Death Road bike tour from La Paz: 64km descent with guides

Ride 40km of carved mountain road through cloud forest into steaming jungle

Ride the Death Road, a 64km descent from La Paz dropping over 3500m through the Andes, with a guide, all equipment, lunch and transport included. Groups stay under 14 riders; guides average 10 years on this road and brief you on each section before you ride it. Minimum age is 18 and moderate fitness is required.

Step-by-step itinerary

Ride the Death Road adventure

• Meet at 7:30am
• Travel to La Cumbre at 4700m
• Get gear and bikes
• Receive safety instructions
• Ride first 24km on tarmac
• Stop at Unduavi to pay road tax
• Bus uphill to Death Road start
• Safety briefing and bike check
• Ride 40km down Death Road
• Stop for snacks and water
• Arrive at jungle refuge
• Enjoy buffet lunch and relax
• Bus ride back to La Paz

The Experience

You meet at 7:30am in La Paz and ride private transport to La Cumbre at 4700m, where you get fitted with a helmet, gloves, knee and elbow pads, and a Kona full-suspension bike with hydraulic disk brakes. The guides—who average 10 years on this road—walk you through a safety induction and check that your brake setup matches what your country uses, so you're not grabbing the wrong lever in a moment of reflex. The first 24km rolls downhill on tarmac through the Andes, wide enough to find your rhythm and test the brakes while the guides point out the valley and what's coming next.

At Unduavi you pay a small road tax, load the bikes on the bus, and climb to the top of the old road—what locals call Death Road. The landscape shifts. The snow-capped peaks are gone. You're now in cloud forest, literally starting above the clouds, then riding through them and out into the lush jungle below. The last 40km carves down the mountainside in a series of switchbacks, passing waterfalls, rivers and small communities as the road drops steeply toward the steaming jungle. You stop twice for water and snacks, and the guides brief you on tricky corners and sections before you reach them, so you know what to expect. The road narrows in places and the drop is real, but the guides are watching and you've ridden 24km already to find your line.

You finish at the jungle refuge where hot showers, a buffet lunch and a pool are waiting. After you've eaten and cooled off, the bus takes you back to La Paz—a 3.5-hour ride—and drops you near your hotel. The whole day is about 12 hours from pickup to drop-off.

What’s included

• Private transport from La Paz to the start and back.
• all riding gear (helmet, gloves, knee and elbow pads, jacket and pants).
• a Kona full-suspension bike with hydraulic disk brakes.
• bottled water and snacks during the ride.
• a buffet lunch at the jungle refuge.
• hot showers with towels, soap and shampoo.
• a dip in the pool.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by BARRACUDA BIKING COMPANY

Is this one for you?You ride the whole way yourself with a guide managing the group and briefing you on each section—it's not a shuttle tour or a guided ride where someone else is leading the pace. Book this if you want to ride the road under your own control with someone watching the group and the road conditions, not if you're looking for a leisurely guided experience or a tour where the guide sets the speed.

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Top questions

What's the difference between the first part of Death Road and the second part?

The first 24km is on tarmac through the high Andes, wide enough to build confidence on your bike and test the brakes. The last 40km is the old Death Road itself—a narrower, carved mountain track through cloud forest and jungle, dropping steeply with switchbacks and views of the valley.

Do I need to have ridden a mountain bike before?

No prior experience is required, but you do need moderate fitness and the ability to ride a bike. The guides brief you on every tricky section before you reach it, and the tarmac section gives you time to get comfortable with your bike and brakes before the steeper terrain.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The ride operates in all weather conditions. Dress appropriately for rain and cold at the high altitude start; by the time you reach the jungle at the bottom, it will be warmer. The guides have ridden this road in all conditions and know how to manage it.

What bikes do I get and are they maintained?

You ride a Kona full-suspension bike with hydraulic disk brakes. Every bike is serviced after each ride, and the company maintains over 100 bikes in their shop to ensure you get one that fits your height and has your country's brake configuration.

How many people ride together?

Groups are a maximum of 14 riders with guides who average 10 years on Death Road. A minimum of 3 people is required for the tour to run.

What's included in the price besides the ride?

All safety equipment (helmet, gloves, pads, jacket, pants); bottled water throughout the day; snacks on the road; a buffet lunch at the jungle refuge; hot showers; and private transport to and from La Paz. The road tax at Unduavi is paid separately.