Expeditions

Overland Expeditions

Patagonia

Highlights

Stage 4 of the Trans Americas is all about Patagonia. This remote, but incredibly beautiful part of the world, at the most southern tip of South America will steal your heart. Set in both Chile and Argentina, this region offers an amazing combination of dirt and tarmac riding through a unique and undisturbed wilderness. Against a backdrop of turquoise lakes, jagged granite mountains and blue glaciers, we ride through "off the beaten track" places and stay with a local family on their working estancia to enjoy traditional roast lamb.

Ride to the most southern place on the planet reachable by road - Bahaia Lapataia in Tierra del Fuego National Park, before heading north along the South Atlantic Coast to Buenos Aires.

Route Map

View Patagonia in a larger map

Is it for me?

Number of Days/Duration	29 days (4 weeks)
Approx total miles	5,000
Accommodation	100% Hotel Bed & Breakfast
Meals Included	All Breakfasts and 4 Group Evening Meals
Culture Shock Rating	Mild
Riding Difficulty	Moderate to Difficult

Riding Conditions

This route includes approximately 800 miles of gravel road through Patagonia on the Carretera Austral and Ruta 40. Ruta 40 can be subject to strong cross winds and deep gravel. The infrastructure here is poor, with up to 200 miles between stops

What's Included?

Pre-Expedition:

One Days advanced rider course
One Days preparatory briefing meeting
GlobeBusters guidance handbook
Access to the GlobeBusters forum
One Days FBOS first aid course (Optional)

On the Road:

All accomodation as described
All breakfasts
One group dinner per week
Motorcycle Guide
2nd Motorcycle Guide if group is over 12 riders
Support Vehicle
Detailed daily route notes with GPS information
Freight of your motorcycle from UK to Santiago (UK/EU Price Only)*
Sea freight of your motorcycle from Buenos Aires to UK (UK/EU Price Only)*

*For a price including bespoke freight requirements please contact us.

Detailed Itinerary

Weeks 1 & 2 PATAGONIA (CHILE & ARGENTINA)

After a few days to explore Santiago, we set off south to the famous Ruta Interlagos and the Chilean Lake District. One of many Andean border crossings between Chile and Argentina, takes us to the beautiful lakeside town of Bariloche. Be prepared to think you are in Switzerland! Cross back to Chile to ride the Carretera Austral, an incredible dirt road nestling between the ocean and the mountains, curling around turquoise lakes, passing jagged hanging glaciers and sparkling waterfalls. Stay in the old wooden houses of the original German settlers and pine cabins by the lakes. This section of riding can be challenging, but the region is pristine and stunning.

Then it’s the most infamous road in South America - Ruta 40. A gravel road through the heart of Patagonia where the strong crosswinds can battle you for the bike! We rest overnight at a traditional estancia and dine on fresh racked roast lamb. In El Calafate, we divert from the main route to visit the immense ice colossus of the Perito Moreno Glacier. Again, it’s back to Chile to see the soaring granite peaks in Torres del Paine National Park, yet another World Heritage Listed sight.

Week 3 TIERRA DEL FUEGO

The ferry, crossing the Magellan Straits to Tierra del Fuego, steams back and forth without respite. We cross from Chile back to Argentina amidst reminders and memorials to the Falklands War. Then all too soon, you’ll ride the final pass – The Garibaldi, before dropping into Ushuaia on the Beagle Channel. It’s straight to the Tierra del Fuego National Park and the “End of the Road” sign. Congratulations! You are one of a tiny handful of riders to have ridden to the most southerly point accessible by road. Time to celebrate!

Week 4 ARGENTINA

Turning north, we re-trace our tracks across the island back to the Argentine mainland and begin our ride on the Atlantic coast road to Buenos Aires. En route, we stop on the Peninsula Valdez, famous for its wildlife to see penguins, sea lions and maybe even whales, as well as visiting old Welsh settlements for tea. Our final nights are across the Pampas, so watch out for the gauchos. In Buenos Aires, it’s a night out at the most famous tango bar in the city, before we take or bikes to the docks for freight and fly home.

Dates & Prices

	2013 (UK / EU) Includes Freight	2013 (Rest of World) Excludes Freight
Start Date	13 November 2013	13 November 2013
End Date	12 December 2013	12 December 2013
Rider Price	£6,995	$9,495
Pillion Price	£3,995	$6,495
Specific Prices	Single Room £2,000	Single Room $3,300
Availability	Available to book now	Available to book now
	Book Now	Book Now

Useful Information

Country/Region Information

Chile and Argentina are two of the most developed countries in South America, but with hugely different personalities! Although both are famous for their wines, nothing can touch the Argentine's love of meat. Both countries share the region of Patagonia in the South. To find out more about Chile and Argentina, see the websites listed below.

Weather Information

We are riding in these regions at the start of their summer - remember were are in the Southern Hemisphere! However, the further south we travel the more unpredictable the weather. We have experienced snow and T-shirt weather one day following the next. Be prepared for anything!

Visas Information

UK citizens do not normally require an visas in advance of travel for Chile and Argentina. This may differ for other nationalities - please research your own requirements.

Travel Health Information

You must visit your GP or a specialised travel clinic to get advice on the recommended vaccinations and other health protection measures needed for the countries on this trip. As background, the websites listed below may prove useful.

Foreign Exchange Information

The base currency for this trip is the US Dollar. The US Dollar is readily exchangeable for the local currencies. The websites below will give you the current rates of exchange

Argentina - Argentine Peso
Chile - Chilean Peso