Don’t glance down at your phone on the road to Punta Ushuayca

Don’t glance down at your phone on the road to Punta Ushuayca

Peru, south-america

Length

140 km

Elevation

4,930 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, buckle up adventure junkies, because Punta Ushuayca in Peru is about to blow your mind! We're talking a sky-high mountain pass chilling at 4,930m (that's 16,174ft!) in the Lima Region. Picture this: you're deep in the Andes, cruising through the Nor Yauyos-Cochas landscape reserve.

Now, heads up, this isn't your average Sunday drive. The LM-120 road to the top is all dirt and gets seriously steep! A little rain turns it into a real challenge. You *can* technically make it in a regular car, but trust me, you'll be way happier (and safer) in a 4x4.

This north-south route stretches for a whopping 140 km (87 miles) from San Mateo to Tinco. Get ready for some epic views! Just keep your eyes peeled and your hands on the wheel.

Where is it?

Don’t glance down at your phone on the road to Punta Ushuayca is located in Peru (south-america). Coordinates: -9.7462, -74.3994

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Peru
Continent
south-america
Length
140 km
Max Elevation
4,930 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
-9.7462, -74.3994

Related Roads in south-america

Pan-American Highway through Perueasy

Pan-American Highway through Peru

🇵🇪 Peru

# The Pan-American Highway Through Peru: A Coastal Adventure Picture this: nearly 2,640 kilometers of pure coastal magic stretching from Ecuador all the way down to Chile. Peru's stretch of the legendary Pan-American Highway hugs the Pacific coastline, and it's an absolute journey. What makes this drive unforgettable? You're basically cruising through one of Earth's most extreme desert landscapes—the Atacama-Sechura coastal strip. We're talking *seriously* arid here. Some weather stations along this route have literally never recorded a single drop of rain. Wild, right? The scenery alone is jaw-dropping: endless sand dunes, dramatic cliffs plunging toward the ocean, and sculpted arid valleys that look straight out of another planet. But here's where it gets really cool—this highway doubles as your ticket to some of Peru's most mind-blowing attractions. Heading through Nazca? You can hop on a quick scenic flight from a roadside airstrip and catch glimpses of those famous Nazca Lines etched into the desert floor. The Paracas National Reserve is practically right there, tempting you with its striking red-sand beaches and incredible marine life. And if you need a break from all that desert heat, there's Huacachina—picture a lush palm-filled oasis with a pristine lagoon, surrounded by massive sand dunes. It's basically paradise in the middle of nowhere, just a short detour off the highway near Ica. The highway also connects Lima (seriously, the food capital of South America) down to Arequipa, a stunning colonial gem nestled beneath the iconic El Misti volcano. Every kilometer of this drive tells a story.

South Yungas Road is a scenically rewarding but dangerous tripextreme

South Yungas Road is a scenically rewarding but dangerous trip

🇧🇴 Bolivia

Okay, thrill-seekers, buckle up! Let’s talk about South Yungas Road in Bolivia’s La Paz Department. Nestled in the Sud Yungas region, this totally unpaved beauty stretches for about 15 miles, connecting Ruta Nacional 25 near Huancané to Ruta Nacional 40, just south of Coripata. Forget your average Sunday drive – this route boasts over 50 hairpin turns and climbs to a dizzying 6,131 feet above sea level. Oh, and did I mention the precarious creek crossing? This narrow, winding road is jam-packed with switchbacks and boasts stomach-dropping 1,830-foot drops. Navigating oncoming traffic requires a bit of finesse. Remember, uphill vehicles have the right-of-way (starting on an incline isn’t fun). And if there’s space to pass, drivers switch positions so they can gauge the distance to the edge. Pro tip: Check the rainfall forecast before you go and prepare accordingly!

How to get by car to Sol de Mañana, a Bolivian geyser?hard

How to get by car to Sol de Mañana, a Bolivian geyser?

🇧🇴 Bolivia

Get ready for an otherworldly adventure at Sol de Mañana, a geyser field simmering at a staggering 4,921m (16,145ft) in Bolivia's Sur Lípez Province! Prepare to witness intense volcanic activity – think bubbling fumaroles and erupting geysers – in this geothermal wonderland near the Chilean border, tucked inside the Reserva Nacional de Fauna Andina Eduardo Avaroa. The weather here? Extreme! Expect near-freezing temperatures in summer (0°C to 5°C) and bone-chilling conditions in winter (-5°C to -20°C). Imagine craters filled with violently boiling mud, and geysers blasting scorching steam and vapor 10 to 50 meters into the air! It’s like stepping back in time to the Earth’s primordial days. The rugged, unpaved road snaking through this geothermal zone demands a 4x4. This 225km (139-mile) route stretches from the Chilean border northwards until it meets Road 701, close to Villa Alota. Walking amongst these geysers is a truly unique and unforgettable experience; the landscape resembles the surface of Mars. It’s a trek to get here, but paired with other sights in the region, the journey is worth it. But be warned, there are no boardwalks here! Wander freely, but tread carefully. The ground can be deceptively thin, and a single misstep could plunge you into scalding mud! Aim to arrive in the morning – witnessing the geysers erupting as the sun rises is pure magic.

Abra Chapocoextreme

Abra Chapoco

🇨🇱 Chile

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Abra Chapoco is calling your name! This high-altitude mountain pass tops out at a whopping 4,400m (14,435ft) in the Parinacota Province of Chile. Nestled high in the Andes, the road from Visviri to Tacora is a mix of gravel and rocky terrain – expect a tippy, bumpy ride! This route (also known as A-23) isn't for the faint of heart. It's open to all vehicles, but a 4x4 is HIGHLY recommended. Even though it’s not a super long climb, some of the inclines are seriously steep. The views? Absolutely stunning! You'll be treated to vistas of Volcan Tacora and the surrounding mountains on the Chile-Peru border. Plus, you'll probably have the road all to yourself. Just remember, the air gets thin up there! Altitude sickness can kick in above 2,500 meters, so be prepared.