Argentina-Chile 2011 Dakar Rally Route Map

After two editions in South America, the Dakar continues its exploration in 2011 of a continent which has impressive potential for new discovery. Heading towards the north of Argentina and Chile, the route skims the frontiers of neighbouring countries and takes competitors through ever more varied country. It’s a cascade of colour.

A Land of contrasts

The immense size of Argentina will stimulate the imagination of all who love great tracts of open country. Leaving Buenos Aires, the northern route takes competitors into a land of contrasts where in a single day or within a hundred kilometres, the vegetation completely changes with the landscape. In the same way, driving skills required change between dry and wet. The ability to adapt will be rewarded and those with a taste for changes of scene will feel most at home. Over the first three days of the first Argentine section, the Dakar ventures in particular into the provinces of Jujuy and Salta and comes close to Bolivia. It’s here in these new areas mapped out around the mythical Route 40 that the Rally ventures.

The Extreme North

To enter Chile a new route, quite as extraordinary as previous ones will be taken: el Paso de Jama. The Atacama desert immediately captivated Dakar competitors. Its vast stretches serve to satisfy their thirst for dunes and sand. Copiapo and Iquique are becoming essential locations for the Rally After the 2011 edition we shall probably need to add to the list the port of Arica which the Dakar reaches in the extreme north of Chile, on the border with neighbouring Peru. At the heart of the Rally, the desert stages often prove determining. The difficulties in getting over mix with some tricky navigational choices. It’s here that the expert stands out.

And another type of desert

After the magnificent frontier crossing by the Paso San Francisco, we enter Argentinian territory, racing smoothly down the Andes Cordillera high plateaux. After photography sessions, sport takes over its rightful place again with an exuberant stage in the white Fiambala dunes. Changes of scene are the order of the day again with a tour of the canyons and riverbeds which cut deep into the desert and with which the competitors are unfamiliar, on the route they will take to San Juan.

___________________________________________________
SOURCE:
“THE ROUTE”
Official Dakar 2011 website
http://www.dakar.com
http://www.dakar.com/2011/DAK/presentation/us/r3_5-le-parcours.html