Hello in Peru and Ecuador, we are the MotoNomadas riding south on our rig (DL1000+sidecar). We have been on the road for about a year and a half now, and we are about to enter Peru in the next couple of weeks.

Right now we are in Guayaquil, Ecuador trying to sort out some electrical problems we are having with the bike. Hopefully we are going to be on the road again this weekend

We would like to see if there is any riders around that can give us some advice about the route we are planning to take. We did some research and we end up with this route: Guayaquil-Machala-Mancora-Piura-Chachapoyas-Celedin-Cajamarca-Huanchaco-Chimbote-Caraz-Huaraz-Huanuco-Lima-Paracas-Nasca-Abancay-Cusco-Puno

Also we are wondering if you guys know about the time given to the bike and riders to spend in Peru once you cross the border.


Thanks for your help

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MotoNomadas Team
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Hi Guys,

We are currently in Peru (heading north). We are in Arequipa now.

The only advice I would give you is take it easy on the drives going to high altitude.

When i crossed from Chile, It only took me 100 miles to go from sea level to nearly 5000m! Altitude sickness hit really bad. Be aware of freezing fuel over night.. we had to take our camping stove to our fuel lines this morning!

The only route we have done on your list we have done is Cusco - Puno. Took 5 hours. Roads are good, but all high altitude.

Our paths may cross at some point, would be great to hear about what you did in Ecuador and further north.

Its easier to keep in touch on FB
www.facebook.com/theoverlanderspage

Martinef,

Sara and I live in Huanuco Peru and I am VERY familiar with all the roads as I run a Moto Adventure company out of here, and our large apartment we use as a B&B for Motoqueros coming through.

I see you are on fully street tires, so that will limit you somewhat on routes to take. Your routes sound good. You will have a few hours of dirt going through the Canyon del Pato (Chimbote-Caraz).

I HIGHLY recommend you stay away from Lima! The traffic going in the northern and eastern sides is terrible and dangerous! And about 3 hours to do 30 km! The whole central route (3S/3N) is paved except for about 30 km of construction), fuel and lodging is cheaper, people are friendlier and honest, scenery is STUNNING! Any moto things you need from Lima I can order and have waiting for you here in Huanuco. I also have the best moto mechanic in Peru as my colleague (presently doing a total rebuild, frame and engine, on a Yamaha 660 Tenere belonging to Motoquero 'HORCA' who has been riding SA for 2 years now).

If you HAVE to go to Lima, then go down from Huancayo in the Andes to Canete on the coast, then you are only 150 km from Lima to the south. Entry from the south is much nicer and you can exit right into Miraflores or Surco (nicer areas of Lima) directly.

A few of your days look very long! Don't believe all the distances that the maps say. Any info you need on Peru, I can help you. Come stay a few days with us in Huanuco!

Toby & Sara

I did that ride earlier this year - deciding to do it in one day!! First snag was a road closure for construction about an hour out of Cajamarca, which I was told would last around two and a half hours! Some nice highway police told me there was a detour I could take to get round - and this led me across fields, along a boulder strewn road, through soft sand and mud, and to a spot where two men were digging a wide trench across the road (they kindly bridged it for me with a couple of small tree trunks!), but it did save me over 90 minutes waiting time when I rejoined the road! May now be tarred all the way, but when I rejoined there was a couple of miles of (very good) dirt road, where the guide books said it was all tarmac!
Potholes are a major problem in the Maranon valley, where landlsips have brought boulders down across the road, but generally I found the traffic extremely light so the narrow roads and hairpins were not an issue.
Expect to go from cold to hot, wet to dry, during the day!! Very hot as you descend the Maranon valley - twice the depth of the Grand Canyon!! Also good idea to ask directions in towns as roadsigns are few and far between (non-existent!). Amazing scenery!!
Took me 9 and a half hours all told on a Ronco Demolition 250, bought in Peru, and was I glad to reach my hostel in Chachapoyas!

Hello everyone, first of all thanks for your replays, all the information given is really helpful.

TheOverlanders, we are about to cross to Peru and we have done good part of Colombia and Ecuador, if you need any info please do not hesitate to contact us, best way on FB MotoNomadas.

Toby and Sara, we would love to accept your invitation and stop by your place once we are in Huanuco. We do not really have to go to Lima, so we can make changes to our route. Once we get to Huanuco we can sit and see what would be the best way to continue riding south. We will keep in touch to let you guys know when we are going to be arriving (what is the best way to reach you guys?)

CrazyGringo, I will take notes on your observations on that part of the route. We are planing to split Cajamarca-Chachapoyas in two, stopping in Celedin to rest.

We really appreciate your advice. Thanks a lot and hope to see you soon

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MotoNomadas Team
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About the Huaraz - Huanuco ride, break it into two parts:

Ride south on the highway just past catac and enter the National Park. Continue on that gravel road up past the Pastoruri Glacier to the fantastic overlook where you can see snow capped mnts in every direction. Almost 16,000 ft, but if the sun is shining you will hardly notice it. Don't leave Huaraz unless you can see it will be a sunny day...

You will pop out on the highway and it is all downhill from there to La Union. Stay the night there.

The 'highway' from La Union to Huanuco is in TERRIBLE shape, traffic and narrow town streets. The dirt route is MUCH nicer, shorter in km, and in VERY good condition. It quickly climbs thru a forested hillside and before you know it you are up on top. You go past Huanuco Viejo (Incan Ruins), Huanuco Pampa, Rondos, Jesus, then it puts you out on the small highway just 15 km out of Huanuco.

What you would do in 2 days, we have often done in only one on motos, but it is too rushed and you miss the best time of the day at the high spots.

Cheers! Toby

Just a warning to anyone who is thinking about doing the route Huaraz - Huanuco via La Union. We left Huanuco yesterday morning and only got about 50 kms before we were halted in our tracks. They are doing roadworks and so the road is blocked for 2 kms and they will not let you pass. It is closed from 7am to 5pm every day! We had to turn around back to Huanuco and now will have to go around on an alternative route. We were told that this will be the case for about 300 days! So you might want to consider taking another route!

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Boy and Girl. RTW. 2 Suzuki DRZ 400s. http://handfulofthrottle.blogspot.com

You STILL in Hunuco?? Come by and see Sara and I (just ask a mototaxi to guide you to the strret in Los Portales that the MORGUE is on) The shop is the yellow wall/gate accross from the morgue and we live in the 4-story apt. at the corner. I will be in the shop all day (and checking here for a response).

There is another MUCH better way to La Union! Come by and I'll give you the details!

Toby - 'Around the Block Moto Adventures'

Oh! And DON"T try to go around on the east side via Tocache. First, Tocache is a drug area and Second, it is a 3-day desolate ride (after the 1 day to get to Tocache!).

Toby

Hello motoviajeros, thanks for all the info about the route. We have been having some document problems to cross to Peru so we are still in Ecuador. Now we are going to cross to Peru using La Balsa border crossing. Route now goes Vilcabamba-La Balsa-Chachapoyas.....the rest so far would be the same.

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No, we left Thursday unfortunately... Otherwise it would have been cool to catch up! We stayed in Huanuco two nights and found the people there to be really lovely and helpful. We took the southern route via Ambos, Yanahuanca, Oyon, Sayan, which was actually a really pleasant surprise for most of the way. Except, here too there were roadworks! Like the other place they also close the road all day until 6pm but luckily we arrived at 5.30 so we didn't have to wait too long to be let through. From here it was a 45 km video game ride in the dark, trying to race the cars and trucks who had been waiting there all day....an experience!

Now we're in Huaraz. Quick question; do you know of any good motorbike stores in Trujillo that stock good motorbike tyres such as Pirelli MT60 or the like? We have unsuccessfully been searching in every single city now but either they don't have the right size or it's all Chinese tyres.

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Boy and Girl. RTW. 2 Suzuki DRZ 400s. http://handfulofthrottle.blogspot.com

Hi, I run Pirrelli MT21s on all my adventure bikes, from the 250s to the 650s and there is no better tire for the reasonable price (usually about $130 for both). As good as the MT60 in the loose stuff (except sand) and VERY smooth on highway due to the alternating knobs down the center. You can get them in any large city (off the coast). I would shoot for Cajamarca (I assume you are going north) and go to BikerPlanet https://www.facebook.com/cajamarca.bikerplanet?fref=ts

Toby

We are in Huaraz and may go to Huanuco. Charapashanperu can we just show up at your place?

Garry

Garry,

How many is 'we'? Sure! Come ahead... just give us a rough idea when.

I recommend you take two days.

Day one drive south to just past Catac, then take the road thru the National Park and over the top. Leave somewhat early so that you can get to the best part in the heat of the day. Almost 16,000 ft and snow-capped mnts in every direction! Road comes back out on the highway at the top, then it is all downhill to La Union. Stay the night there.

The paved route from there to Huanuco is closed due to repairs, but the back dirt way is actually better AND SHORTER! Ask for the way to Huanuco Pampa then Rondos, then Jesus, then Huanuco. It is a pleasant day ride of about 5 hours. You come back out on the one-lane highway about 14 km from Huanuco.

We are at: 09-54-44.4 S / 76-13-29.4 W (deg-min-sec-decimal of sec). Convert if you use hundredths of minutes...

If you get lost just have a mototaxi guide you to the street of "La Morgue". We are in the only 4-story on the street - brown tile front. Beep 3 times, 3 times and we will come let you in. We have inside garage parking.

Toby & Sara

We is my wife and I. We will leave Huaraz on Friday and should get to you on Saturday.
Thanks

Garry