Pampa Galeras — Nazca to Cusco AndesCrossing.
Distance
660 km
Duration
2 days
Climb
6,800 m
Pampa Galeras — Nazca to Cusco Andes Crossing.
Two days climbing from the Pacific desert at Nazca to the imperial city of Cusco. Route 26 climbs 4,200m of vertical through the Pampa Galeras vicuna reserve, the high punas of Ayacucho, and the bridges and gorges of Apurimac. One of the great Andean crossings — fewer riders than the Cusco–Puno corridor and consistently spectacular.
Quick facts
SurfacePaved
Distance660 km
Days2
Total climb6,800 m
DifficultyChallenging
Loading map...
2 days, 2 moods.
A suggested split across 2 days with 9 waypoints to discover along the way.
NazcaStart · Start in Nazca, edge of the Atacama. Optional flightseeing over the Nazca Lines before riding. Fuel up — long climb ahead.
Pampa Galeras Vicuna ReserveScenic Point · Bolivia-style high puna at 4,000m. Largest vicuna population in Peru. Annual chaccu (traditional roundup and shearing) in June.
PuquioRestaurant · Lunch in Puquio (3,200m). Cuy chactado (fried guinea pig) is the local specialty if you're adventurous. Otherwise sopa de quinua.
Andamarca Inca TerracesScenic Point · Pre-Inca agricultural terraces still in use today, in a remote Ayacucho valley. Almost no tourists.
ChalhuancaOvernight · Overnight in Chalhuanca (2,852m) on the Apurimac River. Basic but warm. Trout farms along the river — fresh dinner.
AbancayRestaurant · Capital of Apurimac region. The road weaves through the Pachachaca river canyon to reach it. Coffee stop at the central plaza.
Saywite Stone Archaeological SiteScenic Point · Mysterious carved monolith — a 3D map of an unknown Inca landscape. 200+ figures of animals, rivers, and terraces.
Limatambo & Tarawasi Inca SiteScenic Point · Inca tambo (rest house) on the original royal road to the Pacific. Polished stone walls. The road then climbs the final pass.
CuscoEnd · End in Cusco at 3,399m. The view as the city appears from the highway south is one of South America's great moto reveals.
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