Ayacucho to Abancay — The Southern Sierra HighlandCrossing.
Distance
400 km
Duration
2 days
Climb
4,800 m
Ayacucho to Abancay — The Southern Sierra Highland Crossing.
The spine of the southern Peruvian sierra, linking Ayacucho and Abancay through Andahuaylas. The highland highway is a relentless rhythm of climbs to 4,000m punas and descents into deep river canyons, the most spectacular being the drop into the Pampas. Paved throughout but demanding, with long days between towns.
Quick facts
SurfacePaved
Distance400 km
Days2
Total climb4,800 m
DifficultyModerate
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2 days, 2 moods.
A suggested split across 2 days with 4 waypoints to discover along the way.
AyacuchoStart · Start in Ayacucho (2,760m), the city of thirty-three churches. The highland highway east is a near-constant sequence of climbs and canyon descents.
ChincherosScenic Point · Ridge-top town at 3,772m reached after dropping into and climbing out of the deep Pampas river canyon - the most dramatic stretch of the day.
AndahuaylasOvernight · Overnight in Andahuaylas (2,926m) beside Laguna Pacucha and the Sóndor ruins. Relaxed plaza and good trout.
AbancayEnd · End in Abancay (2,380m) beneath the snow-capped Ampay. Gateway to the Apurímac canyon and the trek to Choquequirao.
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