La Paz: Death Road Bike Tour with Safety Gear & Lunch

Summary

Bolivia’s legendary Death Road descent from icy peaks to jungle heat

You’ll start high above La Paz on Bolivia’s infamous Death Road bike tour—feeling icy wind at first, then plunging through clouds into humid jungle air. With expert guides handling safety and stories along the way, you’ll snack by waterfalls and finish with a buffet lunch and swim at a jungle refuge. It’s equal parts nerves and laughter—you’ll remember that ride long after your legs recover.

What’s the experience like?

Someone hands me a helmet before I’ve really woken up. There’s frost on the windows and our guide—Carlos, I think—cracks a joke about “last chance for coffee.” We’re up at La Cumbre, 4700 meters, and honestly my hands are already numb inside the gloves. The bikes line up in the mist, all bright colors and mud splatters from yesterday. Carlos checks my brakes (left is rear here, not like home), then looks me in the eye and says, “You ready?” I nod but I’m not sure if I mean it.

The first stretch is smooth tarmac—24 kilometers of it—which surprised me. It’s fast but not scary yet, just cold wind in your face and that weird silence you get when everyone’s concentrating. We stop sometimes so Carlos can point out which way the clouds are moving or tell us about some sharp bend coming up. At Unduavi we pay this road tax (I fumble coins with frozen fingers), then pile into the bus for a climb none of us want to pedal.

And then it’s Death Road proper. The air changes—smells greener, almost sweet—and suddenly there are waterfalls right across the track and parrots calling somewhere below. The old road clings to the mountain like it might let go any second. My tires crunch over gravel while Carlos shouts reminders about corners (“Don’t look down!”) and sometimes just stories about people who used to drive this route every day. We stop for snacks twice; bananas taste different after that much adrenaline, trust me.

I didn’t expect to end up swimming in a pool in the jungle after all that—still wearing half my gear because I forgot sunscreen. Lunch is this buffet spread under palm trees; everyone’s talking louder now, laughing about close calls or how their legs feel like jelly. Hot showers feel almost as good as finishing the ride itself. On the long drive back to La Paz, I keep replaying those moments above the clouds—can’t decide if I was more scared or happy most of the time.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Death Road biking adventure

• Meet at 7:30am
• Board private transport to La Cumbre
• Get gear and bikes
• Receive safety instructions
• Ride first 24km on tarmac
• Stop for views and explanations
• Arrive at Unduavi and pay road tax
• Bus uphill to Death Road start
• Safety briefing and bike check
• Descend 40km through cloud forest
• Stop for safety briefings and snacks
• End ride at jungle refuge
• Enjoy buffet lunch and relax
• Return by bus to La Paz

Top questions

How long is the Death Road bike ride from La Paz?

The full ride covers about 64km from La Cumbre down to the jungle refuge near Yolosa.

Is safety equipment included in this Death Road tour?

Yes, all riding equipment is provided: helmets, pads, jackets/pants, gloves, plus top-quality bikes maintained daily.

What meals are included on this day trip?

You get breakfast before starting, snacks during stops on the ride, and a buffet lunch at the jungle refuge.

How do we get back to La Paz after finishing?

A private bus transports you from the jungle refuge back to central La Paz near your hotel.

Are there showers or somewhere to relax after biking?

Yes—there are hot showers with towels/soap/shampoo at the finish point plus a pool for swimming or relaxing.

Do I need to be an expert mountain biker?

No—but you should have moderate fitness and be comfortable riding downhill for several hours.

What languages do guides speak on this tour?

The guides speak English and Spanish fluently throughout the day trip.

Is there an age limit for this Death Road bike tour?

The minimum age is 18 years old; all participants must provide passport details when booking.

What’s included

Your day includes early pickup in La Paz by private transport up to La Cumbre pass; all riding equipment fitted for you; breakfast before starting out; unlimited bottled water; two snack stops along Death Road; guidance from experienced local guides in English or Spanish; a big buffet lunch at a jungle refuge with pool access; hot showers with towels provided; then return transport back toward your hotel in La Paz late afternoon.