Home > Motorcycle Tours > South America Motorcycle Tours > Ruta 40 Tour
Ruta 40 Tour
Argentina and Chile
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A legendary ride through the Andes. Route 40 leads along the Andes from the very north to the very south of Argentina. On this three week tour, we'll be driving from subtropical Salta in northern Argentina, through the desert areas of Catamarca and San Juan, through the wine region of Mendoza and the Mapuche-Indian areas of Neuquén to the paradise lake district of Bariloche, the door to Patagonia.
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Quick links > Tour Details | Photos | Dates | Pricing | Booking
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Experience Argentina like you've never seen it before. From Bariloche, we'll explore the adventurous part of the rough Ruta 40 to reach southern Patagonia with its impressive mountains such as Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre, the famous glacier Perito Moreno, and finally the southernmost city in the world - Ushuaia. This is a long one-way adventure tour crossing half a continent and four climatic zones (subtropical, desert, temperate, and subpolar), so come prepared for all weather! We ride on good tarmac roads and gravel roads with some difficulties such as river crossings, sandy patches, and corrogations.
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Tour Details
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Location:
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Salta to Ushuaia, Argentina and Chile (SLAHO2-1210)
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Terrain:
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Paved, gravel, and occasional dirt roads
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Duration:
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27 days
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Riding days:
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25 days
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Route length:
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Approximately 7,000 km (4,500 miles), 30% gravel roads
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Motorcycles:
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BMW F 650 GS, BMW F 800 GS, BMW R 1200 GS, BMW R 1200 GS Adventure
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Group size:
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4 riders minimum, 10 riders maximum (not including passengers)
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Accommodations:
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Twenty-four nights in 2-4 star hotels or traditional farm houses
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Highlights:
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Moon Valley, Aconcagua, Araucaria forests, Lake District, El Chaltén, Perito Moreno Glacier, Magellan Straight, Fireland, Ushuaia
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Tour Difficulty
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• Ability to ride in all weather conditions - required
• Endurance and ability to ride for long distances - required
• Off-roading experience - required
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Requirements
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• Motorcycles license for riders
• Helmets are required by law
• Come prepared for all weather!
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Included Services
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• Rental motorcycles and fuel
• Trilingual guide (English, Spanish, German)
• Third party insurance and full comprehensive insurance (excess of US$3,000)
• Airport transfer in Salta and Ushuaia
• Accommodations (double rooms) in high quality hotels
• Support vehicle (4x4) and maps
• Lunches, high end dinners
• Soft drinks and water
• Additional transport (taxis, etc) and entry fees
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Not Included
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• International and domestic flights
• Travel insurance
• Health insurance
• Accident insurance
• Individual activities
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Tour Photos 
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• Check out some pictures of our recent tours!
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Tour Dates
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• Season: January, February, March
• Scheduled tours:
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January
14 - February 9, 2012
Sold
out! |
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February
12 - March 11, 2012
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Ushuaia
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Salta |
• Want different tour dates? Contact us with the dates that interest you!
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Tour Pricing
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PER PERSON
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Riding a BMW F 650 GS
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$11,580
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Riding a BMW F 800 GS
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$12,180
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Riding a BMW R 1200 GS
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$12,980
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Riding a BMW R 1200 GS Adventure
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$13,580
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Pillion or passenger
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$6,980
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Single room surcharge*
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$1,600
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* Regular pricing includes double rooms. Per person surcharge required for single room accommodation.
**30% deposit required for reservation. Balance due 6 weeks prior to tour start.
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> Prices quoted in USD. See current currency conversion rate.
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Itinerary
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Day 1: Arrival in Salta
Day 2: Salta to Cafayate - We leave Salta southwards through the fertile Lerma Valley, which narrows into the canyon of the Quebrada de Cafayate. This beautiful canyon is striking for its red sandstone formations, weathered by wind and water to bizarre shapes. Through the sandy planes of the Calchaqui Valley we ride into the town of Cafayate, the wine capital of Salta, where we spend the night. 200 km (124 miles), all tarmac.
Day 3: Cafayate to Belen - We visit the impressive pre Inca ruins of Quilmes, and now on the legendary Ruta 40 we keep heading south on tarmac and gravel roads through the sparsely populated planes of Catamarca to get to the town of Belen. Approximately 240 km (150 miles).
Day 4: Belen to Villa Union - On good tarmac road we’ll reach Chilecito to have lunch and visit the museum before crossing the rocky pass Cuesta de Miranda to stay in the village of Villa Union. Approx. 240 km (150 miles) on tarmac, and 50 km (31 miles) on gravel.
Day 5: Villa Union to Valle Fertil - Today we'll visit the National Park of Talampaya impressing us with it’s spectacular canyon and diverse fauna and flora. We’ll carry on to reach the Nature Park Ischigualasto (Valley of the Moon) with it's naturally carved bizarre rock formations which can be visited on the bikes. Overnight stay in Valle Fertil. Approx. 240 km (150 miles) on asphalt, and 60 km (37 miles) on gravel.
Day 6: Valle Fertil to Mendoza City - On tarmac road through bush land and wine plantations we pass San Juan and drive into Mendoza City, the wine capital of Argentina. Approx. 400 km (250 miles).
Day 7: Mendoza City - Day at leisure to explore the beautiful city and the wineries, or optional ride to the Aconcagua. Approx. 390 km (242 miles).
Day 8: Mendoza City to Malargüe - On our way south on the Ruta 40 along the Andes we'll pass fruit plantations, lakes and the volcano Diamante. Going on a small detour we´ll reach the ski resort of Las Leñas in the heart of the Andes. Overnight stay in pleasant Malargüe. Approx. 440 km (273 miles) .
Day 9: Malargüe to Chos Malal - We'll carry on through basaltic dessert areas into Neuquen and follow a valley high above the river to reach the little village of Chos Malal. Approx. 330 km (205 miles).
Day 10: Chos Malal to Aluminé - We'll enter the volcanic landscapes of Copahue, Caviahue and Pehuenia, with their snow capped volcanoes, and shining lakes seamed by unearthly Araucaria forests, and we'll enjoy the evening of the idyllic shores of lake Aluminé. Approx. 400 km (250 miles).
Day 11: Aluminé to San Martín de los Andes - On the Pehuenia Circle today we´ll enjoy an endless amount of Araucaria trees (similar to Sequoias) and lakes and rivers on our way to San Martín de los Andes. Approx. 280 km (174 miles).
Day 12: San Martín de los Andes to Bariloche - Today we'll enter the lake district of Bariloche on the Road of the Seven Lakes, and reach the beautifully situated capital of northern Patagonia. Approx. 210 km (130 miles).
Day 13: Bariloche - Day at leisure in Bariloche. Optional drive along the southern shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi to Llao Llao. Approx. 80 km (50 miles).
Day 14: Bariloche to Trevelin - The Ruta 40 leads us south to El Bolsón and through the National Park Los Alerces to the Welsh settlement of Trevelin. Approx. 310 km (193 miles).
Day 15: Trevelin to Puyuhuapi - Crossing over to Chile we'll hit the legendary Carretera Austral, which we'll be following the next 3 days. With its very humid climate, this fjord area has lush green vegetation and roaring rivers in a beautiful mountain setting. Overnight stay in the small village of Puyuhuapi. Approx. 250 km (155 miles).
Day 16: Puyuhuapi to Coihayque - Today we'll travel on probably the nicest part of the Carretera Austral to Coihaique and Villa Cerro Castillo. Overnight stay in Coihayque. Approx. 300 km (186 miles).
Day 17: Coihayque to Puerto Rico Tranquilo - The next two days we'll be going round the green shimmering Lake General Carrera having spectacular views of the northern inland icefield. After visiting the impressive waterfall Salto del Ibañez we´ll pass the castle like mountain Cerro Castillo, the Dead Forest Valley and the Villages Bahia Murta to get to Puerto Rio Tranquilo. Approx. 250 km (155 miles).
Day 18: Puerto Rico Tranquilo to Chile Chico - Today we´ll have great views of the northern inland icefield on the far side of Lake General Carrera, and we´ll be driving along the steep cliffs bordering the southern shore of the lake. In the village of Chile Chico we'll cross over into Argentina again. Overnight stay in a Patagonian Estancia in Argentina. Approx. 300 km (186 miles).
Day 19: Chile Chico to an Estancia - We'll reach the Ruta 40 again, which will be a dusty, windy and rough gravel road for the next 300 km, leading through desolate dessert flats. Taking a detour we´ll visit the famous rock painting cave of Cueva de las Manos. Overnight stay in a traditional Estancia. Approx. 380 km (236 miles).
Day 20: Estancia to El Chaltén - Carrying on through the steppes we'll pass lake Cardiel and Lake Viedma to reach El Chaltén, a little Village on the base of the famous granite towers of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre. Approx. 280 km (174 miles).
Day 21: El Chaltén to Calafate - In the morning you can go on the optional hike to the viewpoint of Fitz Roy or Cerro Torre. In the afternoon we´ll go back along Lake Viedma to the Ruta 40 and on the southern shores of shining Lake Argentino we'll reach Calafate. Approx. 220 km (137 miles).
Day 22: Calafate - Visit of the famous Glacier Perito Moreno. Approx. 160 km (100 miles).
Day 23: Calafate to Torres del Paine National Park - Crossing into Chile we'll head a little north to get to the stunning massive of the Torres del Paine National Park. We will visit some parts of the National Park today on the bikes, including the viewpoint of the Cuernos and the waterfall del Paine. Approx. 320 km (199 miles).
Day 24: Torres del Paine National Park to Puerto Natales - In the morning you can go on the optional hike to the viewpoint of the Torre Mountains. In the afternoon we´ll drive south to the village of Puerto Natales. Approx. 120 km (75 miles).
Day 25: Puerto Natales to Punto Arenas - On our way south to Punta Arenas we´ll pass a lagoon with flamingos and will visit the Penguin Colony of Otway. Approx. 320 km (199 miles).
Day 26: Punto Arenas to Ushuaia - On the Ferry over the Strait of Magellan we'll reach Tierra del Fuego, and after a windy ride over the island we'll finally reach our destination, Ushuaia the southernmost city of the World. Approx. 450 km (280 miles).
Day 27: Departure from Ushuaia
Note: We reserve the right to make changes.
 Ready to ride? Book here
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