How long is the road from Santa Maria to Santa Teresa?

How long is the road from Santa Maria to Santa Teresa?

Peru, south-america

Length

22.6 km

Elevation

1,748 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! If you find yourself in the Cusco Region of central Peru and are feeling *extra* adventurous, you HAVE to check out the road from Santa Maria to Santa Teresa.

This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks. Forget smooth tarmac – we're talking a completely unpaved, rugged track stretching for about 22.6 kilometers (or roughly 14 miles) between these two towns in the La Convención Province. Plan for about an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes to conquer it, assuming you don't stop to catch your breath (and trust me, you might need to!).

What makes it so wild? Well, for starters, you'll be climbing to a staggering 1,748 meters (that's 5,734 feet!) above sea level. Add to that some serious exposure with massive drops down to the Urubamba River below, and a distinct lack of guardrails in many spots, and you've got yourself a nail-biting experience. If you're afraid of heights or landslides, maybe sit this one out! But if you're up for a challenge and incredible views, this is one road you won't soon forget!

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Road Details

Country
Peru
Continent
south-america
Length
22.6 km
Max Elevation
1,748 m
Difficulty
hard

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