Canyon del Pato?

[charapashanperu]

Hey out there. Am planning a trip in Peru with friends and we want to try Huaraz north thru the Canyon del Pato to Huamachuco, then on to Cajamarca. Can someone give me an update on that route. Yes, we will be on big dirt bikes...

Toby (charapa)
Around the Block 2007 |

[gatogato]

You will love it. The road is all heavy type gravel and was completely redone 3-4 years ago. The tunnels are very dangerous because they are lond and there is not light. Also, watch out for big mudd puddles like the one I wiped out in.

BTW: Make sure to give warning honks when you are coming around big curves because there are trucks and buses that regularly use that road.

For tires, I recommend slightly aggressive dirt tires. I had TM on/off road tires and I made it fine but would have liked more aggressive ones.

[BklynDakar]

As long as it is not raining this is an easy gravel road. I wouldn´t worry about tires at all. May just have to adjust your speed. Beautiful ride. You can also go up through the mountains towards San Luis north of Huarez.

[Em and Hame]

Hi Toby,

We rode through the canyon 2-up about two weeks ago - great ride. A little loose gravel in places, but no problems. Depending on which way you're going, you can take an alternative route to the coast via Tanguche. Coming from Caraz, you have to cross the bridge just before Chuquicara and take a dirt road West and parallel to the river to Tanguche (not marked on our map). From there continue NW to hook up with the Pan-Am. Don't do as we did and assume there was a bridge connecting the two roads opposite Tanguche!

Enjoy,
Hame & Em

[scouse]

We rode from the North into the Canyon last week, and with dry conditions big dirt bikes should be fine & lots of fun.

2 up fully loaded on a vstrom with road tyres was more tricky than I would have liked, but still enjoyable if slower than you will be.

Trucks & buses take no prisoners even when you are already in a tunnel they dont seem to care & will come on in at you - just breathe in

From Santa the road to Chuquicara is paved, and after that it´s rocky dirt track for about 45 miles to Hullanca. About half way is a collection of huts which serve food & water, but best not to rely on this as one never knows.

After Hullanca is just dirt road & only about 20 miles of it, a lot easier than the first section, and this is the Canyon part. Then there´s about 10 miles of road (interspersed with some rough section of about 1 mile) to Caraz, and it´s paved from there.

The ride from Huaraz to the Pan Am is great too but for scenery & switch backs.

enjoy
Scouse

[El Aleman - Jens]

Just came back from Peru yesterday!!! I rentede a bike from Perumoto.com XT 660 R and he recommended also Canon de Pato as a very nice road!

I went from Lima to Merced, Oxapampa, Satipo, Tarma, Huancayo, Lima beautiful scenery!

All paved only 18 km between La Merced and Oxapampa unpaved, but not difficult. It would be nice to go further to Pozuzo, but I didn´t have the time.....

Go for the Selva Central, how they call the area!

Hope to see you on the 1st HU Meeting Germany in May!

Jens

[Vagamundo]

The rains can close the road for a day or so, but it's not frequent. Contact me when you come, I am the HU host in Huaraz.

[charapashanperu]

Vagabundo,

Saludos! I have been to Huaraz many times, but never by moto. About 18 friends from the USA who also grew up in Peru will be holding a class reunion on motos Cuzco to Chachapoyas to Cuzco June to Aug 2009. We will definitely look you up!

Donde recomiendas quedar en Huaraz, y como es la carretera a Cajamarca via Huamachuco? We hope to rent bikes in Cuzco. Have you had any dealings with any of the 3 companies?

Toby (charapa) Around the Block 2007 |

[rauleloy]

Saludos desde Argentina
te acordas hace 4 años cuando volvias de Argentina, donde tu moto se habia estropeado, dormiste en Chala y comistes con un argentino?
Pasé por ahí hace 10 dias y vi en el mismo hotel la calcomania de Vagamundo.
Esta vez no hice al tiempo para ir a Huaraz, no faltará opurtunidad.
SALUDOS
Raul