On part cet ete avec mon mari pour le Nord du Chili pendant 7 semaines. On a deja pas mal d' idees, mais on voudrais obtenir quelques informations. On veut louer un 4 x 4 a Arica pour visiter le Parc de Lauca, Salar de Surir, Parc Isluga. On a compte environ 10 jours. Ma question serait est-ce qu' une voiture du type Suzuki Vitara est valable. Faut il reserver la voiture avant de partir. est -ce que quelqu' un pourais nous donner des addresses de loueur ou nous recomander. Faut il choisir des grandes entreprises ou non.
La meme question serait pour la regions du Calama, pour la traversee du salar de Atacama, Laguna Miniques, Miscanti et alantour. On a compte aussi environ 10 jours.
Vous avez des infos sur l'etats des pistes?
Une autre question serait pour une agence de guide a Copiapo (parlant francais ou anglais). Qui a ete deja essaye, pour faire le parc Cerros Tres Cruces, Laguna Verde Chilien.
Pourez vous nous recomander des sommets faciles a faire dans ces endroits, et des villages ou curiosites a voire qui ne sont pas mentionnes dans Lonly Planet et Routard. On est des montagnards on a des equipements, on connait les problemes d' aclimatation. On cherche de sommets, du genre pour lequel on se gare avec la voiture et dans une journe faire alle retour au sommet, on veut profiter du paysage. Peut etre vous avez des idees sympas. On compte camper dans les Parcs ou aux alentours.
Si no tous autres conseils sont bien venus
Merci d'avance et excusez moi pour mon francais car je ne suis pas francaise.
Les routes et pistes dans la région de SPA sont très bonnes (il faut quand même rester sur la piste sous peine d'ensablement). Pour les geysers d'El Tatio, le plus difficile est qu'il faut faire la piste de nuit pour arriver au début du jour et il faut faire attention au sable sur la piste car un dérapage pourrait finir 50 m plus bas 🏴☠️
Pour le nord (Surire), on a eu des soucis. En plus, vous serez en plein hiver, je ne connais pas l'enneigement des pistes. Mais avec le vitara, ça devrait bien aller.
Pour Copiapo : 🙂 Tres Cruces, avec un agence de locale (seulement en espagnol). C'est une région superbe.
Pour d'autres infos sur les visites : voir nos photos et carnets de voyages sur les deux voyages au Chili (cf signature)
Anne-Marie & Christophe
Site perso (carnets et photos de voyage) : www.amvdd.fr
Bonjour,
On a fait le nord du Chili en 2005, on avait loué un pick uo 4x2 et ça avait suffi. On l'avait loué depuis Antofagasta pour faire tout ce qui est Lauca, SUrire, Isluga, SPA, les lagunes et tout le reste.
Pas besoin de réserver la voiture avant de partir mais faire le tour des agences et vous trouverez qq chose. Nous on était passé par une petite boîte de loc et c'était beaucoup moins cher que les grosses boîtes de location.
Autour de San Pedro, les pistes sont bonnes sauf pour aller à la laguna Lejia, là la piste est méga pourrie mais c'est super beau !!
Pour le Parc Lauca et le salr de Surire, les pistes sont très accessibles par contre après le salar en direction d'Isluga pour rejoindre Iquique, c'est nettement moins confortable mais les paysages et les villages abandonnés valent très largement le manque de confort !!
Voilà
Noemi..
ne t excuse pas pour ton français.. il n'est .. qu'excellent !
Vous avez opté pour une région du Chili qui est fabuleuse..
La necessité du 4x4 ? Si tu veux t'éloigner des santiers battus cités pas le Groutard et L'hon**.. même une voiture classique devrait te suffir.. Mais tout dépend si les pluies sont présentes..
Quant nous etions à SPA (San Pedro d'Atacama) une fort pluie avait bloqué les routes à partir de Calama et environ.. mais c'était assez exceptionnel..
LE CHOIX sur une Cie de location de véhicules ? D'emblée et personnellement, j'opterai pour une ''grande''.. et sur place : les prix montent si tu loues depuis l'Europe..
Et puis : les projets.. sont faits pour être modifier. OK, planifier.. mais durant vos 7 semaines et si vous sentez bien dans un lieu.. votre programme va évoluer..
Guide Tourisitique Chilien : il se nomme TOURISTEL : un pour le Sud, un pour le Nord, un pour le Centre.. Investissez à votre arrivée.. cela vaut la peine.. les guides français ou autres sont assez nuls.. comparativement..
Si d'autres questions.. n'hésitez pas..
Fab sur www.hylas.ws
www.hylas.ws
""POURQUOI VOYAGEZ-VOUS ?
POUR TROUVER CEUX QUI SAVENT ENCORE VIVRE EN PAIX""
Oups.. me revoila..
A propos des geysers du tatio à SPA..
Nous y sommes montés dans la journée.. pour y arriver en fin d'après midi et avons dormi sur place.. dans notre Skargo.. Facile !!!
La route est un peu difficile, mais si vous roulez tranquillou, pas de problème !
Par contre le spectacle des geysers est aussi beau en fin de journée.. qu'à 7 h du matin.
Alors.. si vous décidez de découvrir les geysers de jour, je vous assure que vous ne serez pas déçus.
En plus.. avec la fraicheur du matin, les fumerolles sont tellement importantes et denses qu'elles dissimulent le geyser et ces gloups gloups..
Tandis qu'en journée.. dès que la température monte.. les fumerolles se dissipent..
C'est un choix..
A vous de voir..
Fab sur www.hylas.ws
www.hylas.ws
""POURQUOI VOYAGEZ-VOUS ?
POUR TROUVER CEUX QUI SAVENT ENCORE VIVRE EN PAIX""
bonjour,
je serais à salta le 16 avril, savez vous si on peut louer un 4x4 pour aller à san pedro et y faire les excusions classiques durant 7 jours sauf uyuni;OU bus jusqu'à san pedro et louer à calama, prix plus élevés au chili ?
je disposerais d'1 placeou2 de libre à bord pour partager la douloureuse.
hasta luego ..
Je cherche à louer une voiture, mais pas cher, sans passer par des groupes comme Hertz, avez-vous des adresses des petites agences locales de location ? Merci de me répondre à eve_tru@hotmail.com
pour les geysers du tatio nous avons roulé l'apres midi pour arriver la soir et nous avons dormi sur les parkings (il fait plutot frais mais le matin on est à pied d'oeuvre )
la piste traverse des paysage sublime (cf photos )
pour le parc de scres cruces nous y sommes allés seul : le pricipal probleme est le manque de station essence et donc on se retrouve vite limité (malgre un jerican de rab) c'est dommage car l'endroit est magique (cf photos)
la piste est bonne attention toutefois dans les descentes il faut vraiement rouler doucement car plusieurs fois on est" parti en crabe "
non nous n'avons pas pu aller jusqu'à la laguna verde car nous n'avions pu assez de carburant
nous avions choisi la region de la laguna santa rose et la laguna del negro san francisco
c'etait vraiment un endroit sublime nous etions seul au monde
le vehicule avait ete loué à buenos aires
pick up double cabine
on arrivait encore à dormir à 5 dedans pour plus de confort une des filles dormait sur la banquette AR du vehicule
Salut Marie!
Je reviens à la charge : te rappelles-tu auprès de quelle agence vous aviez loué? Pas de gag? Km illimités ou pas?
Vous arriviez à manger à 5 à l'intérieur?
j'hésite entre 4X4 double cabine + cellule ou 4X4 ou 2X4 pick up + matériel de camping mais je crains d'avoir parfois super froid...
Qu'en penses-tu?
On partirait de Santiago vers le Nord et retour en 3 semaines.
Merci!
Marie
Amis voyageurs et/ou habitants du Chili, Bonjour! Nous avons besoin de conseils pour planifier notre itinéraire... MERCI par avance à toutes les bonnes…
Ma compagne et moi avons l’intention de visiter le Nord du Chili en septembre. Nous partirions d’Arica pour nous rendre dans le parc de Lauca puis redescendre…
Je voudrais cet été louer un 4x4 pour faire le circuit suivant dans le Nord du Chili J1 Arica = Putre 150 km J2 Putre = Lac Chungara = Putre 120 km J3 Putre =…
Je suis en train de prévoir un voyage au chili la première quinzaine de décembre. J'envisage de louer une voiture pour visiter le nord en allant de San Pedro…
Je projette de partir au chili et louer un véhicule 4x4 afin de parcourir le pays du sud au nord. Je n'ai pas encore arreté de date précise pour ce voyage,…
Hi there,
I’m planning a trip to Russia and Mongolia, starting from France.
Crossing the border at Poland/Belarus or Georgia/Russia—other borders seem either closed or complicated.
Tourist visas for 3 months with multiple entries.
Do you have any info on Russian companies that cover a 4x4 vehicle for 3 months, and what prices in rubles or euros you’ve paid?
Which bank did you use for expenses? (EuroMastercard and Visa cards no longer work.)
Regarding Russian SIM cards, a new system called "Gosuslugi" has been introduced. How long did it take you to get one, and what steps did you follow?
Hi,
we’re planning to visit a park again.
Could you point us toward the camps in Gonarezhou Park?
>We’re traveling completely self-sufficiently.
We love wildlife.
Thanks for any tips you can share!
JP
Hi there, we’ll be in Mozambique in early December 2026 and we’d like to travel from Vilanculos to Beira by car or bus to reach Beira airport. After that, we’re planning to visit Gorongosa National Park before flying back to France from Beira. From what we’ve heard, the road to Beira is tricky, especially at this time of year (start of the rainy season). Could anyone share their thoughts or suggest a solution? Thanks so much for your help!
Anne
Hi there,
I’m heading to Lesotho in a few days and I’m struggling to find info on the best route between Katse Dam and Sehlathebe National Park. There’s a fairly "direct" route from Thaba Tseka, but the roads seem rough, and we’re not exactly 4x4 pros. Anyone have any tips to share? Thanks!
Hi everyone,
We’re heading to Mozambique in October and are looking for either a 4x4 or 4x2 rental in Maputo, or a driver transfer option to reach:
- Ponta Do Ouro
- Tofo
- Vilankulos
The idea is to be self-sufficient for sightseeing and stops while still being able to access certain lodges or beaches that require a 4x2.
Do you have any contacts, addresses, or ideas to share?
Thanks in advance,
Hello,
We're hitting the road again in 2027 to discover new countries and cultures.
Could anyone give me some tips on driving from Ulaanbaatar to Lake Baikal and the route to take?
Thanks, and safe travels to those who are setting off!
We’re planning a 4x4 trip from Belgium to Central Asia, passing through Georgia, Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.
For these countries, our national insurance obviously doesn’t cover the vehicle, so we’ll need to get local insurance.
Will it be a problem if the vehicle is registered under person A and the national insurance is under person B? Both A and B will be in the vehicle, and both will be listed as drivers on the insurance.
When we get the local insurance, if we again list A and B as drivers, does the order matter? Could we get stuck at the border for this reason?
Hi,
For those who’ve driven on Iceland’s gravel roads in their own or a rented Duster, could you tell me what tires were fitted on the vehicle?
Were they All Terrain tires or more "standard" ones like all-season tires, for example?
Follow-up question: if they were "standard" tires, did that cause any issues on the gravel roads and rough terrain?
Thanks so much for any info you can share.
Best,
Marc
Hi there,
I'm planning a 4x4 road trip from Darwin to Broome with a rooftop tent in July 2026.
I'd like to know if I need to book overnight stops in advance or if I can just wing it and stop wherever I feel like it?
Some evenings, we'd like to stop and make use of campsite facilities (restaurant, shop, showers, toilets).
What do you recommend?
Do I need a permit?
My rough itinerary looks like this:
Darwin - Kakadu
Kakadu - Nitmiluk
Nitmiluk - Kununurra
Kununurra - Purnululu
Purnululu - El Questro
El Questro - Mt Elizabeth - Bell Gorge - Broome
I’m planning a trip to Iceland for next July-August, with a car and tent, and I’m wondering about booking campsites.
From your experience, is it necessary or even essential to book campsites in advance, or do you always manage to find a spot to pitch your tent?
We’ll also have the option to sleep in the car without pitching the tent.
Does that give us the flexibility to stay outside a campsite for a night here and there?
Hi,
I’m planning a road trip in the Middle Atlas, starting and ending in Fez and heading down to the south of Midelt, the Assoul Massif.... We’ll be traveling with two small 4x4s.
I’m looking for detailed maps of this region that include small roads and tracks.
Last year, we had a fantastic road trip in the Anti-Atlas and High Atlas using Erfahren maps, but unfortunately, they don’t cover the area we’re interested in this year.
Thanks for your suggestions!
Dominique
We’re planning a 13-day family road trip in Morocco this July, with six people in a Toyota Prado 4x4 (renting in Marrakech).
We’ll alternate between bivouacking and small hotels/riads depending on the stops.
Here’s the planned route (in this order):
Marrakech
→ Ouarzazate
→ Draa Valley
→ Zagora
→ Erg Chegaga
→ Lake Iriki
→ Foum Zguid
→ Tata
→ Tafraoute
→ Aït Mansour
→ Tiznit
→ Mirleft
→ Taroudant
→ Back to Marrakech
Our goal:
Atlas Mountains + desert + dunes + plateaus + valleys + a bit of coastline.
We’ll cover about 1,700 km in total.
We’re planning:
Bivouacking in the Chegaga/Iriki area
Flexible for the rest (booking the day before or same day)
Sand gear: traction plates, compressor, tow strap, roof rack
Questions:
Is the Zagora → Chegaga → Iriki → Foum Zguid crossing in July doable on our own (single vehicle, no guide)?
Are there any truly technical or risky sections between Chegaga and Iriki?
Does the overall itinerary seem manageable in 13 days without rushing?
Any suggestions for great bivouac spots or particularly interesting stops along this route?
The points on the route are provisional overnight stops. Some spots will include two nights in the same area.
We’re used to off-road driving, but not yet in the Moroccan desert.
Thanks in advance for your feedback and tips! 😊
Good evening
I could use some advice 🙂
Our trip to Namibia is planned for June/July 2026.
We’re struggling a bit with timing and choosing activities for the part of the trip between Sesriem and Brandberg.
Day 1: Sesriem to Mirabib
Day 2: Mirabib to Swakopmund – visit Swakopmund, overnight in Swakopmund
Day 3: Sandwich Harbour – overnight in Swakopmund
Day 4: Kayaking with the seals + the living dunes – overnight in Swakopmund
Day 5: Moon Landscape, Henties Bay + Cape Cross – overnight at White Lady Lodge in Brandberg
Does this itinerary seem realistic to you? Is Cape Cross really worth the trip? If I had to choose between Cape Cross and kayaking with the seals, which would you recommend?
Thanks in advance for your help!
Hélix
My son and I are heading to Georgia this summer to explore the High Caucasus (Svaneti, Kazbek, and Tusheti regions). For this, we’re planning to rent a 4x4.
However, the rental agencies we’ve found prohibit driving on the tracks to Omalo (Tusheti) and/or Ushguli (Svaneti).
Do you know of any agencies in Tbilisi (local and reliable) that allow rented 4x4s to drive on these tracks? If so, which ones?
Hi everyone,
I’m starting to plan an itinerary for September 2027 focused on Zimbabwe and Zambia. I’d love to visit Gonarezhou National Park—I see there are two sectors: the Mwenezi Region in the south and the area around the Runde River in the north. Should I cover both sectors or just focus on the northern region?
For the parks along the Zambezi River, is it better to visit Mana Pools on the Zimbabwe side or Lower Zambezi on the Zambia side?
Thanks in advance for any tips on the parks in these two countries.
Have a great day, everyone.
We’re spending 18 days in New Zealand from 05/04 to 05/21, arriving in QUEENSTOWN and leaving from AUCKLAND.
Any ideas for a road trip that covers the highlights of both islands but only changes hotels every 3–4 nights?
Thanks.
For our trip to Georgia in July, I’d like to rent a 4x4 starting from Tbilisi.
Do you have any rental companies to recommend?
The traditional rentals like Hertz, Avis, etc. seem way overpriced compared to local companies—what do you think? Are they properly insured?
Has anyone here tried Geo Rent Car, Auto 4 Rental, or Sur Price?
Also, I’m looking for info on the condition of the Ushguli–Lentekhi track—is it passable?
Hi everyone,
A well-prepped 4x4, a travel plan across Africa in stages since I’ve got kids to see regularly and work to earn a living.
I’m leaving in November for about a month with the goal of reaching Senegal via Mauritania. I’d love to share this trip with someone who wants to discover Mauritania and a bit of Senegal... and also experience life on board a 4x4 in the desert or bush, sometimes sleeping in the vehicle or in hostels/small hotels for comfort. I want to share this rediscovery because two’s better than one!
Just traveling, exploring, and living! !
I’m planning to explore Argentine and Chilean Patagonia for a month in December 2019.
I’m looking for a rental company (or several) that offers single-cab 4x4 pick-ups with a fitted camper cell for two people. I’m specifically after a vehicle with an indoor shower for extra comfort ;)
So, no vans—at least not from the rental companies I’ve seen so far.
While browsing the forum, I came across the Chilean rental company Holiday Rent. But do you have any recommendations for Argentine rentals?
Because, if I can’t return the vehicle in the same city as pickup, I’d prefer—and it’d likely be cheaper—to at least return it in the same country.
I’m traveling through Argentina and Chile (as well as Paraguay and Uruguay) with a 2019 Toyota Hilux Euro 6. Could anyone tell me if the local diesel is suitable for its engine, or if I need to take any special precautions (like adding an additive, for example) for these countries?
I’d also like to know if driving at high altitudes is possible, and up to what elevation—or if I should worry about the vehicle going into limp mode?
If that happens, what should I do?
Hi there,
Can you tell me if the road between Zagora and M'Gouna is easy or difficult for a 4x4? How much time and how many kilometers should I plan for? I’m traveling in May.
Thanks!
Hi there,
My trip to South Africa is starting to take shape.
However, I'm struggling to figure out the route through Kruger Park. I can't seem to find the information I need about getting around.
Coming from the south, I plan to arrive on Day 1 in the early afternoon at Malelane or Crocodile Bridge.
Do some shopping in Malelane (or Crocodile Bridge main area) and stay overnight outside the park.
Leave on Day 2 at 5 AM for the park. Explore the southern part of the park.
Stay overnight around Skukuza or Lower Sabie. (We don’t want to stay in one of the park’s big camps. We’re looking for a lodge around 200 €.
Head out on Day 3 for a self-drive safari, maybe as far as Orpen.
We’d like to stay in a private reserve on nights 4 and 5.
We’re not sure which one or how to get into a private reserve. Do we need to exit Kruger Park?
On Day 5, we’d like to leave to visit Blyde Canyon (on Day 6).
I’m planning to leave Morocco for the summer but want to leave my 4x4 there to avoid exceeding the famous 6-month limit. I’d like to park it in one of the two Spanish enclaves (Ceuta or Melilla).
Does anyone know of people or companies that handle long-term parking (preferably secure) in either place?
Once the car is parked, what’s the best way to get back to France using public transport?
Is the nearest airport Tanger from Ceuta?...
How do I get there easily, etc. etc.
hello! I’d like to go to Kazakhstan and rent a fitted 4x4 locally so I can drive off-road trails and sleep inside the vehicle... could anyone share some local rental company addresses, please? Thanks! !
I'm about to rent a self-drive 4x4 in Mongolia. Has anyone heard of GOBI.RENT?
Otherwise, do you have any tips for checking this company since there's no info on their website (e.g., registration number on the RCS)?
I’m finalizing my trip starting from Namibia.
When I arrive in Divundu, I’d like to head straight to the Khwai area early in the morning to one of the campsites in the Khwai Development Trust. Is the drive doable with a good 4x4 in a day?
We’ll spend 2 nights in Khwai, then 2 or maybe 3 nights in the Moremi area (Third Bridge/Xakanaxa/Mboma) before heading back to Maun to wrap up our journey.
Is that too much time to spend in each place?
We’d also like to do one or two boat excursions in the delta. Any suggestions for the best options and operators?
Thanks in advance for your tips and advice!
Best,
Patrick
Hi everyone,
I’m planning to explore the western part of Madagascar from May 1st to 5th, specifically to visit the Tsingy. I’ve heard different versions about the road conditions and access to the Tsingy during this time, so I’d love to hear from people who’ve actually made this trip during this time of year.
Have you traveled from Morondava → Tsingy between May 1st and 5th?
Was the journey doable and safe?
Did you have access to the Grands Tsingy, or just the Petits Tsingy?
Thanks so much for your feedback—it’ll really help me get a clearer picture! 😊
Also, if you have any recommendations for reliable and experienced driver-guides, I’d love to hear them.
Thanks again!
