South America getting round Venezuela
 

I'm heading to south america next month starting and ending in Peru.

I was planning on doing a nice big loop around the continent going; Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil (boat from Manaus to Belem), Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and back to Peru.

However after researching the current situation in Venezuela this doesn't look possible or recommended.

starting and ending in Peru is a must as I'm buying a bike there, and will sell there when I'm done.

The best I can come up with is peru, ecuador, colombia then back down the west coast through Peru, chile, up argentina, southern brazil, through bolivia back to peru.

I'm happy to miss northern brazil on this trip as I mainly want to see the falls, Rio, Chapada Diamantina national park and I'll do some of the coast on my way up.

looking for possible options with as little backtracking as possible, any ideas?

Thanks Sean

Thanks, looks like a good option coming back from Brazil

thanks for the advice sounds like a good trip!

I think for me doing the loop the other way round will be best weather-wise.

I've given myself a maximum of 8 months for the trip so good to know its possible in 5/6

the route cuzco to puerto Maldonado is stunning but afterwards it is pretty boring.

i would recommend driving through Bolivia and entering brazil in Corumba.

i drove both and enjoyed Bolivia much more. if you wanna explore the jungle you also can do that in Bolivia, even cheaper than in puerto Maldonado.

The Bolivian side is always an adventure and you will have stunning roads going down from the andes in the jungle/marshland. In brazil you will have the pantanal, you could ship to porto jofre and taking the north route. also bonito is a nice place.

afterwards you can decide going up north br319 to Manaus or heading east to Brasilia.

I was affraid before crossing Venezuela as well but at the end it turned out to be a very nice country with very friendly people. Also the ride through Amazonas down to Brasil and the ferry trip from Manaus to Belem were fantastic: Motorcycling around the world - Ecuador and Columbia

I'm sure that that is true; however, the economy and political stability in Venezuela have taken a huge nose-dive in just the last couple of years. I think the O/P is right to be concerned - a little research on the Internet is a wise precaution.

I had the same experience with Venezuela, however things have definitely changed. For example, aside from the serious economic and political deterioration, AFAIK it is now impossible to enter Venezuela on an American passport. The OP does not say where he/she is from (which often implies US nationality).

I'm not cowardly, as a rule, but I'd probably skip Venezuela these days even if they'd admit me...which they wouldn't. YMMV.

Mark

I second that, Bolivia just has so much to offer and see. Mountains, volcanoes, Salaras, Jungles etc. Start around Lake Titicaca, ride down to Sorata, then from La Paz, could ride down to Rurrenabaque (via Coroico - a definite must) then return up to the Altiplano, do Uyuni, Sucre Potosi, Cochabamba and cross into into Brazil in Corumba, while seeing the Chiquitania. Just too much to see.

Thanks for all your responses, I'm definitely planning on going through Bolivia, possibly twice now as coming back from Brazil through Corumba does seem like a better option than going around to Puerto Maldonado.

On Venezuela I appreciate hearing from people who have been as there's a lot of speculation online, however from what I understand the situation has got worse recently due to an election that's happening at the moment.

If anyone's been recently I would love to hear from you. (also I'm from the UK, if that makes any difference)

If going through Bolivia twice, I suggest that you one way via the higlands – La paz – Oruro – Uyuni (Salar etc) – (Would be great to go to via Tarija if you have the time) – Potosi – Sucre – Santa Cruz – Corumba – Brazil

Then on the way back enter via San Matias – San Ignacio doe Valesco - Concepcion (visti Noel Kempff, if you have the time) –San Javier –Ascension – Trinidad – San Ignacio de Moxos – San Borja – Rurrenabaque (lots of jungle/pumpa tours from there) – Caranavi – Coroico – La Paz.

From La Paz you can do short trips to Sorota, Tiwanaku or Copacabana (depends where you crossed the border from/to Peru – you can either visit Tiwanaku on the way there or out and so with Copacabana).
Just be aware that the best time to visit Bolivia is May – September (actually July-August) . Lowlands are flooded during summer (November – March) and roads often impassable due to landslides (mountains) and flood (lowlands). Also you seem much more wildlife in the pampas during dry season (July – August). Salar is also best during that time as it is usually sunny, but very cold. Only disadvantage is that there might be lots of smoke in the lowlands due to burning of the jungle/fields which is done during the dry season
Have fun

This route looks very interesting and I hadn't thought about it, I think i'll take this route on the way back to Peru, thanks for tip!

We've not been to Venezuela but did, in the last few weeks, cross the border from Colombia to Ecuador. The border was full of Venezuelans escaping the worsening political and economic situation in their country. The border crossing took us seven and a half hours due to the number of people. In stark contrast the same border crossing in September 2017 took only one and a half hours including customs.

We spoke to quite a few of the Venezuelans in the queue. They told of long queues for food and rising crime rates. Their advice was to categorically not visit at this time as they would be fearful for our personal safety. One guy did mention that if you had money then goods were available. The people we spoke to were very friendly and even shared some of their food! However, we can only imagine the conditions inside Venezuela right now that are causing so many people to leave their homeland and we will heed the advice not to visit.


We're also pretty sure that the northern border between Colombia and Venezuela is currently closed to traffic. Pedestrians are being allowed to cross. Not sure of the situation at other Venezuelan borders.


Regards
Steve and Janette
Tiger 800 RTW - Two Brits and a Triumph Tiger 800 Round The World