THE PASO DE JAMA

Located 349 km from San Salvador de Jujuy, you will find the International Border crossing of the Jama Pass. Leaving Purmamarca, crossing the area of Patacal, you enter the Salar, which goes through this Pass into northern Chile. It may be crossed during any time of year.

It is located in the Altiplano or highland plateau area, with special characteristics and great similarities to its Peruvian or Bolivian counterpart. Set in the Andes altiplano, Jama is a highland plateau with an average height of around 3000 m.a.s.l.

Daytime temperatures will reach up to 30 °C, while at night temperatures will tend to drop very low, even below freezing point in winter. There are often also strong winds in the area. There is a border police delegation to control the border traffic to Chile and the Pacific Ocean.

The crossing Paso de Jama was officially inaugurated in 1991. Most of the road from San Salvador de Jujuy to Jama, including the occasional down slopes, is uphill. We recommend an early start, to better use the daylight hours.

Soon one leaves the green areas of Yala behind and keeps on climbing. The road follows the course of the Río Grande and after approximately 60 km (always following the Nº 9 National Route) there is a sign showing where to turn off to the left, down a road which 3 km later reaches the town of Purmamarca, a small supernatural place which is virtually unchanged since the XVII century, when it was founded at the foot of the Seven Colours Mountain: Cerro de Siete Colores.

On the horizon we will quickly see the village of Susques. Full of ancient remnants, its houses and streets are the colour of earth and surround an adobe church dating back to the year 1670. Furthermore, there are interesting places like reserves for llamas and vicuñas, and also the possibility to go angling for trout in the close by lakes of the Taire Ravine ( Angosto de Taire)
In the distance one can see a chain of inactive volcanoes seemingly sleeping off the old furies that have troubled the border.

The almost frozen Lake of Jama, is filled with flamencos and herons. This is the only part of the whole road that can be classed as "risky". It is almost 300 km away from the nearest town in Chile and there are no support facilities whatsoever. But there is always a last chance, and that is in the town of Jama.

It is, realy, only a police station. But here you can find a bathroom and have a cup of hot coffee, all travellers are treated with great courtesy and very thankful for that.

After crossing the International Pass border at close to 4700 m.a.s.l. there is still a trip of 160 km until you reach the Chilean town of San Pedro de Atacama. This last part is downhill on a very firm road. Here the landscape turns into a very handsome and lonely desert. It sometimes looks like a lunar landscape with its rocky outcrops; at other times it looks like the moon.

Once having passed formalities becoming to the border, one enters the small but welcoming town of San Pedro de Atacama, known as the "Archaeological capital of Chile". Its museum, holding more than 380 thousand pieces is considered one of the most complete collections of Atacama archeological items in Latin America. The town, of about 2000 people, has all the amenities a tourist may want and need to enjoy a beautiful place like this.

A further 300 km will take you to the shores of the Pacific Ocean and its beautiful cold beaches.

WE RECOMMEND

Please remember that you will be crossing the Andes, travelling through a semi-desert almost inhabited area and will be travelling at an average height of 3000 m.a.s.l.
From Susques on the Argentinean side till you reach San Pedro de Atacama in Chile, there is a distance of 320 km of good standard gravel road, and we recommend that you carry two spare tires, if travelling in your own vehicle and make sure that the car is in good shape.
In Susques you must check on your fuel supply, oil and water (all types of gasoline can be found here to fill up any type of vehicle).
Apart from topping up the radiator don't forget to take along drinking water for yourself and the people with you.
Take along warm clothing to wear when necessary. To avoid feeling ill don't eat in excess before you go up into the high mountains.

CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS
You will go through customs and immigration on the Argentinean side of the border in Susques. It is open between 07:00 AM and 09:00 PM. You will need a national ID card or passport, vehicle documents (Green card in the name of the driver or authorisation by the owner by a notary public). Children below 18 years travelling without their parents will need a notarised permit authorised by the association of notaries. There is a border police checkpoint in the town of Jama, checking passengers and vehicles.

SERVICES
The Argentinean Automobile Club, El Automóvil Club Argentino (A.C.A.), gives mechanical aid on the road to the Paso de Jama from a special service unit called JUJUY.
Tel.: (0388) 4.226.568 / 4.223.865 (San Salvador de Jujuy).

In the town of Jama there is a public telephone booth Nº 19, that allows for long distance calls run by Telecom.

If you suffer a mechanical breakdown on the road you may contact the Provincial Office for Roads - Dirección Provincial de Vialidad in Susques.
Tel.: (0388)-4226704
Fax: (0388)-4221068.

ACCOMMODATION
In Purmamarca and Susques you can find food and shelter in family homes. In San Pedro de Atacama (Chile) there are hostelries.