From Calama (Atacama desert) to Uyuni via Ollague border
 

Hi everyone, me and my wife are arriving to Cuzco on 27 July from Italy and we are planned this trip on a rented motorcycle in 19 days:
https://goo.gl/maps/6LA6KAFSWGn

I have two doubts about the road from Calama to Uyuni:

1 - Are there petrol stations from Calama to Uyuni? https://goo.gl/maps/rZfNrCfMRb32

2 - Are there an hotel, hostel, B&B or somewhere to stay overnight around Ollague border?

Thanks a lot for your tips.:smile2:

My information is about 8 years old, so take with a grain of salt.

When I was there, petrol was available (from roadside vendors) in Ollague on the Chilean side. I heard rumors of fuel about halfway between Ollague and Uyuni, but had no need. I also heard there was fuel in San Francisco, but again had no need. I actually made it through to Calama without refueling, but I was definitely pushing my luck at a bit over 400 km, which is basically my range on a KLR. I can't remember whether I was carrying an additional ten liters by that time, but that would have been eminently sensible.

There are mining camps scattered around the Bolivian side, and some probably have fuel to spare. When I got lost (GPS-free forever!) I flagged down mining company trucks from time to time, and I'm confident you would not die out there for lack of fuel. Note that this falls into the category of "easy for me to say."

I got hung up by a strike by the border guards, so had plenty of time to check into accommodations in Ollague. There was an obvious roadhouse (restaurant, bar, hotel, and probably brothel) along the main road near the border gates. The guards eventually relented and let me through, but the place looked no better or worse than anyplace else in particular.

Best to get an early start on the day, and not end up driving those roads after dark as I did.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark

Hi Frush. I entered into Bolivia last year through the Ollagüe border crossing on my way to Uyuni.
There is nothing around Ollagüe, nothing at all.
There is only 1 petrol station between Ollagüe and Uyuni. It's in San Cristóbal.
The second question, there's a hostel in Alota called Hospedaje Los Andes, and another one in San Cristóbal called Hotel Sureño.
I hope this will help. In case you need more info, just make me know.
Regards from Spain.
Jorge.

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Hi Mark, your trip looks like adventurous [emoji6]. I'll be there alone with my wife on a rented KLR 650 so I try to minimize the risk. That is the reason why I would like to go to Uyuni in 2 days. In this way we can enjoy better the landscapes.

Many thanks.
Andrea

Hi Jorge, thanks for your tips.
I think it's better I carry a little gas can because I don't know how many chilometers on a single thank.

Andrea

Absolutely.
There are 140 kms between Ollagüe and San Cristóbal. I'm not sure, but I think there are no petrol stations between Calama and Ollagüe, so you will need fuel for 340 kms: 200 between Calama and Ollagüe, and 140 between Ollagüe and San Cristóbal.
I filled up my tank at San Pedro de Atacama (my bike is a R 1200 GS Adventure) and I reached San Cristóbal without any problem, but I was carrying a 5 litre gas can just in case.
Regards and buon viaggio.

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its right, the next gasstation is in San Cristobal.
You have a nice good state dirt and sometimes paved road from Ollague to San Cristobal.

But I would recommend you the route from Ollague to San Juan (dirt road). There you can rest and I'm pretty sure you can get fuel from somebody. Afterwards go to Colcha K and at Chuvica on the Salar de Uyuni to Uyuni.

Will be more interesting than the route over San Cristobal. This one is even paved on some parts.

by the way...going from Calama to ollague ist beautiful but i would always prefer the route to ollague from San Pedro de Atacama through the national park Eduardo Avaroa. Thats the most beautiful landscapes you will ever see. Afterwards the way i described. You need to plan for the way from San Pedro to Uyuni this way three to four days.

It doesn't matter which route you will take it shouldn't be a problem in the dry season.

Have fun and always a good ride!

Hi Pickypalla, you make me wanna to spend more time in tha places but our time available is limited. :( It's depends how long from Cuzco to Atacama zone takes us.
Anyway, I take note of your precious advice. :wink3:

Thanks a lot

it´s worth it. the lagoon route is the most spectacular landscape you can imagine.

I did this route in december last year.

On the bolivian side, maybe 70km from the border, I bought fuel from a convenience store.

I had to wake the person up but they sold me fuel.

The location was on iOverlander.

Thank you so much jfman, I noted your information. I look forward to go there.

Any report?
 

Hi Frush,

I am thinking of doing a similar loop in November 2018. I am curious about your experience. Have you written any report on Horizon? I saw your website (which is awesome) but couldn't find a report on the Andes.

Cheers,
Ludo

There is a very good hostel at Ollague. They will sell you petrol. I can post the whatsapp contact in a day or so. There is a gas station between Ollague and Uyuni but I don’t recall the town. It is off to the left of the main route about 100 meters. But anyway best to fill up at Ollague. The road is solid. Enough but very rough

Gas station in San Cristobal, approx 90 kms out of Uyuni.

From what I understand you won't be able to enter Chile from Peru on a rented motorcycle. If the motorcycle is in your name, you'll be fine. Hopefully, the company that is providing the rental bikes can accommodate your paperwork needs.

Further, you will run into difficulties entering Bolivia from Peru with a Peruvian plated motorcycle, but no problem traveling from Bolivia to Peru with the same set-up.