
Travelling through the international Colchane-Pisiga Pass
Bolivia, south-america
300 km
3,695 m
moderate
Year-round
Alright adventurers, buckle up for the Paso Colchane-Pisiga, a seriously breathtaking international pass perched way up at 3,695 meters (that's over 12,000 feet!) on the border between Chile and Bolivia.
This beauty connects the Tamarugal Province of Chile's Tarapacá Region with Bolivia's Oruro Department, specifically the Sabaya Province.
Picture this: you're cruising through the Andean altiplano on a completely paved road. On the Chilean side, you'll be cruising along Ruta 15-CH, while in Bolivia, it's Ruta Nacional 12.
The whole stretch is a solid 300 km (or 186 miles) long, linking Corque in Bolivia to San Lorenzo de Tarapacá in Chile. Get ready for stunning scenery and a serious dose of high-altitude vibes!
Where is it?
Travelling through the international Colchane-Pisiga Pass is located in Bolivia (south-america). Coordinates: -16.1265, -63.0766
Road Details
- Country
- Bolivia
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 300 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,695 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- -16.1265, -63.0766
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