Salta, Argentina to Calama, Chile
 

How is the road condition from Salta to Calama? How long does it take to ride? Do the Customs work on weak ends? And Gas availability between two places?

Thanks

Nelson

Nelson,

From Salta (Argentina) to Calama (Chile) you can ride by two ways, but there is San Pedro de Atacama on the way, both ways are from Salta to San Pedro de Atacama:

# 1 - Paso de Sico - about 500 km - most of it is unpaved, dirt road, there is a gas station about 150km far from Salta, in San Antonio de Los Cobres (Argentina) and then only in San Pedro de Atacama. It´s not a commom way, only few adventurers ride there, I have road it, no problem.

# 2 - Paso de Jama - about 630 km - all paved, everybody goes by this way: Salta - San Salvador de Jujuy - Purmamarca - Susques - then San Pedro de Atacama (Chile).

No problem with customs during weekends!!!
Calama is about 100 km westward far from San Pedro de Atacama.
Problems: the high altitude and the cold weather!!!

Turistel Chile Maps:
Turistel Chile - Mapas - Mapas Ruteros - II Región

Ruta0 - argentinian highway finder:
Origen: Salta
Destino: San Pedro de Atacama
Rutas Argentinas - Buscador de rutas y mapas

Have a nice ride,
Best wishes,

Reginaldo Rohden.

Thank you Reginaldo

Do you remember the road Nos of the route you mentioned as option one. Garmin World map and MSN maps show a route with No 51 on Argentinian side and No 23 on Chile side. Via Hauitiquina. If it is the same as your option one I would like to avoid the option.

Please click the link below. It shows the MSN direction from Salta to Calama.
Web browser and Live Maps are incompatible

Thanks again.

Nelson

Nelson,

Yes, ruta 51 (Argentina) and 23 (Chile) are the unpaved way, dirt road, called Paso de Sico.

Best wishes,

Reginaldo Rohden.