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Crossing Santiago to Mendoza & also Paso Sico
We are planning to ride two up from Santiago (Los Andes) to Mendoza viaCristo Redentor or Los Libertadores Pass in late September. We will be two up on an 1150GSA with probably Conti TKC80 front tyre & Michelin Anakee rear.
I understand this pass to be paved and suitable for any kind of vehicle and it is closed after heavy snowfalls. Can anyone advise the likelihood of closure at that time of year? What are the conditions like then and if it is closed, can it be for days/weeks? Once in Mendoza we plan to head north up to Salta and cross over into Chile via Paso Sico. Apparently on the Argentinian side, the unpaved sections are quite bad. Is this still the case? Again, I believe this pass is closed after heavy snow. We will probably be there early October - can anyone advise how likely it is to be closed. We need to be in Cuzco mid October, so the alternative is to go straight up the Pan American from Santiago. This may be lower risk but probably not anywhere near as interesting. Any comments? |
To be updated about border crosses in Argentina, go to: http://www.aca.com.ar/servicios/turi.../framevial.htm
Actualized every working day. Regards Javier… www.dakarmotos.com |
Englist translation of site?
Hola Javier,
The site looks excellent, very informative & I can work out a few things but my espanol is not good enough. Is there an english version or similar site available in english that you are aware of? |
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hello,
I actually do not know, what climat is at this time of the year, since we passed the andes into this direction in february. At that time it was great and we could get over allpasses, means: From Santiago to mendoza over cristo retendor (this way you can pass through a tunel or over the top with some kilometers of off-road track (good condition), which I would recommend) instaed of just racing up to paso sico get back over the andes over the paso del agua negra and don`t miss the paso San Francisco which will bring you back to the argentian side. Then you stiull can ride Paso sico, but I think the others are more impressive. About the wheels: We had front and rear TKC 80 and were fully satisfied. We used them for over 10000km and they were still in quite good condition. We rode Africa twins 750 and quite a bit of luggage. Visite the places around San Pedro (hor springs of Puritama, El tatio geysiers, Valle de la luna, Salt lake). In case you don`t want to pass through whole bolivia make a 2 days trip to the laguna colorada and the geysiers sol de manana. There are also huge coppermnines nearby and reacheable by motorbike. In case you need replacment parts you find nearly everything in Calama (100km away - good road), but you need time to find it. In case you need some more help, let me know. hope you have a good ride. Burnout1 |
Cords and Aash, the Sico pass we found to be the hardest of our routes two up - loads of sand, but the conditions change all time. We also heard recently a volcano was erupting near the pass possibly leading to access restrictions...or not. Other recommendations (Agua Negra etc) highly recommended too - but that one is high, and does get effected by weather, but if open definatelta 'must do'. Our blog has quite a bit on the conditions on those routes if it's helpful.
The Santaigo route (past Inca Bridge) is likely to be the one they'll concentrate on keeping open as long as possible as main trade route - watch out for the trucks, downhill they shift :-0 but very well surfaced |
Paso de Jama
We have done a bit more research and will probably take Paso de Jama from San Perdo de Atacama rather than Sico Pass as this is apparently in better condition (for the most part, anyway) & apparently has less heavy vehicle traffic.
Is this correct? Cheers, Cords |
Paso the Jama is in excellent condition. Tarmac all the way from PanAm Highway to San Pedro and Routa 9 in Argentina (also Tarmac). When we crossed beginning of the month we only saw about 10 vehicles in the day. Ther is no petrol between San Pedro and Susques (280km). On the passes it can get very very cold, so wrap up warm, you'll spend a few hours above 4000m (highest point on my GPS 4844m). Chilean customs in San Pedro, Argentinian at the pass (about 170km apart). Make sure your papers are right, you don't want to go back for another stamp!!. You will find a great motorbike road in Argentina!
I think Aqua Negro is closed for the winter. Always ask before you start!! Enjoy Jens |
Most of what Jens says for Jama is true for Seco - except the Jama is a good condition road. No Petrol or even basic facilities on route on seco....in fact b*gger all anything except terrible loose repio and sand, I'd go for Jama every time. Think the Jama is less popular wth HGVs due to the 10kms steep straight descent to San Ped - brakes fail (witness shrines) so they prefer the other even though not surfaced - only reason I could see anyway.
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drove Sico 2 years ago beginning of october, no snow whatsoever but then that won't give you any guarantee... Also no traffic either, met only 1 (tourist) truck all the way! Most traffic takes Jama which is all paved now. And yes the argentinian side of Jama is a great bikeroad indeed .
And as for landscape, I can't say Sico is that much more interesting so I'd say go for Jama. |
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