"It was the trip of a lifetime! I had to pinch myself several times to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. I think the highlight was the Uyuni Salt Flats, surreal landscape. My favorite place we stayed had no electricity or hot water in La Higuera Bolivia but I give it a five star! Just riding through the small villages of Peru and Bolivia was great. Looking forward to another trip."
-That's the Adventure Riding spirit we love and hope to bring out of more Riders! Karl Arceneaux's Andes & Altiplano Guided Group Tour was clearly a success, and a real Adventure Rider understands that sometimes "things don't work" in places like Bolivia. We make the best of each situation, and have fun with the memories on all of these trips. So glad you enjoyed, Karl!
"I simply loved our Bolivia 2016 trip. Bolivia is a very poor country but the people are friendly, the hotels were clean and the food good and very cheap. And, most importantly, the riding was excellent and exactly what we wanted to experience – a technical demanding ride over rough dirt backroads through lots of mountain passes. Cory is very professional and well organized. He soon warmed to our peculiar sense of humor and we really had a good time. I would definitely do this trip again in future."
- Paulo Santana from the British Virgin Islands requested a Private Group Motorcycle Tour of Bolivia, and all indications are that he got what he was hoping for. Thanks, Paulo!
"Bolivia and the route that Cory took us on is really “cool” in terms of an adventure motorcycle outing. It is certainly more technical than what I would imagine many GS1200 destinations are and that alone makes it special for more advanced riding. It is also certainly not a 2 up tour. In fact I found that riding it faster was safer than riding slower, as your concentration levels remain high; but doesn’t give you much sightseeing value, unless you stop. We generally wanted to ride bikes and not look at pretty scenery on a bike, thus it suited us.
Destinations, accommodation, meals and general operations was in my opinion, above average. Motorcycles worked well and all issues we had were dealt with effectively… Obviously a backup vehicle and spare bike is a great bonus. I would highly recommend Cory and this operation in Bolivia to anyone looking for an unforgettable adventure experience."
- Ricky Dos Santos from the British Virgin Islands and some riding buddeies had a Private Group Motorcycle Tour of Bolivia, which as we can see turned out to be a great riding experience!
- Priscilla De Castro from New Jersey commenting on her 30th birthday celebration trip ... a motorcycle rental package in Bolivia! So glad you enjoyed, Priscilla. Nice rest stop photo from the Salar de Uyuni.
- Mary Jo Ford, along with her husband and daughter from California enjoyed a customized version of our Self-Guided "RIDE the 3 Corners" adventure riding package. This photo overlooking the Salar de Uyuni from Fisher Island, what a place to RIDE!
Had an awesome time. Cory's planning was spot on. With the help of Collin I was able to feel relaxed and take on the riding challenges of the day. The magnitude and diversity of riding was fantastic. For experienced riders I would recommend without reservation. I got to appreciate the rural culture, warm personalities and biodiversities of Bolivia.
- Peter Straubhaar from Colorado just finished the Guided Motorcycle Tour "Rugged Adventure - The Essential Bolivia" based on a request to get as far "off the beaten path" as possible. That's exactly what this itinerary was for, so we're glad you found us!
"Eric/Cory/Christine, just to let you know I had an awesome trip, the route is super and the bike was great, absolutely no issues. The weather was also absolutely perfect. I attached some photos, it's hard for me to tell on my phone but I think some of the panos are super cool. Thanks for all your assistance in getting everything set up!!! Everyone should do this trip, it truly did have everything you could want in 9-10 days, really cool scenery and terrain, and enough challenge to keep you on your toes. Thanks again!"
- Photograph and comments by Andrew Birkmire from the U.S. after his riding experience with one of our motorcycle rentals in Bolivia. Andrew was kind enough to share a handful of photos, but we chose this one as it shows some of the raw 'simplicity' of life that we encounter when exploring the most remote areas of this beautiful country in the Andes Mountains!
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive in Cochabamba
Welcome to Cochabamba, Bolivia, your trip has now begun! Per plans previously announced, we'll be picking everyone up from CBB airport and getting everyone to the first hotel included in the package.
Having a chance to meet the other riders and our Staff will help everyone get situated, before we celebrate this adventure ride with an excellent dinner at one of Cochabamba's best restaurants. All the bike fitting and check-in will also take place today, as we've got a big day ahead tomorrow!
Day 2 - Cochabamba to Independencia
Over the Andes mountains we go! Once everyone is settled in and comfortable with their motorcycle of choice, we'll be getting away from the major city of Cochabamba, and immediately out into the backroads of Bolivia.
Amazing views of the remote countryside surround us, and so our adventure begins...
Day 3 - Independencia to Oruro
Riding into the Upper Amazon today, you've hired us to show you the best routes for getting around Bolivia, and this is one of them! Glaciers and Plains are the theme today. A pretty easy-going ride on pavement, with a climb up to the gorgeous ancient glacial fields, then on to the Bolivian Altiplano (high plains) which adds further to the incredible variety and experience of this adventure ride.
While it's technically "winter months" in this part of the world from May through October or so, those are also some of the driest months of the year for motorcycle riding to be enjoyed. "Summertime" is the rainy season.
Day 4 - Oruro to the Uyuni Salt Flats
Another incredible day of adventures begins along the shores of Lake Poopo before checking out pre-Incan tombs and then heading out for a RIDE to the Salt Flats of Uyuni, and some incredible experiences ahead.
Day 5 - Salar de Uyuni to San Juan
Riding the world's largest salt flats is an experience like no other, and you'll have plenty of time to do this today! Visiting the remote spaces of the Uyuni Salt Flats and the few islands out in the middle parts allows for photo opportunities and sensations very unique to this motorcycle trip.
Keep in mind, there are some potholes and similar out there, so while it's tempting to just "grip it and rip it," do so with caution!
Day 6 - San Juan to Villamar
Plenty more semi-maintained dirt roads that expand as far as the eye can see today. Twisting the throttle to climb even further rewards us with a scenic descent through some local villages and facial expressions that might indicate "surprise" by the friendly local people.
An arrival in Villamar after a long day of dirt riding will be quite rewarding!
Day 7 – Villamar to Quetena Chico
The "Salvador Dali Desert" as it's called will be quite a site today, combining rock and natural formations that add to this Desert's name.
Combined with a soak in the hot springs and some more great dirt riding, you'll be passing Laguna Colorado, mud geyers, and pink flamingos indigenous to the Andes Moutains in this area. Talk about a wild combination of sites, all in one small part of the world!
Day 8 – Quetena Chico to San Pablo de Lipez
Ready for some extreme altitude? The Super Volcano of Uturunco and some riding just short of 6,000m is in store for today, but the challenges of getting there over possible river crossings will lead to views that are absolutely worth the climb.
The "climb," afterall, is being done with the simple twist of your wrist! Enjoy your ride, and the climb to the top on this incredible riding day.
Day 9 San Pablo de Lipez to Tupiza
Continuing through a canyon that once hosted a bivouac for the Dakar Rally, the great southwest of Bolivia continues to charm riders with uniqueness. With the name of this tour remaining perfectly appropriate, is there any better way to travel than by motorcycle?
The name of this trip was specifcially chosen, as it keeps us so far away from where the majority of travelers experience Bolivia.
Day 10 - Tupiza to Tarija
An easy and beautiful ride today affords us a little relaxation on pavement before heading back to some typically well-maintained dirt roads that expand as far as the eye can see.
Twisting the throttle to climb even further rewards us with a scenic descent through some local villages and facial expressions that might indicate "surprise" by the friendly local people. Bolivia's winemaking capitol on the border with Argentina will be our finishing point in the Valley of Tarija.
Day 11 – Rest Day in Tarija
Event the best-conditioned riders and athletes need a pure Rest Day from time to time, and so the laid-back and lovely city of Tarija offers a great spot to do so.
With a central plaza featuring nice cafes and restaurants, just take a break, have a glass of wine, enjoy what is probably some good weather, and realize: "I've been riding a motorcycle ... in Bolivia!"
Day 12 – Tarija to Potosi
After all this dirt, trust us, some smooth pavement on countless twists and turns will be apprecaited on the way to the UNESCO World Heritage town of Potosi. Bolivia's highest city, and home to silver mining operations, tours of the mines are available for those who choose to.
Day 13 – Potosi to Sucre
With a relaxed start to the day, the local silver or tin mines are an option to visit, or the National Mint Museum there in town.
Known as the "White City," an arrival in this beautiful downtown area with plenty of Spanish influence still remaining in white plastered architecture, welcome to the Capitol of Bolivia, and an evening out on the town.
Day 14 – Rest Day in Sucre
A city this large with so much cultural, architectural, and cuisine-related pleasures is too much to hurry through, and even the best-conditioned riders need some rest off the bikes. Enjoy Sucre, and your final Rest Day of the trip.
Day 15 – Sucre to Torotoro
While in Sucre, the people and faces change as is with any major city in the world these days. On the way to Torotoro though, you'll be back out in the most remote countryside of Bolivia, where tiny towns passed through will result in the "turning of some heads" as such riders and bikes are quite a rare surprise.
Plenty of altitude changes and great riding once again, all the way to Torotoro for a night to relax.
Day 16 – Torotoro to Cochabamba
"All good things come to an end," but don't let that thought sadden you on this final riding day back to the final destination. Start the day by viewing the incredible dinosaur footprints that Torotoro is famous for, and then ride on actual cobblestone roads, along rivers, and through the canyon on the way up to the Valley of Cochabamba.
Time to celebrate with a final group dinner, as this is one incredible Adventure RIDE you just accomplished!
Day 17 – Departure day, if you must
Riders are welcome to stay and explore Cochabamba further, or we'll be getting you to the airport if you must go. Start organizing all those photos though, and tell your riding friends about what you just did......a full Adventure RIDE through Bolivia!
BMW F700GS (twin cylinder)
X
32.3 in
461.0 lb
4.2 gal
798 cc
BMW F750GS
X
32.1 in
493lb / 223kg
4 gal / 15 L
853 cc
BMW F800GS
X
34.6 in
472.0 lb
4.2 gal
798 cc
BMW F850GS
X
33.9 in
504lb / 229kg
4 gal / 15 L
853 cc
BMW R1200GS - Liquid Cooled
X
33.5.0 in
538 lbs
5.3 gal
1170 cc
BMW R1200GS Adventure (2014+ Liquid Cooled)
X
35.0 in
580 lbs
7.93 gal
1170 cc
BMW R1250GS
X
33.5/34.3 in
549lb/249kg
5.3gal / 20 L
1254 cc
Honda Africa Twin
X
33.5/34.3 in
511 lb
4.96 gal
998 cc
Honda CB500X
Another recent assertion by Honda Motorcycles into the Adventure Riding world, riders seeking a compact-sized adventure bike have been raving about the CB500X. With plenty of power emanating from the parallel-twin engine, and an agile disposition, everything from paved twisties to gravel, dirt, and sand can be conquered with this fun adventuring option.
- Wet Weight - 428lbs
- Seat Height - 31.8 inches
- Fuel Capacity - 4.6 gal
X
31.8 in
428lbs
4.6 gal
471cc Parallel Twin
Triumph Tiger 1200 XCx
- Wet weight - 570 lbs. (259 kg)
- Seat height - 32.9 or 33.7" (837 or 857 mm)
- Fuel Capacity - 5.2 gal (20 Liters)
- Displacement - 1215cc's
X
32.8 to 33.6 in
572 lb
5.2 gal
1215 cc