Tour Information

*This tour has been canceled. Please contact us with any questions.

Highlights:

• See the Andes
• Ride to Ushuaia on the Tierra Del Fuego, the most southern city on earth
• Visit several National Parks
• See condors, penguins, guanacos, and nandus (flightless birds)

Tour 1: South Bound (November 6 - 22, 2009) is from Chile to Argentina.

Tour 2: North Bound (November 27 - December 13, 2009) is from Argentina to Chile.

Tour Price Includes:

• Two bilingual guides on motorcycles with satellite phones
• Accommodations for each night
• Breakfast every morning
• Three picnic lunches at scenic stops along the way
• Welcome and Farewell dinners, plus one additional dinner on the road
• The rental of a BMW F650 GS or a BMW F650 GS Dakar
• Gasoline
• Driver and full support vehicle
  • Carries luggage
  • Snacks, cakes, tea, water, and fruit where available.
• Bike mechanic
• Tickets for the ferry to cross to Tierra Del Fuego
• Free time to see the glaciar Perito Moreno in Calafate
• Transport of luggage from start point to end of tour
• Detailed maps of Chile and Argentina (issued upon arrival)
• Documents for border crossings
• International motorcycle insurance for Chile and Argentina
• Aerostich swag
• Video and tour photos sent to each participant after the tour

Tour Price Does Not Include:

• Any Airfare
• Meals (except for those listed above)
• Alcohol
• Tips

Motorcycle License:

United States citizens can go to AAA and ask for an Inter-America or International Drivers License. *Make sure you get your motorcycle endorsement on it!

Passport:

A passport will be needed. No Visa is required for up to three months of travel in Argentina and Chile for citizens of the United States and Japan.

Border Crossings:

The tour will cross the border between Argentina and Chile several times. Riders must be patient during this process, as it can take some time. We will be waiting in several lines to present our passports and proof of International Insurance, which will be supplied with the bike.

Clothes:

Temperatures range between 40 to 90 degrees F, and it is typically wet in the west and dry in the east. There will be a support vehicle with plenty of room for luggage, so bring the appropriate layers.

Motorcycle Bags:

One waterproof bag with a 60 Liter capacity at the most can be used on the bikes offered for this tour. Bags larger than that are not recommended.

Money:

Riders will need both Chilean and Argentinean Pesos to buy things outside of the tour package, like meals and shopping. We suggest that riders change from $1,000 - $2,000 US to each currency. This may be changed at either a bank before the start of the tour or at the airport in Santiago.

ATM machines are available almost anywhere and can provide local currency. Visa and Mastercard both work, though Visa is more widespread. Credit cards are also widely accepted and authorized Debit cards can be used in most ATMs.

To avoid any charging complications, notify your credit card company or bank that you are going on an international trip.

Guides/Support:

Two bilingual guides and a bike mechanic will accompany the tour. The guides are backcountry first aid certified. They will also be carrying cell phones and a satellite phone.

The support vehicle will carry spare parts for repairs on the road.

Itinerary: Tour 1 (South Bound)

*This tour has been canceled. Please contact us with any questions.

Tour 1 (South Bound)

November 6 - November 22, 2009

Friday, November 6, 2009

Day One: This is the day most riders will fly from Santiago to Osorno. We will pick everyone up at the Osorno 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 fuji-esque Osorno volcano. Everyone will stay at the Hotel Waeger. Evening welcome dinner. Internet computers are available in the hotel.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Day Two: 150 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. 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.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Day Three: 207 miles (all paved): Ride to Esquel. Travel 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. We will stay at the Hosteria Angelina. The on-site internet business center has computers available.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Day Four: 183 miles (58 gravel / 125 paved): Ride to Puyuhuapi via Futaluefu. Several interesting miles of dirt riding along this picturesque, old highway in Chile. Spectacular lakes, glaciers and world famous rapids. Tonight we are guests in a cozy home on the lake, called Hosteria Alemana. Hot springs are nearby for the adventurous.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Day Five: 147 miles (65 gravel / 82 paved): Ride east toward the Andes to Coyhaique; gorgeous, lush green landscapes with aromatic flowers alongside the road everywhere. You will ride by several blue ice glaciers hanging overhead, to sparkle up the view. Miles of gorgeous hiking trails 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. From here on, we will ride many miles of dirt and gravel roads.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Day Six: 177 miles (62 gravel / 115 paved): Ride to Los Antiguos. First we cross the Andes on some amazing paved switchbacks, then, welcome to the dry country, where the landscape turns to arid desert with herds of guanacos and nandus running alongside the long gravel roads. 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.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Day Seven: 162 miles (108 gravel / 79 paved): Ride to La Angostura. Hang out with real Gauchos and live the cowboy lifestyle for a little while. 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.

Friday, November 13 - Saturday, November 14, 2009:

Day Eight: 206 miles (62 gravel / 144 paved): Ride to Calafate. Rolling vibrant desert colors throughout. Amazing nearly new asphalt with big radius corners, in the middle of absolutely no-where, with no traffic. View the incredible Fitzroy Mountain from a distance, or up close on a short optional side trip. 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, November 15 - Monday, November 16, 2009

Day Ten: 134 miles (31 gravel / 103 paved): 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 Eleven: 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.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Day Twelve: 262 miles ( mostly paved with some small gravel sections possible): Race the dolphins across the Strait of Magellan on the transport ferry and then ride to Cerro Sombrero. Big, open country. Ride incredible twisties and sweepers, then get a great hot and high pressure shower in this little inn (Hosteria Tunquelen) and tiny town in the middle of the island of Tierra del Fuego.

Wednesday, November 18 - Thursday, November 19, 2009

Day Thirteen: 261 miles (75 gravel / 186 paved): Ride to Ushuaia. See wild penguins with an exciting side excursion along the Beagle Channel! Hiking trails available in the nearby ski area. We are staying on the outskirts of town in a modern lodge within the forest, Hosteria los Fuegos.

Day Fourteen: 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”. Rest day. Many surprises! 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.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Day Fifteen: 130 miles (all paved): Ride back North to Rio Grande. 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.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Day Sixteen: 265 miles (75 gravel / 190 paved): Today we re-cross on the ferry and ride along the Strait of Magellan to Punta Arenas and turn in our motorcycles. Our lodging this night is in the Hotel Carpa Manzano. We will all celebrate with a farewell dinner in a special local restaurant.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Everyone will get a ride to the airport for flights out of Punta Arenas to Santiago.

Total Miles = 2571
Total Gravel = 732 approx.

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.

Pricing

*This tour has been canceled. Please contact us with any questions.

Tour 1 (Southbound) Pricing:

Single Occupancy with rental:	$8,999.00
Double Occupancy with rental:	$8,499.00
Non-rider / Passenger:	$3,599.00

Tour 2 (Northbound) Pricing:

Single Occupancy with rental:	$8,699.00
Double Occupancy with rental:	$8,199.00
Non-rider / Passenger:	$3,499.00

Please call 800-222-1994 ext. 402 or email us for more information or to register for this tour.

Deposit

A $1000.00 deposit is required to secure a spot on the tours. The deposit will go towards the final tour price.

Full Payment

Full payment is due 90 days prior to the start of the tour.

Cancellation/Refund Policy

Cancellations must be received more than 60 days prior to departure for a full refund. Cancellations received less than 60 days from departure will receive a 50% refund. If your reservation is filled by another rider, a full refund less the deposit will be issued. After 60 days, deposits are NOT refundable, but ARE transferable to a different party or to a later date (subject to availability). We strongly suggest that riders purchase traveler's insurance prior to registering for a tour to help off-set any costs involved in the event of a cancellation.

Tour dates are subject to change in the event of accommodation restrictions, or other unforeseen circumstances and limitations. In the event of a date change (usually only by a day or two), riders will be notified, and reasonable assistance and reimbursement will be provided.