trains and drving in the Atacama desert

This topic was created by paul
[Tue 25 May, 14:04 Tasmanian Standard Time]

Is it possible to travel from La Paz to Arica, Chile by
passenger train, or has that line been closed? Also want
to know if you can still travel by train from Antofagasta
to Calama.
Has anyone ever hired a car (4wd?) in Calama or San Pedro
de Atacama and done a do-it-yourself tour of the region?
Would this be expensive?

[There are 4 posts - the latest was added on Wed 26 May, 0:48]

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  1. Driving in the Atacama Added by: Cat (bab_uk@yahoo.com)
    [Timestamp: Tue 25 May, 17:33 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    Hi,
    I was in Chile last year and spent some time in the
    Atacama. We didn't hire a 4WD but a Toyota which cost
    about ú50 for a week. As long as you stay on the main
    roads this should be fine as they're all in pretty good
    condition. Car hire can be arranged from the airport in
    Calama.
    I don't think there is a train between Antofagasta and
    Calama. A DIY tour shouldn't work out to expensive. We
    were based in Calama and just sort of explored different
    places every day. Food and petrol isn't expensive and I
    think that there is a good youth hostel in Calama (the
    address is in LP book) so it shouldn't be that expensive at
    all.
    If you get the chance go and visit Chiu Chiu - amazing
    village with one of the oldest churches in Chile. San
    Pedro is also worth a visit but very touristy!
    Hope this is some help and have fun!



  2. Trains Added by: Cecilia (c_obertop@hotmail.com)
    [Timestamp: Tue 25 May, 21:33 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    All I know is that there is a once-a-week train between Uyuni and Calama. We started in Calama and got off in Uyuni, after that the train went on but I'm not sure to where. Could be La Paz. About US$10 for a trip of 300 kilometers (bought ticket in Chile, perhaps less expensive other way round).



  3. Oh, and Added by: Cecilia
    [Timestamp: Tue 25 May, 21:35 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    ... of course there are also buses connecting all kinds of destinations on a more frequent basis and at lower fares. Try Orme±o for international bus connections; to be found in most South American cities (they drive all over the continent).



  4. hi Paul Added by: curimanque (tgreen@bsantander.cl)
    [Timestamp: Wed 26 May, 0:48 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    last year me & some friends rented a 4x4 Nissan pickup
    truck in Antofagasta (these are more expensive than a 4x2)
    We had planned to drive all the way till Socompa (border
    chack point) but since it was in June the upper road was
    snowed, it seems to be very beautiful.
    The lower part of the road to Socompa is in extremely well
    condition since the La Escondida mining is located there,
    in this road you can visit some abandoned nitrate Factiries
    which are really impressive: nobody goes there (compared to
    the more touristic ruins near Iquique) you can even find a
    bathroom with tiles !! .. then we continued to La Escondida
    a managed to have a tour there (very friendly people & an
    impressive mine: very interesting).. that night we stayed
    at Salar Imilac (very cold) and then continued northwards
    towards San Pedro
    Around San Pedro there are several places to visit that are
    just fantastic: little aymara villages, mountain laggons,
    wind eroded rocks, flamingos, the Laguna Verde at Bolivia
    (you can go there by the day .. just pay the "custom fee"
    to the Bolivian soldiers in the border), volcanoes,
    geysers, inca ruins, etc ... BTW I have always wandered if
    it really is interesting to visit San Pedro "barefeet" by
    bus, as most gingos do.
    well, I hope this info helps you (any need for further info
    just write me down)
    stay well
    Tomßs




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