World’s Most Dangerous Roads | Bolivia - The Road to Death in the Andes | Free Documentary

It is considered one of the

most

dangerous

road

s in the

world

the face of

death

the

road

of

death

year after year many people die here some go in search of adventures others depend on this road for everyone it is a risky journey south america

bolivia

beginning In Ixyamas, located in the tropical lowlands, the road leads 500 kilometers to the Andes plateau at al

most

five thousand meters of altitude. The destination is the mega city of La Pass. At the top of the route, La Summit Pass. Spiritual healers of Oklahoma, Mother Earth. their shamanic powers are supposed to expel negative and harmful energy the sheamus sacrifice their offerings to the pachamama the people are supposed to remember what they are doing to mother earth the paths are engraved in the ground like scars the priests ask for forgiveness too For those who drive on these

roads

, he wants to protect them from accidents and damage.

He has worked as a truck driver for more than 20 years. There is almost not a single road in Bolivia that has not traveled the road to peace. It is his native route. He transports wood from the jungle. its load weighs 25 tons without incident the trip takes three days we are still in the dry season at the end of October so the road is quite dusty in a few weeks it will start to rain the road will be drowned in mud and swamp and there it is hardly possible any type of movement, but for now drivers are fighting the stifling heat and dusty air.

Omar drives pretty fast. He takes the opportunity to put in miles. His co-pilot barely knows the road. He wants to learn from Omar about the dangers of him. There are dangers everywhere we must not make mistakes the chalk could break there is a lot to complain about when you are on the road anything can happen the truck is stuck the wheels are spinning it is deep, very deep, put it in there. I have to see for myself Jaime is looking for holes in the ground and fills them with stones on the other side it is too steep Putting these leaves under the palm fronds provides the necessary grip only Omar's skill and all the force of the motor can help remove the vehicle it rains in the morning the road is muddy you have to be especially careful with the courses of the rivers if the water penetrates the engine it would destroy it the trip would end before it began only a few roads passable for trucks pass through here pure endless jungle the moisture of the rainforest evaporates into misty clouds from the thicket the truck makes its way through the wall of fog only a few meters of visibility a collision with an oncoming vehicle would be fatal here it is always foggy we always have driving slowly we cannot see anything it lies on the banks of the beni river in the tributaries of the amazon river the trucks wait to cross the river here the ferry consists of a simple wooden pontoon the pontener instructs the truckers the crossing lasts half an hour and only two trucks can run at a time is responsible for getting trucks and people to the other side safely has been transporting the Bani river for many years now also knows when operations should stop this river needs a certain level it can't always be crossed so soon As the ferry lands on the Juana shore, Arias must anchor it firmly.

The iron chains will ensure that the pontoon does not come loose when the trucks board. The ramp consists of only two logs that must support the weight of many tons. Experience and good judgment are needed to place them correctly. now oma has arrived at the ferry now it's all a matter of driving the truck across the ramp we will have to be very careful soon when the truck reaches the pontoon it has to be drive slowly very slowly if you don't do it right there will be an accident and that is bad for all of us that is the right combination between braking and driving so as not to push the pontoon omar and the pontoon driver have known each other for many years during the ferry trip they start chatting a truck came off the pontoon just this morning it was a tedious job getting it out drivers always make the same mistake it's slippery that's exactly what happened the log you're driving on it moves just a little bit there's a small margin with the gears it's horrible it's worse when the rear wheel turns in the other direction that's how it slides that's the problem right around the corner from where the trucks cross the river the baby fishermen are hunting the largest freshwater fish in the

world

antonio limashi and alfonso carbajal are focusing on the tasty giant catfish where we throw a net where here because the dry period lasts longer the real cap carries less water one of the reasons why fishermen fish less but soon the fisherman's luck is back on his side, the water level should be higher, but It is low because this year it has been very dry, unlike last year, once you cast the net you would have caught four or five up to ten fish, now it is still too dry.

Omar is long gone. The river behind his path takes him through gravel roads from the lowlands to the higher regions. The road meanders from the humid tropical lowlands to the dry Andean highlands. The road is mostly unpaved and leads through the stunning landscapes of the Yungas. The drivers. They have to overcome deep valleys and vast canyons on their way. They drive on the left on the jungle road. Vehicles going up must not stop, otherwise they would get stuck. Oma has to completely concentrate his truck. It almost fits between the cliff and the canyon one drives one mistake would be enough to make him fall into the canyon the edge of the road is not paved there are no guardrails at all and what happens if omar faces an oncoming vehicle driving backwards is too

dangerous

there are only a few places to pass between hope and fear be careful and ready, it is a very dangerous place, many people have died here, descend 150 meters, yes, we would not live to tell about it, we have to be very careful, the truck winds through the canyon, the road was raised from the rock using dynamite.

The road, there are countless works, is being expanded everywhere you look. Construction vehicles scrape meter after meter of the ground. It is about trucks reaching their destinations faster and safer. Despite being rich in natural resources, Bolivia is still one of the poorest countries in latin america The expansion of the road network and the improvement of infrastructure are supposed to help change the fact that, due to construction, entire sections of the road are blocked for many hours during the day, As soon as the road is clear, a real automobile demonstration begins, everyone tries to make up for lost time.

This is when many fatal accidents occur. Those who do not have a car and have to travel long distances must trust the buses. They are comfortable but no less dangerous. Many bus drivers risk the lives of passengers with overtaking maneuvers there are people who are afraid they come from kajamba de santa cruz people who don't know how to drive or come here for the first time they are afraid but I don't enjoy it we pray to god to reach our destination my family is worried if someone in my family travels i also worry until they return home safely fascination and fear are closely related for most passengers enjoy the unique view of the spectacular canyons but are often just centimeters of the abyss that descends a hundred meters or more for those who suffer from fear of heights this journey will become a nightmare even without an accident it's very hot come on jaime let's have lunch what's for lunch donna it's very hot jaime what are we going to have a complete menu I'm starving and I need a refreshing drink we have juice and sparkling water they are having the typical regional dish with a soup they have a date with Jaime's brother he has a special mission for them the two are destined to bring Monchito to him I don't think he'll like a little monkey.

I hope he doesn't

free

ze to death, but he has to help us if the truck breaks down or we run over him, okay, we'll take him, but Monchito likes the trip and Oman Jaime can finally relax a little, but the ease of life as a trucker doesn't last long I think we have a flat tire one of the overused tires peeled off when it got stuck in the mud obviously the rubber layer was destroyed by the spin it's the tire, damn a piece broke off off there is no rubber left you can even see the thread missing a piece we need to change the tire luckily the nearest workshop is not far away uma has changed the tire in the town of fifty the repair work takes a long time but uma has allowed it minor incidents take advantage the opportunity to relax some coca leaves play their part they keep him awake and happy otherwise this could cost us two or three hours now I only lose half an hour that is much better but I don't get stressed outside I even have some coca leaves to calm down and rest Since the trip will be exhausting, the farmers in the Yungas harvest coca leaves just as tea or tomatoes are harvested in other places Albertina Mamani and her husband Valerio are two of the thousands of legal coca growers.

The coca growers do not consider coca as the base of cocaine but as a sacred plant that the Incas already knew and that has a therapeutic effect sometimes we are hungry um we didn't have money to send our children to school, we didn't have either go away there was no money coca used to be so cheap the pound for one

bolivia

no today we charge 30 35 or even 40 bolivianos per pound the value of the coca leaves that albatina dries and prepares for transport has increased considerably in bolivia in recent years In recent years, the cultivation Coca has the support of high-ranking political officials.

President Evo Morales, a former coca grower, promotes coca as an economic product of the same value as coffee and other fruits. He wants coca to be recognized internationally and not demonized as a product. the drug albatina and valerio earn relatively a lot of money from the coca plant about 2500 euros a year they bring the bags to la paz where the coca leaves of the region are especially appreciated omar and jaime have found a place to sleep on the side of the road we have we have to get some sleep tomorrow we have to get up early to continue when we arrive we still have to unload the logs see you tomorrow I will dream of angels the altiplano a highland in western bolivia bordering the yongas the llamas graze in the meager fields there are only a few paths that lead to this area a thousand years ago the Incas lived here in the highlands today it is easier to visit their paths and places of worship on a motocross bike Fernando Jordan is following the old paths accompanied by his friend Mauricio del Solar they both share the passion for the culture of nature and motorcycles you know this is part of the ancient Inca roots this whole area started from here they did walk through these mountains and found gold there it is not the first time that mauricio and fernando explore the area that they know here Neither of them would undertake a journey like this on their own, which would be too risky.

Heavy rain there, but we still have to cross here, let's find a different route, let's go there and then I'll turn off there I hope it doesn't rain so much there yes, look, there are clouds there and the wind blows them in this direction, we have to do it, that It is very dangerous because something could happen at any moment, so a helmet, protective clothing. and a well-oiled bicycle are essential the higher the cyclists climb, the thinner the air becomes, they ride a bicycle even above 5000 meters altitude there is an icy wind coming from the mountains and on top of the wind and cold there is wild wind llamas as additional obstacles we encounter new things every day and that's what I love about this country, we still find new things, things we can share for me, being here is something very special 500 years ago, our ancestors they walked these same roads to find gold for their jewelry driving my omar bravely continues his roller coaster ride on a clear section of the road he sees sacks and bags on the side of the road his assumption quickly turns into a horrible certainty what happened jaime anyone have you seen anything?

Did this happen last night? someone died? There were two people. The driver is dead. The driver is alive. They say the co-pilot is dead. I'm sorry for what happened because he had to let a car pass that was approaching and it got too close to the edge. That's when this kind of thing happens. It was the driver's mistake. you can make mistakes on this road but this was not one if the road breaks and you just try to let someone pass who is to blame no one mobility fatal accidents are common on mountain roads in the jungles omar has lost friends and colleagues too The fact that nothing has happened to him yet is surely due to his caution, but also to the good fortune that his truck is Oma's home for many weeks and months of the year, making the short breaks in the that can cool off.

He ties the monkey up there so he can get some fresh air, although Mochito complains that they leave him alone for a while. A short break outside the driver's cabin will also be good for Omar and Jaime. The crystal-clear mountain water is better than in any shower or bath in a hotel roomthey wash for the first time in a day and a half and they wash thoroughly after a very tiring day you are knackered after having seen this accident the best, the most relaxing and the most beautiful thing you can do is to have a good wash now I'm ready To get back on the road it feels like I've washed off kilos of dust.

That's great, right? Omar leads the life of a truck driver and as you would expect from a highway captain he has a different girl in each town you meet new people you attractive women if you are on the road the first one I have two children and one with the second there are some difficult moments I only have one pair of hands, you know, Omar stops in Chorico to meet his second wife, Verónica, he only sees her for a couple of weeks. She knows the situation he finds himself in. Beautiful women talking to him come, smile at him and talk to him.

Yes, I'm very jealous. in all the relics people commemorate the dead in the coroico cemetery the family has come to leave flowers on the graves and to commemorate the dead omar also takes advantage of the brief stopover to decorate verónica's father's grave and pray together with verónica and your son, we are in contact with souls and I always pray not only here but also, if I am traveling, they will accompany us and watch over us. All Saints is a very joyful celebration in Bolivia, even music bands play next to the graves, the grave slab serves as a table, so if in fact the deceased really want to join the celebration food and a table are provided for figurines made of bread, sweets, fruit and alcohol, there are also available children and adults who go from grave to grave and pray for those whose names are pronounced by their relatives, who in return are rewarded with gifts on the graves for Omar Needless to say, he also visits the graves of strangers and prays for them.

That is the client. The celebration continues until nightfall, but Omar has to move in the passage that caused the roads with his name. He rode death. The face is yet to come. of death drives from coroico 65 kilometers through almost all Bolivian climatic zones in a short time it exceeds 3000 meters of altitude the climate changes rain clouds appear from the depths and turn on the road often only three meters wide in a dangerous track the small streams turn into torrents the water comes from everywhere the road turns into a slide if another car approaches it may become too narrow and we will not be able to overtake until a few years ago the road was seen as the most dangerous in the world every month the cars would fall down there would be many dead and injured for a few years now there is a bypass but still oma takes the road of death because it is shorter and saves gasoline and time welcome to the road of death my friends I like it more The section takes about two hours to drive, you must be very careful, there are huge rocks and potholes, 90% of accidents happen on the curves, so reduce your speed when you get there.

What truckers consider to be work is pure love of adventure for them. mountain bikers, many agencies have discovered the road of death as a tourist attraction with guides to accompany tourists, they sell the ride into the depths of the mountains as a special experience, the road to death is considered one of the main tourist attractions of Bolivia, the entire road is downhill, even so cyclists must concentrate a lot to not let the route end in

free

fall. Some photos are being taken for the family album or rather for online friends. around the world has been one of my dreams since I came to Bolivia to travel the youngest road.

At first I didn't dare but I was full of adrenaline, so I do it once you realize that you can fall from 1500 meters, it's incredible. this feeling when you drive close to the edge is like flying it is impossible to explain this omar has almost made it you should never lose concentration or be careless the road is unpredictable until the end the weather has improved but the road surface is still soaked and spongy finally omar He leaves the dirt road and reaches the final stretch of his route. From here on, the last kilometers to La Paz are paved.

The first thing I do is thank God for sparing my life. I ask him to grant us safe passage to help us stay focused. not have accidents or make mistakes the royal mountain ranges accompany omar to the top of his journey omar makes a brief stop at the summit pass at 4650 meters of altitude in the freezing cold commemorates the dead whose lives he is The road has stated that He thanks Mother Earth Pachamama for forgiving him until now and prays for mercy and the well-being of his family. The destination of the trip is the highest megacity in the world.

Their houses are built at an altitude of between 100 meters. Oma has to go to the other side of the city, his client is already waiting for the logs there, meanwhile Jaime takes Monchito to his brother's girlfriend where they are anxiously waiting for him after having overcome all the adversities that the road to death has in store for him. One last driving challenge awaits you. the city is the most tiring part of the trip there are a lot of small cars the streets are narrow the taxis just stop where they want minivans that also makes me angry the trip ends at the top outside the city gates this is where the omar lumberyard is He has done his duty, delivered the logs safely and on time, where I can find a new load and then return, but for me it is like a victory.

I did it.