Punta Olímpica Pass

The road from Carhuaz over Punta Olímpica to Chacas climbs through the Ulta valley in a series of hairpins to about 4,890 metres at the old pass, and since 2013 it has gone through a tunnel bored at roughly 4,735 metres - among the highest road tunnels in the world, and the highest in Peru. The drive is the attraction: the switchbacks pass under the ice faces of Ulta, Contrahierbas and Chekiacraju, past glacial lakes and hanging glaciers close enough to see crevasse detail from the road, and the old unpaved pass road above the tunnel can still be walked for the wider view. On the far side the descent leads to Chacas, a highland town known for its Italian-founded woodcarving workshops. Buses and colectivos run the route, and it is used as a scenic crossing between the Callejón de Huaylas and the Conchucos valleys.

Highlights

• The tunnel - bored at about 4,735 metres, the highest road tunnel in Peru.
• The hairpins - switchbacks climbing under ice faces in the Ulta valley.
• The hanging glaciers - close enough to make out crevasses from the road.
• The old pass - the unpaved route above the tunnel, still walkable.

When to go

May to September. The road can be closed by snow, landslides or maintenance at any time of year. Two to three hours of driving between Carhuaz and Chacas.

Things to know

Nearly 4,900 metres by vehicle causes altitude symptoms in passengers who have not acclimatised. The road is narrow with sheer drops and no barriers in places, and closures are frequent. Cloud often hides everything above the tunnel.

Nearby

Chacas and its woodcarving workshops are on the eastern side; Carhuaz and Huaraz to the west.

Key facts