From Celendin to Leymebamba (day 15)

The bus trip from Celendín to Leymebamba is not generally recommended in guide books (or by locals!) due to the length of the trip and the condition of the roads (mostly gravel). However, the scenery is some of the most stunning we have seen in Peru. We absolutely reccommend this trip to anyone interested in visiting the northern highlands!!

Buses leave from Celendín on Thursday, Friday and Sunday with Virgen del Carmen and cost s/20 per person to Leymebamba (more to Tingo and Chachapoyas). The trip takes about 8-9 hours. The bus is very cramped.

View of Celendín from the road:

The route travels up the mountains above Celendín, then begins to descend through desert hills to the valley of the Rio Marañon, a tributary of the Amazon.

The series of switchbacks in the road descend 9,900 feet to the hot, verdant, jungley town of Balzas.

The road crosses the river and then begins to climb up the mountains again, up 7,920 feet, before descending again to the more lush cloud forest around Leymebamba. The route passes through at least three distinct microclimates (mountainous desert complete with crazy cacti, jungle-like valleys, and green cloud forest), with unbelievable scenery.

We arrived at Leymebamba around 8pm, tired and dirty from the dusty road, but this was great trip. The photos (taken with much effort, sticking our hands out the window) don't really begin to describe this journey.