Leaving Trujillo was slightly less difficult then entering, we were looking to pick up the Panamerican traveling south but after an hour of heading down one way streets and dead end we picked up a diversion and got onto roadworks heading to the right road. Destination Huarez back in the mountains and the start of a famous mountain range, Cordillera Blanca.

 After heading down the Panamerican we turned off to pick up the 3/12. Following the GPS (a bit risky) we headed down dirt and gravel road for about 40 miles following a valley with a river. The GPS then started showing the road on the other side of the river.
After a couple of hours riding with the road deteriorating and Tracy jumping of to walk the muddy sections we reached a bridge crossing the river.

 The road taking us into the mountains was a single track dirt road which travelled along the valley the started to climb. Luckily the road eventually turned to paved at the same time as the rains came.

The road climbed us back into the mountains and was another goat track following the river. The landscape still barren and harsh where the road had been carved through the rocks creating tunnels which led to tunnels with small glimpses of the river below. The road was mainly single track with passing places. The colours changing from Browns and reds to oranges and purple. We push on the road in places becoming muddy and almost impassable fortunately the rain held. It is amazing that people live up here.


Another arrival in the dark and rain and chaos which is evening traffic. The GPS couldn't locate the hotel so we gave in and waved down down a tuktuk who lead us to the hotel. We were very wet, covered in mud and cold and when the gates opened to the hotel it was a sanctuary in the chaos. 
After a quick shower we were treated to Coca tea to warm us up and a great meal by a wood burning stove. What a day!