Distance: 106 kms. Estimated duration: 2hrs. Asphalted road.
The road follows the River Santa and descents a spectacular route. It will give you a panoramic view of the snow cap of El Huascaran and other mountains of the Cordillera Blanca. Crosses Carhuaz (33 kms), Yungay (56 kms), Caraz (68 kms) and a variety of little villages. 25 kms from Caraz the road will go through a numerous amount of tunnels and steep abysms. This route enters the impressive Pato Canyon which is 14 kms long and is pierced by the road through 25 tunnels until arriving at Huallanca. In Huallanca you will find the hydroelectric of the Pato Canyon. This road leads you to Chimbote (more than 150 kms),  but this non-asphalted road is in very bad conditions and there is only one petrol station until reaching Chimbote. From Chuquicara the road is asphalted, as part of the Chimbote – Cabana section. Due to this motive it is recommendable that this route should only be driven by well experienced drivers and 4×4 units. There is another road but it’s in the same conditions which drives around the northern Cordillera Blanca and reaches the towns of Sihuas and Pomabamba.