These Towns Hover at the Highest Altitudes in the World

17 October 2019

From Peru to India, Tibet to Bolivia, here are the highest-altitude towns, villages, and cities known to man.

Many of us will never make it more than five thousand feet or so above sea level, but some people spend their whole lives over ten thousand feet above the rest.

Up here, oxygen is scarce, the winters are harsh, and transportation is often useless against the onslaught of the elements. Still, motivated by tradition, ties to the land, or mining incentives, many people call these cloudy villages and cities home.

The majority of the world's highest settlements are in Tibet, India, and Peru, and they're usually nestled at the foot of even higher and more uninhabitable mountain ranges like the Himalayas or Alps.

Read on to discover the world's highest altitude cities, towns, and settlements, discover their often tragic histories, and be grateful for the abundant air you're breathing now.

Overview of La Rinconada.
At 16,738 feet above sea level, the Andean village of La Runconada takes the cake for highest-altitude town in the world. Home to 50,000 people, it is mostly inhabited by townsfolk, not tourists, and even if you are inspired to go, you'll have to space your journey out over several days to make sure you safely adjust to the steep altitude.
Life isn't easy up in the clouds. The climate is harsh, and most town inhabitants are gold mine workers whose labor is exploited by large corporations such as the Corporación Ananea.
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Tibet hosts many of the world's highest-altitude civilization, though according to the Guinness Book of World Records, the tiny town of Wenzhuan is the highest town in the world. (Actually, La Runcanada takes that prize, but it's very close). At nearly 16,030 feet above sea level, this remote area is home to many endangered animals like snow leopards and pandas. Accessible by the Qinghai-Tibet railroad, this location was devastated by the 2008 Sichuan Earthquake, and is still recovering.
The city of Lhasa was the world's highest capital, at 12,037 feet, before China took over Tibet. It hosted the former palace of the Dalai Lama and thousands of monks, and has historically been known for its inhabitants' (entirely understandable, and strangely prescient) hostility towards foreigners.
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La Paz, Bolivia
At over 11,000 feet above sea level, this Bolivian metropolis is the world's highest capital city. A bustling tangle of streets and vibrant culture, the city is a combination of steep peaks and 19th century churches, museums, and swirling clouds. This Andean locale is becoming a popular tourism destination due to its rich history and vibrant nightlife. If you do visit, just remember that you might need to leave a few days to adjust to the altitude.
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At 15,000 feet above sea level, this monastery and accompanying village overlook Lake Tso Moriri, one of the highest lakes in India. The monastery is home to around 70 monks, while the village holds 1,300 people.
The name "Korzok" actually means "acquired by unfair means," and refers to the fact that when the monks opened the monastery they unfairly exploited the nomadic herdsmen living nearby.
Today, travelers often visit the town during the months of July and August, when the monastery hosts its Korzok Gustor Festival, a festival dedicated to the spiritual eradication of evil.
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Located in Bolivia's southern highlands, this mining town stands 13,240 feet above sea level, even higher than La Paz. It lies at the foot of the Cerro de Potosí mountain, which—as the world's largest silver deposit—was once used as a source of silver for Spanish colonizers. (Of course, Spanish silver trade in Bolivia resulted in the deaths of 6 million indigenous and African slaves). Today, a visit to Potosí will allow you to take tours of old refineries, and will also allow you to experience the conditions that current workers suffer through today.
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At 14,110 feet, Kibber is nestled high in the Himalayas' Spiti Valley. Believed to be the highest vehicle-accessible village in the world, it breaks up a cold desert landscape. The town contains several monasteries, and most people here are monks or farmers who live in the town during the summer months only.
If you visit, you can tour the temples and monasteries of the town, trek or mountaineer through the dizzying peaks, and try your hand at spotting some of the lynxes, arctic foxes, and wolves that roam the area.
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Soaring 11,290 feet above sea level, this Nepalese city is often used as a base camp for travelers preparing for their treks into Mount Everest and other Himalayan locales. It's also a regional trading hub and has a population of roughly 1,600 residents, mostly Sherpa, and is illuminated by a weekly market fair.
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Located in Afghanistan's Wakhan District, this settlement is a full 13,579 feet above sea level. Though it's technically in northeastern Afghanistan, the territory is mostly inhabited by Tajik people, most of whom are woads and farmers. Called the "Roof of the World" by locals, this beautiful mountainous region is largely cut off from the rest of the country due to its remoteness. Here, you'll find rough drives, raging rivers, and stunning views of towering mountains and glaciers. Only about 100 tourists visit each year, and the visa process is rather exhaustive, but if you're up for a bit of sparring with customs officials, this could be you.
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Hidden in the Dinaric Alps, the mountain village of Lukomir is 4,905 feet above sea level—making it much lower than the aforementioned cities—but it is Bosnia and Herzegovina's highest city, and because it's so isolated, its countryside ambiance has remained relatively untouched. It's a beloved albeit relatively little-known destination for tourists looking to rise way, way above the beaten path.
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