Hi I´m new to the site, I was introduced to it by a great guy I met in Quito, Albert Crutcher gave me some nice pointers on how and where to travel in South America (thanks pal). After hearing of outrageous corruption and almost criminal behavior of the Police in Peru, on three separate ocasions and not from just paranoyed turistas but actuall riders, i´m thinking seeking other riders on their way to Cusco. Im now in Cuenca and heading south tomorrow so if you´re here or near and interested in traveling togheter please let me know.

Sorry mate. I´m in Ecuador but I´m heading North.
I have just ridden up through Peru on my own over the last week or so and it wasn´t too bad, really. I don´t know if having more than one of you will help but there is always the good feeling of safety in numbers.

I burned up the Panamerican (unfortunately), north from Lima. In total I was pulled over maybe some 5 times though most of those were at Toll booths, which you don´t need to pay. all the police were friendly, most just interested in where I was going etc.
Elsewhere on this site some people have given some really good advice of what to do, and not. but basically smile, be friendly, ask questions, have all the time in the world. The first police (104kms north of Lima) said I was speeding and technically I was but still slower than most of the rest of the traffic and he talked about paying a fine. I didn´t mention money and eventually he let me go. Another hinted that he needed fuel money and another that he didn´t have any gloves but once you have been talking a while and are ´friends´ it makes it a bit hard for them to follow it up if you politely refuse. Oh, yeah, got a free cap and a mandarine too..

I was as worried as you seem to be about the police in Peru, but seriously, it wasn´t that bad. More a ´game´ than a real problem.

Sorry, just writing this if you don´t get hold of anyone to travel with to give you a bit of encouragement...
Bruce.

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www.brucethart.blogspot.com

Hey man,

I'm in Lima now and headed to Cusco soon. Going to work my way down through Nazca first. Let me know if you'll be headed down via Lima.

Mike

Anybody out there making similar trip aroound that time? Will be jumping off in Lima and going via Cusco, Macchu Puichu, altiplano of Bolivia and down via Ruta 40 in ARG to BSAS where I live. NUMA

Catch me at jnlynx@hotmail.com..Won't be there until mid Sept. NUMA

Well it finally happened. I got robbed in Barranca Peru last night. Walking down the street near our hotel with my wife. Had my billfold in my front pocket of jeans and he came from behind and jamed his hand in and ripped the pocket some and got it out. Chased him but I think he threw it to someone behind him before he ran. I am 59 and gave it a good chase but he ducked into a set of 3 doors and we could not tell what one he got into. When they come it happens so fast so your only resort is to not carry much cash, carry it in several places. I knew all of these things but had my second billfold back at the room yet as we had just arrived the day before in Lima so had not gotten fully into the trip yet. Live and learn. Oh well at least this time it was not the police robbing me. They had tried that 2 times about a month ago when I was here last. Once at the border coming in they wanted a bribe, and once in Puno. The police in Barranco were very nice but they were filling out a robbery report from a lady in our hotel that lost her purse as well last night.

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Larry Davis

SSa2,

Please don't take this as a criticism....

When we travel, we need to leave some of our customs and habits behind! I've lived in Peru for MANY years......

First realize that you stand out as a Gringo. That can be a good thing and a bad thing, as you will be deferred to and accommodated, liked and mis-understood. So.... be open emotionally and guarded economically...

I never carry a wallet, just 2 simple clips. A wallet shows itself thru your pocket because of its thickness. Put small bills and change in the right front and large bills (covered by a small bill) in the left. NEVER pull out the left one except when out of sight. If they have watched you pull out your clip from the front right, they may come up behind you and do the "right pocket rip-off" as was done to you. No big deal, it was only a few small bills....

NEVER carry documents or credit cards in your pockets. Always around your neck or tucked in your socks. If you have a decent hostel or room, hide your originals in your boots or somewhere unexpected and carry color copies. If some official REALLY needs to see them, he can wait for you to go back to your room. A color copy (sealed in plastic) AND your Gringo face is good enough.

Only Gringos carry everything in one place for efficiency. Outside the borders of your country, there is no such thing as efficiency! Even food shopping requires going to 6 places! Spread out your assets and LOOK cheaper than you are...

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http://www.aroundtheblockmotoadventures.com/
'We build the bike (in Peru) for your Epic Ride of South America.'

I am sorry to hear that people are having trouble with police and being robbed.

I rode all of the way from Newfoundland through seven Canadian provinces, 38 United States, 70% of Mexico, and all the way south including Colombia from the Carribean coast to the border with Ecuador. Then Peru, southern Chile, and across to Buenos aires, Uruguay and Brazil.

I am flying back home in 3 days with nothing but terrific memories.

I am making this post because I don`t want people to be discouraged.
Make the trip. You will not forget it!!

Buno suerte y ciao!