PERU, THE DEADLY PEAKS | France 5 | Les Routes de l'Impossible

Peru. From north to south the Andes Cordillera with peaks of over 6,000 metres. Between the mountains is an interlace of roads, the most dangerous in Latin America. To link the Pacific Ocean with the Amazon forest is no mean feat. Every year, the country sees 3,000 people die on these roads. Twice a week, Juan Carlos takes up the challenge: to delivery, without breakages, a load of eggs from the Pacific Coast to Yungay in the heart of the Andes Cordillera. He has no choice but to take the “Canyon del Pato”, a track full of ruts and potholes, with awesome ravines on either side. As does Pedro in his cement truck, who must also cross the highest passes in the “White” Cordillera. For three days, far from any major city, he battles with a succession of mechanical breakdowns along a hostile highway. The precipices don’t scare him. He puts himself in God’s hands. As do the thousands of Indians, who every year, take part in the biggest pilgrimage in Latin America, the procession of the “Senor de Quoylloriti”. Impervious to cold and exhaustion, Indians of all ages, laden with amulets and carrying a cross on their backs, climb a mountain of over 5,000 metres to obtain the protection of the gods. For five days and five nights, in a temperature of minus 10 degrees, to the sound of spellbinding music, they dance and pray till they are exhausted. Alcohol, sex and theft are forbidden. To make sure the ban is observed, masked initiates distribute painful lashes from their whips.