Antarctica Adventure

RIDE TO USHUAIA – THEN CRUISE TO ANTARCTICA

Our Antarctica Adventure combines a 14-day motorcycling odyssey through Chile and Argentina with a 10-day voyage to the Antarctic Peninsula aboard a luxury expedition cruise ship. The motorcycling portion of the tour takes us through Patagonia to Ushuaia, a bucket list destination for most riders, and the embarkation point for the cruise.

Most of the route is paved, with only about a 200-mile stretch that consists of well-maintained hard-packed gravel. Although the route is highly suitable for two-up riding, non-riding companions are more than welcome to ride in our comfortable support vehicle. Alternatively, a non-riding companion could elect to fly directly to Ushuaia to join the group for the cruise portion.

During the 600-mile cruise to the Antarctica Peninsula, we will spot occasional whales and seabirds and pass by breathtaking panoramas of icebergs, blue glaciers and snow-capped peaks. Once at the Peninsula, we will use a fleet of Zodiacs to make daily beach landings to walk among the penguins and sea lions and to visit places of historic interest.

(This Adventure does not include the opportunity to ride a motorcycle in Antarctica).

Highlights of this Adventure include:

• Puerto Varas, the “City of Roses,” known for its distinctive German-inspired architecture and breathtaking views of the towering Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes overlooking the lake
• A two-night stay in the scenic region of Bariloche, Argentina, with the option to take a loop ride to explore the surrounding area of lakes and volcanoes
• The historic town of Puerto San Julian, where Magellan and his crew spent the winter in the town’s harbor in 1520
• El Calafate, including a boat cruise for an up-close look at the famous Perito Moreno Glacier
• Puerto Natales, situated on the border of the Torres del Paine National Park, known as one of the most stunning national parks in South America
• A ferry ride across the Straits of Magellan to the island of Tierra del Fuego
• Ushuaia! The world’s southernmost city and bucket list destination for many motorcycle adventure enthusiasts
  Tierra del Fuego National Park.
• ANTARCTICA! – A cruise to the Antarctic Peninsula
• Daily excursions onto Antarctica via Zodiac boats to explore glaciers, visit research stations and view wildlife on the land and in the water

AT A GLANCE YOUR ANTARCTICA ADVENTURE

DAY 1 – ARRIVAL IN PUERTO VARAS, CHILE

Welcome to Puerto Varas, Chile!

The tour leaders will organize your transfer from El Tepual, Puerto Montt’s airport, to the hotel in Puerto Varas. If you arrive early, you’ll have the opportunity to explore this wonderful city situated on the banks of Lake Llanquihue.

In the late afternoon we will meet for the motorcycle handover followed by a brief kickoff meeting. After that, we will head to a nearby local restaurant to enjoy our first dinner together.

DAY 2 – PUERTO VARAS TO BARILOCHE ~190 MILES

A very scenic first day’s ride will be along the eastern shore of Lago Llanquihue and three other lakes. These beautiful lakes and surrounding volcanoes are characteristic of this region. As we make our way towards the Argentinean border, we will pass through Puyehue National Park. Once we enter Argentina, we’ll travel along the famous Ruta 40 and ride along the banks of Lake Nahuel Huapi until we reach the wonderful town of San Carlos de Bariloche. We’ll spend two nights here and enjoy the numerous attractions of this breathtaking part of the world.

DAY 3 – FREE DAY IN BARILOCHE, ~ 80 MILES

The tour leaders will lead an optional ride on the “Seven Lakes Road’ in Nahuel Huapi National Park, with its incredible views of forests and lakes. This is an unforgettable ride!

For those who prefer to remain in town, Bariloche has a lot to offer, including boutique shops, restaurants, and bars. With Bariloche being known for its chocolate, it’s an absolute must to visit one of the city’s many well-known chocolate shops.

DAY 4 – BARILOCHE TO ESQUEL, ~210 MILES

Today’s ride will take us through the famous “Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid” region. As we make our way towards Esquel, which is situated in the Andes foothills, we’ll travel along serene country roads surrounded by mountains. Compared to Bariloche, Esquel is a more tranquil and relaxed area.

DAY 5 – ESQUEL TO COMODORO RIVADAVIA, ~360 MILES

From Esquel, we will follow the infamous Ruta 40 for about two-thirds of the day’s distance before splitting off onto Route 26. Although desolate, the ride through this region of Patagonia is strikingly beautiful and features several interesting stops along the way. We will spend the night in Comodoro Rivadavia, which is the largest city located south of the 45th parallel.

DAY 6 – COMODORO RIVADAVIA TO PUERTO SAN JULIAN, ~265 MILES

It’s a beautiful ride along the coast south of Comodoro Rivadavia, with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean to your left. At this point, we’ll likely begin to experience the strong Patagonian winds. Puerto San Julian, a quaint fishing village, is known for the many famous explorers who have spent time in this area. Ferdinand Magellan spent the winter here in 1520, while Sir Francis Drake and Charles Darwin also spent time in the area. Additionally, the harbor features a replica of one of Magellan’s ships.

DAY 7 – PUERTO SAN JULIAN TO EL CALAFATE, ~370 MILES

We’ll leave the Atlantic coast behind as we head inland to El Calafate, a charming little town with numerous shops, cafés, and restaurants. Our hotel is only a few blocks from downtown and we’ll arrive early enough to explore our surroundings. By the time we reach El Calafate, you will have enjoyed many fine dining experiences but you should get ready to experience one of the trip’s culinary highlights. We have a very special restaurant planned for dining this evening.

DAY 8 – FREE DAY IN EL CALAFATE, ~60 MILES

We’ll have a free day to explore El Calafate and visit one of South America’s most popular attractions, the Perito Moreno Glacier, which is just an hour’s ride from El Calafate. We’ll ride our bikes to Los Glaciares National Park, where we’ll embark on a cruise along the face of the glacier. There is no better way to witness the glacier calving and observe huge chunks of ice fall into the lake below!

DAY 9 – EL CALAFATE TO PUERTO NATALES, CHILE, ~235 MILES

We will be crossing the border back into Chile today where we’ll visit Torres del Paine, one of the most popular National Parks in South America. Get ready to be amazed by the stunning views of the mountains and glacier lakes with guanacos dotting the grasslands.

DAY 10 – FREE DAY PUERTO NATALES

The park offers spectacular riding in every direction, with shimmering lakes around every corner, so be sure to take your camera and be prepared for a relaxing ride through stunning scenery. Alternatively, you can spend a leisurely day at the hotel, enjoying the breathtaking views of the mountains and glacier-fed lakes.

DAY 11 – PUERTO NATALES TO PUNTA ARENAS ~ 240 MILES

We’ll have another enjoyable day of riding through Patagonia, heading towards Punta Arenas, the largest city south of the 46th parallel. Along the way, we’ll stop for a photo opportunity at the “Monument to the Wind.” Created in 2000 by Chilean sculptor Alejandra Ruddoff, this monument serves as a tribute to the strong Patagonian winds that are prevalent in this region.

DAY 12 – PUNTA ARENAS TO RIO GRANDE ~ 165 MILES

We’ll ride along the Straits of Magellan to Punta Delgada, where we’ll board a ferry for a 20-minute ride across the straits, and onto the island of Tierra del Fuego. Once we are on the island, the gravel roads will transition to pavement as we re-enter Argentina. Our destination is Rio Grande, where our hotel offers the conveniences we need for a pleasant stay.

DAY 13 – RIO GRANDE TO USHUAIA ~ 125 MILES

It’s a short ride from Rio Grande to Ushuaia allowing for a leisurely departure and plenty of time along the way to capture photos of the scenic route. We will arrive in Ushuaia early enough to do some last-minute souvenir shopping and to explore this fascinating “southernmost city in the world”. We will also have the opportunity to ride to Tierra del Fuego National Park to capture a memorable photo at the iconic sign.

DAY 14 – EMBARK FOR ANTARCTICA

As we board the ship in the afternoon, we will be greeted by the expedition team and the ships officers. After a safety and orientation briefing, we will attend the Captain’s welcome dinner. As we embark on our early evening sail down the Beagle Channel, we will likely spot Magellanic Penguins, Rock Cormorants and Sea Lions.

DAYS 15 & 16 – DRAKE PASSAGE SOUTHBOUND

As we sail south, we will have the opportunity to spot the Albatrosses, Prions, and Petreis that frequently trail the ship. We will also be on the lookout for whales and dolphins. Our expedition team will provide informative and entertaining lectures on the wildlife, history and geology of Antarctica. They will also provide important briefings on expedition safety and environmental regulations If sea conditions cooperate, we anticipate reaching the South Shetland Islands of the Antarctic Peninsula by the third day of our cruise.

DAYS 17 – 20 – CRUISING IN ANTARCTICA

Welcome to the land of superlatives, Antarctica! Our expedition leader and the Captain will develop an itinerary that is subject to change based on weather and ice conditions. Our route will showcase the most scenic bays and channels of the Antarctic Peninsula with stops at penguin colonies, seal harems, bird colonies, and whale feeding areas. Along the way, we will also explore sites of historical and scientific significance. The trip may include the picturesque Neko Harbor, the sheltered Paradise Harbor, the Wilhelmina Bay frequented by Humpback Whales, the awe-inspiring Lemaire Channel, the wildlife filled Penola Channel, or possibly the majestic Neumayer Channel. Our journey may include stops at active scientific bases such as Poland’s Arctowksi or Ukraine’s Vernadskiy, as well as historic bases like the U.K.’s Port Lockroy and Wordie House. There will be sightings of Adelie, Chinstrap, and Gentoo Penguins, while Weddell, Crabeater, and Elephant Seals lounge on the shores. Keep a lookout for the formidable Leopard Seals and the aggressive Antarctic Fur Seal. Spotting of Minke and Humpback Whales is a possibility while sightings of Orca whales is quite common.

DAYS 21 – 22 – DRAKE PASSAGE NORTHBOUND

As we sail back to Ushuaia, we will continue our lecture series and wildlife spotting, allowing us to reflect on the exquisite beauty of Antarctica and its fragile future. We will arrive in Ushuaia early on the final day.

DAY 23: DISEMBARK IN USHUAIA

Upon disembarking from the ship in the morning, the tour leaders will arrange a transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Total ~2,600 miles