OVERVIEW
Motorcycle trip Patagonia: from Salta to Ushuaia
Discover the breathtaking beauty of Patagonia on a motorcycle trip along the legendary Ruta 40! Experience an unforgettable tour through the Andes for four weeks, from Salta to the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia. Ride through desert landscapes, wine regions, paradise lakes, and along the Carretera Austral in Chile. Marvel at majestic peaks such as Fitz Roy and Torres del Paine, the Perito Moreno glacier, and much more. The total distance is approximately 7000 km.
Introduction to the Andes Motorcycle Journey
Route 40! This legendary road runs along the Argentine side through the Andes. As a four-week tour, we travel from the subtropical Salta in northern Argentina through the desert landscapes of Catamarca and San Juan, the wine regions of Mendoza to the paradisiacal lake area around Bariloche. The journey continues over the Carreterra Austral in Chile to southern Patagonia, the rock spires Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre, and Torres del Paine, the Perito Moreno glacier, and the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia. Total distance approx. 7000 km. The tour is also conducted in a 4x4 off-road vehicle!
Daily program: Patagonia Tour: Route 40 and Carretera Austral
Day 1: Arrival
You will be picked up at the airport in Salta and taken to the hotel from which the tour will start the next day. After a short introduction to the motorcycle tour and information about Salta, the rest of the day is at your leisure.
Day 2: Quebrada de Cafayate Gorge
We leave the city of Salta heading south, following the Lerma Valley until it suddenly narrows into a gorge: the Quebrada de Cafayate. This gorge is impressive with its red sandstone formations, which have eroded into bizarre shapes like The Frog, The Obelisk, or Amphitheater, due to wind and weather. In Cafayate, the wine capital of Salta, we visit a traditional winery and spend the evening in the pleasant atmosphere of the charming town.
Day 3: Quilmes Ruins
Continuing south over the fertile plains of the Calchaquí Valley to the Quilmes ruins, the remnants of one of the largest and most important settlements of pre-Inca times in northern Argentina. Overnight in Belen.
Day 4: Cuesta de Miranda Pass
Now back on asphalt roads, we head swiftly south via Londres to Chilecito and Nanogasta, where we diverge onto the gravel track that leads us through the colorful Cuesta de Miranda Pass to Villa Union.
Day 5: Valley of the Moon
Today we visit the National Park and UNESCO World Heritage site Talampaya, whose mighty canyon impresses with its fauna and flora, as well as the Ischigualasto National Park (Valley of the Moon), where its desert-like landscapes can be explored with the motorcycle amidst quirky rock formations. Overnight in San Agustin del Valle Fertil.
Day 6: Wine Capital Mendoza
First, on a small asphalt road, we pass San Juan through wine-growing regions heading to Mendoza, the wine capital of Argentina.
Day 7: Rest Day in Mendoza
The day is at your leisure to explore the city and the wineries.
Day 8: Ruta 40 south - El Sosneado
Continuing on Route 40 south, we pass orchards and lakes, with the Diamond volcano in the distance. Near San Rafael, we dive into the breathtaking Atuel Gorge and follow this canyon to Lake Nihuil. We are now geographically in northern Patagonia. We continue via El Sosneado to Malargüe. Overnight in the pleasant town of Malargüe.
Day 9: Chos Malal
We continue through basaltic desert landscapes to Neuquen for an overnight stay in Chos Malal, the oldest settlement in Neuquen.
Day 10: Lake Aluminé
Today we enter the volcanic landscapes of Copahue, Caviahue. First, high above the Neuquen River, along its valley to the traditional village of El Huecú, then we head into the volcanic mountain region of Caviahue. We push forward towards Villa Pehuenia, a village at the foot of a snow-capped volcanic cone, located by shimmering lakes surrounded by Araucaria forests. We will spend the evening by the idyllic Lake Aluminé.
Day 11: San Martín de los Andes
On the Pehuenia tour, we pass countless Araucarias, lakes, and rivers, ultimately following the Aluminé River to San Martín de los Andes located on the shores of Lake Lacar.
Day 12: The Route of the 7 Lakes
Today we enter the lake region of northern Patagonia on the 7 Lakes Road, arriving in Bariloche, the capital of the lake region located at the foot of the Cathedral Mountain.
Day 13: Rest Day in Bariloche
Rest day in Bariloche. Time is at your leisure. Of course, our guide can provide useful tips.
Day 14: National Park Los Alerces
First, we travel south on Route 40 via El Bolsón, and then through the Los Alerces National Park to Trevelin.
Dieser Tag wirft häufig Fragen zur Routenführung und den Naturbedingungen im Nationalpark auf. Besondere Aspekte sind die Wege entlang der Ruta 40 und die Einblicke in die Tier- und Pflanzenwelt – mehr erfahren.
Day 15: Carretera Austral
Crossing the border to Chile, we encounter the legendary Carretera Austral, which we will follow for the next few days. The very humid climate of this glacier-carved landscape leads to lush green vegetation and rushing rivers against an imposing mountain backdrop.
Day 16: Coyhaique
Today we ride one of the most beautiful sections of the Carretera Austral to Coyhaique. First, we view a hanging glacier, then continue over the Queulat Pass to Manihuales and from there on good, winding asphalt roads to Coyhaique.
Day 17: Lake General Carrera
In the next two days, we will circle the green shimmering Lake General Carrera. First, we visit the Salto del Ibañez waterfall before continuing past the jagged mountain massif Cerro Castillo, over the Valley of the Dead Forest, and the village of Baihia Murta to Puerto Rio Tranquilo. Slightly further south, we reach the southern tip of the lake, leave the Carretera Austral there, and arrive at the idyllic Terra Luna Lodge near Puerto Guadal.
Day 18: Lake Las Posadas
First, we drive at a dizzying height along the southern shore of Lake General Carrera towards Argentina. In good weather, spectacular views of the Northern Patagonian Icefield appear in the distance. At Chile Chico, we cross the border into Argentina. We continue our adventure along the old, unpaved Route 40 along the Argentine Andes. Through spectacular landscapes, we arrive at the lovely village of Lake Las Posadas, situated in a beautiful setting.
Day 19: Cueva de las Manos
With views of the Perito Moreno National Park, we arrive at the tiny village Bajo Caracoles. From there, we follow Route 40 south into a broad valley where the Estancia La Angostura still traditionally raises thousands of sheep and cows on its lush pastures. (In good conditions and sufficient time, we may visit the famous rock paintings of the Cueva de las Manos) Overnight at a traditional estancia.
Day 20: Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre
First, still through the steppes, we reach Lake Viedma and the small village of El Chaltén, which curls under the famous granite towers Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre. In the afternoon, if possible, an optional hike to the viewpoint of Cerro Torre.
Day 21: Perito Moreno Glacier
In the morning, optional hike to the viewpoint of the Fitz Roy massif. In the afternoon, we return to Route 40, heading south along the emerald green Lake Argentino to El Calafate. In the afternoon, we visit the famous Perito Moreno Glacier.
Day 22: National Park Torres del Paine
Back to the turnoff and continue on Route 40 as we ascend to a high plateau, magnificent views of the mountains unfold behind us. We move on to the border with Chile and the Torres del Paine National Park. Overnight at an original Chilean estancia where we will spend a cozy evening.
Day 23: Puerto Natales
We approach the Torres del Paine National Park with spectacular views. In the park, we will see waterfalls, mountain lakes, condors, wild llamas, ostriches, and foxes, and of course, marvel at the breathtaking rock peaks of the Torres and Cuernos massif. In the afternoon, we continue on to the town of Puerto Natales.
Day 24: Punta Arenas
Heading south again, we continue on windy roads from Villa Tehuelche to Punta Arenas, and pass a lagoon with flamingos, and visit the Otway penguin colony.
Day 25: Tierra del Fuego
We take the ferry across the Magellanic Strait to Tierra del Fuego Island and continue on gravel roads to the Argentine border. After a short drive, we arrive at Rio Grande where we will rest after a windy journey today.
Day 26: Ushuaia
In the morning, we first drive through windy coastal regions and then via Tolhuin, Lake Fagnano, and over the Garribaldi Pass to the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia. To complete the journey to the end of the world, we continue through the Tierra del Fuego National Park until the road ends: the true end of the (civilized) world! In the evening, we enjoy our well-deserved farewell dinner.
Day 27: Departure
Today we will take you to the airport, where you will leave with only impressive impressions, many good memories, and our farewell gift on your return flight.
PRICE
from€19449.00 / person✓ Trip includes
✕ Trip does not include
- Rental motorcycle including fuel
- Liability insurance
- Customs papers for border crossings
- Multilingual tour guides (English, Spanish, also understands German)
- 4x4 support vehicle