Peru, Arequipa to Cusco
 

Hi all

I am currently touring South West Peru on a Honda Falcon Nx400 which I hired in Cusco and need to take back to Cusco in the next few days.

I will be heading back from Arequipa and am trying to decide on a route. Looking at google maps it seems i have two options (ignoring the longest third option presented). The first option is the middle route on the picture below (highlighted in blue) which google claims will take 6hrs33 but i have previously been told is potentially not really a road but a mining track for mine workers and lorries.

The other option is the one on the right of the map. This, Google claims will take 8hrs26 and largely follows the Panoceanic highway.

If possible i would prefer to take the quickest route, particularly as i have had two 14 hour rides in the last week!

Therefore I was wondering if anyone on here has any experience of these two routes or any advice on my best course of action! Or indeed if there is anyone else in country planning on making this trip in the next few days??

Attachment 13718
Route options

Attachment 13720
The bike

Many Thanks
Nick

The blue route is the ones the buses take and it takes them 18 hours and the whole middle section is dirt and fighting with buses. As it is a high cold route, there is nowhere to really break it up until you get back on the highway at Sicuani, and I don't know many people who can do an 18 hour ride.

I like the left route. The road is decent (the mining companies keep it up). Go just to Chivay at the beginning of the Colca Canyon. Then go toward Sibayo, then up the hill to the left towards La Angostura and from there on to Yauri. If you are near the end of the day and tired, there are places to stay in Yauri/Esinar, tho some have difficulty sleeping at 13,000 ft. The market is clean and is a great place to eat.

Or, if you are having a good day and it is still early, it is 2+ hours more to Sicuani, at km 181 from Cuzco.

Toby (in Peru)

Toby, thanks for your reply. So in your opinion that is the fastest and best route? Is it mostly asphalt? Also do you know if it is well serviced by fuel stations? My tank gets about 300km and i have no way to carry spare fuel...

I imagine this reply is to late, but..)

No, it is all gravel (until you get past Espinar) The ONLY paved route of the 3 is the right one, but you are still looking a 2 1/2 days!

Go my favorite route and top off in Sibayo and you will be fine. From Sibayo it is less than 200 km to Espinar which have many gas stations... but nothing in between.

Toby