OVERVIEW
Following in the footsteps of Ché Guevara
If you have ever wondered how Ché Guevara felt as he traversed the wilderness of Bolivia, this is your chance to see and experience it yourself during one of the most interesting motorcycle trips you can undertake in Bolivia. A tour full of history, political activism, and of course adventure on a motorcycle! The travel company Overcross has been offering motorcycle tours worldwide for 25 years, particularly in states and regions far from the usual travel destinations. Are you ready to grab your "La Poderosa" machine and dive into this incredible South American motorcycle adventure in Bolivia?
Introduction to the motorcycle tour through Bolivia
Our shortest motorcycle trip in Bolivia is simply great! This tour is perfect for people who are interested in the cultural and political aspects of Bolivia. It focuses on the traces of the famous Latin American revolutionary Ché Guevara and his activities in the country. Bolivia was his last endeavor, where he died in 1967. We will follow the famous "La Ruta del Ché." The tour aims to recreate Ché's traces as faithfully as possible, over a variety of dirt roads, but here and there also some asphalt. Ernesto "Ché" Guevara (1928-1967) was an Argentine revolutionary, doctor, and guerrilla leader. He became known for his crucial role in the Cuban Revolution alongside Fidel Castro. After the victory of the revolutionaries in 1959, Ché took on important positions in the new Cuban government. His iconic portrait became a symbol of resistance and rebellion. Highest point: 2,400 m. A trip to Bolivia is not an ordinary trip, but an expedition. Due to the socioeconomic bottlenecks, the ecological situation, fuel shortages, and political-economic challenges, the trips we used to organize are currently not possible. Thanks to our strong connections and a capable tour guide, we can still offer an expedition in these times. It's important to remain flexible, as the local situation can change at any time and this may affect schedules and the course of the trip.
Daily program: Motorcycle vacation in Bolivia
Pick-up from Viru-Viru Airport, Santa Cruz (alt. 400 m)
After you land and complete immigration, an organized transfer will take you from Santa Cruz Airport in Bolivia to Samaipata (120 km, 2.5 hours drive). Upon your arrival in the small town rich in history and archaeology, we check into a comfortable hotel. Here you can relax for the rest of the day and explore the surroundings. If your flight arrives late, you will spend the night in Santa Cruz. In this case, the following day will be counted as Day 1 of your tour.
Tag 2: Samaipata (alt. 1,650 m)
After the restorative night and a hearty breakfast, we begin with a briefing. During the briefing, we will learn more about safe riding, our route, and the local traffic rules, as well as get to know each other. To become familiar with our motorcycles, we will take a ride to the significant archaeological site "El Fuerte." This site is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site and was an ancient Inca city built around the much older, largest stone sculpture in the Americas.
Tag 3: After La Higuera (alt. 1,900 m) 175 km, 50% gravel road
Early in the morning and after a quick breakfast, we set off and make a stop in Vallegrande. Here we visit the laundry of the hospital, where the lifeless body of the revolutionary hero Ernesto Ché Guevara was presented to the world. Additionally, on our agenda are his thumb, which can be seen today in a mausoleum, the grave of Tania Tamara Bunke (Tania la guerillera), and the grave of Commander Joaquín. After lunch, we continue our motorcycle journey towards the small mountain village of La Higuera, which we reach via partly unpaved roads. It is the place where Ché was captured and executed. On the way, we stop at Ché monuments and watch in the wild the largest birds in the world, the condors. In the late afternoon, we reach La Higuera after our first special ride. In the evening, we listen by the campfire in the courtyard of our hotel to the stories of Don Juan from the time of the guerrilla war.
After Villa Serrano (alt. 2,100 m) 120 km, 100% gravel road
After a delicious continental breakfast, we visit the old school building where Che Guevara was executed on October 9, 1967, and the related sites. Afterwards, we continue our ride on our machines towards Villa Serrano. There we have a picnic at the suspension bridge over the Rio Grande, and if conditions permit (depending on the water level), we may even go swimming in the river. In the afternoon, we reach the picturesque village of Villa Serrano, known as the capital of the Charango.
After Monteagudo (alt. 1,130 m) 120 km, 50% gravel road
After a delicious breakfast, we continue our journey on dusty gravel roads through wild landscapes to Monteagudo. Since there is no infrastructure along the way, we have a picnic by the roadside. This guarantees the off-road feeling. The accommodation offers only basic comfort. The charming town of Monteagudo is located in a valley surrounded by picturesque hills.
Via Lagunillas to Camiri (alt. 810 m) 160 km, 60% gravel road
After breakfast in rustic local style, the off-road experience of our adventurous motorcycle tour through Bolivia continues. We proceed on our route to Muyupampa and Lagunillas, where we visit the site where the guerrilla camp was located. It was one of the last places Che and his like-minded companions stayed. In Camiri, we visit a hotel room where Che Guevara spent a night in 1967.
To Samaipata 340 km, 0% gravel road, variants depending on weather conditions
In the morning we leave Camiri after breakfast. The road to Samaipata leads us alternately over sandy paths that correspond to Che's escape route or over paved roads along the Piraí River and the eastern corridors to our starting point in Samaipata. After parking our motorcycles, we hurry to the hotel pool to refresh ourselves.
Tag 8: After Santa Cruz
In the late morning we set off for Santa Cruz, the largest city in the country, where we can relax, linger in the plaza, and shop for souvenirs. In the evening we enjoy a farewell dinner. In Santa Cruz you can enjoy various activities such as exploring the historic plaza, visiting markets, or discovering the local cuisine.
To the airport
Always a sad moment when we say goodbye. But who knows? You wouldn't be the first to come back for more. The team from OVERCROSS travel agency will miss you!
PRICE
from€2840.00 / person✓ Trip includes
✕ Trip does not include
- Rental motorcycle: Suzuki DR650SE including SOAT - insurance and fuel
- 3 meals per day
- Accommodation in a double room
- Airport transfer
- Multilingual tour guide [The guide speaks 5 languages]