Need advice on Chile / Bolivia Border Crossing & Route
 

Hi all,

I have tried to search and research but the information on this topic seems to be limited especially when it come to motorcycles.

I am currently getting some rest in San Pedro de Atacama. I want to make my way to Uyuni after a couple of days. It seems like there are two possible routes.

One directly through the Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve , passing through multiple lakes etc.
The other one is through Calama, crossing over at Ollague.

My questions are:

a) Road conditions of both the routes. I know generally they are not well paved in Bolivia but how tough are they (traveling with a pillion).
b) Whats the average speed we expect on a motorcycle.
c) Do you know what are the various hostel/lodging location along the routes
d) Do you need SOAT or some kind of insurance ahead of time to enter Bolivia.

All help is highly appreciated.
Thanks

Hi Mate,

I thought no one responded! Did you make it through?

I will be there in a couple of weeks, but crossing the other way, from Uyuni to San Pedro.

hey guys,

i drove both ways a two months ago.

1. san pedro - nationalpark - uyuni
one of the most beautiful places i have ever been. this region is just amazing. you ride up to 5000m, passing colorful lagoons, geysier, flamingos, alpacas and thermal spring.

check out of chile in san pedro (chile is building a new border control on top of the pass at the moment, so maybe it will change soon). On top of the pass go left to bolivia. the border station of bolivia is after 5km. But only for people. the aduana is, if you have luck at the border of the nationalpark - this one is new and the guy isn´t there all the time (10km behind the real border) or after 80km close to the geysiers. for the nationalpark you need 150 bolivianos entrance.
the road up to this point is okay. in the nationalpark it´s sometimes quite sandy. for cars good, but i remember when i rode it with a bmw 1150 two persons on top it was taff.

at laguna blanca you have a thermal pool where you can do a nice break, there are also hostels. after this you ride upwards to the geysiers, leave the main road to the left and follow the tracks - not easy with a motorcycle. the geysiers are great!

if you did your aduana stuff at the before you will go the the right some kilometers behind the geysiers. otherwise stay on the road and drive the way back later. the road from the geysiers to laguna colorada is very rocky. there are hundreds of different lanes, be careful.

the next hostel ist at laguna colorada on the left site. it´s the last one for a couple of hours! the way around laguna colorada is sandy (right route - east), with deep tracks. i kissed the ground many times with the heavy bike. but it is possible. one year ago i tried the left route, this was impossible for me, and also for my firend alone on a honda transalp. ask the people which one is better at the moment!

after the lagoon the road is much better, you leave the nationalpark driving a little path and after a while you go down a valley. when you arrive down on the plateau you go to the left to vila mar. there you can find hostels again. i heard there is also a gas station, but only with spare tanks...

from vila mar there are some parts sandy but the most parts are good. there are some stone formation you can visit. later you come to an asphalt road to uyuni. in san cristobal is the first real gas station.

2. san pedro - calama - ollague - uyuni
you can not compare these two ways. you will also see lagoons, flamingos and an active smokey vulcan close to ollague. the road on the chilean side is very good. only a few kilometers you have a paved road. the border control you can not miss in ollague. the bolivian border is just 3km further the street. they spoke english on the bolivian aduana, so it was very easy to pass there, also they were very friendly.
when you passed the border there are two ways. the sign says go to the right if you want to go to uyuni. i followed my navigation system and went to the left. the next time i would try the right option. i drove a very bad road, stones, sand, big holes. after over 100km you come to a better road, after this point its very enjoyable and easy going.
there are also ways to go on the salar, fromt the west/south side. than you have a nice ride for the last couple of kilometers (more or less 100), passing the islands.

koordinates of the lagoon route you can find on my website: Stadtkinder-unterwegs point 13 and 14.

have fun, it´s a wonderful experience!