La Rinconada in the Peruvian Andes is unlike any other place on Earth. Located at an altitude of over 5,000 meters, it is recognized as the world’s highest permanent settlement. But behind its breathtaking mountain views lies a chilling reality that few outsiders can imagine. Travelers who have dared to visit this remote gold mining town describe it as lawless, risky, and filled with tension.
La Rinconada is often referred to as the most remote city on Earth, and for good reason. Reaching it requires hours of travel through harsh mountain terrain. Once there, visitors find themselves surrounded by thin air, freezing temperatures, and an overwhelming sense of unease. For many, it feels like stepping into another world, one where survival overshadows every other concern.
As of 2024, La Rinconada is home to more than 30,000 people. The city’s altitude, roughly 5,100 meters above sea level, makes it the highest place on the planet where humans live year-round. Despite its extreme location, people continue to move there in hopes of finding gold. But life in this place is marked by struggle, danger, and deep poverty.
Those who have visited often describe scenes of chaos and despair. The streets are filled with mud, waste, and noise. Violence and theft are common, and law enforcement operates under constant pressure. For outsiders, the town feels unsafe from the moment they arrive.
YouTubers like Yes Theory and Zazza the Italian have both visited La Rinconada, sharing their shocking experiences with millions of viewers. Their videos show a side of life that most people never see, exposing the human cost of gold mining in this remote part of South America.
Yes Theory called La Rinconada “the sketchiest place” he had ever visited.
He described how street fights break out regularly and said that walking outside after dark is strongly discouraged. Locals warned him that the city changes completely at night. When the sun goes down, fear spreads through the streets.
He was told that just before his visit, someone had been shot dead nearby. The warning proved serious when his cameraman’s attempt to capture nighttime footage ended in panic after a man tried to rob him. The experience left the group shaken and eager to leave before nightfall.
When Zazza the Italian traveled to La Rinconada, he wanted to see the world’s highest permanent town with his own eyes. His trip quickly became one of the toughest experiences of his life. The air was so thin that he struggled to breathe, and the cold Andean wind made every step harder.
“It’s practically an entire immense slum,” he said while filming the narrow streets. His voice reflected both shock and disbelief.
Zazza explained that the altitude made him feel dizzy and weak. “We’re over 5,000 meters,” he said. “And they say that above this level, it’s no longer suitable for human life. But more than 50,000 people live here. It’s incredible.”
As evening approached, Zazza’s visit grew riskier. Two police officers accompanied him through the town and shared what it’s like to patrol one of the most dangerous places in Peru. According to them, the city is filled with violent disputes. “Everything happens here,” one officer said. “Armed robbery, assaults, fights over control of the mines. Workers are often robbed of the gold they find, and the criminals disappear before we can catch them.”
The police explained that identifying offenders is nearly impossible. In La Rinconada, everyone wears multiple layers of clothing to protect themselves from the extreme cold. Those layers make it easy for criminals to hide their appearance and blend in with the crowd.
Zazza continued his exploration and soon found something that left him speechless. Near one of the mining areas, he came across a sign that read: Private property, metallurgical mining cooperative. Shoot-to-kill order, do not stop.
He realized this was not a warning to ignore. “If you stay here in the late afternoon or evening for too long,” he said, “a bullet will reach you. Just like that. And they warn you.” He believed the rule was meant to protect what looked like an abandoned gold mine, but the message was brutally clear.
The local police confirmed that armed guards and snipers are stationed around the area, ready to shoot anyone who trespasses. One officer told him directly, “You can’t enter. You can’t make a mistake.”
Perhaps the most alarming fact was that this shoot-to-kill rule was not enforced by the government. It was imposed by the private mining company that controls the zone. In this isolated city, the company’s authority often outweighs that of the state.
When Zazza asked whether someone could be killed simply for stealing, one officer replied that taking a human life is always illegal, regardless of the reason. But in a place like La Rinconada, the line between law and survival seems to fade.
Zazza admitted that he had wanted to stay overnight to document the town after dark. However, the risks were too high. “I’m too different,” he said. “I draw too much attention, even if I try to blend in.”
He finally decided to leave before nightfall, aware that staying longer could have ended in disaster. “They wouldn’t let me enter anywhere,” he explained. “It would be too dangerous. But it’s an experience I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”
Life in La Rinconada continues under these extreme conditions. The city remains both fascinating and frightening, a place where the promise of gold draws thousands despite the dangers. The people who live there endure freezing temperatures, thin air, and constant fear of violence. Yet they stay, hoping for a better future or a lucky discovery that might change their lives.
The story of La Rinconada highlights a side of human resilience rarely seen elsewhere. Even in the face of lawlessness, poverty, and danger, people continue to build lives among the mountains. But for outsiders, a visit to this place can feel like stepping into a nightmare.
Travelers like Yes Theory and Zazza risked their safety to show the world what life looks like in this forgotten corner of Peru. Their stories serve as a stark reminder of how far some people are willing to go in search of fortune and how dangerous that journey can be.
La Rinconada stands as a symbol of both ambition and desperation. It is a city where the hope for gold competes with the constant threat of death, and where survival itself feels like a daily act of courage. Those who visit never forget it, and those who live there continue to fight for every breath in the thin, icy air of the Andes.
In the end, the truth about La Rinconada is as cold as its mountain air. It may be the highest place on Earth where people live, but it is also one of the hardest places to survive. Visitors leave with unforgettable memories, and locals endure each day, hoping for something better.
The world’s highest settlement remains one of its most chilling mysteries, a reminder that even in the most extreme corners of our planet, humanity finds a way to persist.
