Road from Cusco via Puerto Maldonado to Brasil Rio Branco
 

Hola,
we are staying in Cusco right now and are thinking about going east via Puerto Maldonado to Brasil/Rio Branco. Now we heard that the first rain has started and are wondering if it is still possible to do the trip. We heard that the biggest problems are the river crossings and of course the mud. Is there anyone who did the trip recently and has some suggestions?! from there we want to go south again through the jungle in Bolivia to La Paz. In this area the rain/conditions are much better?!

Thanks and saludos,

HENNO+ALEX
www.bikes-on-tour.de

Hi Henno,

Sorry, it is not a very recent report, but since you get no response...It has been 3 years since I did that trip. Only met some truck traffic (unfortunately...) between Cuzco and Prto Maldonado, which made it the worst part of the road:very narrow, deep trucktire ruts, rocks and mud... After the river crossing('ferry')of Prt Maldonado there was zero traffic till Rio Branco (Brasil)and the dirt road was quite/very good. At the time they were busy rebuilding the log-bridges for sturdy wooden bridges so that should be fine now.
I have heard that Brasil has finished asphalting the road up to the border(river). Therefore the only obstacle will only be the river. But (if it has not yet been washed away...)it has a narrow wooden pedestrian bridge which you can use for the bike as well.
So find out at the truckstops how bad the rains have been up to Pto Maldonado. For the rest i am sure it will be fine.
Buen viaje,

Marcel Kersten


www.pousadadoholandes.com