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One of Peru's most exciting roads runs north from Caraz to Huallanca, squeezing through the spectacular Canon del Pato (Duck's Canyon). An enormous rocky gorge cut from solid rock, its impressive path curves around the Cordillera Negra for most of the 50km between Caraz and Huallanca. Sheer cliff faces rise thousands of metres on either side while the road passes through some 39 tunnels - an average of one every kilometre. Situated within the canyon is one of Peru's most important hydroelectric power plants; the heart of these works, invisible from the road, is buried 600m deep in the cliff wall. Unfortunately, the road is often closed for a number of reasons - causes include terrorists, bandits, landslides in the rainy season, or just the sheer poor quality of the road surface. Much of the first section has been improved in recent years, but from Huallanca to Chimbote it's more like a dry river bed than a dirt track. Check with the tourist office in Huaraz and local bus companies about the physical and political condition of the road before attempting this journey. At the end of the canyon the first village you come to is Huallanca , reached by daily buses from Huaraz (9am-6.30pm). From here, it's 8km on to Yuramarca where you can either branch off west along an alternative road to Chimbote (another 140km), or continue along the valley to Corongo and the Callejon de Conchucos.
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