This 2,000 km loop through the Lakes District has an amazing amount of variety. The route is 60% paved and 40% dirt.
Highlights for this motorcyle tour
- Seven Lakes District, Argentina
- Puerto Varas
- Black Glacier, Argentina
- Osorno Valcanoe, Chile
- Monkey Puzzle Trees - Araucaria araucana
- Chiloe Island, Chile
- San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina
- Stay at 2 Natural Hot Springs Resorts
- San Martin de los Andes, Argentina
Northern Patagonia Motorcycle Adventure Tour Itinerary
*Meals Included in package: (D) = Dinner (B) = Breakfast
Sunday, January 9th:
Arrival Day
Arrive in Osorno, Chile, relax and get accustomed to the southern hemisphere with a Pisco Sour. Welcome dinner with empanadas and some fine Chilean wine. (B/D)
Monday, January 10th:
Osorno to Puerto Varas - 60 to 100 miles paved and dirt
Get on the bikes and head south along the shores of Lake Lanquihue, the largest lake in all of Chile. Get an up close view of the 2,652 meter tall Osorno volcano from the ski area located on it’s lower flanks. Spend the night in Puerto Varas on the side of the lake. (B)
Tuesday, January 11th:
Free Day (Day Ride) - 100 to 180 miles of dirt and paved
Start the day on the Pan American Highway along the shores of the Gulf of Ancud with a view of Chiloe Island. Take a short ferry ride before heading inland next to the fiord filled Reloncavi Estuary. The route enters the Lanquihue National Park before circling back to Puerto Varas. (B)
Wednesday, January 12th:
Puerto Varas to Chiloe Island - 160 miles paved
Another ferry ride takes us off the mainland to Chile’s second largest island “Chiloe”. Here we can search for the fabled “duendes” (dwarfs) known to inhabit this island in the mystical folklore. There are plenty of pastoral views into the waters of the gulf. Ride across the beach to get to the nights Cabins located near a “Pinguineria” or penguin rookery right on the ocean. It’s the perfect place to catch a sunset over the Pacific. Stay on Chileo Island. (B)
Thursday, January 13th:
Chiloe to Puyehue - 175 miles paved
We will be back on the mainland where we’ll head north before turning east and heading into the foothills of the Andes. Spend the night relaxing in the soothing waters of Termas Puyehue, a wonderful “Spa and wellness resort” situated between two large lakes, nestled in the foothills of the Andes. (B)
Friday, January 14th:
Puyehue to Bariloche - 100 to 180 miles paved
It seems that this pass over the continental divide of the Andes, which is also the “frontera”, or border, was made for motorcyclists. This is a truly world-class ride not only due to the surface conditions of the perfectly pitched twisties but because of the spectacular views provided by the surrounding National Parks of each country. Welcome to Argentina as we cruise the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi before settling into Bariloche. We'll get there a bit early, so be ready for an afternoon ride along the lakeside. Stay in Bariloche. (B)
Saturday, January 15th:
Free Day (Day Ride) - up to 200 miles, dirt and paved
Spend the day exploring the streets of Bariloche, a town that serves as a hub for the many ski resorts in the area and is known for it’s numerous chocolate shops. Otherwise, go for a day ride with us into the Nahuel Huapi National Park and Preserve to see the stunning Black Glacier. Stay in Bariloche (B)
Sunday, January 16th:
San Carlos de Bariloche to San Martin de los Andes - 160 miles
Today we ride through the Seven Lakes District famed for it’s spectacular untouched forests and lakes. The day is filled with views of crystal clear waters from the lakes and rivers of the surrounding valleys and their majestic glaciers. Stay in San Martin de los Andes. (B)
Monday, January 17th:
San Martin de los Andes to Conaripe - 190 miles dirt and paved
Another day spent crossing borders and mountain ranges in beautiful Lanlin National Park, one of the few natural homes to the Araucaria araucana, also know as the Monkey-Puzzle Tree. Sometimes called a living fossil, this species can live up to a thousand years old and has edible seeds similar to a pine nut. Settle back into Chile at our own secluded hot springs resort down a dead end road lost in the slow-paced Chilean countryside. (B)
Tuesday, January 18th:
Conaripe to Orsorno - 100 miles
Leave the lakes district behind us as we have our final day of riding back to Osorno. Enjoy our farewell dinner with time for some group reflections of the trip. (B/D)
Wednesday, January 19th:
Fly Home or keep travelling!
Back to TopInformation
SmugMug Gallery
To Book this Tour:
To secure a spot our next Northern Patagonia Tour, register with a $1,000 deposit.
Visa:
Visas are not needed for up to three months stay in both Chile and Argentina
* There is an entry fee that must be paid to Chile upon arrival at the airport. This paid entry fee is good for the life of your passport and is payable with a credit card. The fee is $130 US dollars.
Passport:
You must have a valid Passport with two blank pages in it.
Travel:
As this tour starts and ends in Osorno Chile, you’ll need a round trip ticket in and out of Osorno. Most commonly international flights are routed through Santiago, Chile followed by a domestic connection to Osorno.
For assistance with travel options, please contact us at: 1-800-756-1990 or (907) 272-2777 for advice. You may also reach our travel agent Sally at:Sally@alaskatravelsource.com, or (907) 562- 2213. Just tell her you are part of MotoQuests’ Northern Patagonia group!
*Send us your Travel Information so we know when and where to meet you.
Optional Kitty:
$300 Non-Drinker
$500 Drinkers
Riders will be asked to put money into a kitty before and during the tour, to be used by the group as a whole for gas and other group-oriented activites not indicated as included in the tour package such as lunches, dinners, park entry fees, toll road fees, tips, water stops, etc. Guides and other staff also contribute to this kitty. This kitty account will be administered by the lead guide. During the tour, should the kitty "run dry" there will be another kitty collection. If there is a surplus in the kitty at the end of the tour, the kitty will be redestributed back to the tour participants. You may pay the kitty by Visa, Mastercard, Cash or Personal Check. The lead guide will collect this prior to your tour start date. We have found this system to facilitate group riding during our tours.
Reading:
Books recommended:
Money:
Chilean – Peso
Argentinian – Peso
ATM machines are the most convenient and work much better than cash or traveler’s checks. We’ll have access to ATM’s almost every night of the trip.
It’s a good idea to bring at least one backup card (another ATM card, debit, or credit card). Cash is another great backup, in clean large bills.
You can easily change your money into Chilean or Argentinean Pesos at currency exchanges in any international airport.
*It is a good idea to change at least $100 US into Argentinian Pesos at the Santiago International Airport when you arrive.
Things to Bring:
- Drivers’ License with Motorcycle Endorsement from your country.
- International Drivers License with Motorcycle Endorsement (Available from any AAA office)
- Passport (with two blank pages)
- Clothes and toiletries (Laundry available in Puerto Varas and Bariloche, General stores / pharmacies available almost every night)
- Cameras, with extra memory cards and backup batteries
Riding Gear:
Bring riding gear that is warm and waterproof (a riding suit with pads is best). We recommend Scorpion XDR Commander riding gear. Also bring: Stout water-proof boots, rain gear, a warm hat, rain-proof gloves (2 pair), hiking shoes, bug spray, lots of underwear, fleece layers, full-faced helmet, swim suit (if there are hot springs), and a good camera are the things you need on the trail.
- Plan to ride in 40f to 95f degree weather.
- Plan for rain! Two/Three Pairs of Gloves, electric vest, fleece layers, Waterproof riding wear.
Arrival:
Send us your travel information so we know when and where to meet you. Please be prepared to show your current motorcycle drivers license.
Back to TopI rode the Northern Patagonia Tour in November, 2009 and I had an unforgettable time . Chile and Argentina are beautiful countries and they have fantastic motorcycle roads. The accommodations were charming and every meal was an adventure. I'd do the tour again tomorrow if I could.
Clay Bastion, Wichita, Kansas”
