Where is Abra Chaucha?

Where is Abra Chaucha?

Peru, south-america

Length

N/A

Elevation

N/A

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Peruvian Andes, right on the border of Junín and Lima regions, smack-dab in the middle of the country's highlands. You're heading towards Abra Chaucha, a seriously high mountain pass.

The road? Well, it's paved...sort of. Let's just say you'll want to give your suspension a pep talk before you start! We're talking some potholes that could swallow a small car whole. Seriously, think twice about driving this at night.

This pass is a piece of a much longer east-west route, linking Cerro de Pasco (the capital of Pasco) to Lima. Along the way, you'll cross several other high mountain passes, so buckle up for some seriously stunning highland scenery. It's an epic drive, full of drama and views that will make your jaw drop.

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Road Details

Country
Peru
Continent
south-america
Difficulty
moderate

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