Carrera de los Caminos del Inca – Peru

July 20, 2017 SouthAmerica

This new post is a continuation of the “Holidays in South America” post; we want to make sure you know about this huge event in Peru so you could plan accordingly during the month of October from the 21^st to the 29^th. The cities and towns along the route of the Caminos del Inca will be effectively closed during this event (roads blocked, many hotels booked up), meaning you have to plan ahead. Here is a little history about the famous Peruvian Carrera de los Caminos del Inca.

https://www.southamericatotheworld.com/ — Caminos del Inca – Cusco 2014

Each year Peru holds a difficult national racing event called the “Caminos del Inca”. This automobile competition was established in 1966 by the Peruvian Automobile Club. It consists of a race that connects cities of the coast, central mountain cities, and cities in the south. It is called Inca roads in remembrance of the Chasquis: young people of great physical stamina, who running and following a fixed route in the territory of the Incas, sent personal messages to the Inca King. The Inca roads covered part of the extended area of the Tahuantinsuyo with the purpose to connect the coastal cities with the mountain cities. Since then, this race, which is highly anticipated at the national level, has been taking place. The Inca Roads are divided into seven stages:

1st. Stage: Lima – Nasca

Starting at the racetrack La Chutana Lima, passing by Pisco, Ica, Palpa, and arriving at the Plaza de Armas de Nasca.

2nd Stage: Nasca – Arequipa

Continuing from Nasca; passing by Camana, Guerreros, Congata, and arriving at the parque cerrado de Arequipa.

3rd. Stage: Arequipa – Puno

Continuing from Arequipa; passing by Huayllacucho, Santa Lucia, Cabanillas, Juliaca, Huata, and arriving at the parque cerrado de Puno.

4th Stage: Puno – Cusco

Continuing from Puno; passing by Paucarcolla, Ayaviri, Chuquibambilla, Langui, San Jeronimo, and arriving at the parque cerrado del Cusco.

5th. Stage: Cusco – Ayacucho

Continuing from Cusco; passing by peaje Huillque, Abancay, Champacocha, Pacucha, Chinchiros, Abra Ocros, Huatatas, and arriving at the parque cerrado de Ayacucho.

6th. Stage: Ayacucho – Huancayo

Continuing from Ayacucho; passing by Compañia, Huanta, Maynay, Huayoc, Mayoc, Pampas, Abra Pampas, Pucara, and arriving to the parque de asistencia de Huancayo.

7th Stage: Huancayo – Lima

Continuing from Huancayo; passing by Acostambo, Huancavelica, Chuñuranra, Humay, and returning to the autodrom of Lima.

In 2016 they covered 3,629 kilometers, crossing the Peruvian Andes and nine departments, in a time of 18 hours, 2 minutes. The roads are incredibly narrow and curved, running along huge drop offs perched along canyon walls, and goes over the countryside well above 4,000 meters elevation. Some of the sections have dirt roads. Due to its difficulty this race has claimed several victims to date.

This year 2017 the race “Caminos del Inca” will be held in October from 21st to 29th. Following the route outlined above, so plan to either avoid these cities or be there in case you like to see this event.