Choosing the best road Ecuador>Peru?
 

Coming down on what appears to be the only c-1 road, Cali to the Tulcan border crossing, (no boat?) Quito to Cuenca--Then which way, Lola or Tumbes? We ride a maxi scooter. Experience, equipped and competent, but it is still a 15" tire scooter. Looks like both roads end up at what appears to be the only crossing at Macara. Any help is appreciated.

Joe

both roads are paved, the one through the lowlands to Huaquillas and Tumbes as well the one through the mountains via Loja to Macara. the last one - much more scenic- has many potholes thanks to the last heavy rains which has washed away some parts too but still no problem for a bike or scooter.
I prefer the Macara crossing as that is a relaxed crossing. The Huaquillas one is about the worst of south america (together with Desaguardero, in my opinion). Very hectic and with corrupt officials.
Don´t expect to be able to fill up with the last cheap fuel at the fillingstations at the border as peruvians cross the border to do the same which causes kms of queuing.

Potato, potarto...
 

Sorry Marker, but I've gotta disagree about the 'corruption' at Huaquilas. Hectic, yep, but I've never had nor heard of a problem there - maybe it depends upon which direction you're travelling? Coming into Ecuador can be a pain in the hole, but leaving's hassle free and the Peruvian Aduana there is (was?) genuinely friendly and helpful. And I found the whole cross-border bridge market kinda interesting.

Ecuadorean and Peruvian Customs are both on the bridge. Peruano Migracion is a few clicks out of town, towards Tumbes, on your left. If you drop through this route, make sure you spend a couple of nights relaxing in Mancora, a dusty truck-stop town hiding one of the nicest beaches on the Pacific Coast. With the best ceviche I ever tasted...

Suerte, Dan Walsh

Ibarra
 

Hey, I'm getting work done in Ibarra for the next few days. Stop by for a drink! I'm at the Hotel...el Retourno. Or email me at LC at LorraineChittock.com.
Lorraine

yes you are right and it all depends on the official who is helping you as well. Peruvian officials have improved a lot compared to the 80´s and 90´s, thanks to ex president Fujimori who had cleaned out the whole totally corrupt police and customs bunch. My trauma probably still is from that time when I crossed the Huaquillas border dozens of times before I ´discovered´the Macara border so much easier. And yes it probably is kind of exotic the first time you have to drive through the hectic market in order to cross the border. So my only point which stands is the more scenic route through the m,ountains then....

Thanks for the good info. surgery expenses have forced us to postpone the beginning of the ride, but guess it allows more time for leaning from riders who have been there-done that. everyday, working becomes a little less appealing, The rides this summer vacation sharpened the appetite so that it is hard to keep focused on earning the money needed for RTW. Reaading about other travelers helps though.

thanks again.

joe

Whatever you do...
 

Don´t get via Zumba. Wahtever your map says, the road is unpaved, unsafe and really tough! It took us 3 days to do around 200 miles to get from Loja to San Ignacio (on the Peruvian side) and my bike has´t looked the same since!!!
On border stuff, it was easy and uneventfull.
Cheers,

Ecuador - Peru
 

Loja - Vilcabamba is paved and the only issue might be altitude. From Vilcabamba south you can continue south for Zumba but the road south from Vilcabamba quickly turns to dirt and gets very wet as you climb into the highlands jungle climate. The border south of Zumba for San Ignacio is gorgeous but can get VERY muddy. There is a nice new hotel just on the Peruvian side called Sol de La Frontera, but the road is dirt until somewhere north of San Iganacio although the pavement is in very bad condition.

A beautiful ride but be prepared and watch the weather.

Thank you all. We will likely head towards the coastal route and stick as close to that as we can. might not be as exciting or scenic, but no matter how good a motor scooter is, it is still a scooter and hates mud, muck, so....our ride will not be as adventureous, but at our age too much adventure and a glass of cold water could kill us. see you on the road.