PERU Friends

[martinef]

Hello in Peru and Ecuador, we are the MotoNomadas riding south on our rig (DL1000+sidecar). We have been on the road for about a year and a half now, and we are about to enter Peru in the next couple of weeks.

Right now we are in Guayaquil, Ecuador trying to sort out some electrical problems we are having with the bike. Hopefully we are going to be on the road again this weekend

We would like to see if there is any riders around that can give us some advice about the route we are planning to take. We did some research and we end up with this route: Guayaquil-Machala-Mancora-Piura-Chachapoyas-Celedin-Cajamarca-Huanchaco-Chimbote-Caraz-Huaraz-Huanuco-Lima-Paracas-Nasca-Abancay-Cusco-Puno

Also we are wondering if you guys know about the time given to the bike and riders to spend in Peru once you cross the border.


Thanks for your help

[TheOverlanders]

Hi Guys,

We are currently in Peru (heading north). We are in Arequipa now.

The only advice I would give you is take it easy on the drives going to high altitude.

When i crossed from Chile, It only took me 100 miles to go from sea level to nearly 5000m! Altitude sickness hit really bad. Be aware of freezing fuel over night.. we had to take our camping stove to our fuel lines this morning!

The only route we have done on your list we have done is Cusco - Puno. Took 5 hours. Roads are good, but all high altitude.

Our paths may cross at some point, would be great to hear about what you did in Ecuador and further north.

Its easier to keep in touch on FB
www.facebook.com/theoverlanderspage

[charapashanperu]

Martinef,

Sara and I live in Huanuco Peru and I am VERY familiar with all the roads as I run a Moto Adventure company out of here, and our large apartment we use as a B&B for Motoqueros coming through.

I see you are on fully street tires, so that will limit you somewhat on routes to take. Your routes sound good. You will have a few hours of dirt going through the Canyon del Pato (Chimbote-Caraz).

I HIGHLY recommend you stay away from Lima! The traffic going in the northern and eastern sides is terrible and dangerous! And about 3 hours to do 30 km! The whole central route (3S/3N) is paved except for about 30 km of construction), fuel and lodging is cheaper, people are friendlier and honest, scenery is STUNNING! Any moto things you need from Lima I can order and have waiting for you here in Huanuco. I also have the best moto mechanic in Peru as my colleague (presently doing a total rebuild, frame and engine, on a Yamaha 660 Tenere belonging to Motoquero 'HORCA' who has been riding SA for 2 years now).

If you HAVE to go to Lima, then go down from Huancayo in the Andes to Canete on the coast, then you are only 150 km from Lima to the south. Entry from the south is much nicer and you can exit right into Miraflores or Surco (nicer areas of Lima) directly.

A few of your days look very long! Don't believe all the distances that the maps say. Any info you need on Peru, I can help you. Come stay a few days with us in Huanuco!

Toby & Sara

[CrazyGringo]

I did that ride earlier this year - deciding to do it in one day!! First snag was a road closure for construction about an hour out of Cajamarca, which I was told would last around two and a half hours! Some nice highway police told me there was a detour I could take to get round - and this led me across fields, along a boulder strewn road, through soft sand and mud, and to a spot where two men were digging a wide trench across the road (they kindly bridged it for me with a couple of small tree trunks!), but it did save me over 90 minutes waiting time when I rejoined the road! May now be tarred all the way, but when I rejoined there was a couple of miles of (very good) dirt road, where the guide books said it was all tarmac!
Potholes are a major problem in the Maranon valley, where landlsips have brought boulders down across the road, but generally I found the traffic extremely light so the narrow roads and hairpins were not an issue.
Expect to go from cold to hot, wet to dry, during the day!! Very hot as you descend the Maranon valley - twice the depth of the Grand Canyon!! Also good idea to ask directions in towns as roadsigns are few and far between (non-existent!). Amazing scenery!!
Took me 9 and a half hours all told on a Ronco Demolition 250, bought in Peru, and was I glad to reach my hostel in Chachapoyas!

[martinef]

Hello everyone, first of all thanks for your replays, all the information given is really helpful.

TheOverlanders, we are about to cross to Peru and we have done good part of Colombia and Ecuador, if you need any info please do not hesitate to contact us, best way on FB MotoNomadas.

Toby and Sara, we would love to accept your invitation and stop by your place once we are in Huanuco. We do not really have to go to Lima, so we can make changes to our route. Once we get to Huanuco we can sit and see what would be the best way to continue riding south. We will keep in touch to let you guys know when we are going to be arriving (what is the best way to reach you guys?)

CrazyGringo, I will take notes on your observations on that part of the route. We are planing to split Cajamarca-Chachapoyas in two, stopping in Celedin to rest.

We really appreciate your advice. Thanks a lot and hope to see you soon

[charapashanperu]

About the Huaraz - Huanuco ride, break it into two parts:

Ride south on the highway just past catac and enter the National Park. Continue on that gravel road up past the Pastoruri Glacier to the fantastic overlook where you can see snow capped mnts in every direction. Almost 16,000 ft, but if the sun is shining you will hardly notice it. Don't leave Huaraz unless you can see it will be a sunny day...

You will pop out on the highway and it is all downhill from there to La Union. Stay the night there.

The 'highway' from La Union to Huanuco is in TERRIBLE shape, traffic and narrow town streets. The dirt route is MUCH nicer, shorter in km, and in VERY good condition. It quickly climbs thru a forested hillside and before you know it you are up on top. You go past Huanuco Viejo (Incan Ruins), Huanuco Pampa, Rondos, Jesus, then it puts you out on the small highway just 15 km out of Huanuco.

What you would do in 2 days, we have often done in only one on motos, but it is too rushed and you miss the best time of the day at the high spots.

Cheers! Toby

[kuenok]

Originally Posted by charapashanperu

Martinef,

Sara and I live in Huanuco Peru and I am VERY familiar with all the roads as I run a Moto Adventure company out of here, and our large apartment we use as a B&B for Motoqueros coming through.

I see you are on fully street tires, so that will limit you somewhat on routes to take. Your routes sound good. You will have a few hours of dirt going through the Canyon del Pato (Chimbote-Caraz).

I HIGHLY recommend you stay away from Lima! The traffic going in the northern and eastern sides is terrible and dangerous! And about 3 hours to do 30 km! The whole central route (3S/3N) is paved except for about 30 km of construction), fuel and lodging is cheaper, people are friendlier and honest, scenery is STUNNING! Any moto things you need from Lima I can order and have waiting for you here in Huanuco. I also have the best moto mechanic in Peru as my colleague (presently doing a total rebuild, frame and engine, on a Yamaha 660 Tenere belonging to Motoquero 'HORCA' who has been riding SA for 2 years now).

If you HAVE to go to Lima, then go down from Huancayo in the Andes to Canete on the coast, then you are only 150 km from Lima to the south. Entry from the south is much nicer and you can exit right into Miraflores or Surco (nicer areas of Lima) directly.

A few of your days look very long! Don't believe all the distances that the maps say. Any info you need on Peru, I can help you. Come stay a few days with us in Huanuco!

Toby & Sara

Hi Toby, I have sent you an email through this site, not sure why but I couldnt send a pm. Looking forward to hearing from you! I'm cirre tly heading to huanuco from huaraz via the route that you've described