June 25, 2014:
One of the items on my "Bucket List" was to visit the town of La Rinconada. I don't remember when or how I learned about this place but it's on the list. The town was built and exists because of the gold mining in the area. It's supposedly the highest permanently inhabited town in the world. Depending on the source of information the towns altitude is from 16,700' to over 17,700'.
I spent the night in Putina and the ride up to La Rinconada was only 45 miles. The road is paved most of the way to Ananea and from there to La Rinconada, 12 miles, it's good dirt road.

La Rinconada in the distance:
From La Rinconada June 25, 2014

Entering the village of Ananea:
From La Rinconada June 25, 2014

A mile or so from La Rinconada, trash everywhere and it's starting to smell bad:
From La Rinconada June 25, 2014

Welcome :)
From La Rinconada June 25, 2014

From La Rinconada June 25, 2014

The town has NO, garbage, potable water or sewage systems. In recent years the growth has increased so rapidly that most housing and shops are these tin sheds. (I don't know how I got the snow effect in the photo, it just happened when I went to attach it??)
From La Rinconada June 25, 2014

Most of the streets are steep and in very bad condition:
From La Rinconada June 25, 2014

City center, I was told there was another center however I didn't want to ride the moto through the streets to get there:
From La Rinconada June 25, 2014

The people seemed very skeptical of me and weren't very friendly. I don't think they get many tourist here and I don't think they want them either. When I took my camera out I heard people mention it and many went inside the shops or turned away.
From La Rinconada June 25, 2014

This is why I didn't ride around the place. Many of the streets were just open waste water pits or they were just thick mud from the waste water.
From La Rinconada June 25, 2014

There are a few permanent buildings, I saw a couple hotels. I was told that when you check in they supply you with a bucket:
From La Rinconada June 25, 2014

Miners:
From La Rinconada June 25, 2014

I didn't have my GPS with me, however my SPOT has my highest point at 16'122'. It's amazing how much trash is here and how bad the living conditions are: Between the altitude and the stench it was very difficult to breath:
From La Rinconada June 25, 2014

Aside from this town and the mining, it's a beautiful place:
From La Rinconada June 25, 2014

I didn't ask however I got the feeling no one was interested in taking a photo of me so here's a self:
From La Rinconada June 25, 2014

I liked this place, second story with balcony. Not much of a view though. I didn't see any Real Estate signs so I figure new construction is probably your best option:
From La Rinconada June 25, 2014

From La Rinconada June 25, 2014

Just outside of Ananea on the way to La Rinconada there's a check point and you're required to show ID and vehicle documentation to proceed any further, I didn't have any of it. Left everything in the hotel room in Putina. I explained everything to one of the guards and he wasn't sure what to do. Finally he said if I bought him a big bottle of Sprite in La Rinconada for him I could enter. It wasn't a problem to go back and get the documents but soda is cheap and it was a good trade.
When I returned with the Sprite he wanted me to take a photo of him and his partner with the moto:
From La Rinconada June 25, 2014

Heading back to Putina:
From La Rinconada June 25, 2014

I've seen a few of these shrines throughout Peru, normally near or at a pass. People stop to give an offering usually alcohol or a food item and maybe light a candle. The only issue is the areas become a trash pile of empty bottles and containers.
From La Rinconada June 25, 2014