The road to Machu Picchu is pure adventure
Peru, south-america
8.9 km
2,429 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, picture this: You're in the Urubamba Province of Peru, heading towards Machu Picchu, that legendary Inca site perched way up at 2,430m (almost 8,000ft). The road? Let's just say it's an *experience*.
This is the Carretera a Machu Picchu, or Hiram Bingham Highway, and it's not your average paved road. Nope, this one's all unpaved, a winding ribbon that climbs from Aguas Calientes (aka Machupicchu Town). It's a short 8.9km (5.5 miles) drive, but don't let that fool you!
Inaugurated in 1948 and dedicated to Hiram Bingham, this road is starting to show its age and has had some close calls. Think landslides wiping out corners! It's a series of 14 hairpin turns, narrow, steep (hitting gradients of 27%!). Imagine buses having to reverse on a steep hill just to squeeze past each other. The scenery is stunning, carved into the Eastern Cordillera of Peru, and you'll cross the Vilcanota River along the way. You'll feel such relief at the end!
Where is it?
The road to Machu Picchu is pure adventure is located in Peru (south-america). Coordinates: -9.1552, -73.0030
Road Details
- Country
- Peru
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 8.9 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,429 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- -9.1552, -73.0030
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