Best paved passage from La Paz through Peru to Ecuador
 

Hi All,

My wife and I are on our 2015 GSA and will be travelling from La Paz, through Peru to Ecuador. Ideally we didnt wan to travel up on the Pan American as 4/5 months later we will be travelling back down it to join up with the Dakar in Peru..... this is of course the ideal outcome.
I have tried to plan Routes through Base Camp and while it appears fine I get the impression that there are many sections of un paved roads. I know its all part of the journey but my wife isnt keen going through sand/ gravel etc as we've come off a few times so ideally i'm trying to find paved roads.

Ive looked at the Ruta 003 but not sure if this is fully sealed or not.

Any assistance or advice would be appreciated

Thanks David

Don't recall anything wrong with the road up through Copocabana and on to Cusco. More interesting than the Panamericana anyway.

Don't forget SOAT insurance before you get too far into Peru.

In Peru north of Cusco you have the option of continuing along the Andes where you will find some unpaved sections but generally OK surfaces unless you are in the rainy season. Don't go up through the border at Balsa because the Ecuador side can be pretty hairy if it is wet so you will have to cross at the next border to the west. Sealed road.

Once further north in Ecuador you can turn east through Banos and then north and drive on sealed roads on the Amazon-Andes slopes right up nearly to Quito

Don't recall sand on any roads we travelled over that section although of course there are side roads off the Panamerican that have plenty of sand

Tony,

thanks, I'll do some more research on what you have suggested. We have plenty of time so I think "Slow and Steady" will be our motto

David

Hi! Yes, the 3S/3N route through the middle of Peru is wonderful, safe, and MUCH LESS expensive than the coast! It is ALL paved now but for a 30 km piece north of Huanta and a 80 km piece NW of Huanuco.

Stop and see Sara and I in Huanuco, central Peru, right on the 3N. PM me!

BTW, a group of us here in Peru will be chasing the Dakar as it starts in Peru this year! :D:D:D