Crossing the Amazon - Pacific to Atlantic
 

Hi all,

Currently making my way north from La Paz, Bolivia. Would love to reach the Atlantic coast and then explore Brazil. My options seem to be;

Peru - the easiest option right? Get to Iquitos and then arrange boats to Manus and then Belen.

Ecuador - seems not to be easy but possible with small motorcycle. If boat could be found could be possible to arrive at Manus? I can't find anyone whose done this (with a bike).

Colombia - impossible to cross the Amazon. Ideally would cross into Venezula and then take the paved road to Manus before ferry to Atlantic coast in Brazil.

I hope to arrive Colombia by Feb - maybe boarder disputed will have been resolved by then? Are these sorts of closures commonplace or maybe someone can say if this looks like it will be an entrenched and protracted dispute?

Cheers!
RTW

Take care n goodluck

aditya

Hi RTW

I'm currently in Quito, Ecuador, and found your question as I was looking for info on this exact question myself. My impressions so far on a few options (based on anecdotes as I just started researching):

Ecuador (boat from Coca): I met two bicyclists who took this route. The said they had a hard time, partly because they had their bicycles with them and partly because they had to take four (I think) boats just to get to Iquitos. There were no roads between these locations so their bargaining power kept reducing, and hence the price to get on the next boat kept increasing. According to them, doing it with a motorcycle could probably easily turn into a nightmare. However, I met a local who claimed it would be possible to take just one boat straight to Manaus. Trying to confirm and get more info on this as this route would at least geographically be ideal to me.

Colombia (via Venezuela): Just came back from Colombia and the locals I spoke to all said they had little hope of the boarder opening any time soon, especially due to the upcoming election. Unfortunate as this appears to be the most "interesting" route.

Colombia (boat from Leticia): No roads leading there from what I've understood. Wld require flying, and in that case I suppose you might as well fly all the way.

Peru (boat from Yurimaguas): Shouldn't be too hard to find a larger boat that could take you to Iquitos from what I've heard.

Peru (boat from Pucalpa): From what I've heard the most hassle free route.

Once more, I just started to look into this and my impressions are so far based on anecdotal info and should therefore be taken with a pinch of salt. Will keep researching... Meanwhile, have you found any interesting info?

Cheers,
Philip

Jammimg did a ride across the amazons, nice vid.

Amazon | Jammin Global Adventures | Motorcycle Tours in Kenya, Peru, Mongolia and India

Not a part of the world I am very familiar with, but a trip I've had in the back of my mind for a while. Maybe I'm missing something, but isn't there a road from Peru going Cusco - Puerto Maldonado, then north into Brazil, skirting the Bolivian border, then eventually connecting with BR 230, the infamous 'Trans-Amazonian Highway'? I thought this was the only way to actually drive across the Amazon...?

The road from puerto maldonado to Manaus is only 3 months a year realy passable (infos from a Colombian driver). As far as i know the best time is from July to September/oktober bevor rainseason jits in. I tryed to go but got stucket in cusco and by the time i was ready the rain fludded the street to brasil and i had to turn around in Puerto Maldonado. That was February 2015. There are boats to Manaus from puerto valeo if you can go there. They will take you a few days to Manaus.
Sorry that i cant help more.