A journey of two lifetimes
Useful information for fellow travellers
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maps.me - an offline GPS app with regularly updated coordinates for campings, gaz stations, and more...
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iOverlander- an offline map with camping sites and points of interests.
Apps and maps must be downloaded before hand.
8 Things to know before roadtripping in Chile
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Exchange rate: 1 USD = +/- 750 CLP (Chilean pesos)
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Insuring a foreign car in Chile: Available online starting from 10 USD. Insurance compagny: Magallanes. Link: SOAPEX
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Driving in and out of Chile: When introducing a foreign car into Chile, the same driver must leave the country with it.
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Chilean highways: Chilean highways do not take any credit cards, make sure to carry some cash with you!
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Driving around and inside Santiago: Don't be surprised by the many expensive highway tolls around Santiago. Have cash available they often don't take the credit card! Watch for toll roads in Santiago, there is a radar system called TAG, and cars need a special sticker to drive without getting fined.
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Chile - Bolivia Border Crossing: When crossing the Bolivian border from San Pedro de Atacama (Paso de Jama) make sure to stop by the Chilean Aduana located in the town San Pedro de Atacama, before you head to the border. There is no Chilean border post near the Bolivian border.
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Gas prices are not cheap, they often compare to European ones, around 1e/L.
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Practical spots we found in Calama, Atacama desert:
Camping Calama
Camping Casas del Valle.
Add: Francisco Bilbao 1207, Calama
Tel: 234 0056
Very pleasant camping with clean bathrooms, barbeque spots, shade, good wifi, a pool and a very friendly owner Gabriel.
Price: 5000 Chilean pesos per person per night.
Car Repair in Calama
Tannaxel Garage
Add: Gabriela Mistral 1055 - Villa Chica
Tel: 620 712 37
Owned by a friendly and efficient Nilton, you can be sure to get very good service here.
8 Things to know before roadtripping in Argentina
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Exchange rate: 1 USD = +/- 10 ARS (Argentinian pesos)
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The siesta and office hours: Note that the siesta is sacred in most of Argentina, offices and shops often close between 1 and 4pm. Make sure to check opening hours.
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Fuel Prices: Gasoline = +/- 1.4 USD per litre. Diesel = +/- 1.2 USD per litre.
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Insuring a foreign car in Argentina:
Rivadavia Seguros is the only local insurance company that accepts to insure foreign cars in Argentina.
400 pesos (40 USD) per month.
Includes Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay, Peru and Bolivia.
Link: Rivadavia Seguros
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Talampaya National Park, La Rioja, Argentina:
All visits and administration closes at 5pm (apart from the restaurant that stays open until 10pm for anyone who happens to be camping on site).
The only way to visit the canyons are by organised group tours or with an individual guide.
Price:-
Group Tour: starting at 35 USD per person for the group tours.
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Individual Guide Tour: 35 USD park entrance + price to be negotiated with guide.
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Camping in Talampaya, La Rioja, Argentina:
The campsite has the minimal facilities, it is a designated location in the sand to set up your tent without shade.
Hot showers are available and internet.
Price: 30 pesos (3 USD) per person.
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Visit Laguna Brava natural reserve, La Rioja, Argentina.
Laguna Brava is a natural reserve for vicuñas ang guanacos, surrounded by incredible volcanos, its altitude varies between 2500m and 4500 m. It is located west of the province, 450 kilometers away from the capital of the Province of La Rioja. Going to Laguna Brava with guides costs around 30 pesos (3USD). You can hire very helpful guides from a little town near by called Alto Jagüe.
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Camping Comunal - Belen, Catamarca, Argentina: Free, quiet and very pleasant location by the river bed of Rio Belen, about 10km up-valley from the town. Providing shade, barbeque, toilets, bins and tables available to everyone.