Cordillera Blanca to Chavín — Huaraz Loop via the KahuishTunnel.
Distance
230 km
Duration
1 day
Climb
3,400 m
Cordillera Blanca to Chavín — Huaraz Loop via the Kahuish Tunnel.
A big single-day out-and-back from Huaraz across the Cordillera Blanca to the 3,000-year-old temple of Chavín de Huántar. The road climbs from the Callejón de Huaylas through Huascarán National Park to the Kahuish Tunnel at 4,516m — possibly the highest road tunnel on Earth, piercing the continental divide — then drops into the Conchucos valley to one of the Americas' oldest ceremonial centers.
Quick facts
SurfaceMixed
Distance230 km
Days1
Total climb3,400 m
Fuel stops1 along route
DifficultyModerate
Loading map...
The route.
HuarazStart · Start in Huaraz (3,050m), Peru's andinismo capital in the Callejón de Huaylas. Leave early — the pass clouds over by afternoon. Acclimatise first if freshly arrived.
CatacFuel Stop · Turn east off the valley road here. Last reliable fuel before the high crossing — top up. The climb into Huascarán National Park begins.
Kahuish Tunnel (4,516m)Mountain Pass · The Túnel de Kahuish bores through the continental divide at 4,516m — likely the highest road tunnel in the world. Cold, dark and dripping; lights on, take it slow. Glacier views on both approaches.
Chavín de HuántarScenic Point · A UNESCO World Heritage temple complex begun around 1200 BC — stone galleries, carved heads and the fanged Lanzón monolith at its heart. Turnaround point; lunch in the village.
HuarazEnd · Recross the Kahuish Tunnel and drop back into the Callejón de Huaylas for the return to Huaraz before the evening chill.
More routes in Peru
Kuélap Fortress Road — Chachapoyas to LeymebambaPE AMA · 140 kmCusco to Puno — La Raya Pass & the Ruta del SolPE CUS · 390 kmCentral Highway — Lima to La Oroya via Ticlio PassPE LIM · 185 kmManu Road — Cusco to Pilcopata via AcjanacoPE CUS · 230 kmCentral Jungle Descent — Tarma to La MercedPE JUN · 75 kmCañón del Pato — Huaraz to Huallanca via the 35 TunnelsPE ANC · 150 km
Save this ride. Open the app.
Clone it to your planner, customize dates and stops, then ride. All free.
Open in MotoVault
Navigate this route with GPS