Scenes from the Highest Road in the World

The section of road from Huancavelica to Ayacucho in the Peruvian Andes is considered to be the longest stretch of road in the world continuously above 4,000 meters. For more than 110 km, the road does not dip below 4,000 meters, and along the way it crests several high passes, including the highest drivable pass in the world at 5,029 meters ( ft). All of it, of course, is on the sweet grinding joy of dirt roads.

Between wind and snow, biting cold and chewing coca, thin air and thinner apprehensions, I pedaled away with a smile each day, meeting more llamas and alpacas than people, camping high each day, and speaking more Quechua than Spanish to the few alpaqueros I had the fortune of coming across.

Roads in the Peruvian highlands are forever ascending or descending.

An alpaca gazes out at the beauty of Lago Choclococha

Morning greetings after a snowy night at 14,200 feet.

One of the many strikingly beautiful alpine tarns along the highest road.

Alpacas, alpacas are everywhere!

The summit of Abra Huayrajasa (5,029 meters), the highest drivable pass in the world with a storm chasing behind.

When I finally descended back down to the realm of men and women, I decided to camp amidst a stand of beautiful Eucalyptus trees.