Adventure Bike Rider Forum

Thanks for keeping us updated. I’m enjoying the adventure

I did go towards Argentina. But I will not enter Argentina here and now.
The reason that I went to San Pedro de Atacama was to visit The Moon's Valley. Vale de la Luna

On the way between Alamar and San Pedro de Atacama, I passed 3 450 m altitude. Nothing for being in South America but Stelvio Pass is 2785 m. As a reference.

There were some local animals. Sweden is full of mouses, reindeer and deer.
But here we have Lamas, Alpacas ....

At the entrance for the Valley, I was told that I needed to buy a ticket on line, before coming there !!
But I had my debit card, open for internet. And they had a computer in the office. So together we manage to buy a ticket on line, in the entry reception. Strange that they could not sell tickets direct. But....

That ticket was valid for 2 different parts :
1: Riding an 11 km road in the Valley. 11 km one way and back the same way. Return before closing time.
(There were actually a lot of bicycles doing this trip.
The road had several parking places. From where there were hiking trails to view points.

2: Entry to 2 view points, high above the valley. Along the road back to Calama.
The local animals
The Entrance to the valley
The road and parking places

It was a fantastic experience. With a huge amount of great views.
Both the camera in the phone and my Nikkon was working hard.
(These pictures are from the phone. The content of the camera has not been transferred.)

This shows only some of it

So many great views are worth some more pictures

On the road back to Calaman, there was one entry to two view points.
Those view points were separated by a short trail

The pictures do not give a correct view of how high over the valley this was.
And the scale of everything

(Sorry for the man in one picture. But....)

But before getting to Calama, I was riding the first part of Atacama desert.
So the posts come in wrong order.
With this type of infrastructure, I filled an old Oil can with petrol and kept in the pannier.
(I would very much like to have the extra tanks that fits on the crash bar. From Hitchcook Motors)
The desert is far from always flat.
But sometimes it is flat.....
And here you see that phenomena.
The roads looks like covered by the sky.
And some times it looked as it it was sandy, close to the horizon. But it disappears when you get closer

It was to be an easy day. With coffee break and just cruising
Until the road was blocked by the police. The road was blocked due to that the Chile army should move a lot of armed vehicles over the highway.
There was a strong wind. and dry soil. So a lot of dust was blowing over us.

I continued cruising. And found the sculpture hand in the desert. Mano de desierto.
I have read about it. But I did not know that is was here. So a great surprise.
(I have to say that I like this picture)

The southern most part of the Atacama desert had some vegetation.
Bushes and cactus.

The desert ended. And Santiago was waiting.
It was very easy and calm to pass Santiago. 3 lane highway all the way. And not much traffic.

=> Towards Puerto Montt

My goal has been to ride Carretera Austral. From Puerto Montt to Villa O´Higgins
(Actually to the Border between Chile and Argentina. After Villa Ó Higgins)
But....


With 8 200 km done and with only 105 km to do I have realized that this will not be the case now.
The last days, I have been following the weather forecast for the area. It shows that a huge rain has the same time plan as I have. And it is not a short one, that you can wait out.
There is no end. Even in forecasts for 7-10 days.
It is not a light rain. It is a heavy rain.
This area is not one where I want to put on the rain suit and press through.
It is a nature that should be enjoyed.

Carretera Austral can be done in one week. But two weeks are needed to make some detours.
My estimate was 3 weeks. 2 weeks of riding. And 1 extra week for heavy rain days. Places to stay extra....

But to start with waiting for 10 ?? days is not an option.
And to head into the rain is not an option
......

The forecast for the other side of the Andes doesn't look that bad.
Even if it is not good.

Decision made: Turn towards Argentina and southern part of Ruta 40.
Ruta 40 was the plan for the way north. But now I do the southern part going south.
And I can return same way. Or take the Carretera Austral north. If conditions are OK.
The planned route
After a coffee break. I was starting up the bike and slowly looked to enter the main road again.
When a dog attacked me and bit my tight. Two teeth into the muscle.

Some talk about being robbed, kidnapped...
But I only meet friendly persons. That do all they can to help.
But wild dogs.....
It hurts. And there is risk for infections or diseases
In Entre Lagos I found a beautiful camping.
And my tent went up for the first time.
Wonderful to sleep in my tent. Best night in a very long time.

Preparing for the boarder crossing tomorrow.