ruta 40- ?conditions

[DR11]

Hi

Just wanted to see if any folk had traveled this way recently and/ or over the early winter period (I should be heading there may/june)

I'm starting in santiago in a weeks time then planning to head over to mendoza
I gather this is a busy and cold crossing but generally quite doable

as detail on this thread and elsewhere

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...rgentina-66238

However was planning on travelling north to Bolivia along the ruta 40?

anyone had any experience of this ?

Can cope with a little off tarmac and some cold during the higher passes but don't want to be freezing my balls off every day!

alternative would be taking coastal/ desert route through northern chile which on a brief glance looks a bit more boring

any votes either way?

thanks in advance

Dan

[yahuacua]

Dull road. In Cafayate you could go to Salta and then to Guemes, to get to Bolivia through Aguas Blancas and see Tarija Bolivia. If not you will end ruta 40 in Quiaca and never get to Tarija. You could go only to Tupiza and eventually get to Potosi Oruro and La Paz. Anyway. You decide but if you come to Tarija, just tell me and I will make your bed and drive up with you half a tank when you leave.

Enviado desde mi SM-N910H mediante Tapatalk

[flashgordo]

anyone had any experience of this ?

Not dull at all, very special road...I was there last may, absolutely amazing.
I wouldn't miss it just to go to Tarija
BUT you will be traveling at altitude, up to 4900 meters roughly over the Abra del Acay, and later on the "new" 40 north of Susques up to Santa Catalina it is VERY lonely and high up.
If you get caught out at night you will have a very hard time. You must find shelter at night at any local dwelling.

Hotels in Susques and Santa Catalina (1)and La quiaca


"Can cope with a little off tarmac and some cold during the higher passes but don't want to be freezing my balls off every day!"

I'm not sure about this one, just keep an eye on the forecast

[DR11]

Hey

good to know other folk have done this at a similar time of year. Although I gather from various internet sources that it isn't the easiest of roads but general advice seems to be very doable if travel in the middle of the day

I suppose if climate proves too troublesome can always take a detour east to lower ground !

Should be heading through tarija in my way in or out of bolivia so can catch you then yahuacua!

Dan

[c-m]

Rota 40 is fun in parts. It's all paved road from Cafayete to Mendoza though and that is boring. Cafayete to Cachi is cool the on towards San Antonio is fun too.

Lots of bad bad corrugation. In fact my shock snapped in half just after Cachi heading south.

I travelled in the spring and it was plenty hot enough.

[Redtape]

I have in the last week's been up and then down again on the coast road and desert roads of north Chile and its great.
Ruta 1 along the coast to Arica. Mountain road to Peutre to the Bolivian boarder and back, the Atacama is fantastic.

Then back to San Pedro de Atacama to see the Valle Luna stunning.

I could keep riding these roads but have now returned to Argentina to ride north again for this side of the Atacama.

Took 10 days trying to cross the Andes due to bad weather but had a great time trying all the passes well 4 actually. But I like riding around.

[DR11]

[QUOTE=

Took 10 days trying to cross the Andes due to bad weather but had a great time trying all the passes well 4 actually. But I like riding around.[/QUOTE]

Just wondered if you had any advice on which pass to try
Although also like riding around!

[DR11]

"It's all paved road from Cafayete to Mendoza though and that is boring. Cafayete to Cachi is cool the on towards San Antonio is fun too. "

good to know as well, can test things out on tarmac and preserve if holding up ok!

Dan

[Redtape]

Hi. I eventually had to cross at Paso Los Libedores as it was the only one open, the weather has been very difficult and was moving north shutting them all.

I spent three days at Paso San Francisco its a very long way from a main road but a great ride and this is only to the Customs.

The road track some good hard earth is being renewed as there is alot of mining in the area but the views are stunning.

A gold mining company took pity on me due the cold and offered me a room and food and each day I rode over the mountain to Customs to be told it was closed.
But when heavy snow came I left to go further south.

If you want I have found some great roads to ride in Chile.

[DR11]

always keen on some great road advice! will be heading out from santiago in a few days

if anyone is following this the passes have updated twitter feeds

https://twitter.com/cfloslibertador?lang=es

https://twitter.com/upfronterizos?lang=es

for up to date on if are open or not

[flashgordo]

Crossed over to santiago today from mendoza ,all ok at border xing, having in pub now
Also log in to vialidad nacional in Argentina up to date info

[Redtape]

Hi.
If you are heading north from Santiago going towards say La Serena then come off Ruta 5

La Serena is lovely and if you're looking for some good roads to ride you must have a go at if you have the time and that is from La Serena to Ovalle then take route D-55 its all smooth with very light traffic and goes around beautiful mountains growing vineyards.

It just wriggles and wriggles all the way. It later becomes the D-71 and continues back to Ruta 5. Which you can then get back on and head north.

Its a ride but you will love it.

Take Ruta 5 to Copiapo and take Ruta 31 this goes to Paso San Francisco but its a very long way off but again the ride there is absolutely stunning over a 4600m+ mountain to the customs BUT very important if you want to ride this section please be aware of the emptiness and extreme conditions.

You can get to the Kinross gold mine easy and can ask for accommodation ( great ) check map for Mina La Coipa- Mantos De Oro.
They looked after me when I was there freezing they gave me a bed and great food.

Then go up and over the first mountain simply beautiful such colours turn and return safety.

Later head back to Copiapo and Rute 5. On the coast north but when you get to the sign for Ruta 1. you Must take this full on coast road up and down pass abandoned towns small hamlets of life little traffic and some road works all good fun.

This goes all the way to Iquique then back on 5 to Arica.
From Arica take the riad to Putre towards the Bolivian boarder again a great ride which I needed cocoa leafs fir and it worked.

If you go to San Pedro you again must do the National Park of Valley of the moon ( Valle de la Luna ) a small cost but Wow.

There are many out there waiting for someone to ride down.
Enjoy. Bryan