Distance: 298 kms. Estimated Duration: 5-6hrs.
Lima – Ticlio (133 kms). Asphalted road with many trailers on route. Dangerous from December till April due to heavy rains, snow and fog in the afternoons and evenings. The road is in very good condition as well as very well signalized. It is important to take into consideration that this road is under constant reparation due to mud slides and in some stretches you might have to use one lane roads. You will endure pronounced uphill drive, many curves and some abyss. Anticipate other driver’s bad driving skills. A very fair extension of this route you will be at 3500 m.a.s.l. therefore it is always important to take preventives for height sickness, a good advice is to ask your tour operator for oxygen cylinder tanks. The principal waypoints on this route are: Chosica (km 37), Matucana (Km 75) San Mateo (Km 94), Chicla (Km 105) and Casapalca (116).
Ticlio – La Oroya (46 kms) from the mountain pass Anticona the highest point is Ticlio at 4,850 m.a.s.l, the road starts descending passing bye Morococha (Km 138) and arrives in la Oroya (Km 174; 3,750 m.a.s.l) at this point the road has a bifurcation please be sure to take the correct route; Huancayo is to your right hand and Cerro de Pasco to your left hand. In la Oroya you will find petrol stations and here you can also buy some foods such as sandwiches or cookies. Before arriving to the town of La Oroya there are some acceptable restaurants called “ Muruhuay” , “ El Tambo” and “ Central”.
La Oroya – Huancayo (124 kms). This is a long route and on the edge of the River Mantaro. Slow descent with many curves. The stretch between La Oroya and the Matachico Bridge (36 kms) which used to be in a bad state has been well repaired. You will find the landscape very beautiful and attractive. The Stuart Bridge which gives access to the Mantaro Valley is in operative order; from there you can reach city of Jauja (Km 80, Left hand) and the deviation point to the Paca lagoon (4 kms). The road continues through the Mantaro valley and bifurcates in two, on the left route of the river (120 kms) this is the recommended route due to the reason that this is a 4 lane road which passes bye the towns of Concepcion, San Jeronimo (Please be careful with the road humps) and Hualhuas before reaching the city of Huancayo. On your right this route is 114 kms long, the road is in good state and passes bye the towns or villages of Atura, Orcotuna, Sicaya and Pilcomayo before arriving in Huancayo city.