Laguna Alcacocha
Peru, south-america
N/A
4,350 m
extreme
Year-round
Alright, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're heading to Peru, ditch the tourist traps and make a beeline for Laguna Alcacocha. This unreal lake sits way up in the Andes Mountains, clocking in at a whopping 14,271 feet above sea level.
The road to get there? Buckle up, buttercup, because Route 103 is no Sunday drive. We're talking gravel, narrow stretches, and mud – seriously slippery mud after it rains. Plus, Mother Nature likes to keep things interesting with potential avalanches, heavy snow, and landslides. And as if that weren't enough, the air gets thin real quick. This climb is STEEP, so be prepared to feel that altitude sickness kick in! But trust me, the views are totally worth the white-knuckle drive.
Where is it?
Laguna Alcacocha is located in Peru (south-america). Coordinates: -9.1209, -74.8616
Road Details
- Country
- Peru
- Continent
- south-america
- Max Elevation
- 4,350 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- -9.1209, -74.8616
Related Roads in south-america
hardDriving the unpaved Illampu Circuit through Abra de la Calzada in the Andes
🇧🇴 Bolivia
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Abra de la Calzada in Bolivia is calling your name. This epic mountain pass punches in at a staggering 5,062m (16,607ft) – seriously high! You'll find it nestled north of La Paz, right in the heart of the Andes. This isn't your Sunday drive, folks. The Illampu Circuit, as it's known, is a rough and rugged 140km (87 miles) unpaved track starting in Sorata. Think old mule trail meets modern mining road. The views? Absolutely breathtaking. But don't let that distract you. We're talking serious altitude here – constantly hovering between 4,000 and 5,000 meters. Expect steep climbs, four passes, and tracks that have seen better days. Acclimatization is KEY. Only tackle this one if you’re prepped, fit, and ready for a challenge. Oh, and heads up, this pass is usually snow-covered, so good weather is a must!
extremeWhere is Carirriñe Pass?
🇦🇷 Argentina
Paso Carirriñe, nestled high in the Andes at 1,150m (3,772ft), marks the border between Chile and Argentina. It's one of those lesser-known routes that's absolutely bursting with beauty! This pass links the Los Ríos region of Chile with the stunning Patagonian landscapes of Argentina. The adventure stretches for 133 km (82.64 miles), from the Chilean town of Coñaripe (right on Lake Calafquén) to San Martín de los Andes in Argentina. Expect seriously amazing scenery! Think hot springs, rivers of solidified lava, and all sorts of evidence of volcanic activity. Heads up: the pass is usually open from November 15th during the summer months, from 8 am to 8 pm. Snow, landslides, and road work can close it for much of the year, though. On the Chilean side (Ruta CH-201), the road's mostly paved but pretty narrow. The final 15km are gravel, but keep an eye out, it might be paved soon. Once you cross into Argentina (Ruta Provincial 62) get ready for a bumpy ride! It's a narrow, unpaved forest road and hasn't been maintained in a while. It's doable, but maybe not in your average sedan. Weather's a big factor here too, especially in winter. Locals with 4x4s use it often, though!
moderateWhere is Salar de Maricunga?
🇨🇱 Chile
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Atacama Region of Chile, heading towards this unreal, dazzling white salt flat called Salar de Maricunga. This place is seriously high up, like 3,700m (12,139ft) high! It's in the Nevado Tres Cruces National Park, way out east. The air is super dry, and the temperature swings are wild – scorching hot in the daytime sun, then freezing cold at night. Why should you go? Well, besides the fact that it’s absolutely stunning, this salt flat is loaded with lithium. It's the southernmost of Chile's huge salt flats. The road there? It's Ruta 31-CH, about 280 km (173 miles) of mixed adventure. You'll find some smooth paved sections on either end, but the middle is all gravel, so keep your eyes open. It runs all the way from Copiapó to the Argentinian border. Most of the time, a 2WD car can handle it. Get ready for some seriously epic scenery.
hardDriving the potholed road to Abra Chaucha in the central highlands
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! Abra Chaucha in Peru is calling your name! This incredible mountain pass punches through the Andes at a staggering 4,728m (15,511ft) – that's HIGH! You'll find it east of Lima, straddling the Junín and Lima regions, smack-dab in the Peruvian central highlands. It's part of Carretera 24, a 118km (73-mile) route from Huancayo to Tinco that’s an east-west rollercoaster ride. Now, the road IS paved... but hold your horses! It’s seen better days, let’s just say. Think narrow stretches, seriously steep climbs, and more potholes than you can shake a stick at. Trust me, you do NOT want to tackle this at night. Some of those potholes are absolute monsters and could leave your ride seriously hurting – we're talking suspension, shocks, the whole shebang. But, if you're up for it, the scenery along this route is seriously dramatic, with pass after pass offering insane highland views! Get ready for an unforgettable ride!