Route from Lima Northern Jungle and Highland

LIMA-LAMBAYEQUE-TARAPOTO.

Distance: 1,497 kms. Estimated duration: 20-22hrs.

Asphalted highway.

Lima-Lambayeque (799 kms). Through the Northern Pan Americana highway you will arrive at the city of Lambayeque-Olmos (Deviation to Jaen) (87 kms). In Lambayeque (km 799) the Pan Americana bifurcates. Continuing on your right (Route 1-B, which goes to via Olmos and arrives in Piura) 87 kms until reaching another bifurcation (Left hand to Olmo) where once again you take the route going to your right; the deviation to Jaen. Here starts the Mariginal road to the jungle (Fernando Belaunde Terry).

Olmos (Deviation to Jaen)-Chamaya (181 kms). The Olmos River is crossed various times during this route in different stages. Important waypoints are the mountain pass Porculla (2,145 m.a.s.l) and Pucara, before reaching Chamaya-Bagua Grande (49 kms). In Chamaya (Km 181) there is also a bifurcation. Taking the left hand road you will arrive in Jaen (12 kms) and San Ignacio. Continuing straight onwards about 14 kms further you cross the Bridge of Corral Quemado (24 de Julio), over the Maranon River, this is the department limit between Cajamarca and Amazonas. After having passed the deviation to Bagua Chica one arrives at Bagua Grande (Km 230).

Bagua Grande Nuevo-Cajarmarca (219 kms), the road continues in parallel to the River Utcobamba, and crosses it through the bridge Corontachaca (From where you can appreciate the beautiful waterfall which bares the same) and arrives at Pedro Ruiz Gallo (Km 294), important commercial city from where the road bifurcates with destination to Chachapoyas (Right hand deviation, 52 km, 1 hr  journey on non asphalted road in regular condition) or Tarapoto (317 kms, on the left hand deviation). Continuing on La Marginal de la Selva you will arrive at Pomacochas (2,200 m.a.s.l, Lagoon and a tourist resting area where you will find the hotel Puerto Pumas), crossing the mountain pass Pardo Miguel (2,170 m.a.s.l ), you descend until reaching the mountain pass Patricia (1,950 m.a.s.l) and having passed a series of bridges you will arrive in Nuevo Cajamarca (km 449), this is the principal commercial axis of  Alto Mayo. Nuevo Cajamarca-Tarapoto (162 kms). Asphalted road. After passing the town of Nuevo Jerusalen and continue 20 kms more you will arrive at the entrance of Rioja (Right Hand) and 24kms further to Moyobamba Capital of the Department of San Martin. Continuing on route you will cross the Ecuador bridge over the River Cachiyacu, the town of Tabalosos, the Bolivia bridge over the Mayo River (Shanao) one arrives to a ideal area of adventure tourism (Canoeing). The deviation to Lamas, the bridge over the Cumbaza River and the village of Morales are the last way points before arriving to the city of Tarapoto (Km 611 from the Mariginal road of the jungle). Take notice 3 kms south you will find the resort of Puerto Palmeras.

Tarapoto-Yurimaguas Distance: 136 kms.

Estimated duration: 4-5hrs. Non asphalted road in bad conditions especially during rainy season. The first way point is the turn-off to Yurimaguas (On your left) after half a kilometre. You will take this road and after 20 kms you will enter the mountain pass Ahuashiyaku, you continue and pass the Tunnel with the same name (Ahuashiyaku) untill arriving at El Paredon, This is a dangerous section due to slopes and tight curves. After crossing various bridges you will pass bye at Km 30 a very small village known as “ Progreso” (Waterfall of Atunyaku and Tirayaku), at Km 36 near the Waterfall of Carpishoyaku, and after Km 60 you will arrive at the Amazon planes. The towns of Alianza and Pampa Hermosa (Km 90 and 91) are on the regional department limits between San Martin and Loreto. After 45 kms is located Yurimaguas (180 m.a.s.l), This is the principal port on left hand side beds of the River Huallaga. On the extreme west side of the embankment of the Marine, over the Paranapura River is located the Puerto Perico Lodge

Tarapoto-Deviation to Chazuta-Juanjui Distance: 135 kms.

Estimated Duration: 3hrs. Non-asphalted road with some section in good conditions. From Tarapoto following the Mariganl de La Selva Road, you will arrive at Shilcayo point from which starts the deviation to Yurimaguas. Always on the Marginal road you will cross the district Juan Guerra (From where you will find the deviation and turn-off to Shapaja and Chazuta), You will cross the Colombia Bridge (Km 11) over the Mayo River  and always bordering The Huallaga, At km 32 you will enter in Puerto Lopez. From this point onwards after crossing the river on a balsa boat, the Laguna Azul is 20 kms away. After passing bye Buenos Aires and Pucacaca you arrive at the town of Picota. The final way points before arriving in Juanjui are the villages of San Rafael (44 kms from Juanjui), Bellavista (28 kms from Juanjui) and Sacanche, initiation of the deviation to Saposoa. From Juanjui there are tours which depart to National Park of the Abiseo River.

Tingo Maria-Tocache-Juanjui-Tarpoto Distance: 493 kms.

Estimated duration: 12hrs (dry season) up to 18hrs (in rainy season).

Tingo Maria-Tocache (176 kms, 3 hrs). The first kms up till Aspuzana are asphalted in regular conditions. Afterwards the road is non-asphalted until arriving in Tocache.

(495 m.a.s.l), this is a clean city at the river beds of the Huallaga, and also you may find some nice restaurants such as “ Tio Remigio and Watita” and lodging. We recommend you to eat something before continuing to Juanjui.  Tocache-Juanjui (180 kms, 6 hrs in dry season and 10 hrs in rainy season. Non-asphalted road with a series of bridges such as the Pizana bridge and port over the Huallaga river. From km 70 begins some mountain ranges. Recommendable in Juanjui: Restaurant La Selva and Hotel Capricornio.

Juanjui-Tarapoto (135 kms, 3 hrs). Lima-Pacasmayo-Cajamarca

Distance: 872 kms. Estimated duration: 10-12Hrs. Asphalted highway.

Lima-Pacasmayo (681 kms). You get to Pacasmayo through the North Panamericana Highway Route 1-N. Pacasmayo-Cajamarca (191 kms, 3.5 hrs to 4 hrs). Asphalted highway in good condition, continuing on the Panamericana and reaching Ciudad de Dios km 969 you will find the turn-off to Cajamarca: route 8, on the right two lane recently asphalted and in very good conditions. It covers 176 kms and passes bye the towns of Tembladera (Km 49) and Chitete (Km 91) before crossing the Jequetepeque river; and after 3 hrs journey you drive through the mountain pass Gavilan (2,960 m.a.s.l) 14 kms from Cajamarca. Eventhough it is well sign posted, it is in this section or part of he road that we recommend you to be careful in rainy season (December to March).

Cajamarca-Chachapoyas Distance: 335 kms.

Estimated Duration: 10-12Hrs. Non-asphalted road.

Cajamarca-Celendín (109 kms). From this point onward,  The route 08 is a asphalted road in its first few kms and then non-asphalted and goes up to 4,500 m.a.s.l till the mountain pass of Pulcana and from there on downhill drive passing bye the town of La Encañada and mountain passes of Comullca (3,800 m.a.s.l) y Loma del Indio (3,180 m.a.s.l). Celendín-Chachapoyas (226 kms). Non-asphalted road. With deep abyss slopes. After passing bye the mountain pass Gelig (3,065 m.a.s.l), the road descents until reaching the Bride Balsas (Chacanto) over the Maranon River (700 m.a.s.l). From here begins a strong uphill drive, until reaching 3,680 m.a.s.l over the mountain pass of Barro Negro, one passes bye the town of Laymebamba (here is where you can find the museum of the mummies) El Tingo is the turn-off to Kuelap (Located 36 kms away) and one reaches the deviation to Chachapoyas city located 11 kms further. By not taking this route the deviation takes us to Pedro Ruiz Gallo, point from which brings you to the Carretera Marginal which is a asphalted road.

Lima-Piura-Huancabamba Distance: 1,202 kms.

Estimated duration: 17hrs. Lima-Piura (992 kms). On the North Panamericana highway one reaches Piura Asphalted highway. Route 1-N. Piura-Huancabamba (210 kms). Leaving Piura on the Panamericana Highway which leads you to Olmos one crosses the turn-off to Chulucanas, located in a small village known as El 50 (Toll booth). Continuing straight ahead on the Panamericana highway one reaches after 14 kms after the turn-off to Huancabamba on the left hand. Taking the turn-off to the left you will enter a non-asphalted road which leeds you to a small village called Las Lainas, the district of  Buenos Aires and arrives at Canchaque. From this point onwards initiates a difficult driving section which normally is closed down in the rainy season until arriving Huancabamba.