Our Tours.
The Long Way Down:
Ruta 40! The Adventure Road to the End of the World. Salta - Ushuaia
Route 40! This legendary road leads along the Andes from the very north to the very south of Argentina, we will be crossing half the continent of South America. On a 3 weeks tour we'll be driving from subtropical Salta in northern Argentina through the dessert areas of Catamarca and San Juan, through the wine region of Mendoza and the Mapuche-Indian areas of Neuquen to the paradisiac lake district of Bariloche, the door to Patagonia.
From Bariloche we'll explore the adventurous part of the rough Ruta 40 to reach southern Patagonia with it's impressive mountains like Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre, the famous glacier Perito Moreno and finally the southernmost city of the world Ushuaia.
This trip can be done in a 4 x 4 off road vehicle, too!
Day 1
You will be picked up at the airport in Salta and brought in the Hotel from where the tour through half South America starts next day. After an introduction to the bikes and the tour and some general information about Salta, you have the rest of the day at your free disposal.
Day 2
We leave Salta southwards through the fertile Lerma Valley, which narrows into the canyon of the Quebrada de Cafayate. This beautiful canyon is striking for its red sandstone formations, weathered by wind and water to bizarre shapes. Through the sandy planes of the Calchaqui Valley we ride into the town of Cafayate, the wine capital of Salta, where we spend the night.
Day 3
We visit the impressive pre Inca ruins of Quilmes, and now on the legendary Ruta 40 we keep heading south on tarmac and gravel roads through the sparsely populated planes of Catamarca to get to the town of Belen.
Day 4
On good tarmac road we'll reach Chilecito to have lunch and visit the museum before crossing the rocky pass Cuesta de Miranda to stay in the village of Villa Union.
Day 5
Today we'll visit the National Park of Talampaya impressing us with it's spectacular canyon and diverse fauna and flora. We'll carry on to reach the Nature Park Ischigualasto (Valley of the Moon) with it's naturally carved bizarre rock formations which can be visited on the bikes. Overnight stay in Valle Fertil.
Day 6
On tarmac road through bush land and wine plantations we pass San Juan and drive into Mendoza City, the wine capital of Argentina.
Tour details
Duration:
27 days / 126 nights
Distance:
about. 7000km, 30% gravel roads
Route:
Participants:
4 - 10 riders
Dates:
please see our tour calender
Level of experience:
The trip is suitable for any motor-biker with some off-road experience who can bare long days on the bike and doesn´t fear the weather.
Prices
| on BMW F650 GS: | 12.600 US$ |
| on BMW F800 GS: | 13.200 US$ |
| on BMW R1200GS: | 13.990 US$ |
| on BMW R1200 Adv.: | 14.700 US$ |
| pillion/passenger: | 7.400 US$ |
| single room surcharge: | 1.600 US$ |
Climate & Season
This tour crosses half the south american continent. We'll be going from the southern tropic circle down to 55° latitude. We'll be crossing 4 climatic zones: subtropical, dessert, temperate zone and subpolar region.
That implies we have to be prepared for anything from tropical heat with thunderstorms over dry and hot desserts over rainy and muddy forest to icy and windy glacier regions. Good raingear and warm clothes are as necessary as sunprotection.
Day 7
Day at leisure to explore the beautiful city and the wineries and have a gourmet lunch in a very pleasant garden restaurant.
Day 8
On our way south on the Ruta 40 along the Andes we'll pass fruit plantations, lakes and the volcano Diamante. By cossing the Diamond River we get into northern Patagonia.
Overnight stay in pleasant Malargüe.
Day 9
We'll carry on through basaltic dessert areas into Neuquen and follow a valley high above the river to reach the little village of Chos Malal.
Day 10
We'll enter the volcanic landscapes of Copahue, Caviahue and Pehuenia, with their snow capped volcanoes, and shining lakes seamed by unearthly Araucaria forests, and we'll enjoy the evening of the idyllic shores of lake Aluminé.
Day 11
On the Pehuenia Circle today we´ll enjoy an endless amount of Araucaria trees and lakes and rivers on our way to San Martín de los Andes on the shores of Lake Lacar.
Day 12
Today we'll enter the lake district of Bariloche on the Road of the Seven Lakes, and reach the beautiful situated capital of northern Patagonia.
Day 13
Day at leisure to relax in Bariloche and the surroundings.
Day 14
The Ruta 40 leads us south to El Bolsón and through the National Park Los Alerces to the welsh settlement Trevelin.
Day 15
Crossing over to Chile we'll hit the legendary Carretera Austral, which we'll be following the next 3 days. With it´s very humid climate this fjord area has lush green vegetation and roaring rivers in a beautiful mountain setting.
Overnight stay in the small village of Puyuhuapi.
Day 16
Today we'll travel on probably the nicest part of the Carretera Austral to Coihaique and Villa Cerro Castillo.
Overnight stay in Coihayque.
Day 17
The next two days we'll be going round the green shimmering Lake General Carrera having spectacular views of the northern inland icefield. After passingthe impressive castle like mountain Cerro Castillo, the Dead Forest Valley and the Villages Bahia Murta to get to Puerto Rio Tranquilo.
Day 18
Today we´ll have great views of the northern inland icefield on the far side of Lake General Carrera, and we´ll be driving along the steep cliffs bordering the southern shore of the lake. In the village of Chile Chico we'll cross over into Argentina again.
Overnight stay in a Patagonian Estancia in Argentina.
Day 19
We'll reach the Ruta 40 again, which will be a dusty, windy and rough gravel road for the next 300 km, leading through desolate dessert flats. Taking a detour we´ll visit the famous rock painting cave of Cueva de las Manos.
Overnight stay in a traditional Estancia.
Day 20
Carrying on through the steppes we'll pass lake Cardiel and Lake Viedma to reach El Chaltén, a little Village on the base of the famous granite towers of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre.
Day 21
In the morning you can go on the optional hike to the viewpoint of Fitz Roy or Cerro Torre.
In the afternoon we´ll go back along Lake Viedma to the Ruta 40 and on the southern shores of shining Lake Argentino we'll reach Calafate.
Day 22
Visit of the famous Glacier Perito Moreno.
Day 23
After some hours riding through wild Patagonian country, we crossing into Chile. We'll spend the night in a pleasant Estancia close to the Torres del Paine National Park.
Day 24
Today we will visit the stunning massive of the Torres del Paine National Park.
We will pass the Sarmiento Lagoon, visit the Paine Falls, see the Torres Peaks from close up, probably observe Guanacos, Ñandus, Foxes and Condors. In the Afternoon we'll walk along the Lago Grey with it's Icebergs close to the shore and great views on the Cuernos.
Later the afternoon we´ll drive south to the village of Puerto Natales.
Day 25
On our way south to Punta Arenas we´ll pass a lagoon with flamingos and will visit the Penguin Colony of Otway.
Day 26
On the Ferry over the Strait of Magellan we'll reach Tierra del Fuego, and after a windy ride over the island we'll finally reach our destination, Ushuaia the southernmost city of the World.
Day 27
We will bring you to the airport to catch your flight. You will take awesome impressions, great memories and a Horizonte present with you on your way back home.
Adventure Northwest Argentina