some Info for the Trans-Chaco
 

Hey folks,

we did the tranks-chaco 2 weeks ago and have some Infos for the route.

First of all, if you leave from Asuncion our advice is to leave on a sunday. We did and even at that day it took us minimum 1 1/2 hour to get out of all the suburbs. Red Trafficlights are crazy.

Then you will have a smooth ride for about 300- 400 Kilometers with good paved road and enough gas-stations.
If you wont make it until Filadelfia (about 500 km!! from Asuncion) its not to hard to find a place to pitch a tent. At the gas-stations its mostly possible - but watch out for the tarantulas. As soon as the sun goes down they will appear :)

In Filadelfia are two Hotels. The cheapest rooms there are for 100 Guarani. There is also a big, good supermarket. And if you are peanutbutter crazy- than thats your opportunitiy :smiliex:

After Filadelfia the road gets loades with streetbumps and biiig holes. Will take more time to make some kilometers.
In Mariscal you have the last gasstation until Villamonte in Bolivia. That are 350 Kilometers. And if the signs we right- there should be also a hotel.

But again, camping is everywhere an opportunity. If you have goood mosquito-repellent o.O.

After Mariscal at least until la Patria the road is really bad. More a mixture of holes and bumbs than a road. In la Patria is the Aduana for Paraguay. Dont miss your exit-stamp for the bike there!!
Than the road is bad for another 30 Kilometers. After that its really fine.

On that part of the route- from la Patria to the Landborder with Bolivia I saw signs for Cabanas. So another option for a good nightsleep.

On the second day we made it almost to the border. About 30 km before we saw an old "parking- and resting- space" for the trucks ? We took that opportunity and pitched our tent there. If its raining- theres even a place where you can put your tent under a roof ;)

At the border the formalitys didnt took much time and hitting Bolivia there was a really fine paved road.
After 60 kms there is the last checking point for your passport. almost to oversee.

And then continues a ok gravelroad- but real fun!

I just rode the Trans-Chaco highway, although in the opposite direction of inaa. Quite much seems to have changed since he rode there so I will give a brief update.

From Villamontes in Boliva to the border its approx 120 kms. All of it except a stretch of 20-25 kms between Villamontes and Ibibobo are paved and great to ride. The gravel bit was rough, deep ruts and very rough gravel made it hard and slow slow to navigate through.
At Ibibobo there is a police check point. There were also several money exchangers in Ibobobo when I passed, but since I had apent my last bolivianos I didnt stop.

Now all immigration and aduna for both countries are at the border. The bolivian aduana are alone 200 meters from the other border posts. The main border building consists of Bolivian immigration, Paraguayan immigration and paraguayan aduana. So quite easy and conveniant to get documents processed there.

From the border and to La Patria, 114 kms the road was great. It has recently been resurfaced and was in great condition - dont know how long it will last though.
In La Patria it is a gas station and several restuarants.
From La Patria to Mariscal, approx 115 kms there were 3-4 stretches with potholes and broken roadsurface but the stretches werent very long, maybe 10-12 kms each. So mainly the road between La Patria and Mariscol were ok except from those stretches with potholes.
In Mariscal there are several gas stations and an ATM.
From Mariscal to Filadelfia the road has some potholes and broken surface but really not very bad. Actually much better than expected.

In Filadelfia there are 3 hotels, Hotel Florida, Hotel Golondrina Centro and another Hotel Golondrina Avenue and a Hospedaje called Chaco Tierra. Aircon rooms with private baño for 70 000 Guaranis and with shares baño for 50 000 Guaranis. Small and very basic though.

I made the whole distance in 8 hours including all...