Chungara–Tambo Quemado

Overview

Chungara–Tambo Quemado is a category 3 climb that packs its challenge into altitude rather than sheer steepness. Over 8.3 km it climbs at an average gradient of 4.47%, gaining a net 370 m to lift you from a start elevation of 4309 m to a summit of 4679 m. On paper those are gentle numbers, and on a climb near sea level they would be. Here, every pedal stroke happens above 4300 m, where thin air blunts the power your legs can actually deliver.

The category 3 rating reflects the moderate slope, but it says nothing about the altitude that defines this effort. Treat it as a climb that will feel harder than the gradient suggests, and pace accordingly.

How the Gradient Unfolds

The shape here is friendly. With an average of 4.47% and a max of only 6.35%, there is never a wall to fight — the difference between the mean and the steepest ramp is under two percentage points, so the road holds a consistent, rolling character throughout. The total ascent of 358 m sits just below the net gain of 370 m, telling you there is almost no descending mixed in: this is a near-continuous drag upward with no meaningful recovery dips.

That steadiness is a double-edged sword. There are no punchy sections to spike over, but there are also no free coasting stretches to catch your breath. You climb, and you keep climbing, for the full 8.3 km.

Pacing Notes

At this altitude, your usable power drops well below what it would be at the coast, so pacing to feel rather than to a flatland number is essential. Aim to ride the whole climb at a comfortably sub-threshold effort — think tempo, not race pace. Because the gradient barely varies, you can lock into one sustainable rhythm and hold it.

Anchor your effort to your FTP, but expect to sit noticeably under it here; the thin air means your normal threshold wattage will feel unsustainable. If you do not know your threshold number yet, run the FTP estimator before you travel, then plan to ride this climb at a fraction of that figure. The 370 m of gain is small, but doing it above 4300 m rewards patience over ambition.

Gearing

You do not need ultra-low gearing for a 4.47% average with a 6.35% max — on flat land a compact would be plenty. But altitude changes the math, because your reduced power output effectively steepens every ramp. Give yourself margin. A 34×32 is a sensible baseline that lets you spin the steady grade without straining, and a 34×34 buys you extra breathing room for the days when the altitude bites harder than expected. Err toward the easier setup; there is no penalty for having a gear in reserve on a climb this long and this high.

Summary

Chungara–Tambo Quemado is a deceptively simple climb: moderate gradients, a short net gain, and a category 3 badge — all of it delivered above 4300 m, where the altitude does the real work. Ride it steady, gear it low, and respect the thin air.

Length: 8.3 km
Average gradient: 4.47%
Max gradient: 6.35%
Start: 4309 m
Summit: 4679 m
Net gain: 370 m
Total ascent: 358 m
Category: 3