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Best / nicest campsite between Mendoza and Santiago? Best / nicest campsite between Mendoza and Santiago?
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  #1  
Old 6 Jan 2011
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Best / nicest campsite between Mendoza and Santiago?
After deciding to hang another day in Mendoza I'm wondering if anyone can tell me the nicest place for me to camp tomorrow evening on my way to Santiago?

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Old 6 Jan 2011
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There is a small town near the top of the pass that is the departure point for the Aconcagua climbers, I think it's called Los Penitentes. Couple of hotels, not much else, lot's of places to free camp. Pretty dry though so not the most scenic, I'd be tempted to keep riding to the beginning of the descent and scout around for a place to pull off. If you can find a place to bush camp, you'll have a pretty spectacular view of the setting sun from high in in the Andes. One of the real advantages of having camping gear!
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Old 7 Jan 2011
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..bush camping
just keep riding through the town and find anywhere on the back roads around Aconcagua! Bush camping at its best with, as MountainMan states, the best morning views ever!

as you go through the town remember to pick up some water..and just head off. Its great! nice area to 'play' in too with your bike.
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  #4  
Old 7 Jan 2011
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MountainMan

Just keep in mind that the general area is a national park (no vehicles allowed), surrounding the mount Aconcagua also known as the roof of Americas (highest mountain in the Americas), if you arrive earlier you could trek to Confluencia and leave the bike at Puente del Inca (small town closer to the entrance to the park) Confluencia is the first camp for long distance trekkers and people intending to climb Aconcagua, you may enjoy the atmosphere of the camp and the trek (keep in mind that you will need to pay an entrance to the park in Mendoza and it will be at least a two day trip).

You can also stop by the Andean cemetery just before Puente del Inca which is an interesting landmark.

If this does not suit you for any reason you may also camp here http://www.balnearioandacollo.cl/ in San Felipe town or look for something in Los Andes town both near Santiago.

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  #5  
Old 23 Jan 2011
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There are some killer campsites if you take RP-13 north out of Mendoza to Uspallata. Its a pretty rocky and sandy dirt road with steep switchbacks for the first 25 miles that take you up to 10,000 feet. Plenty of great places to camp on the way down to Uspallata and the pavement.
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Old 4 Feb 2011
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Hi Pockethead. We met in salta. Hope you and bike are well.

This post is too latefor you, but on the Chillean side, about 3-5km west of that famous section of switchback turns, there is a campsite/refugio (left side of the road if heading west). There is only a small cabin and small kiosk, but there usnt much else around, so you should be able to spot it. There is a small stream close to it (with trout)

The place is run by a slightly crazy guy called Fernando, who is a climber, philosipher and general nce guy to chew the fat with. He sells some basic provisions and even a little . Buy him a and you{ll have company for hours!

If anyone wanders past, please tell him that the orange elephant is alive and well!
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Old 17 Mar 2011
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Another too late reply. I'm surprised no one has mentioned Uspallata. There are 3 or 4 campsites there including a municipal one where I stayed for 10 ARS a night with hot showers and electricity.

There's also a HI affiliated hostel there a few km from town and several hotels.
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Old 17 Mar 2011
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Thanks everyone, I ended up just hauling ass all the way to Santiago because I was by myself and it was Friday evening, disappointing though because what a nice area to go camping in

From what I saw on my way across there was camping in Uspallata, again just prior to the border in the national park (not 100% but I'm pretty sure, would get rather cold however) and then in Chile, on the descent towards Santiago.
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