Peruvian Mountain Roads – Nightmare!!
Leaving Lima, we wandered up the coast to Paramonga and, against Francine’s better judgement, turned inland to explore the Peruvian mountains. We climbed 2,500m, with the weather deteriorating the further inland we went and camped half way up before reaching the plateau at 4000m plus. It was very spartan countryside before slowly getting more populated as we followed the Rio Santa. Our plan was to drive through Cañón del Pato (Duck Canyon) back to the coast, but once we had arrived at it’s head – we changed our minds! The road was very narrow, with steep cliffs and steep drop offs into the river below. David decided it was too risky – the road edges looked too soft after the recent rains and we were warned to be careful of rock fall.
So we reluctantly turned around (Francine breathing a sigh of relief!) and wondered how we were going to get back to the coast (without completely retracing our steps). We asked… a policeman. Jésus (yes, his real name) told us of a road that went directly from the town we were in to the coast. We showed him Big Bertha, and he said – no problem. And so we set off (in the rain) on the 104 from Caraz to Huacatambo. It was a single track road, 147km distance, that climbed to 4,300m, through numerous switchbacks with plunging drop offs, before winding down to sea level. It took 8½ hours over two days! It was quite the adventure!
splendid, adventurous, scary…………. just wow
Yes, Francine was definitely out of her comfort zone!
Wow, that looks scary!
Well done guys.l
Thanks David.
This leg without a doubt treacherous and breathtaking in fearsome fright but for the driver certified for exceptional skills in the most daunting conditions. Be safe always.
Good grief! I had heart palpitations just watching that nightmare!
‘Jesus’ has a sick sense of humour, obviously 😂
So glad you are both safe.
Very glad you made it in kine piece
Very scary! No way would I travel on these roads.
I understand your point of view!!
The first road looked scary – you would have needed all the good luck charms in the cab for that one and lots of faith. The second road was much better but still not for the faint hearted. Taking those hairpins like a pro at the end! The bridge at the end reminded me of that old movie “Wages Of Fear”.
We both said “s**t” when we saw the bridge and “phew” when we saw we could go through the river.