Itinerary: Tour 2 (North Bound)
*This tour has been canceled. Please contact us with any questions.
Tour 2 (North Bound)
November 27 - December 13, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
Day One: This is the day most riders will fly from Santiago to Punta Arenas. We will pick everyone up at the Punta Arenas airport. You will get to pick up your rental motorcycle and ride it back to the hotel. If you fly in earlier, this could also be the day to shake off jet lag or see and explore the small coastal town. Everyone will stay at the Hotel Carpa Manzano. This evening we will all walk into town for the Welcome Dinner.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Day Two: 265 miles (75 gravel / 190 paved): Race the dolphins across the Strait of Magellan on the transport ferry and then ride to Rio Grande. Big, open country. Ride incredible twisties and sweepers. This small town along the coast is a friendly place, and the small lodge we stay in, the Hotel de los Sauces, is clean and well cared for. Excellent dinner choices in close vicinity.
Sunday, November 29 - Monday, November 30, 2009
Day Three: 130 miles (all paved): Ride to Ushuaia. See wild penguins with an exciting side excursion along the Beagle Channel! We are staying on the outskirts of town in a modern lodge within the forest, Hosteria los Fuegos.
Day Four: 41 miles (all gravel within the Tierra del Fuego National Park): Journey along the Beagle Canal, the same area that Charles Darwin traveled for his research on "The Origin of Species". We ride to the southernmost point in the world attainable by road. You can mail your family a post card or letter from the southernmost postal depot on earth. This lovely park is well cared for and offers many miles of hiking and beautiful picnic sites. Stay again in Ushuaia. Many internet business centers are open on the main street of town. Rest day. Many hiking trails are also available in the nearby ski area.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Day Five: 261 miles (75 gravel / 186 paved): Ride to Cerro Sombrero. After many miles along the famous gravel Highway 3, get a great hot and high pressure shower at this little inn (Hosteria Tunquelen) in the tiny town in the middle of the island of Tierra del Fuego.
Wednesday, December 2 - Thursday, December 3, 2009
Day Six: 262 miles ( mostly paved with some small gravel sections possible): Re-cross the Strait on the ferry and travel over more gravel roadways to the ranch house turned lodge, the classic Hosteria el Pionero. Meals are served on site in the large formal dining room.
Day Seven: 135+ miles (all gravel): Ride a beautiful loop out to the magnificent Torres Del Paine park, where the world-renowned “Towers Of Blue” jut raggedly into the deep blue skies. See emerald and cobalt blue lakes, and plenty of condors, geese, and guanacos, and too many blooming flowers to count. Over 135 miles of exquisite dirt roads and scenery to explore. Stay again at the quaint Pioneer Hotel and feast on another delicious local meal.
Friday, December 4 - Saturday, December 5, 2009
Day Eight: 134 miles (31 gravel / 103 paved): Cross back into Argentina and ride to Calafate on the legendary Ruta 40. After several kilometers of loose gravel, the road turns to smooth pavement. Famous for high winds and long stretches of loose gravel, this route will demand all of your attention. We are staying two nights in this beautiful town.
Day Nine: 111 miles (optional, all paved): Rest day in Calafate to either take a ride out and visit the fabulous Perito Merino Glacier, or to shop, explore, hike, etc.. The Hotel El Barranco is famous for its delicious homemade jams that the owners produce from local berries, including the dark purple calafate berry. An internet computer is available in the lobby for free use 24 hours a day.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Day Ten: 206 miles (62 gravel / 144 paved): Ride to La Angostura. Amazing nearly new asphalt with big radius corners, in the middle of absolutely no-where, with no traffic, then long miles of open gravel roads through vast countryside. View the incredible Fitzroy Mountain from a distance, or up close on a short optional side trip. Rolling vibrant desert colors throughout. Hang out with real Gauchos and live the cowboy lifestyle for an afternoon. Optional guided horseback rides around the ranch are available for a fee. These ranchers will grill and serve some of the best mutton you will ever taste. After many miles in the high winds of the legendary Route 40, the solitude and restful quiet of the remote hacienda will make up for the bunk house style sleeping arrangements.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Day Eleven: 162 miles (108 gravel / 79 paved): Ride to Los Antiguos, where the landscape turns to arid desert with herds of guanacos and nandus running alongside. The ranch we stay on is an oasis of lush green pastures. Estancia Telken is a very remote sheep ranch. Limited space requires double accommodations.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Day Twelve: 177 miles (62 gravel / 115 paved): We continue north, on some very remote back roads then we cross the Andes on some amazing switchbacks, with gorgeous, lush green landscapes and aromatic flowers alongside the road everywhere, to the clean mountain town of Coyhaique. Miles of gorgeous hiking trails are available in the local state park. Internet computer is available at the front desk of the Hotel Coyhaique, a lovely hotel near the center of town with lush green lawns and several great restaurants within walking distance.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Day Thirteen: 147 miles (65 gravel / 82 paved): Ride to Puyuhuapi; gorgeous, lush green landscapes, alongside waterways. Rough narrow road most of the way. Beautiful blue glaciers hang from the peaks above the road. Tonight we are guests in a cozy home on the lake, called Hosteria Alemana. Hot springs are nearby for the adventurous.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Day Fourteen: 183 miles (58 gravel / 125 paved): Ride to Esquel via Futaluefu. Mostly dirt riding along the picturesque, southernmost highway of Chile. Spectacular lakes, glaciers and world famous rapids. We will stay at the Hosteria Angelina. The on-site internet business center has computers available.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Day Fifteen: 207 miles (all paved): Ride to Bariloche, a charming city bathed by the beautiful blue waters of Lake Nahuel Huapi. One of the most popular destinations in Argentina for travelers. All paved roads that wind around four mountains containing lakes, thousand year-old trees, crystal clear rivers and hundreds of water bodies protected by thick woods. Divine riding. Plenty of time in the afternoon to ride to the popular swimming and sunbathing beach, or take a hike at the ski area. Dinner on your own. There are many great restaurants within a short walk of the downtown Hotel Ayres del Nahuel. Internet business center on-site.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Day Sixteen: 150 miles (all paved): Ride to Osorno. Final border crossing, and across the beautiful pass on more tight paved turns. After turning in your rental motorcycle, we will all stay at the Hotel Waeger. Later in the evening, we will walk to a special restaurant for the Farewell Dinner. Internet computers are available in the hotel.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
We will take everyone to the airport for flights out of Osorno to Santiago for connections with international flights home.
Total Miles = 2571
Total Gravel = 732 approx.
