Northern Chile, Andean impressions. (page 9 of 10)

Thanks for the travel journal, Agnès 🙂!

Insane landscapes!!!

But it’s true that altitude can be a real issue and ruin the trip...

And you don’t always get that info beforehand.

Thanks Pascale! 🙂

Yes, the landscapes are incredible, but they’re hard-earned! !

Hi Agnès!

My turn to tickle the heights of the Altiplano now! 😉 A month in Chile in December, arriving and departing from Santiago. About ten days in the North, ten in the central region, and the rest in the Lake District. Patagonia will have to wait for another time—everything in moderation!

I’d love to get your take (and others’) on my Northern Chile plans. Plus, it’ll help bump this amazing travel journal that inspired me (a little) 😎



I’m a bit worried about the Iquique/Codpa/Putre stretch when it comes to fuel... I was thinking of going from Codpa to Putre via Belén—does that work well? Or should I detour through Arica? 3 nights in Putre (hoping the construction is done) or 2 nights there and one in Arica? I’ve factored in the drop-off fees; I don’t want to do the round trip from Calama.

Thanks for your input (and anyone else’s too!)

A month in Chile in December

Cool! 😎

(Hey, haven’t seen you around lately?)

Hey Bruno,

There are two issues with your route: Like me, a yo-yo of altitudes Gas

There aren’t any official gas stations between Iquique and Putre via Codpa and Belem, as far as I know. Even with two jerry cans, it’s cutting it too close.

I’ll get back to you with more details later! !😉

A month in Chile in December

Cool! 😎 (and hey, haven’t seen you around much?)

Hey Kate! Yeah, it’s gonna be cool but not easy to plan with this setup…

Rarity makes quality, right? 🤔

You can guess that if I’m asking for help, it’s because I’d already spotted an issue…

The altitude rollercoaster—I really don’t see how to avoid it…

Gasoline—I’m waiting for your insights 😄

The suspense is killing me…

To avoid too much back-and-forth, you should take the tracks that run along the cordillera.

2 jerry cans and fill up in San Pedro

San Pedro - Tatio Geysers - San Francisco de Chiu Chiu (overnight) San Francisco de Chiu Chiu - Ollagüe - along the cordillera - Pica (overnight and fuel—at least two jerry cans) Pica - Salar de Huasco - Cariquima (overnight) Cariquima - Surire - Putre (overnight)

At that point, either you have enough fuel left to do the excursions on your own and return to Arica, or you find fuel through your host, or you take organized excursions.

Last day: return to Arica via Codpa or the main road, depending on remaining fuel.

Overnight in Arica.

It’s not so much about the kilometers but more about the time it takes.

Personally, I’d check first to see if the roadworks are finished.

If not, I’d skip Putre and after Cariquima, head toward Iquique via Mocha. Return flight from Iquique! !

Thanks Agnès for the quick and thorough reply. I checked out your route—no way I’d dare venture onto roads I can’t even find on Google Maps…

While that might solve my back-and-forth issue, it’d make my gas problem even worse… Otherwise, where do you find jerry cans? At gas stations? 20L or more? Is that common there?

I’ll look into all this, definitely check on roadwork for Putre, and pack a good oxygen bottle!

Download Maps.me instead.😊

Be careful with the tracks—even the easiest ones can’t be driven by all vehicles due to insurance restrictions. You’ll need to scrutinize the rental companies’ terms and conditions.

I didn’t have any issues on the ones I took, except for the track leading to Salar de Tara. Many tracks serve mines and are in good condition.

I bought a jerrycan but don’t remember the capacity—20 liters, I think. In Arica.

Got it at a gas station.

It’s pretty common, I’d say, given how few pumps there are...😏

True, I use maps.me mostly for walking mode, no idea why though.

In my plan, I’m thinking of 2 nights in Iquique to break up the drive from San Pedro de Atacama. Worth it? Anywhere else?

Same thing, I’m leaving from Arica in the late afternoon. One night in Arica (I think your hotel is nice) and then we leave the next day—does that work for you, or is there no point? I don’t have the flights yet, so it’s still flexible.

For the car, I rented an AWD Subaru Crosstrek from Salfarent. It’s all-wheel drive, so I think it’s meant for all kinds of roads. Still gonna go over the contract carefully though. 👍

I can't say Iquique left me with any memorable memories. Plus, it brings you back down to sea level.

An easy option would be:

Calama or SF de Chui Chui after Tatio, then Pica via the main road for your two nights. You’d then do the Salar de Huasco like I did.

After that, head to Codpa (making a detour via Arica for gas) and then Putre.

Final night in Arica to be safe.

Hi Bruno,

I hope you don’t mind me jumping into the conversation! I’ve never been to Chile, so my opinion doesn’t count for much... I’ve been looking into San Pedro for a future road trip, and it seems like there’s still a lot to do in that area. I know you like to take your time. Don’t you think 3 days there might be too little?

Hi Pascale! You’re not intruding at all—the discussion is open! What you’re absolutely right about is that I love taking my time when traveling (it’s such a change from the speed of work). And you’re right, there’s *so* much to do in San Pedro and the surrounding area. But there are also *so* many people, which makes me even more inclined to escape, even if it means missing out on some things… Hence the 3 days in San Pedro and 6 more farther away! If you’ve got any suggestions, I’m all ears!

@Agnes, I’ll take a closer look at your latest suggestion—it looks pretty good 😊

For San Pedro, I mainly found that people cluster for the sunset at Valle de la Luna and on the road from Calama. Elsewhere, it's more spread out except maybe at Piedras Rojas.

That said, I was there off-season, whereas you'll be there in peak season.

At Salar de Huasco, you should have the place to yourself!

On the road to Codpa too...

For the car, I rented an AWD Subaru Crosstrek from Salfarent. It’s all-wheel drive—I think it’s designed for all kinds of roads.... I’ll still go over the contract carefully 👍

That’s the one I rented in 2024 (and I have the same at home, though mine’s better—the North American model). It handles absolutely everything; the only limitation is the ground clearance, which is already pretty solid. You wouldn’t believe where I’ve taken it...

Northern Chile was probably my most beautiful trip.

Hi Gérard

At least we got the vehicle validated! 😉 Any thoughts on the route? I just can’t make up my mind… Even though your comment is encouraging! I checked your site—no sign of Atacama!

The issue isn't so much about getting everywhere, but whether the vehicle is insured.😉

Some rental companies will rent you a 4x4 but refuse to let you take it off paved roads.🤪

Anyway, I'm not sure my rental company allowed the track to Tara, which isn't a "registered road"...

I ran the contract through Google Translate, and there’s nothing specifying restrictions of this kind, so we’ll see how it goes. 😅

Hello! The Pica option seems to hold up well, at least for one night. After that, one night in Colchane and Putre via Arica in one go... Or 2 nights in Pica 😊

Your accommodation link for Pica isn’t working anymore—where did you stay?