Trinidad, Bolivia to Rurrenabaque in November

[Mr Steam Turbine]

I've read about an interesting stop in Rurrenabaque, Bolivia where a four day trip into the Parque National Madidi is possible. However, everything I read says the rainy season in this part of Bolivia starts in October and continuously gets worse till January.

I'm considering planning my northbound route through Bolivia to include the loop from Santa Cruz up to Trinidad, then over to Rurrenbaque. Has anyone done this section of Bolivia in November, and if so, is it passible or is the rain just to much.

Thanks for your help.

[ohlala]

I haven't done it by motorcycle, only by bus and car. I was there in late November 2004, went from Trinidad to Rurre (roads in the area which at the time was completely unpaved). It didn't rain that much then but when it did, it was really bad. In car, you crawl along at 20 km/h if you want to stay on the road, on a motorcycle it'd be a real mess. You'd share the road with trucks (many of which ended up on the side of the road) and buses which turn the road into kneedeep, thick mud in no time. However, if you manage to avoid the rainfalls, it's doable for sure. From my limited experience, it's rather unlikely that you'll completely avoid rain, so if you go, be prepared to be stationary whenever it rains.

It's a really interesting part of south america though, very poor but also unspoiled nature.

[Mr Steam Turbine]

Thanks for the reply. Your the first I heard of thats gone that route and it sounds like such an interesting loop. Unfortunately, I'm traveling on a 1150 GS solo and at my age it's just to difficulot to go through areas that are "knee deep" in mud so I think I'll regretibly pass it up. Bummer!

[ohlala]

Originally Posted by Mr Steam Turbine

Thanks for the reply. Your the first I heard of thats gone that route and it sounds like such an interesting loop. Unfortunately, I'm traveling on a 1150 GS solo and at my age it's just to difficulot to go through areas that are "knee deep" in mud so I think I'll regretibly pass it up. Bummer!

Yeah, it's definitely not where most tourists go, but like you say it's an interesting part of the country. I went there myself because I visited my cousin who was working in the middle of the jungle at the time. Be advised that the last part of the road to Rurre is unpaved no matter where you come from. The Santa Cruz-Trinidad part was paved for the most part.