Ecuador - Peru Border. La Balsa (in the mountains)

There are three border crossings between Ecuador and Peru: the coast of Huaquillas Tumbes, which is the busiest, is known as chaotic, sometimes unreliable and is not usually recommended.

Alternatively, in the Sierra,  Macara La Tina. They say it is quieter.

The other option was that we did, of La Balsa , but also saw more lost. That if you have to take time and patience because the journey is long, many transfers, road sections are not very good, but the scenery is spectacular and exciting.

It's a little busy border by locals, but in our step we met several tourists. A Mexican man who came from Peru, after 5 years touring, 2 Canadian bike had trouble with the papers of their vehicles, and two Austrians who came with us from Vilcabamba. The process is fast and quiet, so it's good option for those who prefer to go slowly and incredible landscapes.

The route is as follows:

-  Vilcabamba - Zumba: $ 6.50. 6h30AM output. Duration 5 hours Unpaved.

-  Zumba - La Balsa (Peru border): $ 1.75. Transportation goat. 2h30PM output. Duration 2 h. Unpaved. There are also new trucks that offer the tour for $ 15.

-  La Balsa - San Ignacio: 12 soles. 2 h. several daily. Shared taxi.

-  San Ignacio - Jaen: 12 soles. 2 h. several daily. Minibus.

   Night (San Ignacio). Hostel: 10 soles, shared bathroom, cold water, medium bed (1.20 mwide).

-  Jaen - Bagua Grande: 6 soles. 1 h. several daily. Bus. Mototaxi 1.50 soles on both sites.

-   Bagua Grande - Chachapoyas: 20 soles. 2 h. Shared taxi.