Laguna Milluni

Laguna Milluni

Bolivia, south-america

Length

N/A

Elevation

4,565 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, buckle up, adventurers, because we're heading to Laguna Milluni, a stunning alpine lake chilling at a whopping 4,565 meters (that's nearly 15,000 feet!) high in the Bolivian Andes' Cordillera Real.

The road to Milluni Grande, as it's also known, is a gravel track that winds its way up with several hairpin turns. Be warned, though – this climb is a beast! The air gets thin *real* fast up there, so be prepared to feel the altitude. Most people start feeling the effects at around 2,500-2,800 meters. Plus, at this altitude, the road can get snowed in anytime, so check conditions before you go. But trust me, the views of the lake and surrounding peaks are totally worth the challenge.

Where is it?

Laguna Milluni is located in Bolivia (south-america). Coordinates: -15.0205, -64.3912

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Road Details

Country
Bolivia
Continent
south-america
Max Elevation
4,565 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
-15.0205, -64.3912

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