Thinking of crossing the Salar from San Pedro de Atacama. Have done a search here and have the respective GPS co-ordinates, however I'd appreciate any info on distances, i.e. from the main road to the Salar proper, from there to Isla de Pescada and then on to Uyuni town. Any information greatfully received.

Thanks, Hamish

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www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/hameandem/

I didn't go to the southwest part of the Salar where you would be coming from, but I can tell you that from Isla Incawasi, to the easten edge of the Salar is roughly 30-35 miles. There is a little town there whose name I forgot. From there it is roughly 20 miles to Uyuni. There is gasoline at the island and the little town. Some people seem to refer to Isla Incawasi as Isla Pescado, and there is an Isla Pescado, but Incawasi is the one with a restauant and gasoline. Uyuni has all the normal tourist services.

I met you two at Hostel Argentina in Rio Grande in December, glad to see you are still on the road. I, on the other hand, am at work in front of a computer right now. Saving for my next trip though.

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Andy Tiegs
https://new.horizonsunlimited.com/ts...lsouth-america

can you share the coordinates? You can send them directly to me if you prefer, ted at perljam.net.

Are street tires OK for the Salar? Is it relatively smooth, or better for true offroad bikes?

-ted (in Ecuador)

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Ted, DL650, wanderer.

The Salar itself is extremely smooth, packed hard as asphalt. The roads to get there are another story, bad washboard for miles and miles. Of course I had the good fortune to be there when it was dry. I could see it being really miserable if it was wet. There are several places in Uyuni that specialize in washing the jeeps that they do tours with, but I would still worry about a bike on the salt if it was wet.

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Andy Tiegs
https://new.horizonsunlimited.com/ts...lsouth-america

Hi all,
Sorry for diverting the thread away from Hamishs original, but I couldn't help responding with a bit of social banter!

Hamish - we'll send you a separate email

Andy - good to hear you're plannig your next trip. Aasha & I (& the 1150 Adventure) are now back at home in Oz, in front of a computer also. We don't have another big trip on the horizon after South America, just trips within Oz.

Rick - For your info, we were with Emma & Hamish when you were on the side of the road with the chain drama. Good to hear all is well with you. When you get to Oz, you must come & stay with us. We are in Brisbane & there is always a bed & anything else you might need. We can help with ride planning & might even come along for part of it - we don't need much of an excuse!

Sorry also but had to say "HI". Cords and Aash. I sm SO looking forward to my OZ trip but it is going to have to wait till 2008. I have to take the girlfriend on a little cruise to Fiji and Tahiti this year so....
I plan on coming over in late August/Early Sept. 2008 and spending 4 months riding "around" and up to Alice. Thank You so much for the invitation. I will get in touch when it is a little closer and keep you informed. Save my info also and you have a place to stay in Southern California ANYTIME.
btw, I just received that book Hamish recommended and am loving it!
"Skidmark Rick" :=)

Hello,
My boyfriend and I are thinking about taking the route from San Pedro de Atacama to Yuni in a few days. Sounds like maybe you have taken the road recently? and sounds like you had some GPS coordinates? We have a GPS, but no cable to put maps on it, so we are just hoping to find some coordinates.
We were wondering if you could share your coodinates, or know where I can find them...
Also do you happen to know if there is another gas stastion other then the one on the island? Would you happen to know the distances from the Atacama to Yuni? and how it worked out for you?
Thank you very much,
Jola and Brad
jolaglabek@hotmail.com
Home

I added GPS coordinates to another posting (see above, or below, depending on how you display thread messages).

AndyT posted a message on the very beginning of this thread about gas on the island. I spent a couple hours hanging out on the island - its a stop for all the 4-wheel vehicles. Its a "ranger station" - they charge to walk on the island, have concessions, toilets, maybe even a small overnight sleeping facility. I did not see any gas there (the facilities are up on the island - everyone parks down on the salt and you walk up to the facilities).

A lot of motorcyclists are doing this ride with inadequate gas to do the distance between San Pedro de Atacama and Uyuni (via the salar, San Juan, Lago Colorado), expecting to be able to bum it off the 4-wheel tour vehicles. The tour operators realize that its dangerous to leave someone stranded, so eventually you'll find a 4-wheel that will provide you with a bit of fuel to get to the next "place". Other travelers have reported (in blogs and guide books) that the 4-wheel vehicles sometimes run out of gas, which is why they are reluctant to provide you with their limited supply. Don't be surprised to hear "no" when you ask.

Your best bet for gas may be to ask in San Juan. I was told there wasn't fuel there, but there's a bunch of hospedajes and hostels, a few tiendas and bars - maybe someone will sell you gas (and don't be surprised its at a ridiculously inflated price).

Not exactly, since I didn't ride to S.P. de Atacama - I had enough gas (37 liters) to make it to Argentina via Paso Jama. But its roughly 375 kilometers S.P. de Atacama to Uyuni via Lago Colorado --> San Juan --> the Salar.

Its not easy riding on the washboard tracks, and the loose gravel is soft and thick when you try riding out of the ruts. Not something I'd suggest trying two up but I suppose its possible. Its an incredible landscape, definitely worth seeing.

Keep in mind, there's not "one route". There's lots of routes, and lots of different 4-wheel tours you can do that go different ways to different places, so you can hear different things, depending on who you talk to, where they went. The route I described is basically the "main" route the majority of the 4-wheel tour groups take.

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quastdog
Chiang Mai, Thailand

THank you for all the advice. Hopefully we will not run out of water or fuel or freeze to death..but it does sound like fun.
I just found your coordinates too, thank you!

Had a question what does L. Colorado (So huts) mean?
THank you!
jolanta
p.s. Luckily we are not two up anymore, I bought a Suzuki DR 250 in Santiago and have been learning how to ride since, so this should be fun , but I did get to practice going down to Ushuaia and back up.

Salar de Uyuni (island) S20.24091 W67.62763 3672m
San Juan S20.89965 W67.76643 3700m
Arbol de Piedra S22.05193 W67.88298 4588m
L. Colorado (No huts) S22.16737 W67.82033
L. Colorado (So huts) S22.26378 W67.82033 4346m
Mine/Aduana Office S22.44164 W67.80683 5035m
Geisers S22.43438 W67.75760 4860m
Hot Springs S22.51405 W67.64818 4419m
Border (Hito Cojones) S22.88102 W67.79839 4487mates

Hamish, quoting Andy T (who I met in Ushuaia and Buenos Aires, Hi Andy), but I am also envious of you still being on the road. I am the guy on the KLR you helped with the broken chain and skid mark near Puerto San Julian. I too am back at work at the Harley Dealer. I am keeping sane by planning my next trip. A circumnavigation of Australia starting in late Aug/early Sept. 2008.
Oh, btw the Salar is a wonderful ride. I wasn't sure about going there but it was definitely worth it. I have some GREAT pictures.
Stay safe. Rick McDermed.

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Andy, good to hear from you, we hope to hook up with you next year in the States.

Rick, good to hear from you also, check out our blog for info on Australia. We had a blast, spending most of our time in the outback. Feel free to contact us for any relevant info. In the meantime, try and get a copy of "Not all Ringers and Cowboys", by Drew Radford, do a search in: ABC Shop - Delivering the ABC to You, an inspirational read.

Cheers,
Hamish

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Coming from S.P de atacama, its not the distance of the salar or from the salar to uyuni you need to worry about. Its the distance from Bolivia entrance back to "civilization" in san jose. This stretch is some bad roads and will take you probably about 12 hours total riding. I sent you guys an email explaining in more detail how your route is going to look if you go from san pedro to uyuni via san jose and the salar. I cant express enough to anyone on this board how cool this stretch of the planet is. Its just a massive desert at 4,700 meters with the craziest lakes / rocks / dunes, etc. You really feel like you are on Mars for a couple days. Cheers friends

Hamish, searching for info on Australia when I got home, I found the blog . Was reading it and surprised to find out it was you that helped me. :=) I will reread it many times. If/When you get to Southern California (60 miles north of LA close to the beach) give me a call 805-985-9594. I have a 4 bedroom house all to myself (and you if you need it).
Rick

Definitely get in touch where you get nearer. You have a place to stay, and friends to show you around in San Antonio, Texas.

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Andy Tiegs
https://new.horizonsunlimited.com/ts...lsouth-america