Hello,
Just crossed the Peruvian border yesterday, today in Copacabana and heading tomorrow to La Paz. My intention is to go to Salar de Uyuni on Dec. 12... any comments? Is it possible to get there now (weather conditions)?
Also, I need to get new tires for my bike, Pirelli 130/80/17 MT60. Any suggestions?
My budget is REALLY low, can anyone recoommend accomodation?
Thanks in advance!

Yes, you can get to the Salar, either via Potosi (tarmac from Oruro ->Potosi->Uyuni).

Or use the Oruro -> Uyuni road/ripio/sand. But it is raining there today (just got into Oruro).

If you mean ride on the salar with your bike, I'd say go along and take a look yhen make up your mind.

Cheap accom in Uyuni, don;t know. We treated ourselves to the Tonito.

__________________
--

http://www.ytc1.co.uk

Thank you!
I am in Oruro now, managed to get the rear tire but still looking for Pirelli MT60 100/90/19
Probably ride to Potosi tomorrow avoiding ripio/gravel on the other road.
Thanks again for teh info.
Jorge

We left Oruro on Wednesday. Now in Cochabamba.

You would be able to get the tyre down here.

Have you had trouble getting fuel in Oruro ? The YPFB station is just north of the old north train station. Or ride the 117k to Challapata, no problem with fuel there.

__________________
--

http://www.ytc1.co.uk

Hi guys!

we are now in Lima and so we can plan better the next leg of the trip South.

Our idea is to go to Cusco and then to Bolivia. But as it is rainy season there, our doubt is: would we see anything there (in terms of nature, mountains, peaks) or everything will be cloudy and we'll get rain and that's it.

Also, other question is:

is there a main road that goes from Bolivia to Chile? We have our route more or less to Uyuni but then... we don't know if there is an OK route to go to Chile or we would need to double back to Peru.
Any suggestions, ideas?

Here's a post I just put on ADV Rider about that:

If you have gravel and dirt experience, you won't have a problem with Oilague to Uyuni or Calama to Oilague. It's gravel, and mostly you can go 30-40 mph. There are a few soft spots, but very short, a few hundred yards here and there and well marked. Yes, unless you are a good off-road rider, you don't want to take the San Pedro road. From San Pedro to Calama is all pavement, then about 40 kms of pavement towards Oilague, then dirt. At the border it gets much better and Bolivia border to Uyuni is all hard-packed smooth dirt. Note that there is no wifi in Uyuni at all, except for one (expensive) hotel (400 Bolivianos/night). I stayed at Hotel Avenida (something starting with an A... lat/lon S20 27.772 W66 49.381). They have bike parking. 100 Bolivianos for a room with private bathroom.

Take Tunupa Tours (a few doors down from the hostel) for a 3 day tour through the Salar de Uyuni. Not worth wrecking your bike with the salt. All-in tour was 680 Bolivianos (nice Lexus 470 offroad machine).

Btw, Uyuni to Oruro is all perfectly new asphalt if you go Uyuni, Potosi, Challapata, Oruro.

__________________
http://www.nohorizons.net

Mombassa, thanks for the update. Very good info. So the road to look into is
Uyuni-Oilague-Calama as the best way to go from Bolivia to Chile.

Did it rained on the road when you where there? I wonder how the road would hold up if it gets wet. And how long between the gas stations on that road? with a 350 km range, would I be OK?

Being 2up and with a lot of luggage, I would prefer to stay as much as possible on tarmac especially if the weather is wet... But I do understand that in those parts, that might not be possible all the time. So we have to adapt.

The road from La Paz to Oruro and then to Potosi, Uyuni is all paved. The rainy season has started. I booked a 3 day tour ($90) with an agency (Tunupa Tours - very good). The salar is wet, you'll rust your bike to bits if you ride in it now.

__________________
http://www.nohorizons.net

PM sent.

Hello guys,

We whant to ride the Ruta 6 from Sucre to Oruro.... does anyone know the road conditions ? I cant find any info on this route.
We dont want to go over Potosi.

Thanks and greetz from Sucre.

Follow up from my question last year. Now posting my experience bringing in parts via plane. Filled out the combo immigration/declaration form on the plane. Unlike most countries, you don't list the items, but simply mark a box. I had some parts for the guy who was storing my bike and was prepared to pay duties if required.

Got through immigrations, collected my bags, handed the form to an attendant who quickly glanced at it and put it in a pile. He then directed me to push a button. The light above turned green, indicating no customs inspection. I just got lucky, which means I'll never really know what they may have decided to charge for spare parts.

I read on the HUBB or ADVRIDER about a friend bringing parts into another SA country and being hit with duties. It might have been Ecuador or Peru. If you are caught carrying parts into Brazil there will be duties. That said, a friend flew into Brazil wearing a brand new jacket and carrying a new helmet without paying any duties. Asked if she had any electronics in her luggage, she said "no", because the new iPhone and mini iPad were in her backpack...

__________________
Peter B
2008/09 - NJ to Costa Rica and back to NJ
2012/13 - NJ to Northern Argentina, Jamaica, Cuba and back to NJ
2023 - Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia...back to Peru.

Blogs: Peter's Ride

Hey there,

I have a question about selling my bike.

Long story to short: I had an accident with my bike in Bolivia. And now I do not feel comfortable any more riding ahead.
Bike is fine, just I am not

So we are in La Paz now (we are two riders, my boyfriend and I) and want to sell one, or maybe both, bikes.

I read all the posts on the hub, but still have the question how it is selling a motorcycle in Bolivia?!?!
What would be neccesary to sell it to a Boliviano?
Especially i read that the aduana at copacabana (peru,bolivia) seems to be very strict and exact at bordercrossings.
If its possible to got out there without the exitstamp for the bike?

Questions over Questions, I am sorry.
But if you know something we would be verrrry happy

greetings from us, Demian and Ina
(locos en motos !! Mit XF650 & KLR650 in Südamerika.)

Sorry to hear you had an accident. Its easy for me to say, just get back on the bike and ride, when its obviously hard for you. A motorcycle safety instructor said for most people it takes 2 years to feel truly comfortable on a motorcycle. Rebuilding that comfort zone may take longer than you want to invest. Riding around La Paz with its extra steep inclines and cobble stone is hard place to be on two wheels. If you do decide to keep the bike, remember that La Paz and Bolivia in general are tough riding and it will be easier elsewhere.

That said, if you want advice from a local on how to sell a motorcycle in La Paz, I suggest sending a message to the La Paz community on the "Contact a Community" page:

Contact a Community | Horizons Unlimited

You might hear from a rider named Alfonso, who helped me and other riders in the past. He is one of the people that receives the messages sent to that community. He is a great guy and will certainly be of assistance. If I remember correctly, one of the riders in his club is a lawyer. While Alfonso reads and speak English, I recommend posting your question in English and Spanish (I use Google Translate) because you don't know who is active.

If Bolivia proves to be a difficult country to sell you bike, you might want to post to communities in Peru at the same time, if Peru is next on your travel plans. Cusco is about two days ride fro La Paz.

__________________
Peter B
2008/09 - NJ to Costa Rica and back to NJ
2012/13 - NJ to Northern Argentina, Jamaica, Cuba and back to NJ
2023 - Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia...back to Peru.

Blogs: Peter's Ride

thanks very much for your info!

Actually, I was on the bike after the accident, but I just recognized that- wright now- its not the same as before. Its not so much fun, so I think I have to take a pause of the trip.

The tip with the communities is really good, thanks.
I already wrote to the bolivian and peruvian community. In english and spanish

I hope everything goes fine. I will post news then

greetings from us, Ina and Demian