What does Colquechaca mean?
Bolivia, south-america
47.2 km
4,167 m
hard
Year-round
Alright, adventure seekers, buckle up for Colquechaca! This isn't your average Sunday drive. Picture this: you're in Bolivia, cruising towards a town perched way up high in the Province of Chayanta—I'm talking a lung-busting 13,671 feet above sea level! This is seriously one of the highest towns you can actually drive to on the planet.
The road? Let's just say it's an *experience*. We're talking about a completely unpaved, sometimes super-narrow, 29.32-mile stretch. The whole thing kicks off from Sacaca and winds its way up to Colquechaca.
As for the views? Get ready for breathtaking panoramas of the Andes. Just keep your eyes on the road, because it demands respect! Keep in mind that Colquechaca, whose name possibly alludes to silver mining ("silver bridge"), is known for its rich indigenous culture, with most of its several thousand residents descending from the Qaqachaca people. It’s said to be the highest city in Bolivia, with houses reaching a dizzying 13,894 feet!
Road Details
- Country
- Bolivia
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 47.2 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,167 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in south-america
hardParque Nacional Tierra del Fuego
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, adventure awaits just 12km west of Ushuaia, "the end of the world," along Ruta Nacional 3! You'll find yourself cruising through Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego – the southernmost slice of Andean-Patagonian forest. Be warned, though, the road turns to gravel, so keep your speed down to 40km/h and stick to the designated routes. But trust me, it's worth it for the views! We're talking waterfalls, dense forests, jagged mountains, and shimmering glaciers – the scenery is seriously epic. Keep an eye on the weather, too, because the wind here is a wild card. Seriously, gusts can reach up to 130km/hour and come at you from any direction, making driving a bit of a challenge. Finally, look out for that sign marking the end of the road, a simple map that confirms it: you've reached the end of the line, the bottom of Argentina, and maybe even the world!
extremeIs the road from Balzas to Celendin paved?
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, buckle up, adventure junkies, because the road from Balzas to Celendín in northern Peru is a wild one! This 35-mile stretch of Route 8B isn't just a drive; it's an *experience*. Freshly paved and in great condition, it still throws over 200 curves your way, including 34 hairpin turns that’ll test your nerves. Forget about a relaxing cruise – this road climbs from 854m in Balzas to a lofty 2,643m in Celendín, packing in an elevation gain of 1,789m. Expect some serious gradients, with sections hitting a steep 7%! But here’s the kicker: sheer drops. We're talking about a 1000m drop on one side and a vertical cliff on the other. Seriously, at some corners, your back tire might be flirting with the void. If you’re scared of heights or landslides, maybe grab a bus. But if you're after adrenaline and breathtaking views of the valleys far below, this is your road. Get ready for a ride you won't soon forget!
extremeDriving the extreme 4x4 mining road to Lastarria Volcano in the Andes
🇨🇱 Chile
Volcán Lastarria, or Azufre, straddles the Chile-Argentina border, flaunting incredible sulfur deposits and towering fumaroles. But the real thrill? A gnarly mining road claws its way up the Chilean side to a staggering 5,324m (17,467ft)! This isn't just high; it's one of the highest drives you can find. José Victorino Lastarria, a big name in Chilean history, gets the credit for the name, thanks to his explorations of the Atacama Desert. Think of him as your intellectual trail guide! Forget civilization; we're talking 150 km from anywhere. The landscape is otherworldly, raw, and unforgiving. This road is unmarked and a test of skill, winding past abandoned sulfur mines on a surface of volcanic ash, obsidian, and deep sand. Satellite imagery is your best friend here – forget standard maps! Expect the unexpected! Winds are brutal, constantly shifting sands and sometimes burying the track. Winter and spring bring penitentes, crazy-tall ice spikes, ready to trap the unwary. A serious 4x4 with high clearance and beefy tires is the bare minimum. But here's the kicker: altitude! At this height, the air is thin (seriously thin!), and your engine will struggle, and you will too. Plus, those awesome fumaroles pump out toxic gases – beautiful to look at, less fun to breathe. Zero. That's the amount of infrastructure or help you'll find. This is hardcore self-sufficiency: oxygen, industrial masks, extra fuel, and a satellite phone. This isn't just a drive; it's an expedition into a landscape that demands respect and preparation.
extremeWhere is Christ the Redeemer of the Andes?
🇨🇱 Chile
Okay, picture this: high in the Andes, right on the border between Argentina and Chile, sits the Cristo Redentor de los Andes – a massive, 4-ton statue at a staggering 12,572 feet! This spot, near the Paso Internacional de los Libertadores, used to be *the* way to get between the two countries, until a tunnel came along in 1980. We're talking about the highest point on the old road connecting Mendoza, Argentina, and Santiago, Chile. Now, getting there isn't a walk in the park. This 10.6-mile stretch, known as E-773 on the Chilean side and RN A006 on the Argentinian, is unpaved on both sides and only open in the summer because winter brings heavy snow and temps that can plummet to -30°C. Even in summer, snow and rockfalls can close it down at any time! The drive? Think 65 hairpin turns and some seriously steep sections, with gradients hitting 15%. It connects Las Cuevas in Argentina with Parada Caracoles in Chile. Expect about 50 minutes to drive it straight through. It's challenging, for sure, with those curves, steep climbs, and dangerous drop-offs. There aren't many guardrails, but it's become a popular tourist route. And the history? The Cristo Redentor was erected way back in 1904 to celebrate peace between Argentina and Chile after a border dispute. It's one of the highest monuments on Earth and a symbol of harmony between the two nations. The views are unreal!