
Conquering Abra Yanama in Peru
Peru, south-america
39.8 km
4,654 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Ever dreamt of conquering a seriously epic mountain pass? Let me tell you about Abra Yanama in the Cusco Region of Peru. We're talking a staggering 4,654 meters (that's over 15,000 feet!) above sea level.
Picture this: you're deep in the heart of the Área de Conservación Regional Choquequirao, tackling almost 40 kilometers (around 25 miles) of pure, unadulterated dirt road. This isn't your Sunday drive, folks. Get ready for a steep climb, because this route zigzags its way up with over 50 hairpin turns. The air is thin, the views are unreal, and the challenge is definitely on. You'll wind your way from Colcapampa to Yanama, soaking in the rugged beauty of the Peruvian Andes. Just remember to take it slow and steady – this high-altitude journey demands respect.
Where is it?
Conquering Abra Yanama in Peru is located in Peru (south-america). Coordinates: -10.2010, -74.7159
Road Details
- Country
- Peru
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 39.8 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,654 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -10.2010, -74.7159
Related Roads in south-america
extremeLaguna Pallarcocha: Driving the remote AR-107 to 4,740m in Peru
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up! Ever heard of Laguna Pallarcocha (aka Laguna de Payarcocha)? This crazy-high lake is tucked away in the Peruvian Andes, specifically in the Condesuyos Province of Arequipa. We're talking serious altitude: 4,740m (15,550ft)! Getting there? A true test of grit. The road itself is a 52 km (32.3 mile) stretch from Arma to Pampacolca, running north-south, and designated AR-107 and AR-105. It carves right through the Cordillera Ampato's slopes, showcasing volcanic rocks, tough puna plants, and vast, empty plateaus. Think remote villages in the Arequipa highlands, far from civilization. Forget smooth tarmac – this is gravel and dirt all the way! It's basically carved into the mountainside and shows all the wear and tear from the harsh climate: erosion, "washboards"… you name it. A high-clearance 4x4 isn't just recommended; it's a MUST. Seriously, leave your sedan at home. The road hugs the ridges, so you'll be dodging rocks and ruts, especially after the rainy season. Word of warning: Mother Nature calls the shots. Don't even think about this road in bad weather. Snow or heavy rain can turn that gravel into a slippery mess in seconds. High winds are practically a given, bringing dust storms that can kill visibility. Winter? Expect snowdrifts and freezing temps (think below -15°C!). And don't forget altitude sickness (soroche)! At this height, you'll be fighting brain fog and your engine will be gasping for air. The real kicker is the isolation. 52 kilometers of pure exposure, no services, no cell service, and hardly any other vehicles. You need total focus to handle the tight turns and bumpy surface. Reaching the lake? It's a serene experience, with the water mirroring the stark volcanic peaks. Just remember the golden rule: what goes up must come down! Pack enough fuel for the round trip, and bring emergency oxygen and warm gear. The weather at Pallarcocha can flip from sunny to blizzard in a heartbeat!
hardWhere is Sol de Mañana?
🇧🇴 Bolivia
Alright adventure junkies, listen up! If you're heading to the Sur Lípez Province of Bolivia, you HAVE to check out Sol de Mañana! We're talking a geothermal wonderland sitting at a whopping 4,921m (16,145ft) above sea level. What is it? Think intense volcanic activity, bubbling mud pools, and geysers blasting water and steam up to 50 meters high. Seriously, it feels like you've stepped back in time to the Earth's primordial soup! Getting there is no walk in the park. You'll need a sturdy 4x4 for the roughly 225km (139 miles) of road that cuts through this crazy landscape, connecting the Chilean border to Road 701 near Villa Alota. Is it worth it? 100% YES! Imagine wandering among steaming geysers, feeling like you're on another planet. The best time to go is early morning when the light hits the rising steam just right. Word to the wise: there are no guard rails, and the ground is unstable. One wrong step and you could be in some seriously scalding water! Bundle up, too – the weather is brutal. Expect temperatures around 0°C to 5°C in summer and between -5°C to -20°C in winter. Sol de Mañana is located in the Potosí Department, deep in the southwestern part of Bolivia near the Chilean border, nestled within the Reserva Nacional de Fauna Andina Eduardo Avaroa. It's a bit out of the way, but if you're exploring the region, this otherworldly experience is a must! Just be careful, and get ready for some epic photos!
extremeA memorable road trip to Acumulacion Mariela Mine
🇵🇪 Peru
Mina Acumulación Mariela is an open-pit mine at an elevation of 5,298m (17,381ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between the Puno and Moquegua regions of Peru. It’s one of the highest roads in the country. Set high in the southern part of the country, in the Andes Mountains, Mina Acumulación Mariela is a gold mine. At this elevation, it’s one of the 10 highest mines in the world. The road to the mine is entirely unpaved. It’s a mining trail that starts from the paved 36B Road (Interoceanica Sur). The climb is extremely challenging, with a notorious lack of oxygen that tests the body, combined with a high degree of steepness. Expect harsh weather, extreme solar radiation, very high winds, and low temperatures.Pic: Luis Alberto Bernabe Quispe Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our interactive map to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click here to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
hardRoad trip guide: Conquering Planchon Pass in the Andes
🇨🇱 Chile
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! I've got a wild one for you: Paso del Planchón, a super-high mountain pass straddling the Argentina-Chile border at a whopping 2,515m (8,251ft). Also known as Paso Internacional Vergara, this isn't your average Sunday drive. Picture this: you're deep in the Andes, bumping along 196 km (121 miles) of totally unpaved road – Ruta Provincial 226 on the Argentina side turning into J-55 once you cross into Chile. We're talking sandy sections, the whole nine yards! This epic route connects Las Loicas in Argentina’s Mendoza Province with Curicó in Chile's Maule Region. Now, for the real talk: this pass is usually a no-go zone. But, get this, they fix it up between November 1st and April 30th each year, opening it up to tourists and mining companies. Be prepared for crazy dry air and insane temperature swings – think warm days baking in the sun and freezing nights. We're talking potential highs of 15°C in summer and lows of -25°C in winter. But hey, the scenery is out of this world!