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12 Jan 2016
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Join Date: Jan 2016
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gunt86
If you can spare the time, I highly recommend that you go to VZ and Colombia then to Ecuador. It's easy. From Manaus take the excellent highway north to Venezuela, then head West to Colombia. Hotels are very very cheap in VZ. And fuel is free. If you cross into Colombia near Merida, it will save some time.
There is a lot of beauty in VZ and Colombia that is worth seeing. I loved them both A LOT more than Ecuador or Peru.
I took a barge from Manaus to Belem last year (downstream) and it took 5 days. So figure probably 10 days from Manaus to Yurimaguas. The road from Yurimaguas to the coast of Peru is nice pavement. It has a lot of curves obviously.
By the way, driving in the Andes (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru) can be an overload of curves. And dangerous curves where the oncoming trucks are in your lane. Be careful.
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Thank you! We are trying to avoid VZ and Columbia not because we don't want to go there but have read that VZ has closed its land borders to Columbia and it's all just a bit sketchy.
Thank you for the advice on riding in the Andes. Is it very cold? What are the road conditions like?
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12 Jan 2016
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Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 118
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ainschic87
Thank you! We are trying to avoid VZ and Columbia not because we don't want to go there but have read that VZ has closed its land borders to Columbia and it's all just a bit sketchy.
Thank you for the advice on riding in the Andes. Is it very cold? What are the road conditions like?
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Yes, i've heard that also about the CO/VZ crossings. I'd suggest that you assume it will be open, and then when you get to Manaus - double check. CO and VZ are not friendly with each other, but there is still business to conduct - lots of smuggling over that border.
The Andes are always cold because of the elevation. Second highest after the Himalayas. Can snow, freezing rain, etc in the middle of 'summer'. Very windy. Main roads are paved and good condition except for curves, overflowing rivers across the road, and falling boulders. Secondary roads are gravel and have all of that +++++.
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15 Jan 2016
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Brisbane Australia currently on 2 RTW
Posts: 128
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Our journey in this area was in 2009 so information we have is dated. The Manaus to Pto Velho road then was very difficult and folks we have contact with used the ferry. In 2009 the road was not maintained and there were many broken bridges and timing is crucial.
https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Trave...Departing.html
Avoid rain at all costs although some folks enjoy a muddy adventure  Our story can be found here. HU Traveller Ken and Carol Duval's Ride Tale
HU Traveller Ken and Carol Duval's Ride Tale
We used three ferries, and took around 20 days which included a day or two in Tabatinga and Iquitos to arrange the next ferry plus a little sight seeing. Cabin class was our choice for comfort and security reasons. Last boat was seriously overloaded Iquitos to Yurimaguas (double passenger quote). Check the river heights. We planned to ferry to Pucalpa but the low river depth had caused the Pucalpa ferries to run aground, often stuck for days until another ferry pulled them clear. As it was we bounced off a couple of sand bars causing a bit of panic with the locals on board. Cheers and enjoy.
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Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
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