Patagonia Expedition - Southbound

Chile and Argentina

Patagonia Expedition - Southbound

Chile and Argentina

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17 Day Self-Guided Tour

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Self Guided Chile and Argentina: Patagonia Expedition – Southbound|17|15|12195|11495|8695

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17 days heading south through one of the last true wildernesses on Planet Earth. Glaciers, jagged peaks, vast deserts, remote coastlines, and epic gravel roads await.
Patagonia, the crown jewel at the southern tip of South America, spans both Chile and Argentina and is as stunning as it is varied. From northern fjords and lush forests to dramatic mountains and crystal-clear lakes in the south, with wide, arid plains in between, few regions offer such a range of landscapes. Once a destination reserved for the most intrepid explorers, this unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime journey is now accessible through the safety and support of the Magellan system. This 17-day Patagonia tour takes you to the ‘End of the World’ – and far beyond.
  • Self Guided Tour
  • 17 Days
  • 2000 miles
  • Puerto Varas, Chile.
  • HIRE BIKE AVAILABLE
  • FULL INSURANCE INCLUDED
  • ON / OFF ROAD
BEST TIME TO GO

November to April

Your journey begins in Puerto Varas, a charming lakeside town framed by breathtaking views of nearby volcanoes. After getting acquainted with your chosen bikes, it’s time to hit the road. On day one, you cross the Chilean fjords by ferry, carve through flowing stretches of tarmac, and get a first taste of gentle off-road riding through rainforest trails en route to an overnight stop in Yelcho. Day two takes you deeper into the wilds along the stunning Carretera Austral, where the scenery shifts into overdrive. Expect technical tarmac, lush forests, fjords, mountains, and sweeping fields of blooming lupines as you make your way to the town of Coyhaique.

Continuing your journey south, you take a ferry crossing from Puerto Ibáñez, soaking in the dramatic lunar-like landscape en route to your first two-night stay in Chile Chico. This rest day offers no shortage of adventure options – choose from a full gravel ride-out, a lunar landscape hike, horse trekking, or the unforgettable Marble Caves experience. From Chile Chico, you make your first border crossing into Argentina and embark on the first true day of overland adventure riding, heading towards Gregores. Riding through the wild expanses of Ruta 40, flanked by desert, wandering llamas, and little else, you begin to feel the sheer scale and solitude that Patagonia is known for.

Departing Gregores, you tackle a 70 km stretch of gravel before emerging from the desert to catch the first breathtaking views of the Andes. The mountains that herald our arrival into El Chaltén are nothing short of spectacular – soaring dramatically skyward and made famous by the outdoor brand Patagonia, which features the silhouette of these peaks in its logo. After a night in this mountain haven, you continue on to the lively town of El Calafate for another two-night stay. Here, a highlight of any Patagonian journey awaits: a visit to the awe-inspiring Perito Moreno Glacier. Measuring 30 km long, 5 km wide, and 170 m thick, it’s one of the most jaw-dropping natural sights anywhere in the world – and absolutely unmissable.

Crossing back into Chile, you settle in for another two-night stay, giving you time to explore the awe-inspiring Torres del Paine National Park. With jagged snow-capped peaks towering above vivid turquoise lakes, the park’s 200 km loop is widely regarded as one of the most stunning gravel rides on the planet. Riders on previous tours have encountered iconic wildlife here too, including Andean condors, flamingos, and guanacos. From Torres del Paine, you ride along the shores of the Strait of Magellan before boarding a ferry bound for Tierra del Fuego – the remote archipelago at South America's southern edge. Known for its striking scenery of glaciers, rugged mountains, tundra, and wind-battered trees, it signals the start of your approach to ‘The End of the World.’

Pushing south one final time, you re-enter Argentina and follow the route to Ushuaia, the southernmost city on Earth, riding over the spectacular Garibaldi Mountain Pass. A rest day here offers plenty of ways to soak up the atmosphere at the edge of the world – perhaps a gravel ride in search of freshly caught king crab, a walking tour of the city, a boat excursion, or a ride out to the iconic Tierra del Fuego sign along an easy gravel track.

Departing the End of the World doesn’t mean the adventure is behind you. You'll make your way back through the Argentine wilderness one final time before crossing into Chile once more. Here, you visit a colony of king penguins and embark on an unforgettable 80 km gravel ride along one of the most breathtaking coastal routes imaginable. Your overnight stop is in the small port town of Porvenir, before the final leg of the tour sees you quite literally blown into Punta Arenas – windswept and smiling.

Patagonia is an adventurous travel destination, and while we have designed this trip to make the vast majority of off-road riding optional, there are a few unavoidable gravel sections. Riders should be comfortable handling a motorcycle in wind and on loose surfaces. Looking to hone your skills on varying terrain? Book onto Patagonia and get a £1000 discount on our off-road Spain training tours.

Ride one of the planet's last true wildernesses!

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Tour highlights

Puerto Varas – Aside from the practical tip of arriving a couple of days early for a fly-ride tour, spending extra time in Puerto Varas is a real treat. With stunning volcano views, excellent restaurants, and loads of day trip options, it’s the perfect place to settle in and shake off the jet lag before the adventure begins.

Carretera Austral – For the first few days, you follow the legendary Ruta 7 through rural Patagonia. This stretch delivers some truly spectacular riding and jaw-dropping landscapes.

Chile Chico Rest Day – Chile Chico might be a small and sleepy town, but your rest day here certainly doesn’t have to be. Choose from a full-day gravel adventure, horse trekking, hiking trips, or a visit to the stunning Marble Caves.

El Chaltén – The ride into El Chaltén marks your first dramatic introduction to the Andes – offering some of the most breathtaking views of the whole tour.

Perito Moreno Glacier – Measuring 30 km in length, 5 km across, and up to 170 m thick, this incredible glacier is among the most awe-inspiring on the planet. It’s a true highlight and absolutely worth the visit.

Torres del Paine – Riding the gravel loop through this stunning national park is something else. With world-class views and unforgettable terrain, it’s a day you’ll be talking about for years.

Ushuaia – Welcome to the End of the World. The world’s southernmost city offers plenty to do, and we’ve got a full day here to explore your way – on foot, by boat, or by bike.

Punta Arenas – Our tour finishes in this historic port city. It’s worth staying an extra day to unwind and take a trip to a nearby island, home to an adorable colony of penguins.

Gravel – Love a bit of off-road action? You’ll have loads of optional gravel riding along the way, with just three short sections that are part of the main route. Confident handling on loose terrain will help you get the most out of it.

Hootvox
99.7 % Overall
100 % Would recommend

Speak to a tour specialist to start planning your holiday….

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Tour Map / Itinerary

Full Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival

Pickup your rental bike and enjoy a welcome meal with your fellow riders.

Day 2 125 Miles

An incredible first day traversing the Chilean Fjords by motorcycle and a short ferry. This is your first taste of some of the amazing landscapes to come–think Jurassic Park!

Day 3 220 Miles

We continue along the famous Carretera Austral, with miles of sublime roads and jaw-dropping scenery. Fjords, waterfalls, mountains, and fields of vibrant lupine flowers line the route.

Day 4 110 Miles

We catch the ferry from Puerto Ibáñez, crossing through a lunar-like landscape to Chile Chico, where we’ll enjoy a two-night stay.

Day 5 Explore day

Chile Chico may be small, but there’s no shortage of adventure here! Whether it’s a full-day gravel ride, horse trekking, hiking, or exploring the Marble Caves, there’s something for everyone.

Day 6 260 Miles

A proper overland adventure motorcycling day traveling along the wild stretches of Ruta 40 surrounded by desert, llamas and not much else, as we cross the border from Chile into Argentina.

Day 7 190 Miles

The ride into El Chaltén is a highlight, with your first views of the mighty Andes. The scenery here is simply unforgettable.

Day 8 130 Miles

Plenty of beautiful scenery as we journey from one Argentine gem to the next. Our next stop: the lively town of El Calafate, where we’ll stay for two nights.

Day 9 Explore day

At 30 km long, 5 km wide, and 170 m thick, the Perito Moreno Glacier is a sight to behold—one of the most impressive anywhere. We’ll spend the day exploring one of Argentina’s most beautiful national parks.

Day 10 130 Miles

We cross back into Chile as we ride through the desert and head towards our two-night stop just outside Torres del Paine National Park.

Day 11 120 Miles

Today we’ll ride one of the best gravel routes in the world—through jagged peaks and pristine turquoise lakes. You might even spot wildlife like Andean condors, flamingos, and guanacos along the way.

Day 12 250 Miles

We leave Torres del Paine behind as we ride along the Strait of Magellan. After a ferry crossing, we reach Tierra del Fuego—South America’s southernmost tip. Known for its dramatic landscapes, it marks the start of our journey to The End of the World.

Day 13 260 Miles

We ride south for the last time, crossing back into Argentina to reach Ushuaia—the southernmost city on Earth. We’ll take the beautiful Garibaldi Mountain Pass on the way, where we’ll spend our final two nights.

Day 14 Explore day

A day off in Ushuaia offers plenty of choices: enjoy a gravel ride to taste some of the best king crab around, explore the city on foot, take a boat tour, or visit the iconic Tierra del Fuego sign along an easy gravel road.

Day 15 280 Miles

We ride through Argentina one last time before crossing into Chile again. We'll visit a penguin colony before an 80 km gravel ride along one of the most scenic stretches of coastline you could wish to explore. We’ll spend the night in the charming harbor town of Porvenir.

Day 16 30 Miles

Our final ride takes us to Punta Arenas, where we’ll say goodbye to our bikes and head out for a farewell meal with the group.

Day 17 Departure

Time to head home, but not without a treasure trove of memories from an unforgettable adventure!

What's included
If you select motorcycle rental, insurance is included.
16 nights accommodation in high quality hotels.
Excellent breakfast each morning.
Full use of all hotels’ leisure facilities.
Detailed route plans and maps.
GPS routes (Garmin / Tom Tom).
Detailed daily itinerary including sights and suggested coffee / lunch stops.
What's not
Fuel.
Toll charges.
Admission charges.
Occasional hotel parking charges.
Meals and drinks.
Travel and medical insurance.
Flights.

Full Pricing

Bike Option Single Rider Price
(Total for 1 rider, 1 bike)
Rider & Passenger
(Total for 2 riders, 1 bike)
Two Bikes, Shared Room
(Total for 2 riders, 2 bikes)
Own Bike £12195 £17390 £22990
BMW R1300GS £15345 £20540 £29290
BMW R1250GS £15195 £20390 £28990
BMW F850GS £15045 £20240 £28690
BMW F750GS £14745 £19940 £28090

Rental prices calculated based on 15 rental days (minimum required for this tour). All prices are total.
For this table, the "Two Bikes, Shared Room" prices assume rental of two of the same model, which isn't required and in some cases may not be possible.
All bikes come with luggage included. Top boxes and GPS can be rented, subject to availability, for an additional charge.

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Common questions about this trip

Where should I fly into and out of?

You should book your flight to Puerto Montt (PMC), Chile. This is the nearest major airport to our starting point. Upon arrival, we’ll transfer to Puerto Varas, where you’ll collect your bike and begin your adventure. The tour ends in Punta Arenas (PUQ), Chile. You can fly home from there, but it’s often more cost-effective to take an internal flight back to Puerto Montt and depart from there.

When should I fly in?

Arriving a day or two early gives you time to adjust to the time zone and start the tour feeling refreshed. We can recommend accommodation if you’d like to extend your stay.

Do I need to bring my own motorcycle gear?

Yes, you’ll need to bring your own helmet, jacket, gloves, and riding trousers, as these will be the best fit for you.

Should I bring my own SatNav?

Please bring your own sat nav unit with maps loaded. Alternatively, navigate using your smartphone and any of the available offline apps (all of the bikes have phone mounts). Just make sure to let us know your plans when you book. If you bring your own sat nav, please remember to bring the mount and a cable to connect to a USB socket (all hire bikes have these).

What will the weather be like on this tour?

We’ve chosen the best time to ride in Patagonia, with late summer to early autumn conditions and temperatures typically ranging from 5°C to 22°C. The weather is generally good but can be unpredictable, with a mix of sunshine, cloud cover, and occasional rain. The further south you go, the cooler and windier it can be. It’s best to pack layers to stay comfortable in varying conditions.

Will I find this tour too tiring?

You shouldn’t do no. We design all of our trips to be accessible to riders of all abilities and include ample days off the bike as part of this. These extended trips are no exception; we could easily shorten them by 4 or 5 days, but we opt to add multiple rest days and minimise the use of motorways to ensure you can enjoy the ride and arrive at your hotels in the evening to relax before dinner.

Do I need off-road experience?

Patagonia is an adventurous travel destination, and while we’ve designed this trip to make the vast majority of off-road riding optional, there are a few unavoidable gravel sections. Riders should be comfortable handling a motorcycle in wind and on loose surfaces. If you’re considering this tour, why not join one of our formal off-road training trips in Spain to build confidence on gravel before tackling Patagonia?

More information
For general information on planning and preparing for motorcycle trips including what to pack please see our Prepare for your trip section.
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