Crossing the Andes in May/June

[IanJ]

Greetings All

Due to circumstances beyond my control it look like I will have to radically change my South American itinerary and like my signature says, I need a plan B, or maybe plan C.

I need to ride from Sao Paulo across the Andes to Cusco and then south to Valparaiso to ship the bike home. It looks like I have two options, I can go through Bolivia or go further north via Porto Velho and then into Peru. I don't have a preference about which way I go. Any suggestions?



The problem is that I won't be able to do this until the end of April or more likely mid May and I estimate the whole trip will take about 4 weeks.

1) Has anyone ridden across the Andes at this time?

2) What were conditions like?

3) Does anyone know when it starts snowing up there?

I'm not worried about how cold it gets (I love my heated vest :-) ) but snow and ice on the road is another kettle of fish.

Thanks for your help

Ian J