits way up at 4,560m (that's nearly 15,000ft!). Getting there on the gravel road 20A is...well, let's just say it's an experience. This isn't your Sunday drive. Think seriously steep inclines, a serious lack of oxygen, and some seriously mind-blowing vertical drops. We're talking hundreds of meters down, with no guardrails to keep you company! If you get dizzy easily, this might be one to skip, especially on a windy day. While the road tests your courage, it rewards you with incredible views of the surrounding mountains. Just keep your eyes on the road! It connects Lima and Colquijirca. Be aware that this road can be closed due to snow. The area is known for heavy mist, making visibility a challenge. Plus, avalanches, snowfalls, and landslides are a real possibility, and icy patches are common. So, yeah, keep your wits about you. Make sure to take altitude into account, most people feel altitude sickness at around 2,500-2,800 meters.

Portezuelo El Choclohard

Portezuelo El Choclo

🇨🇱 Chile

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! I've got a hidden gem for you in Chile's Atacama region: Portezuelo El Choclo. We're talking serious altitude here, topping out at 3,375 meters (that's over 11,000 feet!). The road, also known as Portezuelo de Chulluncallani, is a gravel track leading towards the Damas Pass border in the Andes. Word to the wise: this isn't your Sunday drive kind of road. The gravel can be pretty loose, especially on the edges, and after a rainstorm? Forget about it –muddy and slippery doesn't even begin to cover it. During bad weather, you might not even be able to get through with a 4x4. But if you're prepared for a challenge, the views are totally worth it! Plus, you’ll get to a high point of 3.660m above the sea level!

The Road to Salinas Lake is One of the Toughest Tracks in the Worldextreme

The Road to Salinas Lake is One of the Toughest Tracks in the World

🇵🇪 Peru

Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Deep in the Arequipa Region of Peru, nestled way, way up in the Andes, lies the Laguna de Salinas – a shimmering salt lake sitting at a staggering 14,222 feet. Getting there? Buckle up, buttercup! We're talking Ruta 34C, a 40-mile dirt track that’ll test your nerve and your vehicle's suspension. This isn’t your Sunday drive. Think hairpin turns galore, super narrow stretches (sometimes only wide enough for ONE car!), and seriously exposed drop-offs – hundreds of feet down – with zero guardrails to save you. Oh, and did I mention the tunnels? Starting near Arequipa, one of Peru’s biggest cities, give yourself at least two hours to conquer this beast of a road, and that's without stopping to admire the killer views (if you can bear to take your eyes off the road, that is!). Confidence in your 4x4 and your driving skills is an absolute must. This one’s for the thrill-seekers!

Driving the defiant Phoenix Bridge Comoderate

Driving the defiant Phoenix Bridge Co

🇨🇱 Chile

Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Araucanía Region of southern Chile, and you stumble upon this seriously cool wooden bridge called the Phoenix Bridge Co, or Puente de Deuco if you're feeling local. It's not just any bridge, though – this thing is supposedly one of the most spectacular bridges *in the world*. Seriously! It stretches almost 60 meters across the Rehue River, and I'm telling you, it's a sight to behold. Forget your boring concrete overpasses – this is all wood and history, blending right into the Chilean landscape. Definitely a must-see if you're ever in the area and looking for something a little off the beaten path!