Hello all,

I am currently planning a trip to TDF in early 2006 taking ruta 3 southbound through argentina and ruta 40 / carretara austral northbound on my way to northern chile

I was wondering where the best place is to leave ruta 40 in argentina and head into chile to join the carretera austral, (best being; most interesting scenery/places, challenging roads etc)

my map indicates a route into chile through paso rodolpho roballes, has anyone taken this route?

any help would be appreciated

thanks

Yes this is the most interesting route to join the CA from ruta 40. Exit to Quellon on Chiloe by ferry -6 hours- or back over to Argy At Futalefu to Esquel.
regards
JG.

thanks for the advice

While we are on the topic, what are the chances or finding accomodation (of any standard) along this part of ruta 40/carretera austral in march/aprill, or should I plan on camping some of the time?

Hello, i recomend you to reach Perito Moreno city see the amazing glaciar and then pass to Chile, trough´paso Jeinemeni near Chile Chico.

I have a good and actualized map that I could send to you if you want.

Regards from Chile

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José Antonio Valdés U
Yamaha DT 175

[This message has been edited by joevaldes (edited 21 December 2005).]

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Jose Valdés

http://caminossecundarios.blogspot.com

That would be great if you could send the map, can you send it via email?, if so my address is phill.wicks@isgplc.com
thanks very much

I would second the border at Chili Chico, then convince yourself to boogie down to Villa O'Higgans at the end of the Carretera Austral, before heading north again.
Gorgeous. Camping in lots of free spots along the way, including the town parking lot in Tortel.

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Go slow, be well.

Hi José,

I would be interested in the map as well. Could you send it to Ekke61 at Hotmail.com? Thanks!



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Ekke Kok
Redwood Meadows, AB
'89 R100GS
'03 R1150GS Adventure

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Ekke Kok

'84 R100RT 141,000 km (Dad's!)
'89 R100GS 250,000 km (and ready for another continent)
'07 R1200GS Adventure 100,000 km (just finished Circumnavigating Asia)
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

www.ekke-audrey.ca

Phill

I my fisrt post i was wrong:O
I told you that Perito Moreno glaciar was located near lago Buenos Aires but i was wrong, the truth is Perito Moreno Glaciar is located near el Calafate City.
So you can visit this glaciar, stay in El Calafate and then pass to Chile trough Paso Roballo. When you reach carretera austral, head south (133kms) and visit Tortel village. Then turn 180° and head north across Carretera Austral.

Regards

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Jose Valdés

http://caminossecundarios.blogspot.com

There are some hotels... but if there is anywhere in South America to carry camping gear it is on the Austral. Hotels in Chile are expensive but there are countless places to pitch a tent where you will have a gorgeous river or lake at your doorstep and no one to bother you (and it's free...). Take a warm sleeping bag though.

I just crossed at Paso Roballos... about 200km from Cochrane (Chile) to Bajo Caracoles (Arg) and ZERO cars. The Chilean half of this road is fantastic... a dirt dream: smooth, fast and fun. The Argie side isn't so nice.

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Steven
KLR "El Terremoto"
Currently heading towards Ushuaia.

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Steven
www.twowheeledtraveller.com
Americas, '05-'06
RTW, poco a poco

HI All,

Be aware that the weather on the Austral at the moment is awful,I'm stuck in Coyhaique I've been here 3 days and the weather shows no signof getting better. Torential rain and you can see bugger all so for me its been a reall disappointment!

Cheers

nik

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Life is far too short...so don't waste it!

www.theadventuresofboz.blogspot.com

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Life is far too short...so don\'t waste it!

www.theadventuresofboz.blogspot.com

Following up on the accommodation options, there are many cheap places on the southern section at least. We paid 4 or 5 pounds p/p p/n without breakfast (another 1.5 quid) in Cochrane and Villa Cerro Castillo for descent room, and over 2 quid for very basic camping. Many more wild camp options hereabouts though. Only ATM was on Cochrane, no visa, just Maestro, and fuel was about 80p a litre which is a lot. Fill up with fuel and cash in Arg if poss, good supplies in Cochrane.
Found Roballos pass very hard two up, and Careterra Austral is a nighmare of corrugations and deep loose stuff....but...it is the most stunning scenery to date.
PS it´s stopped raining Nik ;-)

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www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/davies

Hi - we are setting off for South America via Buenos Aires in just over a week's time, two up on our Tenere. Our last trip was 3 years ago UK to Tomboctou via Mauretania, Senegal and Mali. Any thoughts from anyone on how Ruta 40/Carretera Austral compare with the dirt roads of West Africa - corrugations, ruts, etc? Also how do South American dirt roads in general compare?

Hi Greynomads,

My husband and I spent quite a bit of time in West Africa travelling (www.2ridetheworld.com) and have also travelled the 'famed' R40, Austral etc.

A Comparison is hard....however, if you manged the 'roads' in that part of Africa you should not have a problem in this part of South America. I'm not saying its easy...it takes concentration...especially when the gravel gets thick. But in lost of places there are groves to follow that trucks, cars etc have made. The problem is when it rains. This then makes the route (R40 and Austral) thick clay mud which clogs up the wheels and stops them turning...and trying to control the bike in this...forget it!

The dirt roads in South America are in good condition ..once again when you compare to the places you have travelled in Africa. However, some of the worst corrugations we have ridden have been in the Altiplano of Bolivia!

The main thing is.....don't loose your concentration...cos the gravel can suddenly decide to become deep ..and watch those corners!!

If you do need anymore info just ask...Im sorry I can't be more detailed but you're obviously an experienced rider and should not have too many problems in this part of the world.

...if you have ridden Africa you should not have a problem in South America.

regards
Lisa

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Lisa
www.2ridetheworld.com

Hi Lisa - thanks for the info. I guessed, and hoped, that it would be as you say. Can't wait to get there!
Regards, Peter

Hi all

My name its Pedro I am from Ecuador and y will be in the road from Qioto Ecuador to Ushuaia and y have organiza to arrive santiago Chile at 24 of December to go down the CA
Its the weather good at dec and january??
The ferry in Chiloe to chaiten you takes from Queilen or Quellon??
How much time it takes?
then y will go down at the 7 route and cross from chile chico paso roballo to route 40 its a good choice?? please give some advice if some one have a good map of this area please let me know

thank yow all