hello biker, traveller + adventure rider

I'm looking for really good adventure rides in Chile,........ places where no touristbusses or 4 Wd going, fare away,
places with sighseeing, rivercrossings,
hard to reach why there is no petrol,
and they not in the guidebook to find,
is there something like this,
need more infos,to mark them in my map,
hold always your mirrows up,
FRED KLEIN,
fred.

__________________
http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/434/buchu.th.jpg

I'm guessing you're 'Big Fred', Linda's friend?

These few suggestions are not as hardcore as you'd like but they made lead you to discover something else...

1. Paso Sico, the main route across the northen Andes to Argentina prior to the opening of Paso de Jama. Its good ripio, you'll need a good fuel range (none between San Pedro de Atacama and San Antonio de los Cobres if I remember rightly. 16km west of San Antonio you can detour to see the Porvorilla Viaduct on the 'Tren de las Nuebes' route. I saw one truck in 600km.

2. At the southern end of the Careterra Austral there's a border crossing between Chile Chico and Los Antiguos (Arg). From Los Antiguos a dirt road runs parallel with the border until it meets the road coming from Cochrane(?). Again. its not hardcore but it sees very few travellers. I saw nobody.

If you do discover any good routes in the north please let me know. I'm currently in the USA but will enter Mexico around 12-14th October and continue south to Northern Chile/Bolivia to pick-up where I left off when I broke my BMW last year.

Enjoy...

__________________
ShortWayRound - OTR RTW since 2006

Photo Galleries

ShortWayRound/Facebook

If you are starting in Northern Chile, you've got to go to Putre. Part of the most stunning areas and riding of the North. Options depending upon altitude:

1. from Bolivia via Visviri through to Putre
Past Volcano Tacora 5988 m - I had to stop half way and return back to Putre due to altitude. Road was very good. Via Parque Nacional Lauca. Had the road completely to myself.

2. Putre to Codpa (the Camarones)
Take highway # 11 toward Arica and turn left at Zapahuira (last coffee break till Codpa). I had one car the whole day once I turned off at Zapahuira. However, be careful of overturned trucks on highway #11. Again, road very good - rewarding scenery- glacier / cacti / desert / canyon within a space of a few hours.

NB: If you continue toward Cuya, be aware of the decent. It's a police monitored village, and they're strict on paperwork / speed limits.

Also, there's no fuel between Putre to Iquiqui (approx 850km).

3. Putre to Colchane
Unfortunately, I couldn't do this route because of altitude and being severely underprepared. However I was advised by local english speaker guide this would be a very rewarding adventure - he does it on occassion in a 4wd. I'd love to hear anything about it...

Leave Putre toward Boliva (highway #11) turn right just after the termas du jurasi (highly recommended) - total approx 7-10km from Putre. Continue toward Chivatambo, and past Guallatriri, Vilavio, to Chilcaya (possible fuel at a grocery shop??). From Chilcaya ride past the Salar de Surire, heading toward Pollonquere, turn left toward Paserijo ending eventually at Colchane.

From there either enter into Bolivia or over to San Pedro Atacama.

Maps:
If you can possibly get hold of a TurisTel Norte - you have the best local knowledge and they are very accurate. Includes fuel stops, places to stay, why to even visit. Just need to practice your Spanish!

PUTRE: Must stay
Stay at George's house (from memory it's called Chakana). If in doubt, ask for George's house - you know you're there when you get to the end of the road and find chalet style houses hanging on the edge of a stunning valley. He has hostel beds available for circa 8,000 pesos.

George is very knowledgeable about all the local roads and is motorcycle adventurer friendly and speaks German, English and Spanish. He'd probably even let you camp if you needed.

Hope the above gives you some ideas!

Good luck, and keep the rubber side down!
Jewlz

good suggestions and awesome experiences you've shared here. Great tips and this would greatly help others.

Thanks Travelbugz! Hope it helps!

In addition to Paso de Sico mentioned above, Paso de San Francisco is also extremely beautiful and relatively remote (not as challenging as Sico though). Paso de Agua Negra is another wonderful ride but one must check beforehand if the Paso is open.

__________________
Fernando Costa
Ilhabela, SP BRAZIL