Prudhoe-Bay-to-Ushuaia

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OVERVIEW

Prudhoe Bay to Ushuaia and Antarctica – an Ayres Adventures Epic Journey! This fully-supported expedition through the North and South American Continents begins in Fairbanks, Alaska on August 5 and ends in Ushuaia on December 12, 2015. This 130-day Epic Journey entails riding more than 21,000 miles (34,000 kilometers).

In addition to the information on this page, we have a special page for FAQs (frequently asked questions) about the Prudhoe Bay to Ushuaia and Antarctica Adventure.

We have created a special email distribution list for those who are interested in this Adventure. Additional information will be published on this page, but further details for riders who have either booked this Adventure, or who intend to do so, will be sent to the email list. Send an email to Alaska to Antarctica if you would like to be included.

Features of this Epic Journey include:

  • Ride the Dalton Highway from Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay, 250 miles north of the Arctic Circle.
  • Ride one of Alaska’s most stunning highways – the “Top of the World Highway” leading into Canada’s Yukon Territory and the historic Klondike town of Dawson.
  • In Whitehorse, admittance to the Frantic Follies – a popular vaudeville revue which depicts the entertainment seen by the pioneers of the Great Klondike Gold Rush of 1898.
  • The “Signpost Forest” at Watson Lake, Yukon Territory
  • Canada’s Banff National Park and Jasper National Park, including Lake Louise and the Icefields Parkway – considered one of the most scenic motorcycling roads in North America.
  • The Cassier Highway through British Columbia’s Coast Mountains – the most scenic route between Alaska and British Columbia.
  • The Glacier Highway, Bear Glacier and the Bear Viewing station at Fish Creek at Hyder, Alaska.
  • Ride through The Misty Fjord National Monument to view the Salmon Glacier – the 5th largest glacier in North America
  • The Pacific Coast Highway, Highway 101, and the “Avenue of the Giants”, where you’ll weave your way through California’s famous giant redwood trees.
  • One of America’s most popular and beautiful cities – San Francisco – with a continuation down the Pacific Coast Highway through Big Sur.
  • Death Valley National Park and a stay in historic Furnace Creek.
  • Las Vegas, Nevada including a spectacular show on the Las Vegas Strip.
  • Historic Route 66 on the way to the Grand Canyon, with an optional helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon.
  • Historic American Western towns including Tucson and Tombstone, Arizona.
  • Ride to Botopilas at the bottom of Mexico’s Copper Canyon.
  • Enjoy the historic and charming Mexican towns of San Luis Potosi, Guadalajara, and Mexico City
  • Visit Guatemala’s Tikal National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site which was the capital of one of the most powerful kingdoms of the ancient Maya.
  • In South America, ride the stunning scenic mountains in Colombia and Ecuador before climbing into the Andes to visit the ancient city of Machu Picchu.
  • Stay on the shores of the world’s highest navigable lake and visit the floating islands of the Uros people on Lake Titicaca.
  • In Chile, ride the Pan American Highway along the shores of the Pacific Ocean and stay at the popular Chilean seaside resorts of Arica, Iquique, and Bahía Inglesa.
  • Ride the Atacama Desert (the driest desert on earth) and stay in the famous resort of San Pedro de Atacama.
  • Stay in the secluded valley of Pisco Elqui, home of the famous Chilean poet Gabriel Mistral.
  • Cross one of the highest, most dramatic and stunning passes in the Andes Mountains – Agua Negra (more than 15,500 feet) on the way to San Juan, Argentina.
  • Spend a few nights in the famous Argentina wine area of Mendoza on the way to one of South America’s most exciting attractions – Iguassu Falls, Brazil.
  • At Iguassu Falls, participate in a jungle “safari” and a powerboat ride to the base of the falls and take the catwalks to the heart of the falls at “Devil’s Throat”.
  • Ride Brazil’s lovely “Romantic Route” on the way to the “Brazilian Alps” at Serro do Rio do Rastro.
  • Travel along the South Atlantic coast of Uruguay and stay at one of the world’s most popular beach resorts – Punta del Este
  • Enjoy an exciting tango show and dinner at a popular night club in Buenos Aires – “The Paris of South America”
  • Experience the wildlife on Argentina’s Valdes Peninsula as you ride down the east coast of Argentina and enter Patagonia.
  • Visit El Calafate and enjoy a cruise at the face of the Perito Moreno Glacier.
  • Spend a few nights on our charming lodge on an island on Lago Pehoe in Torres del Paine National Park – the most popular National Park in South America.
  • Cross the Straits of Magellan and ride onto the island of Tierra del Fuego. Ride to Ushuaia and visit Tierra del Fuego National Park.
  • For the “Grand Finale” of this incredible Epic Adventure, board a luxury expedition cruise ship for a cruise to the Antarctic Peninsula.

This is only a partial list of highlights that riders can expect from this Epic Journey.

Itinerary Summary

Ayres Adventures will provide sufficient experienced staff and support needed to operate this Adventure as a premium-level travel experience. A support vehicle will be used to carry rider luggage; only personal items (cameras, water, snacks, rain gear, etc.) must be carried on the motorcycle.

The number of staff and support vehicles used will depend on the number of riders who book the trip. We are planning for a maximum of 14 motorcycles, in which case one support vehicle will be used. The leadership team will include a support vehicle driver and two tour leaders riding motorcycles.

Except for a few countries in Central America and a very small portion of South America, the areas comprising this Adventure have been offered in conjunction with the Premium-level tours operated by Ayres Adventures for more than ten years. Appropriate scouting of these few areas which have not been incorporated into our tours will be done during 2014 and early 2015.

In addition to the tour cost (see below) each rider is required to provide their own motorcycle and is responsible for the cost of shipment to having the motorcycle in Fairbanks for the start of the tour. The participant is also responsible for the shipment of the motorcycle from Ushuaia at the end of the trip. Ayres Adventures will assist in making shipping arrangements, but all costs associated with shipping are the responsibility of the rider.

Accommodations and meals will generally be the best available. This will vary from the equivalent of 4 and 5-star lodges and hotels in major cities, to more basic accommodations in remote areas.

After deposits have been accepted, registrants will be invited to subscribe to a special forum to communicate with each other prior to the tour. During the trip, we will use SPOT tracking devices to map our progress, and we will maintain a LiveJournal with weekly updates. Subscribers to our email list will be notified as additional material is posted.
Price per rider: $65,000
Price per co-rider or support vehicle passenger: $60,000
Deposit Requirements: $3,500 per person (deposits are not requested until July, 2014)
Single Room Supplement: $9,750
Final payment due: April 15, 2015

It is also possible to book Chapter I (Prudhoe Bay to Tucson), Chapter II (Tucson to Panama) or Chapter III (Colombia to Antarctica). Contact us for details.

Bookings are being accepted now and may be made over our website. If you wish to book, do not provide a deposit at this time, but indicate on the booking form that you will make a deposit later. Unless you have traveled with us before, we may arrange a telephone interview to insure that candidates have sufficient experience and are otherwise qualified to undertake this Adventure.

The deposit is non-refundable. We suggest that you procure trip cancellation/interruption protection before you place a deposit. Most travel insurance companies will not sell trip cancellation and interruption insurance after any payment for the trip has been made.

If you cancel after the final payment amount has been paid, you will receive a 50% refund if the cancellation is made more than 60 days before the scheduled start of the trip. If you cancel less than 60 days before the scheduled start of the trip, no refund will be made.

What is Included?

 
The following items are included in the tour price:

  • All accommodations on a double occupancy basis. Participants may request a private room by paying a single room supplement. Lodging will vary from very basic “best available” to 4-5-star facilities, with an emphasis on premium-level accommodations wherever available.  
  • Airport transfers. Our local support staff will meet your arrival flight in Fairbanks and will accompany you to the hotel. In Ushuaia, we will provide the airport transfer to the departure airport.
  • All breakfasts, most dinners, and some lunches. Dinners will be included except for some two or three-night stops in the same location, in which case participants will be responsible for their own dinners. Special events, cookouts and picnics will occasionally be provided.
  • Support vehicle(s) for transporting luggage (two reasonably-sized pieces of luggage per participant).
  • A trailer for transporting a motorcycle that has experienced a mechanical problem or in the event that a rider is injured or otherwise unable to ride.
  • A spare motorcycle will be provided for temporary use in the event of a mechanical problem. The participant will be responsible for the cost of operating the spare motorcycle.
  • A team of tour leaders, both on motorcycles and driving the support vehicles.
  • All park entry fees, event fees, and ferries along the designated itinerary. This includes numerous off-bike activities and use of local guides as needed.
  • Air transport to transport your motorcycle from Panama to Colombia
  • Border crossing fees.
  • GPS routes and waypoints suitable for use with a Garmin GPS receiver.
  • The Plan Ahead – a trip booklet providing detailed daily ride information and other information about the trip.
  • Scheduled stops are planned to allow for motorcycle service and tire changes. We will insure that sufficient new tires are available for the motorcycles, but the cost of tires and service is not included.

What is not Included?

 
Anything not specifically identified as included in the price is not included. Major cost items not included in the price of the trip include:

  • Personal motorcycle. Each rider is responsible for providing a “GS-style” motorcycle suitable for highway travel as well as off-road travel. The motorcycle must be fitted with spoked wheels. Ayres Adventures reserves the right to approve the model of motorcycle that will be used, and recommends the BMW GS line of motorcycles.
  • Travel and medical evacuation insurance. Registrants are required to secure medical evacuation insurance. We will recommend appropriate insurance, but the cost is not included in the price of the tour.
  • Tips for local tour guides and drivers.   If you feel that you have received outstanding service, you may express your gratitude with an optional tip. Our staff will offer guidelines on what is appropriate.
  • Visa application fees.
  • Airfare or other transportation costs to Alaska or from Ushuaia.
  • Motorcycle shipping cost and all licensing and insurance costs.
  • Motorcycle fuel.
  • Lunches, except for those included as part of a featured activity.
  • Entrance fees for museums and other attractions not specifically identified in The Plan Ahead as an included item.
  • Bike servicing, repairs, tire changes, and other motorcycle expenses.