Driving the most spectacular roads of Peru

In the embrace of the Andes, Peru unfolds a rich tapestry of roads that beckon travelers with stories steeped in ancient wonders and natural grandeur. The Interoceanic Highway acts as a bridge, linking the humid mysteries of the Amazon with the stark allure of the Pacific coast. On the Curvas de Huanchaca, 24 switchbacks tease and challenge, demanding attention and respect on a narrow, precipitous path.

Ascend to the dizzying heights of the Anticona Pass, where the cold Andean winds whisper tales of times gone by. Cañón del Pato, "Duck Canyon", presents not just jaw-dropping beauty but also the thrill of a road demanding skill and courage. And if that wasn't enough, the route to Punta Olimpica in the heart of the Andes is nothing short of awe-inspiring, a testament to nature's grand canvas.

Yet, amid these towering giants, the Nazca desert stretches out, a canvas of ancient art with the Panamericana Sur as your viewing gallery, allowing you to ponder the mysteries etched into the very earth. In Peru, roads aren't mere pathways but a bridge across time, a blend of tradition, tenacity, and topography. So, gear up and let the Peruvian landscapes regale you with tales where every turn holds a new story, a new vista, and an age-old charm

Punta Huarapasca is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.815m (15,797ft) above the sea level, located in the Huascarán National Park of Peru.

Meseta Marcahuasi is a high mountain plateau at an elevation of 4.100m (13,451ft) above the sea level, located in the Andes Mountains of Peru. The place is known for curious shapes of human faces and animals visible in granite rock.

Abra Condorillo is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.993m (16,381ft) above the sea level, located in the Cotahuasi Subbasin Landscape Reserve, in the Arequipa Region, Peru.

Laguna de Pacucha is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3.100m (10,170ft) above the sea level, located in the Andahuaylas Province in the Apurímac Region, in Peru.

Carretera 1NC is a spectacular road located in the Andes of Peru. The road unfolds for over 47 km, almost entirely over 4.500 meters above the sea level. The highest point of the road is Abra Antajirca, at 4.780m (15,682ft) above the sea level.

Punta Pumacocha is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.990m (16,371ft) above the sea level, located in the Laraos District, one of thirty-three districts of the province Yauyos in the Lima Region in Peru. The top few kms are brutal.

CA-109 is a very dangerous high mountain road located in northern Peru. This route is not recommended if your passengers are prone to car sickness. Don’t stuff your belly too much. Eventually, you might feel vomiting temptations.

Pista Palambla-Huancabamba is a high mountain track located in the province Huancabamba, in Northern Peru. In many places the road is bordered by a drop of hundreds of meters (many hundreds of feet) unprotected by guardrails. Words can’t describe the road and pictures don’t do it justice.

Abra del Negro Bueno is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.647m (15,246ft) above the sea level located in the province Concepción in Peru.

Llanganuco Chinancocha is a high mountain crystal blue lake located in the Cordillera Blanca in the Andes of Peru at an elevation of 3.850m (12,631ft) above the sea level.

Abra Rit'ipata is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.947m (16,230ft) above the sea level, located in the Apolobamba mountain range in the Andes of Peru.

Located in the Andahuaylas Province in the Apurímac Region, in Peru, the Andahuaylas Airport is a high mountain airport at an elevation of 3.444m (11,300ft) above the sea level.

Abra Suijo, also known as Abra Suyoc, is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.706m (15,439ft) above the sea level, located in central Peru.

Located in the province of Tacna in Peru, Paso de los Vientos is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.012m (16,443ft) above the sea level.

Abra de Porcuya is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.137m (7,011ft) above the sea level, located in the province Huancabamba in Peru.

Abra Chucopampa is an extreme high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.858m (15,938ft) above the sea level, located in the Cajamarca department, in Peru. The climb is brutal and cruel.

Laguna Pallarcocha is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 4.740m (15,550ft) above the sea level located in the Arequipa Region, Condesuyos Province, Andaray District of Peru.

Carretera PA-106 is a high mountain gravel road located in the province of Pasco in Peru. The road is very rough--only try driving it in a 2wd car, if you're planning to buy a new car.

Laguna Chuchon is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 4.465m (14,648ft) above the sea level, located in the Lima Region, in western Peru.

Located in the province of Pallasca in Peru, Carretera 101 is one of the most dangerous roads in the world. There are vertigo-inducing depths of up to 1.200m. Only the suicidal, the insane, or the paid-to-do-this should ever drive down.

Located between the departments of Tacna and Puno, in the Andean Cordillera, near Peru’s border with Bolivia, Carretera 38 is an extreme high mountain road running entirely over the 3.200m above the sea level.

Located in the province of Yauyos, in the Lima Region of Peru, the road through the Ushco canyon is, truly, one of the most spectacular drives in the world. It’s called Garganta del Diablo (Devil's throat).

Refugio Salkantay is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 3.849m (12,627ft) above the sea level, located in the Cusco Region, in Peru. Your wheels will be astounded at the wonderful views of the mountains spread out before you! They are terrible for drivers who are prone to vertigo. In many places the road is bordered by a drop of hundreds of meters (many hundreds of feet) unprotected by guardrails.

Quebrada Honda is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 4.901m (16,079ft) above the sea level, located in the Carhuaz Province, in the Ancash Region of Peru.

Carretera LM-108 is a mountain road located in central Peru, in the region Lima. There are some narrow sections impassable for two cars at the same time.

The challenging Pan-American Highway is one of the biggest adventures in the world. It’s a network of roads covering almost 30,000 kilometres (19,000 mi) from North America to South America. It’s said to be the longest road on Earth.

Abra de Toroya is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.750m (15,583ft) above the sea level, located in the Puno department, in southeastern Peru.

Laguna Yantac is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 4.641m (15,226ft) above the sea level located in the Andes, in the Yauli Province in the Junín Region in Peru.

Punta Ushuayca is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.930m (16,174ft) above the sea level, located in the Lima Region, Huarochiri Province of Peru.

Laguna Paucarcocha is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 4.284m (14,055ft) above the sea level located in the province of Yauyos in Peru.

Located in central Peru, Carretera Singa-Yunguilla is one of the most dangerous routes in the world. In many places this high mountain road is bordered by a drop of hundreds of meters (many hundreds of feet) unprotected by guardrails. It’s definitely not a “Sunday drive”.

Laguna Aricota is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3.106m (10,190ft) above the sea level, located in the Tacna Region in southern Peru.

Llanganuco Orconcocha is a high mountain crystal blue lake located in the Cordillera Blanca in the Andes of Peru at an elevation of 3.850m (12,631ft) above the sea level.

Abra Rapaz is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.937m (16,197ft) above the sea level, located in the highlands of Lima, in the high cordillera of central Peru. The road is bordered by a drop of hundreds of meters (many hundreds of feet) unprotected by guardrails.

Carretera Puquina-Salinas Moche is a high mountain road located in the Andes of Peru. It runs entirely over the 3.600m above the sea level.

Pacaraos is a high mountain town at an elevation of 3.331m (10,928ft) above the sea level, located in the province Huaral in Peru. The road to reach the town is terrible. In some places is only wide enough for one vehicle, and in many places is bordered by a drop of 300 meters unprotected by guardrails.