The Road to Caliz Pass in the Andes: Be Ready to Make Room for Oncoming Vehicles
Peru, south-america
50 km
5,206 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Paso Caliz, also known as Abra de Caliz or Abra Laccopata, is calling your name. This crazy-high mountain pass straddles the Canchis and Quispicanchi provinces in Peru, clocking in at a staggering 5,206 meters (that's 17,080 feet!) above sea level. Seriously, this is one of the highest roads you'll find in Peru.
You'll find it nestled in the Cusco Region, way up in the southern highlands, practically breathing the same air as the snow-capped Quesso Queperina and the Quelccaya Glacier. Think stunning Cordillera Vilcanota range scenery!
Word of warning: winter here means game over. Snow makes it totally impassable. So, peep that weather forecast like your life depends on it (because, well, kinda!).
Road 1406 is the name, and unpaved is the game. This 50-kilometer (31-mile) stretch from Marcapata (off Carretera 30C) to CU-125 Road is no Sunday drive. Expect gnarly drop-offs, super-skinny sections, seriously steep climbs, and hairpin turns galore. Oh, and did I mention the altitude? Oxygen's thin up here, so pack your common sense and prep for potential AMS.
But hey, if you're up for the challenge, this north-to-south trek is an absolute must. Trust me, it's an unforgettable journey through some of the most breathtaking landscapes this planet has to offer.
Where is it?
The Road to Caliz Pass in the Andes: Be Ready to Make Room for Oncoming Vehicles is located in Peru (south-america). Coordinates: -9.4586, -75.5746
Road Details
- Country
- Peru
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 50 km
- Max Elevation
- 5,206 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -9.4586, -75.5746
Related Roads in south-america
hardThe Road with Never-Ending Hairpin Turns to Laguna Yanco in Peru
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, thrill-seekers, buckle up for Laguna Yanco! This insanely gorgeous high-altitude lagoon sits way up in the Peruvian Andes, at a staggering 14,580 feet. Getting there? That's half the adventure. Forget pavement; this is a 41.44-mile dirt track stretching from Punta Callán to Coris, and let me tell you, it's not for the faint of heart! We're talking narrow stretches, seriously dicey conditions after rain, and hairpin turns. Oh, the hairpin turns! Seriously, there are over 100 of these bad boys, sometimes stacked back-to-back with hardly any straight road in between. But trust me, the views are worth every white-knuckle moment. This is raw, untamed Peru at its finest.
extremeThe Unpaved Road to Cerro Estrella in the Andes is Not for the Faint of Heart
🇨🇱 Chile
Cerro Estrella, also called Lastarria, straddles the Chilean-Argentinian border way up in the Andes – we're talking 5,389 meters (17,680 feet)! This is seriously high altitude driving. This peak sits right on the border between Argentina's Salta Province and Chile's Antofagasta region. Once upon a time, this mountain was bustling with activity, thanks to the Mina La Julia sulfur mine (also known as Mina La Casualidad). It was abandoned in 1979. The road to the summit is an old mining road, and it's completely unpaved, so you'll absolutely need a 4x4 to tackle this one. Get ready for some steep climbs, with gradients hitting a maximum of 13% in places! Heads up: this route is NOT for the faint of heart (or lungs!). The extreme altitude means thin air, which can be tough on your body. If you have any heart or respiratory issues, you should seriously reconsider this drive. Above 2,500 meters, even healthy people can experience altitude sickness. There's significantly less oxygen up here, making everything more difficult. The steep inclines, unpredictable weather, and remote location make this a truly hazardous road, so proceed with extreme caution. Oh, and did I mention the weather? This road is generally impassable in winter. Expect strong winds, especially at the peak. Even in summer, be prepared for sudden snow or temperature drops. Winter is brutally cold, and snow can shut the road down without warning. Dense fog is also common, so visibility can be a major issue.
moderateA challenging unpaved road to Abra Falda Cienaga
🇦🇷 Argentina
Alright, adventure seekers, buckle up for Abra Falda Cienaga in Argentina's Catamarca Province! This baby tops out at a whopping 4,436 meters (14,553 feet), so get ready for some thin air. Also known as Abra Puntas Gordas, this isn't your Sunday drive. We're talking Ruta Provincial 43 (RP43), and "unpaved" is the name of the game. Seriously, you'll NEED a 4x4 for this one. Heights not your thing? Maybe grab a travel magazine instead. The stretch from Salar del Hombre Muerto to Antofagasta is rough, with plenty of sand and washboard sections to keep you on your toes. Perched high in the northwest, some sections are being upgraded with asphalt. Word on the street is the south side descent is smoother sailing. Get ready for some insane scenery!
extremeAbra Alpamarca
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Deep in the heart of Central Peru, in JunÃn province, lies Abra Alpamarca, a mountain pass soaring to a staggering 15,456 feet (4,711m) above sea level. You'll find this beauty, the highest point on the road connecting Huayllay to Tanta, along route 20A, and be warned: it's a gravel road. This isn’t your average Sunday drive. Be prepared for a remote, high-altitude trek. After a rain shower, even a small one, the road can get pretty tricky. Avalanches, heavy snow, and landslides are real possibilities and can block the way, and icy patches can be super dangerous. Pack smart: water, food, extra fuel, warm layers, and reliable GPS with maps are must-haves. You'll likely share the road with mine trucks (there are a bunch of large mines nearby), though the closer you get to the pass, the quieter it gets. But hey, the reward is absolutely stunning scenery!