The Ultimate Road Trip from Chivay to Arequipa

Carretera Chivay-Arequipa is the name of a spectacular curvy mountain road located in the Arequipa region of Peru.

Carretera Chivay-Arequipa

How long is the road from Chivay to Arequipa?

Set high in the Colca Valley, the drive is 149 km (93 miles) long, running from the traditional mountain village of Chivay to the area’s provincial capital city of Arequipa. The journey comprises 34A and AR-109 roads.

Is the road from Chivay to Arequipa paved?

The road is mostly paved, but the surface deteriorates at higher elevations. The surface is not bad, there is little traffic, and the gradients are mostly gentle, which means that despite its height, it is a reasonably easy drive.

Is driving from Chivay to Arequipa worth it?

Tucked away on the southwestern part of the country, the road tops out at 4,879m (16,007ft) above sea level, by Abra Patapampa. The views of fine landscapes with vicuña, llamas, alpacas, and Andean ducks are superb.