Description
This 2 week motorbike adventure trip will take you to the scenic Andes of northern Argentina, northern Chile and southwest Bolivia. It is packed with highlights: be dazzled by the infinite whiteness of the salt lakes, gaze up in awe at gigantic volcanoes, be amazed by the power of geysers, explore ancient Indian ruins, remote Andean villages and a whole lot more! Get to know La Paz and Lake Titicaca with its picturesque island Isla del Sol.
Total distance about 4000 km, approx 30% gravel roads
Inclusions
- Motorbike rental
- Third party insurance
- Trilingual guide (English, Spanish, German)
- Petrol for the whole trip
- 4x4 Support vehicle
- Maps
- Accommodation on the tour in *** and **** hotels and comfortable guesthouses with breakfast
- Dinner
- Baggage storage
- Airport transfers in Salta.
What to Bring
Helmet, jacket, gloves, boots, bike-trousers, sunscreen, lip protection, hat.
Day 1
The tour first takes us on a twisting tarmac road through densely wooded hills to Jujuy. Here we enter the picturesque Quebrada de Humahuaca canyon, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003 for its unique landscapes and culture. In Tilcara we visit the important ruins of the Pre-Inca fort Pucará de Tilcara.
Day 2
We carry on following the Humahuaca Valley passing the town of Humahuaca. We then will ascent to the planes of the Puna, passing the village of Abra Pampa and heading to the border to cross into Bolivia, where the gravel road leads us down into the fertile valleys surrounding the town of Tupiza.
Day 3
We snake through the Andes on winding gravel tracks to reach the high planes of the Altiplano. Despite the exhausting riding, the high peaks and the gorgeous valleys are enjoyable.
We stay over night in a Hotel in Uyuni, the town next to the huge Salar de Uyuni.
Day 4
Today is the big salt-lake experience, as we drive across the seemingly endless Salar de Uyuni. Be dazzled by the unearthly lights and bizarre salt formations, and enjoy the easy ride on the almost endless plains of this white sea of salt! Take a break on the Isla del Pescador, a rocky island overgrown with cactuses which rises from the middle of the massive whiteness.
Day 5+6
Over the plains and through colourful mountains the road leads us to Potosí, a mining town famous throughout Spanish colonial times, for its legendary mountain Cerro Rico "The Rich Mountain".
The next day is at your disposal - you can visit the mines of legendary Cerro Rico, the historic town and the money museum.
Day 7+8
The ride takes us on a twisting tarmac road through the mountains around Potosí again into the high planes, and along the lake Poopó. We pass the the town Oruro and reach La Paz, the capital of Bolivia.
You have the next day at your disposal to visit the colourful markets and other interesting sites in La Paz, one of the highest cities in the world, at 3800m altitude.
Day 9
On our way to Lake Titicaca we stop at the ruins of Tiahuanaco, one of the best preserved Pre-Inca ruins. After visiting the ruins we carry on to the town of Copacabana on the shores of Lago Titicaca.
Day 10
The bikes stay in Copacabana and we set off for the beautiful island Isla del Sol, for a short hike. In the afternoon we sail back to Copacabana.
Day 11
Leaving the scenic Lake Titicaca, we pass La Paz and go on to Sajama, a small village on the foot of towering volcano Sajama, the highest mountain of Bolivia. We stay overnight in simple accommodation.
Day 12
We cross the border into Chile and reach sea level at Arica after being higher than 4000 m above sea level most of the time. We go on for a swim in the beach town Iquique.
Day 13
Day at leasure to enjoy the beaches and the cozy city of Iquique.
Day 14
We drive south on the twisting coastal road to Tocopilla where we start to ascent into the Andes again. Passing Calama and the worlds biggest open copper mine, we reach San Pedro de Atacama, an oasis in the middle of the driest dessert of the world - and outpost of civilization - shadowed by the 5930m high volcano Lincancabur.
Day 15
You have the day at your disposal to enjoy strolling around the lovely town or to visit the anthropological museum, the 16th century church, the nearby ruins "Pucará de Quitor" or to go for a ride to watch the sunset in the "Valley of the Moon" (Valle de la Luna).
Day 16
Passing the mighty volcano Lincancabur we go up over 4000m crossing the Atacama dessert to the Jama Pass where we cross into Argentina again. We stay overnight in a cosy hotel near the village of Susques.
Day 17
On small gravel roads we pass the volcano Olcapato and reach the viaduct La Polvorilla, a 64m high and 224m long railway bridge at 4200m altitude. It is the highest bridge of the famous train to the clouds (Trena a las Nubes)
From San Antonio de los Cobres the road takes us through the colourful valley Quebrada del Toro. We reach Salta and have a traditional barbecue as guests of Horizonte-Tours.