
Reaching the Sky on the Winding Road to Alto Pacuni in the La Paz Department
Bolivia, south-america
22.6 km
4,900 m
hard
Year-round
Ready for an epic Bolivian adventure? Head to the La Paz Department and tackle Alto Pacuni, a mountain pass that'll leave you breathless – literally! We're talking about 4,900m (16,076 ft) above sea level, making it one of Bolivia's highest drives.
Located near the town of Pacuni in the Inquisivi Province, get ready for a true off-road experience. This isn't your Sunday cruise; Camino a Choquetanga is a completely unpaved, 22.6 km (14.04 miles) stretch from Pacuni to Choquetanga that demands respect (and a 4x4). Think endless turns, hairpin bends that'll test your skills, steep inclines, and narrow passages. Keep an eye out for mining trucks – Mina La Argentina is nearby, so you'll be sharing the road.
But hey, the views! Despite the challenging drive, you'll be rewarded with incredible mountain scenery, a few tunnels carved in overhanging cliffs, and glimpses of stunning lakes like Laguna Recompensa and Laguna Miguillas.
A word of caution: altitude sickness is a real concern here. Take it slow, stay hydrated, and listen to your body. Headaches, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue are all signs to take seriously. If things get worse, descend immediately. Be careful and enjoy the ride!
Where is it?
Reaching the Sky on the Winding Road to Alto Pacuni in the La Paz Department is located in Bolivia (south-america). Coordinates: -17.4786, -62.8645
Road Details
- Country
- Bolivia
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 22.6 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,900 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -17.4786, -62.8645
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