Photo: Juan Pablo Mascanfroni ↗THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL
Two weeks at the end of the continent.
South from Puerto Montt along the Carretera Austral, Ruta 7: ferries across fjords, the Queulat hanging glacier, the marble caves of Lago General Carrera, gravel all the way to Villa O’Higgins. Then across the border into Argentina and north on Ruta 40 through El Chaltén and the steppe to Bariloche. Wind, distances and an almost total absence of services make this a serious adventure-bike expedition.
- The Comau fjord ferry and Pumalín park
- The Queulat hanging glacier and Cerro Castillo
- The marble caves of Lago General Carrera
- Fitz Roy above El Chaltén and the wind of Ruta 40
With old friends or new ones
Join a group or arrange a separate departure for your own team. Before travelling, we get to know each other, discuss everyone's experience and find suitable dates. You can also prepare together.
DAY BY DAY
Your daily itinerary.
A provisional itinerary. Weather, group readiness and local conditions may change the order and length of the stages.
- DAY 1 · 50 km, preparation
Puerto Montt, bikes and briefing
We meet in Puerto Montt, collect the bikes and fit guards and luggage. An evening briefing on ferries and fuel stops, which on Ruta 7 can be more than 200 km apart. A 50 km shakedown ride to Puerto Varas.
Overnight: Hotel in Puerto Montt - DAY 2 · 210 km, three ferries
Three ferries to Chaitén
The start of the Carretera Austral: the La Arena — Puelche, Hornopirén — Leptepu and Fiordo Largo — Caleta Gonzalo ferries through the Comau fjord, then Pumalín park gravel to Chaitén beneath its volcano. About 210 km in the saddle and five hours on the water.
Overnight: Hostería in Chaitén - DAY 3 · 160 km, gravel
Futaleufú and Lago Yelcho
Along Lago Yelcho and the gravel spur east to Futaleufú, the turquoise river right on the border. Night in the rafting village. About 160 km.
Overnight: Lodge in Futaleufú - DAY 4 · 230 km, the fjord
La Junta and Puyuhuapi
Back onto Ruta 7, through Villa Santa Lucía and La Junta to the Puyuhuapi fjord, where German settlers founded the village in 1935. Hot springs in the evening. About 230 km, half of it gravel.
Overnight: Lodge in Puyuhuapi - DAY 5 · 230 km, the Queulat glacier
Queulat and Coyhaique
The viewpoint on the Queulat hanging glacier, then the Cuesta Queulat switchbacks at 500 m and tarmac via Mañihuales into Coyhaique, capital of the Aysén region. About 230 km.
Overnight: Hotel in Coyhaique - DAY 6 · 220 km, pass at 1,120 m
Cerro Castillo and the marble caves
The Ibáñez pass at 1,120 m beneath the spires of Cerro Castillo, then gravel along Lago General Carrera, the second-largest lake in South America, to Puerto Río Tranquilo. A boat to the marble caves in the evening. About 220 km.
Overnight: Hostería in Puerto Río Tranquilo - DAY 7 · 200 km, the Baker river
The Baker confluence and Cochrane
Gravel above Lago Bertrand to the confluence of the Baker and Neff rivers, Chile’s most powerful flow, then Cochrane and, time permitting, on south to stilt-built Tortel. About 200 km.
Overnight: Hostería in Cochrane - DAY 8 · 280 km, border and steppe
Paso Roballos and Ruta 40
Through Patagonia park and over Paso Roballos at 700 m into Argentina: a gravel border crossing, steppe and the first kilometres of Ruta 40 south to Bajo Caracoles. Fuel only near the border, wind from the west. About 280 km.
Overnight: Hotel in Bajo Caracoles - DAY 9 · 340 km, the wind of Ruta 40
Ruta 40 to El Chaltén
Ruta 40 tarmac via Gobernador Gregores, the turn onto Ruta 23 and Lago Viedma, with Fitz Roy rising ahead. The windiest day of the tour. About 340 km.
Overnight: Hotel in El Chaltén - DAY 10 · Hike 20 km, 750 m of ascent
A day off the bike: Laguna de los Tres
A hike to Laguna de los Tres beneath Fitz Roy at 3,405 m: 20 km with 750 m of ascent, about 8 hours. For those who prefer to stay on wheels, a short gravel ride to Lago del Desierto.
Overnight: Hotel in El Chaltén - DAY 11 · 350 km, steppe
North again to Perito Moreno
A long haul north on Ruta 40 via Tres Lagos and Bajo Caracoles to the town of Perito Moreno. A refuel from the support truck’s jerry cans halfway. About 350 km and an early start.
Overnight: Hotel in Perito Moreno - DAY 12 · 330 km, tarmac
Río Mayo and Esquel
Ruta 40 continues via Río Mayo and Gobernador Costa to the Andean foothills at Esquel; in the evening the old steam train La Trochita. About 330 km of tarmac with a crosswind.
Overnight: Hotel in Esquel - DAY 13 · 300 km, bikes returned
The lakes road and Bariloche
Los Alerces national park, El Bolsón and Ruta 40 along the lakes into San Carlos de Bariloche. Bikes returned and a farewell dinner by Lago Nahuel Huapi. About 300 km.
Overnight: Hotel in Bariloche - DAY 14 · Departure
Departure from Bariloche
Breakfast and a transfer to Bariloche airport, with flights to Buenos Aires and Santiago.
Overnight: —
Included in the estimated price
BMW F 850 GS or Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin hire on off-road tyres
13 nights in lodges, hotels and hosterías with breakfast
A 4x4 support truck with spares, tyres and luggage
All Carretera Austral ferries
Vehicle border paperwork and the Argentine entry permit
Lead rider and a local mechanic
Dinners wherever there are no restaurants
Not included in the price
Flights to the meeting point
Personal travel insurance and visas
Personal equipment
Single-room supplements and personal expenses
Fuel (around 300 euros for the tour)
Lunches and dinners in towns
Return flight Bariloche — Puerto Montt or Santiago
Bike damage beyond the excess
YOUR PREPARATION
Arrive ready for the route.
A category A licence, 20,000 km of experience and confident standing riding on gravel; an off-road course is mandatory. Ivan runs a preparatory dirt ride and teaches handling crosswinds and loose gravel at speed.
Prepare with IvanROUTE QUESTIONS
BEFORE WE MEET ON THE TRAIL
What to prepare in advance
- Full riding kit: helmet, protection, gloves and boots
- Rain gear and waterproof covers
- Documents and insurance for your chosen riding format
- Compact soft luggage without unnecessary weight
Once we choose a date, we agree on the equipment list, meeting point and transfer time. Please wait until the programme is confirmed before booking flights.