Atacama Desert (From San Pedro to Sico)
 

Six riders from Antofagasta, Chile (Atacama desert) to the border with Argentine at Paso Sico (4,500 m above sea level) (15,000 feet).
Two nights staying at San Pedro de Atacama, good hotels & good food.
Total days: 3
Total ridden distance: 1,400 Km (30% Tarmac, 70% Gravel)
Places visited: San Pedro, Salar de Atacama, Toconao, Socaire, Peine, Sico

Excellent trip, safe and nice places, nice views of the Atacama Desert (Dakar 2010).

Here goes some pictures.
Regards from Chile

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/d...p/DSCN1144.jpg
Salar de Aguas Calientes

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/d...p/DSCN1181.jpg
Paso Sico, Chile & Argentine border

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/d...p/DSCN1178.jpg

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/d...p/DSCN1172.jpg
292 Kms to Salta (Argentine)

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/d...p/DSCN1153.jpg
Near Chilean customs and border police


http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/d...p/DSCN1104.jpg
Old church at San Pedro


http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/d...p/PB220106.jpg
On the road to Toconao

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/d...p/DSCN1134.jpg
Near the village of Socaire

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/d...p/PB210028.jpg
The Miscanti lagoon

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/d...p/PB210054.jpg
Miscanti

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/d...p/PB210070.jpg
Salar de Aguas Calientes

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/d...p/DSCN1176.jpg
Paso Sico

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/d...p/PB210037.jpg
Tourists going down to the Miscanti lagoon

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/d...p/DSCN1142.jpg

Salar de Aguas Calientes

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/d...p/PB220107.jpg
On the road down to the village of Toconao

Beautiful scenery:thumbup1:. Might have to rethink my original plan of only :mchappy: around Mexico and C America.

You might.
North of Chile, the Atacama Desert, is one of the best places to know riding your bike. :clap::clap::clap::clap:
Regards.

Yep that area around the Andes and San Pedro is the one I think of most since returning