My gal and I just purchased a rugged KLR from an awesome Aussie couple here in Paraguay--Wahoo! Starting in May 2012, we will have 6 months to float about the South American winds.

We are humbly asking for route recommendations that begin in Paraguay.

Unfortunately, we will not explore Brazil this time around. However, we are very enthusiastic about traversing Patagonia, Bolivia and Peru. The Guianas and Venezuela would be splendid, but are not high on the priority list. Ideally we would sell the bike in Columbia and fly back to our native northwest US in December 2012.

Perhaps we are a bit knuckle-headed, but traveling Patagonia during winter does not seem so far beyond our realm of comfortability...but maybe that's just the Paraguayan heat talking...

Newts and Salamanders,
Jordo

Hi,

When i planed my trip to avoid the winter in europa i did not think of the rainy season in Bolivia where i had snow too in februar:

Bolivia: from Uyuni to the road of death part 2

Just something to think of

Greetings, Tobi

Jordo, I think you'll have the most fun if you just go south and listen to what sounds good to you. There is NO perfect route - there are as many routes as there are roads. Just wander and see where you end up. We're always found that planning is no fun at all... but that's us...for some, the planning is 3/4 of the fun.

And forget Patagonia in the winter - that's just silly. You COULD do it if you really wanted too, but why would you? It's a proper expedition with good planning to go to Ushuaia in December. It really is WINTER down there. Remember where Antarctica is...

have a great trip! Post the story in Ride Tales!

__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

i just got back from a long trip and the road through the chaco (north western paraguay) into bolivia is nothing to write home about...long and straight and a constant landscape. However, that road takes you to Bolivia, which was amazing. I've incluced a link for the paraguay to bolivia portion we did --> Dr.Luis Maria Argana Airport to Villamontes, Bolivia - Google Maps. the road from villamontes to tarija was absolutely amazing. Here's another link on weather per month in South America. the will help give you an idea of what's dry, and what's not. Jammin thru the Global South - ADVrider

I think the most important thing is go where you want to go. There's no wrong decision on these adventures.

Gordo,

About the planning, I disagree with Grant (sorry Grant), as planning is 1/2 the fun for me. Explore away on Google earth, then program your GPS to see some great places. Yes, once you are down there NOT keeping to a schedule is the smartest way to ride...

Wife and I have done quite a bit of riding in Peru 2-up on an XR650L, and I know the KLR is much more comfortable! You are just about to enter the best time to ride in the central Andes (late May to late October). It IS winter, which there means it is sunny every day and never rains, so you can plan and not be offset by bad weather. When the sun shines (even at 15,000 ft, it is not cold, and sometimes even a little hot. just get to where you are to spend the night by 3:30 PMish as it cools off quickly after that.

I HIGHLY recommend up the center of Peru! Have done it various times. Cuzco-Andahuaylas-Ayacucho-Huancayo-Huanuco-Huaraz-Caraz-Huamachuco-Cajamarca-Chachapoyas-Jaen. Over half of that is paved and the other half is gravel in great condition. You will find gasoline everywhere along the way and hotels/hostels with hot water for under $25/night. The most fantasitic sections are Abancay to Ayacucho and Celendin to Leymebamba (on the Cajamarca to Chachpoyas section).

Keep to a limit of 250km gravel and 400km pavement. Those are full days in Peru, especially 2-up. And up the center is safe-safe-safe. Stay away from the coastal #%$@# Panam and Lima! Boring, boring, boring, and at times dangerous. For your partner's sake, rest up every other day, and you will enjoy yourself.

Been living and riding for 30 years in Peru, so feel free to ask any questions, recommendations, etc.

Cheers, Toby

__________________
http://www.aroundtheblockmotoadventures.com/
'We build the bike (in Peru) for your Epic Ride of South America.'

Superb ride report. Where did you go after passing through Tarija?

We plan on taking Villamonte-->Tarija-->Southeast through Cordillera de Sama Biological Reserve-->Then back north to Tupiza.

Then northwards to Sucre-->East towards Padilla-->North through Villa Serrano-->Vallegrande-->Samaipata-->Santa Cruz.

Anybody taken this route? Is it suitable for 2 up?

Big thanks in advance

Charapashanperu,

Excellent advice. We definitely hope to pass quite a bit of time in Peru as well.

I will let you know if we have any questions as we get closer to and closer to Peru.

Cheers

hello,

i recently bought a very nice bike here in ecuador and i'm planning to do a loop down to bolivia and back up to sell it here in a couple of months.

thanks very much to charapashanperu for the infos on peru, firstly. still, i was wondering if it would be a good idea to go south along the coast (as i'm just learning to ride the bike) and then go back up through forementioned route or take an alternative route south instead of the pan am? i was thinking it might be good exercise to keep on the coast before hitting the andes, but if it might be more dangerous i might try to head south through the amazon regions if that is at all possible...

thanks for your time.

shadi

Hey Toby, so we have been riding Bolivia and Paraguay for a few months and are now in La Paz looking forward to travelling around Peru. I think we will be spending about a month there in total. You have posted some superb info for folks on the hubb, much appreciated.

What would be your route recommendations for a month of travel in Peru, continuing South afterwards to either Chile or Boliva? Any advice would be awesome!

Cheers,
Jordo

Hey charapashanperu

i quite agree with the no planning thing, but we're three guys from india planning a motorcycle trip to south america. Need help with finding some decent motorcycles (what type would you recommend) at decent prices to do this and best time of year. From what i've researched lima seems to be the best option...is it?

cheers

Johan.