Damn, sounds like picking up a bike in Santiago mid/end of July would rule out a sane person heading across to Argentina, guess I'll be heading north then.

The pass from Santiago to Mendoza is only 3200m high, all paved and it should be open all year, except the time it takes to clear it after fresh snowfall.

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“It’s just a walk in the park!”
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Hi all,

Firstly thanks to everyone for their advice on this crossing - it was indeed beautiful, well worth the brrr cold and a lot of fun.

So - quick recap:
1) Roads were absolutely completely free of any snow or ice. At lower alt (ie. at Chilean border crossing 3700m, there was a bit of frost in the morning, but at Laguna Verde where I camped 1 night at 4500m, nothing on the bike in the morning).

2) Conditions: Apart from 30km of slippery, ground up sand/gravel after the Chilean Border post going up to the Paso, it was pretty good ripio. As others have said, they are doing major roadworks along the CHilean side, so this means there's lots of traffic (comparatively), so if you run into any problems you'll usually have a pickup zooming past every 30mins.
Beautiful smooooooth pavement from the Paso (literally under the border sign) all the way to Fiambala. Some nice curves esp as you get closer to Fiambala. I had pretty strong wind for about 100kms which was just a bit tiring but ok. THere are a number of emergency refuges dotted along the Argentinean road if you need a rest.

3) Fuel: Yep - no fuel between Copiapo and the Argentiean border (20kms from the Paso). Indeed 6 pesos/L but worth it if you've no fuel. For my 200cc I used 17L between Copiap and the Argentiean border, where I gladly fuelled up.

4) Air filter: I did nothing to the carb, but did open my air filter at 3500m. Did a lovely construction of a spinach mesh bag and duct tape to offer a bit of protection from flying stones. Other than that, my lil bike performed beautifully.

5) Where to stay: Yes it was cold - at night. During the day was surprisingly ok. Just used my standard leather gloves, no double layer, pretty much rode in normal gear. But at night - bloody cold. Cause I take things pretty slow, my trip went: COpiapo - Chilean border post (where the Carabinero offered me a bed AND hot shower AND dinner), day 2 Chilean border post to Laguna Verde. There are luke warm hot spring there, and open area to camp. I um found um a 'house' (read Carabinero summer post) and um set up my tent inside - so had a lovely night!. Laguna Verde is A TREAT - a beautiful serendipitious sight to come across after riding up up through the high altitude rocky planes. Day 3 Laguna Verde to Fiambala. You CAN do this in 1 day less, I am just happily slow!

I met 2 other bikers, who had just come across picas negra a bit further south as well on the route so that seems to be open.

I'll be getting around to updating my blog at chasing serendipity in the next day and will have pics up there.

Ciao chicos and suerte to those going the route!
I'm now in Cafayate and heading north to do Salar de Uyuni
Susan

For people looking to do this pass in the future the post above was very helpful. I think a few things have changed and the road conditions are a bit better - I think a lot more of the Chilean side is paved now and the gravel bit is super easy.

Very beautiful but cold and windy, at least it was when I went. Fuel, about 470 kilometers in between stations so take a jerry can if you don't have the range - I bought one an 11 liter one (which I really didn't need but figured it's better to carry extra gas than run out) at the Copec in Chile for 3800 pesos.

There are five or six emergency shelters on the Argentinian side, which were awesome, in between the aduana and the closest town Fiambala... pick one they're all free. There is also an abandoned tourist resort after the fourth shelter which I'm sure you can stay at.

I stayed at Refugio No 4 and there was coal, cigarettes, a lighter, and other random bits. Anyway, they are free and it's nicer than pitching a tent because it gets you out of the wind and they are quite warm. I also saw the Carabinero place on the Chilean side but didn't stop there.

Argentinian aduana guys were cool and I got camping water from them. There was also a hotel at the top, just a few hundred meters before the Aduana and the guy said it was 40 pesos the night.

Make sure you either have dollars or Argentinian pesos because they don't take Chilean pesos; however, there is an ATM in Fiambala so you can get money and fill up your tank.

I have a KLR and had no problems with the carb or air intake - however, I was going slowly and taking lots of pictures so that may have had something to do with it.

Good luck and have fun!

Hi 4th December 2014, Im planning to Ride Santiago to Buenos Aires via Mendoza. Then up to Iguazu Falls. Does anyone know the frequency of fuels stops along the way ?
Does everyone carry spare fuel ?

hola bartman
don't worry lot's of ypf(gas station) on the way only bring enough $$$ to change in argentina very cheap fuel here.