Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > SOUTH AMERICA
SOUTH AMERICA Topics specific to South America only.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 3 May 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Suffolk, England
Posts: 109
Question Roads in Bolivia

Hi - Can anybody give me some information on the roads in southern Bolivia? We are two up on a Yamaha XT600Z Tenere, with camping gear (so heavy!), and planning on going north from Argentina (Jujuy) into Bolivia in 2 or 3 weeks time. Once in Bolivia, we would like to go to Uyuni (inc salt flats) and then to Potosi, La Paz and on in to Peru. My question is - what are the roads like in this part of Bolivia (I know they are unpaved), especially considering the bike we are on and the fact that I do not like soft sand!!?

Any advice that anybody can give would be most welcome so that we can plan accordingly.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 4 May 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Colorado
Posts: 25
I took the train (rear shock coloapsed and riding dirt with hard tail sucks) so thats an option for you. I was told that section was some of the roughest riding they had on the whole trip. But thats just hersay so take it for what is worth.

Kyle
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 4 May 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Germany
Posts: 37
Roads in Bolivia

Hi,

the same questions apply to me as we are going on a trip from Peru to Bolivia and back. We will start in one week in Lima, then heading most likely to Cuzco, lake Titicaca, La Paz, Uyuni and back to Lima.

So any info about the roads are welcome.

AND HOW IS THE SITUATION AT THE SALAR DE UYUNI??

Regards to all!!
__________________
Gerd
Duesseldorf, Germany
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 4 May 2007
mmaarten's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Thailand at the moment
Posts: 593
Talking not to bad

Hi,

Roads in Bolivia are not all that bad. Most of them are un-paved, but with good gravel.
Only if you go to realy remote places (St. Vincent for example) you might find yourself in soft sand and riverbeds.
Roads to and from main cities (I consider Uyuni a main city) are better then the average dessert-road in Australia (not to much corugation).

Fuel is sometimes tricky, so fuel up at every ocasion.

Hope this helps

Maarten
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 4 May 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: England
Posts: 201
Dirt Is Damnable

Being an old man not too strong in the legs, I ride a Honda 125 Cargo loaded with gear for a six month trip. I hate gravel, soft sand and corrugations. And I hate rocky riverbeds that, on the map, pretend to be highways and I hate riding alongside vertical thousand foot drops. Oh, and I don't much like sandstorms. I had plenty of all that in Peru (plus great times riding from Cusco to Puna and on down the lake). Riding through Bolivia I stuck mostly with tar and crossed the frontier into Argentina at Yuquiba (blog at www.simongandolfi.com). Cochabamba was joy after the cold of the alteplano. I had breakfast on a Sunday with member's of Cochabamba's Classic Bike Club - great people - though the seats on their bikes filled me with envy; no numb butts for the Classic Bike Club! Good luck and have fun...
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 4 May 2007
RickMcD's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Oxnard, Ca. USA
Posts: 187
Cool Corrugation Potosi to Uyuni.

Quote:
Originally Posted by mmaarten View Post
Hi,

Roads in Bolivia are not all that bad. Most of them are un-paved, but with good gravel.
Only if you go to realy remote places (St. Vincent for example) you might find yourself in soft sand and riverbeds.
Roads to and from main cities (I consider Uyuni a main city) are better then the average dessert-road in Australia (not to much corugation).

Fuel is sometimes tricky, so fuel up at every ocasion.

Hope this helps

Maarten
I rode from Potosi to Uyuni this past Dec and thought it was one of worst corrugated roads ever, but would have gladly ridden it again after the roads south thru San Vincente to Tupiza. :=) Just plain bad.....
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 8 May 2007
markincyberspace's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Brighton, UK
Posts: 66
Greynomads,

We were in and around Uyuni two up on a heavily loaded AT a couple of months ago. The road between Ourou (SP?) and Uyuni buggered of first aftermarket shock. The road between Uyuni and the Argentine border buggered the replacement.

Was it worth it? Oh yes, the countryside was amazing.

....and did I mention the weather at that time?

Mark.
__________________
Two wheels good,
Four wheels bad (unless it's two bikes).

http://www.markincyberspace.com
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 8 May 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 48
Smile Just did it

Hello,

I just came from Bolivia, and have ridden just about every main road there. if after I am done here, you have any more questions, please send me a PM or email me, I am happy to help.

If you come up through argentina and into bolivia you will first hit villazon, then about 5 hours later on somewhat bad road you are in tupiza. there isnt much sand, but there are a lot of very ¨washboardy¨sections. however, very beautiful. from there to potosi is also a pretty ride, but a lot of it is a riverbed. i was there like 1.5 months ago, and it was still a little wet, but there werent any very rocky sections. you will even hit a patch of pavement for a while. from potosi to oruro and then to la paz it is all very good pavement. however, i highly recommend trip up to see sucre if you are in potosi, it is only a couple hours away.

ok, now the REAL way to come into Bolivia from the south. in between jujuy and san pedro de atacama is Paso Jama and it is kind of no mans land for about 100 k´s in terms of what country you are in. however, off of this paved highway you can turn north into bolivia for what i can personally gaurantee is some of the most amazing landscape you will ever come across. almost all non motorcycle tourists normally will do this area by jeep. what I did was I followed a jeep tour from uyuni across the salar and south into chile. very very very very very worth it. the roads are a bit tough, im not gonna lie. and i must admit to you, there is some parts where it is a little sandy, but if you stay in the tire tracks, youll be ok. there is also one strecth of about half a kilometer that is so rocky it is more like a mountain biking trail, but its all over very quickly. what i would personally reccomend, if you are willin to get josteld around for a few days would be to go to san pedro de atacama and pay to follow a jeep through this route. it is more or less impossible to do alone on the bike because 1) the roads are all unmarked and there are a lot of detours 2) you would need to carry enough gas to go about 600 k´s...... so, if you choose to do this, you will feel like you are riding on mars for 2 days as you ride past blood red lakes, flamingoes, salt flats, rock gardens, etc. then after 2 days ride from s.p. de atacame you will arrive at the salar de uyuni.........ah, salar how i love you. it is truely incredible. following a tour there is no problem of getting lost, and there is very little water on it except at the very end ( if coming from chile) just be sure to put on some sunscreen . going alone, you might get mixed up thinking you are heading for the correct island, but really its just some mountain way off in the distance.........

ok, ill stop rambling, i just like to be thorough. if you have any mroe questions about bolivia let me know, i spent a total of about 40 days there over two trips through, and know the condition of just about every road cause i was there like 5 days ago. but whichever way you come, riding on the salar de uyuni is an ABSOLUTE MUST. its a very strange feeling to be able to close your eyes and turn your bike in any direction at full throttle with no danger whatsoever.......... cheers guys, enjoy bolivia, it is truly a fascinating country. see you on the road

bob
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 8 May 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: La Paz, Bolivia
Posts: 35
As Bob says the route from San Pedro - Uyuni is one of the most fantastic rides ever and it should be a good time to do it because it should have stopped raining, however, it seems to be stopping late this year. This is always going to be a tough ride though and the road between Tupiza and Uyuni is pretty spectacular and much easier. Fromm Uyuni-potosi is pretty good these days though still dirt. Potosi to La Paz is all bitumin and pretty good.
As Bob says again, if you are in Potosi it's worth going to Sucre. It's only a couple of hours from Potosi and a much nicer town.
Have fun.
Fraser
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 15 May 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Heading to Ushuaia
Posts: 34
zapalives is right. its soft and sandy but an amazing ride up to uyuni from san pedro de atacama......one of the best on our trip thru lat am. i've seen a polish couple do two-up on what appeared to be a 600. if you can do it, my hats off. you wont regret it. it was a slog for me and may mates (all on klrs) 2 years ago. fond memories though. bring food and water. i'd do it all over again if i could.

gas....yeah, pretty scarce up there. we found water bottles worked very well for storing fuel.

ride safe
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 23 May 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 13
Guys,
This thread is very useful and I wanted to PM a few of you to discuss the roads in Bolivia but do not have sufficient posts yet. I am planning a trip around South America, including Bolivia - I intend to come into Bolivia from Chile and have been led to believe that you can drive mostly paved roads to La Paz from Arica - is this right? The reason I ask is that I am planning a two up trip on a K1200RS (not a good bike off road) and need to find out about the state of the roads from Chile up to La Paz and if possible to Macchu Picchu. It would be great to hear from you.
Thanks
James
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 23 May 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 13
just to add, from what I have been told and have read recently there is a paved road between La Paz and Arica.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 23 May 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Brazil
Posts: 64
Thumbs up La Paz to Puno and beyond

Hey Vicks7, can't say what the road from La Paz to Puno is like, but from Puno to Cusco it is all good.
Same goes for Arica to Puno via Arequipa.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 28 May 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 14
I just came from Cusco to La Paz via Puno and Yunguyo. The road was all tarmac and ranged from ok (some potholes) to very good. The ferry ride across Lake Titicaca with the bike also makes for some great photos. The border there is small and very quick and easy.

Im heading south down to Chile at the moment. Just a quick question to you guys who did the Uyuni to San pedro route. im very keen to do it but need a new tyre and cant find a good dual purpose in La Paz. So Im settling on a Pirelli M60 (more of a road tyre) Im on a r100gs which is pretty good off road but a bit heavy. You think its possible with a road tyre? otherwise i might just carry the dual purpose tyre I got and use whats left of it for just that section... Also any other good roads anyone knows maybe just for day trips? I heading through Potosi and Sucre before Uyuni and it would be nice to have a couple of days on the bike without it fully loaded!

Cheers
Ilya
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 29 May 2007
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Somerset, Great Britain
Posts: 471
Smile

I rode from Uyuni to San Pedro in January, and have to say the loose gravel made it hard work, probably the hardest couple of days of my 28,500 miles trans-Americas. I made it from Uyuni to Laguna Colorado by 4.00pm on the first day, and was tempted to try and get all the way to San Pedro, but was knackered and wasn't sure what time the border closed, so didn't. I think you should really allow 2 days as a minimum.

I was on my own on a loaded 1200 GSA, which was a handful in the loose gravel sections, of which there are a lot. Having said that, the landscapes were very special, and I hit my highest altitude of 16,000 ft (and coldest morning of -3C) just after Laguna Colorado (and cheapest "hotel" @ £1.60!). You will feel envious when you see the 4x4 tours flying past effortlessly!

I was lucky in that I met Mike (from Edinburugh) in La Paz, who let me have GPS info, which was invaluable - you'd easily get lost without it or some good directions. If my tracklog's any use to anyone, let me know and I'll email it. I actually made it from Uyuni to Calama on a tankful, but then that's 33 litres! I don't think there's any proper fuel (or anything much else) -stop between Uyuni and San Pedro. San Pedro BTW is nice enough, but touristy and over-priced. A very welcome stop after the wilderness though.

I rode from Potosi to Uyuni early on a beautiul morning and had a blast, but I've heard others with bad reports (and met an American in Punta Arenas who'd broke his leg on this one). I guess it must be bad after rain.

Last edited by IanC; 30 May 2007 at 00:02.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
When to travel in Bolivia?? zappalives SOUTH AMERICA 7 11 Feb 2007 21:39
Condition of roads in W/NW Iran in Feb? johnnowell Middle East 5 28 Oct 2006 12:42
Guatemalan Back roads txsurfer Central America and Mexico 7 16 Oct 2006 05:22
Bolivia Paved roads nikb Route Planning 3 30 Jan 2006 04:41
Bolivia , Paved and good dirt road info . El Penguino SOUTH AMERICA 6 9 Apr 2002 07:28

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 06:39.