Travels around the world 2009-2024
Exploring our beautiful planet

Backcountry route to El Tatio

November 17, 2019  —  Chile

Ruta 5 - Huatacondo to Ollagüe

Trail Ruta 5 - Huatacondo - Ollagüe - Chile

I am now heading in the backcountry and the high mountains of the Andes Mountains. I am still in the great Desert of Atacama which still offers me superb landscapes each moment of the journey. My goal is to reach the El Tatio geysers.

These are routes far away from civilization with little traffic, so I must plan for the necessary food and water. Also, between Pozo Almonte, the geysers, and the next gas station, there are more than 800 kilometres to drive. It should be possible to resupply halfway in the village of Ollagüe where I should find fuel sold by individuals. I hope they will have some!

Trail Ruta 5 - Huatacondo - Ollagüe - Chile
Trail Ruta 5 - Huatacondo - Ollagüe - Chile
Trail Ruta 5 - Huatacondo - Ollagüe - Chile
Trail Ruta 5 - Huatacondo - Ollagüe - Chile
Trail Ruta 5 - Huatacondo - Ollagüe - Chile
Trail Ruta 5 - Huatacondo - Ollagüe - Chile
Trail Ruta 5 - Huatacondo - Ollagüe - Chile
Trail Ruta 5 - Huatacondo - Ollagüe - Chile
Trail Ruta 5 - Huatacondo - Ollagüe - Chile
Trail Ruta 5 - Huatacondo - Ollagüe - Chile
Trail Ruta 5 - Huatacondo - Ollagüe - Chile
A huge copper mining operation.
Trail Ruta 5 - Huatacondo - Ollagüe - Chile
Trail Ruta 5 - Huatacondo - Ollagüe - Chile
Trail Ruta 5 - Huatacondo - Ollagüe - Chile
Another copper mine.
Trail Ruta 5 - Huatacondo - Ollagüe - Chile
Trail Ruta 5 - Huatacondo - Ollagüe - Chile
Trail Ruta 5 - Huatacondo - Ollagüe - Chile
Trail Ruta 5 - Huatacondo - Ollagüe - Chile
Trail Ruta 5 - Huatacondo - Ollagüe - Chile
Trail Ruta 5 - Huatacondo - Ollagüe - Chile
Trail Ruta 5 - Huatacondo - Ollagüe - Chile
Trail Ruta 5 - Huatacondo - Ollagüe - Chile
Trail Ruta 5 - Huatacondo - Ollagüe - Chile
Trail Ruta 5 - Huatacondo - Ollagüe - Chile
Trail Ruta 5 - Huatacondo - Ollagüe - Chile
Trail Ruta 5 - Huatacondo - Ollagüe - Chile
Trail Ruta 5 - Huatacondo - Ollagüe - Chile
Trail Ruta 5 - Huatacondo - Ollagüe - Chile
Trail Ruta 5 - Huatacondo - Ollagüe - Chile
line-separator

Santuario de Kosca

Trail Ruta 5 - Huatacondo - Ollagüe - Chile

This small isolated village at an altitude of 4100 metres is not abandoned, but it seems that very few people lives there year-round. I didn't find any information on the origin of the place, but it is a well known and important religious centre.

The village is the home of the Kosca Sanctuary where an annual fiesta is celebrated year after year since December 25, 1912. When I visited, I only saw two people in their respective house. All the rest of the village seemed to be shut down.

The village is tiny and the sanctuary seems to be about a church and especially the Virgen of Andacollo de Coska (or Kosca) whose effigy is located in a lovely cave.

Trail Ruta 5 - Huatacondo - Ollagüe - Chile
Trail Ruta 5 - Huatacondo - Ollagüe - Chile
Trail Ruta 5 - Huatacondo - Ollagüe - Chile
Trail Ruta 5 - Huatacondo - Ollagüe - Chile
Trail Ruta 5 - Huatacondo - Ollagüe - Chile
Trail Ruta 5 - Huatacondo - Ollagüe - Chile
Trail Ruta 5 - Huatacondo - Ollagüe - Chile
line-separator

Road from Ollagüe to Estación San Pedro

Buena Aventura

Buena Aventura - Chile

Mining ghost town whose main resource was sulphur.

Buena Aventura - Chile
Buena Aventura - Chile
Buena Aventura - Chile
Buena Aventura - Chile
Buena Aventura - Chile
Buena Aventura - Chile
Buena Aventura - Chile
Buena Aventura - Chile
Buena Aventura - Chile
Buena Aventura - Chile
Buena Aventura - Chile

Salar de Carcote

Salar de Carcote - Chile
Salar de Carcote - Chile
Salar de Carcote - Chile
Salar de Carcote - Chile
Salar de Carcote - Chile
Salar de Carcote - Chile
Salar de Carcote - Chile
Salar de Carcote - Chile
Salar de Carcote - Chile

Salar de Ascotán

Salar de Ascotán - Chile
Salar de Ascotán - Chile
Salar de Ascotán - Chile
Salar de Ascotán - Chile
Salar de Ascotán - Chile
Salar de Ascotán - Chile
Salar de Ascotán - Chile
Salar de Ascotán - Chile
Salar de Ascotán - Chile
Salar de Ascotán - Chile
Salar de Ascotán - Chile
Salar de Ascotán - Chile
Salar de Ascotán - Chile
Salar de Ascotán - Chile
Salar de Ascotán - Chile
Salar de Ascotán - Chile
line-separator

Trail from Estación San Pedro to El Tatio

Trail from Estación San Pedro to El Tatio - Chile

After a long day driving, I deserve a majestic camping site.

I set up camp on the side of the road, but hidden by a small hill. I am at an altitude of 3674 metres.

Trail from Estación San Pedro to El Tatio - Chile
Trail from Estación San Pedro to El Tatio - Chile
Trail from Estación San Pedro to El Tatio - Chile
Trail from Estación San Pedro to El Tatio - Chile
Trail from Estación San Pedro to El Tatio - Chile
Trail from Estación San Pedro to El Tatio - Chile
Trail from Estación San Pedro to El Tatio - Chile
Notice the whirlwind.
Trail from Estación San Pedro to El Tatio - Chile
Trail from Estación San Pedro to El Tatio - Chile
Trail from Estación San Pedro to El Tatio - Chile
Trail from Estación San Pedro to El Tatio - Chile
Trail from Estación San Pedro to El Tatio - Chile
Trail from Estación San Pedro to El Tatio - Chile
Trail from Estación San Pedro to El Tatio - Chile
Trail from Estación San Pedro to El Tatio - Chile
Trail from Estación San Pedro to El Tatio - Chile
Trail from Estación San Pedro to El Tatio - Chile