Patagonian Explorer

DATES

DURATION

Patagonia, a world of vast blue skies, deep blue glaciers and towering snow capped peaks. A motorcycle tour through this region will be some of the greatest biking moments of your life. This motorcycle tour is a scenic overload, beginning in the Chilean Lakes district town of Pucon we ride into Argentina and onto Bariloche, via the famous seven lake ride, every inch is a scenic splendour. Further south we enter the vast and remote Patagonia stopping overnight at a, still working, Estancia before riding into more sensational scenery as we hit the Andes at El Chalten. No tour to this region should miss the incredible Moreno Glacier, we ride our bikes out to this staggeringly beautiful part of Patagonia before riding into Torres Del Paine National Park. This place will leave you awe struck and we dare to say that it is possibly the most scenic motorcycle ride in the world. This is an incredible motorcycle tour through some of the most amazing, remote and mythical regions in the world, no wonder its our top selling tour.

TOUR ROUTE

Tour End: Santiago, Chile or Ushuaia, Argentina (Depending on direction of travel)
Accommodation: 18 nights 3 - 4 star hotels, 1 bonus night.
Single Supplement: US$ 850 (may be required to share a bathroom at least once on this trip)
Ride days: 9 to 16 (Some days are spent in the same location allowing clients to ride around and explore the area, if desired, this will increase the number of ride days depending on client preferences).

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• The tranquil lakeside setting of Pucon
• World famous Seven Lakes Drive
• Stunning mountains and lakes around Bariloche; as well as great dining and world class chocolates
• Accommodation in an authentic still working estancia
  
• Spectacular mountain scenery around El Chalten
  
• Moreno Glacier
• The unparralled beauty of Torres del Paine
• Tierra del Fuego, Lands ends, Ushuaia

RIDE PROFILE

GRADE 4: Please refer to FAQs for full details of our grading system.

70% of this ride is on pavement, some sections of pavement can be potholed and narrow. 30% of this ride will be on dirt. Most dirt is hard packed, although there are sections that can have loose gravel and can be rutted. Additionally, wind can be a factor on this ride.

Some off- road experience is preferred for this tour, on the more difficult sections Co-Riders can travel in the support vehicle, space permiting.

THE RIDE

Week One

Week Two

We are on the Ripio all day as we head further south for the wonderful mountain hamlet of El Chalten, with the massive Fitzroy Range towering behind. We spend two nights here with the opportunity to stretch our legs amongst the mountains. Riding further south we reach El Calafate where we spend two nights, enabling us to visit the incomparable Moreno Glacier. At 30ks/19ml long, 5ks/3ml wide and 60m/197ft high, the glacier is one of those “take your breath away” moments. Continuing on we stop at what is possibly the jewel in the Patagonian crown, Parque Nacional Torres Del Paine. Two full days will be spent riding around the park at your leisure. Perhaps we shall ride and trek to the spires of Torres or visit Grey Glacier or simply ride amongst mother natures finest, the choice is yours. Motorcycling simply cannot get any better, you will be stunned.

Week Three

Leaving Torres we ride more Ripio onto Puerto Natales with the waters of Seno Ultima Esperanza lapping the roadside. By mid afternoon we reach our penultimate stop, staying in the tiny isolated hamlet of Cerro Sombero. A big day’s ride follows as we cross the Magellan Straits and onto Tierra del Fuego and Ushuaia, Fin del Mundo (end of the world). We spend our last day enjoying our last ride to the very end of the Pan American Highway.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Airport transfers
• Transfers Santiago - Pucon
  
• Flight Ushuaia to Buenos Aires or Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, depending on direction of travel
  
• Motorcycle Rental BMW F 650 GS
• Fuel
• Tolls
• Border paperwork
• Services of ride leader and support vehicle driver
• Support vehicle with passenger carrying ability
• Breakfast everyday, 9 lunches and 7 dinners
  
• Accommodation in excellent small hotels
• Bonus night accommodation
• Pre-departure material and route maps
• Access to satellite phone, pay per minute
• Compass Expeditions dress shirt
  
• Entrances to all national parks mentioned in the itinerary
• Moreno Glacier boat cruise
  

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

• International Flights
• Visas (if required)
• Personal spending money
• Personal Health Insurance
• Tips and gratuities
  
  

ACCOMMODATION

• 15 nights 3 to 4 star hotels, 3 nights Geo-Desic domes in Torres & 1 bonus night
• Accommodations are generally in 3 to 4 star hotels. For a list of our accommodation styles please refer to FAQs.
• A flexible attitude is needed as standards are not always what we are accustomed to.
• Single Supplement: US$ 850 (may be required to share a bathroom at least once on this trip)
  
  

INCLUDED MEALS

• Breakfasts: 18
• Lunches: 9
  
• Dinners: 7
  

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Please note that you will need to be in Santiago or Buenos Aires, depending on direction of travel, one day prior to start of expedition (accommodation included)
• For bookings of 60 days or less that have an 'included flight' a surcharge of US$200 is added due to requirement to purchse last minute internal flights that are included in this package,
  
• It is a requirement that all clients have appropriate insurance for this type of expedition.Compass Expeditions has negotiated a 10% discount with various insurance providers, see our "Book Here" page on our website for insurance options.