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
Related Roads in south-america
moderateRuta Provincial 11
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, listen up, adventurers! If you find yourself in the Neuquén Province of southwestern Argentina, practically breathing the same air as Chile, you HAVE to check out Ruta Provincial 11. This epic loop is about 80.5km of pure, unadulterated gravel road magic. Picture this: you're cruising alongside shimmering lakes – Lago Moquehue, Lago Ñorquincó, and Lago Pulmarà – with views that'll make your jaw drop. Now, this isn't a super hardcore off-road experience. A 2WD vehicle with a bit of ground clearance should be fine if you take it easy. Expect long, dry stretches where you can cruise, but keep an eye out for washboarding, ruts, and dips. Basically, be smart, drive slow, and soak in the scenery. Trust me, it's worth it!
moderateTravel Guide to La Virgen Pass
🇪🇨 Ecuador
Okay, adventure awaits at La Virgen Pass, sitting pretty at a lofty 4,071 meters (13,356 feet) high in Ecuador! You might also hear it called Papallacta Pass. Find it just east of Quito, straddling the Pichincha and Napo Provinces, right in the heart of Cayambe Coca National Park. The E20 highway will take you right through, a fully paved road cutting through the Andes, just off the Eastern Cordilleras. This epic drive stretches for 85.3 km (53 miles) from Pifo to San Francisco de Borja as you head west to east. Heads up, you're on the road from Quito straight into the Amazon! At the top, that altitude is real. But the views? Absolutely unreal! Think majestic mountains and glaciers galore. Don't miss the little chapel there, known as Virgen del Paramo Papallacta. Feeling extra adventurous? A rugged, unpaved road heads north to Pico de las Antenas, peaking at 4,350 meters (14,271 feet). Buckle up for an unforgettable ride!
hardHow to get to Gran Bajo de San Julián by car, the lowest point in the Americas?
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, adventure seekers, get ready for a trip to the absolute BOTTOM of the Americas! We're talking about Gran Bajo de San Julián, nestled way down in the Patagonian wilds of Santa Cruz, Argentina. Forget about sea level – we're diving to -105 meters (-345 feet)! Yeah, Death Valley's cool and all, but this place is lower, making it the ultimate low-rider experience in the Western and Southern Hemispheres. Think vast, desolate landscapes: a proper desert vibe with crazy temperature swings, salty ground, and hardy plants clinging to life. It's remote, so you won't be battling hordes of tourists, but you might bump into a scientist or a fellow traveler with a serious case of wanderlust. The good news? The road in is fully paved! You'll cruise along Ruta Nacional 3, a sweet 125 km (77-mile) stretch from the historic coastal town of Puerto San Julián (Port St. Julian) to Comandante Luis Piedrabuena. So, pack your camera, fill up the tank, and prepare for a truly unique journey to one of the planet's hidden gems.
hardWhat is the road to Abra de Rota like?
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, picture this: you're straddling the border between Salta and Jujuy provinces in wild northwest Argentina, practically spitting distance from Bolivia. You've reached Abra de Rota, a staggering 4,405 meters (14,452 feet) above sea level. Get ready for the silence and raw beauty of the high Puna. Think endless, arid landscapes, rolling brown hills under a vast sky, and air so thin it feels like you're on another planet. This is Ruta Provincial 205 (RP205), a lifeline for tiny communities clinging to this remote frontier. Forget schedules; Mother Nature calls the shots here. Blazing sun one minute, freezing temps or sudden storms the next, turning the tracks into slippery nightmares. So, what's the road like? It's a steady, challenging climb into the high-altitude desert starting near Yavi in Jujuy Province, snaking its way to the top for about 21.5 km (13.3 miles). The average gradient is gentle enough, but the altitude? Brutal. Expect loose, sandy gravel demanding a high-clearance vehicle (4WD is your best friend here). Is it dangerous? Yep, the altitude is the big one. Oxygen is scarce up here, so altitude sickness (soroche) is a real risk. There are a few tricky sections, like the riverbeds ("vados") near Olaroz Chico and Pastos Chicos. When it rains (and it does!), these can become impassable rivers of mud. So, pro tip: check local conditions first, pack extra fuel, water, and layers. Assistance out here can be hours, if not days, away.