Death Road Downhill Bike Tour from La Paz: 64km ride

Drop thousands of meters on a single ride, not watch someone else do it

A 64km downhill bike tour from La Paz on one of the world's steepest routes, with high-quality bike rental, full safety gear, an English-speaking guide, lunch and snacks included. Pickup is arranged, and the ride suits riders aged 14 and up with any fitness level. The guide carries first-aid and rescue equipment throughout.

The experience

You start at La Cumbre, the highest point, and ride downhill for the entire day: no climbing, no flat sections. The 64km descent takes you through waterfalls and mountain terrain that shifts as you drop elevation, moving from high-altitude grassland into cloud forest. The guide leads the pace and handles the route. Your job is to manage the bike and the trail in front of you. Full protective gear comes with the rental: helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, gloves, jacket and trousers, so the only part of you exposed is your face and hands.

The bike is high-quality and maintained regularly: the operator checks equipment status before every ride. You can upgrade to a full-suspension model if you want more control on the roughest sections, though the standard rental handles the route. Lunch and snacks are included, eaten somewhere along the descent. A driver meets you at the end and brings you back to La Paz, so you don't have to arrange transport home after six hours on the trail.

Pickup happens from your hotel in La Paz. The guide speaks English, Spanish or German. The minimum age is 14, and the operator notes the ride is not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy or serious cardiovascular conditions. Everyone else, regardless of fitness level, can do this. First-aid and rescue equipment travel with the guide in case of injury on the trail.

What’s included

• High-quality downhill bike rental with option to upgrade to full-suspension.
• full protective gear including helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, gloves, jacket and trousers.
• experienced guide in English, Spanish or German.
• lunch and snacks during the ride.
• first-aid and rescue equipment.
• hotel pickup and return transport to La Paz.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (14 to 69 years) · Under 14: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and German

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 8

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by One Death Road

Is this one for you?You ride the bike yourself on a guided descent, not watch a demonstration: the guide sets the pace and handles the route while you manage the terrain. This suits anyone who wants to drop 3,600 meters in a single day without arranging transport, finding a guide or carrying their own safety gear, and who is comfortable with six hours of downhill riding on challenging trails.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and German.

What is the Death Road and why is it called that?

The Death Road is the route from La Cumbre down to Unduavi, one of the steepest downhill bike trails in the world, dropping over 3,600 meters in 64km. It earned its name from its history as a treacherous mountain pass before it became a biking destination. The biking tour itself is a controlled descent with guides and safety gear, not the uncontrolled hazard the name suggests.

How long does the ride take and what time does it start?

The ride is a full-day activity lasting around six hours of riding time, with breaks for snacks and lunch built in. Pickup from your La Paz hotel happens in the early morning so you can reach La Cumbre and start the descent while daylight is strong.

Do I need biking experience to do this tour?

No previous experience is required: the tour suits all fitness levels and anyone aged 14 or older. The guide controls the pace and the route is downhill the entire way, so you manage the bike and the terrain without climbing or navigating.

What happens if I fall or get injured on the trail?

The guide carries first-aid and rescue equipment throughout the ride. In case of injury, the guide can provide immediate care and call for evacuation if needed. The operator notes that travelers with spinal injuries should not book this tour due to the physical demands of the descent.

Is the full-suspension bike upgrade worth it?

The standard high-quality bike handles the entire 64km route. The full-suspension upgrade gives you more shock absorption on the roughest sections and can make the ride more comfortable if you want extra control, but it is not necessary to complete the descent.

What is included in the price and what costs extra?

The tour includes the bike rental, full protective gear, guide, lunch, snacks and return transport to La Paz. Entrance fees to Unduavi (BOA 50) are not included, nor are travel insurance, gratuities or a commemorative T-shirt. The full-suspension bike upgrade is available at checkout.