Brazil BR-319?
 

Does anyone have current information as to the status of Brazil BR-319 between Manaus and Humaita? There was a post about 1 1/2 years ago that it was being paved. Has that actually happened?

Thanks.

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Mike
Idaho

I've been searching for recent info on this stretch for a while. But I think I just drive up there and see the conditions for my self. You can always take the boat to manaus from humanita. The only info I found on the web were plans of reconstructing the road.

thanks Mark

I received this email from a travelagent in Manaus.
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The road BR319 is all broke down from 180 Km Manaus-Humaita.
The thing is that it would be possible to go anyway if you would have a
way to cross the rivers passing by the road : the bridges all felt down !

Nobody, no buses, no truck, nothing along the Br319...
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We are going to have a go at this raod in november 2004. If it's to bad it always possible to take a barge to Manaus.

Road is in excellent condition in dry season
 

Hi everybody,

I just got to Humaita on BR-319 today. First 120-130 km are paved and last 50-60. There is a work going on on both ends, re-paving and new bridges being built. There is about 300 km of the desolate part. Most bridges were repaired and are in excellent condition now. There were only 3 so-so bridges, but they will probably be replaced soon too.

I spent two nights inside the Embratel tower fences (right by the fence). One night a truck came to check me out (I assume it was Embratel workers) and they didn't bother me, even though I clearly jumped over the fence.

There are 3 ferries over the rivers at the Manaus end of the road. They are rip-off, but it's not like you have any options.

There are traces of pavement even in the most desolate part. Apparently, the road was paved in its full length, once upon a time.

Not sure what it's like in rainy season, but in the condition I saw it, it's not a challenge at all.

Cheers

can't PM, so I'll yell
 

Hi Mark,

Got your PM, but I can't reply to it since I don't have enough credits (posts). So I have to reply to you here and pollute the thread. I'm already in Lima. I rode interoceanic hwy from Brazil to Peru. Brazilian side was boring, but from Puerto Maldonado to Cuzco, it was fun riding.

I guess we won't run into each other, but I hope you have a good time riding BR-319. It's probably as good as it gets in the Amazonas. I'd say stay away from Transamazonica. Too much dust from the heavy traffic. Nothing adventurous or scenic about it either. Just 2000 km of dust.

Good luck

:oops2:
Look at this:

"In recent weeks many road users have been seeking information from the Federal Highway Police (PRF "Policia Rodoviária Federal") for journeys using the BR 319, but the research held between May 21 and June 9 in order to record the traffic conditions of highway linking Manaus to Porto Velho warning to motorists to avoid the BR 319."
Humaita is at the middle of the road

original source: PRF alerta para as condições de tráfego BR 319


Maybe take a boat between Manaus/Humaita would be better.

Umaita 2 Manaus
 

Hey guys I will be in Umaita in 2 weeks im planning to go up to manaus ,im riding a afrca twin ,if anyone looking for a partner to do this road let me know ,carlospezao@hotmail.com

Has anyone ridden this route recently? Any idea of petrol avaliablility on the way?

According to Dnit, the government agency responsible for the roads (more or less like DOT in the US) the road still in really bad shape

http://www1.dnit.gov.br/rodovias/con...Amazonas&drf=1

About 400 km (between Km 237,1 and 655,7) have this description in Portuguese:

"Difficult road traffic, roads on precarious state and subject to interruptions. No asphalt. Impassable in the rainy season (Jan to Jun). Swampy ground conditions and poor signage"

Just an update as we went through a couple of weeks ago. There is a very bad muddy section but its only for 8km from the military base at about km 215 coming from Manaus. They are very helpful and housed and fed us for a few days when our clutch gave up. The rest is rough and slow going but not too horrible. Everyone says you can´t get through as a bridge at about km 350 is out and I don´t think will be fixed anytime soon. We were lucky maybe and there was a canoe on the other side so a 50m swim and a bit of paddling got us across. Might be hard getting your bike in and out of the canoe if you are by yourself or have a big bike. (we have a 250 and it was big for the canoe). The road would be very bad after a lot of rain.

Br319
 

my advice is not to do this route. this is the road running south from manaus not the Trans Amazonica which runs mainly east to west through Brazil
My husband and I completed this route late 2005. (on an R1100GS and F650GS respectively) this first few hundered kms were not too bad but then after that it became sheer hell. a muddy hell with broken and non-existant bridges.

I imagine this road will never be improved by the Government despite what they may state it is presumably not worth their investment.
however the maps still show this 'road' as being major main road...it is most definitely not.

please do not attemept this -especailly on big bikes- there are better ways - go by the river Amazon!

One persons hell is another persons adventure. This road was one of the highlights of our trip. I can see how it would be bad on a big bike but the animals and the untouched jungle made it a great experience. Here are some photos of the worst parts.

Attachment 4726

Attachment 4724

Attachment 4725

Attachment 4723

Way to go!!

That road changes every year from the wet season to the dry season and it is going to be a lot different from when it was back in 2005.

I looking forward to hitting this road later this year. An American rode it back in early fall of 2010 solo and had no problems what so ever. Brazil is the adventure because its so big. I will not be mising out on this stuff.

Hola Chad
 

Hi Chad
Amazing photos on your trip through BR 319, and very helpfull coments. I want to do this route in the coming months, heard July-Sept is dry seasson and have some questions that I would appreciate very much if you can advise me:

How many km do you have to ride with no gas stations?
It seems like riding it alone in a big bike like KTM 950 would be imposible unless the road would be dry, do you think it could be completely dry from Jul-Sept to attempt it?

That river crossing you show, any chance that bridge would be fixed soon?, do you think that canoe will hold a biger bike?

what is it like to sleep in that area? Mosquito and heat wise?

Did you have any rain and on what date did you go?

Thank you very much any help would be greatly aprecciated. Please respond to fborrero@macrovisionmedia.com

I am in Ecuador so if you plan to come this way you have a place to stay.

Fabian

I'm currently in Northern Argentina, heading north via Bolivia, Peru, etc till I get to Venezuela, then fancy heading down that route from the north, is it easy down to Manaus? or are there still bridges out and really rough road conditions? As I'm riding an old BMW R100GS/PD, not the lightest travel bike on the planet! But looks an amazing route!

Ham50
No problem at all from the Vzla border down to Manaus. But once there you will have to check conditions for 319 to the South or there is always the boat to PV if the road is too bad.

I'm planning on riding this route sometime later this year and really looking forward to it.

John
www.throttlemeister.net

Thanks John for that info, at least I will have options when I get down there, what time of the year are you looking at? I'm currently in Bolivia and heading north to do a loop around, Peru, EQ, Col, Ven and then down, is there a time in the year when it's to late to do this route?

The road is totally dependent on recent rainfalls but the rainy season as I understand is supposed to end around June last 5-6 months prior???. I've heard of a couple successful easy rides being done in Sept/Oct but its possible to do it any time if you want IT bad enough but the heavy rains could be murder and make progress nearly impossible from what I've heard. Only sure way is to check it yourself after making it to Mauaus. If its bad take a boat to PV instead or go down river to Belem. Lots of options on the rivers, just like highways to those people.

I hope to be in the areas sometime after Sept this year but before Jan???

Maybe see you around down South, take it easy.


John

I really don´t think the bridge that was burnt out when I went through will be rebuilt. But it could be worth a try. Give me a yell if you´re in La Paz and we can go for a beer. I´ll be living here for the next 8 months ish

We did BR319 November 2012
 

We did BR319 during November 2012. It was rainy and very difficult. We wrote a detailed report about our 8 days adventure here are the links to our blog

BR319 Day 1: REALITY CHECK! – Amazonas, Brazil
BR319 Day 2: CONFIDENCE – Amazonas, Brazil
BR319 Day 3: PERSEVERANCE – Amazonas, Brazil
BR319 Day 4: DELIVERANCE – Amazonas, Brazil
BR319 Day 5-7: RECOVERY – Amazonas, BrazilBR319 Day 5-7: RECOVERY – Amazonas, Brazil

Enjoy!

Br319
 

my self (KTM1190R) and a friend (GS1200) did the BR319 on September ... it far the worst rode I've ever been but amazing experience...

I've a report on my blog www.zambrex.cl but if anybody needs more details send me an email...

After inquiries with Manaus Brazilians about traveling the BR319, many said it wasn't possible. After reading a blog from 2014, it sounded like an adventure.

We rode from Manaus to Porto Velho in late September 2016. We packed 18L of water (which worked out to be ample), full tank of fuel and off we rode to catch the ferry (point on iOverlander). We managed to get the 7am ferry, which actually left at 7am!!

The first 200 odd km's were asphalt. After catching a short ferry across a river, we fueled at a "backyard" fuel stop, which is on the left after disembarking the ferry. You can get lunch, cold drinks and any last minute supplies you might need. The next fuel stop is at a village about 350kms down the way. The rest of the road was mainly dirt, with short sections of asphalt that is in disrepair, also lots of pot holes. The road crew are working on restoring or building new bridges and if there isn't a new bridge, they have diversions around them.

It was pretty sticking hot, which also meant storms built up in the afternoon. We got caught between two storms, both were black with lightning and heavy rain.
I think trucks and cars are using this road more frequently as it gets better, although this also means that when it rains, the road gets churned up in some spots and can be quite slippery.
Otherwise we had a pretty easy run. You could complete this road in 2 days if you were going fast.

We have put up some points on iOverlander. We will also write about our trip on our blog on Facebook, just search 'The Two Teners', should be Blog 14.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Ainsleigh and Ben

The Two Teners