(Enjoy an inside look at some travel notes from my first research mission about motorcycle tours in Patagonia, going back to early 2010.)
Here's some notes about what it's like to start in Santiago, Chile and ride through Patagonia to Ushuaia, Argentina which is commonly referred to as "The End of the World." This area, along with many other places in South America were the source of inspiration to start the company RIDE Adventures. More people need to see Patagonia, and motorcycles are the perfect way to do that.
(Above, just a typical crisp and clean bit of road-side scenery. -- Below, looking up at Argentina's famous Llao Llao Resort and Hotel near the famous ski-resort town of Bariloche.)
(Above, a shot across the Gulf of Corcovado at the tip of the Corcovado Volcano. This was mentioned numerous times in the documentary "180 Degrees South.")
Everywhere you look, beautiful rivers, rock formations, mosses, colors....and very, VERY few signs, cars, or anything reminding you of the normal world so many of us live in. The famous Carretera Austral (Highway to the South) is a ride you simply have to make at some point in life! No iPod is needed, the music will automatically play in your heart and mind as you enjoy some of the most precious nature on the planet.
(Above: What a setting to build your house in! Not a neighbor around for miles, but near Futaleufu, Chile. -- Below: The Nalca plants are a form of rhubarb, and one of the smaller plants is shown below. They can grow to 9 feet in diameter!)
For much of the journey, there's really only 1 reasonable option for a route from point A to point B. But what do you find when you go out of the way, and take the not-so-obvious routes? Some of the most stunning and precious areas of the world...
(The water in the area is so blue because it's all glacier-fed lakes and rivers. The glaciers shave particles of rock off the mountains, and those particles in the water give the blue reflection with sunlight. Breathtaking! There are portions of this ride where you'll want to stop, take a few pictures, and put the camera away. Then drive 30 seconds more, stop, take the camera out again..and take more pictures....and repeat this whole thing 4 or 5 times over the span of 1 mile.)
(Below......just to help us get our bearing straight : )
Above: the famous Mt. Fitz Roy peaks, quite impressive. -- Below: the famous Perito Moreno Glacier, just west of El Calafate in Argentina. WOW.....this is a site to see in person! It's one of 3 glaciers in the world that is still growing, for reasons scientists can't clearly explain. About a half-mile wide here at the water, look closely at the tiny people you see on the walkway in front of the 60 yard tall glacier before them. Gazing out over the glacier, about every 30 seconds or so, you'll hear what sounds like a deep thunder. It's actually the ice constantly cracking and shifting, which leads to amazing break-offs of ice splashing down into the water.
What does it mean when you see the sign above? It means "get ready," cause the sign below is VERY appropriate.
So as I said, Tierra del Fuego really isn't much to look at. The landscape sure does improve quite a bit about the time you reach this sign above, as you've been counting down the kilometers of the ride. And then eventually, absolutely exhausted from all the wind and bad weather, you arrive at this sign.......at the END OF THE WORLD!
Above: the famous Mt. Fitz Roy peaks, quite impressive. -- Below: the famous Perito Moreno Glacier, just west of El Calafate in Argentina. WOW.....this is a site to see in person! It's one of 3 glaciers in the world that is still growing, for reasons scientists can't clearly explain. About a half-mile wide here at the water, look closely at the tiny people you see on the walkway in front of the 60 yard tall glacier before them. Gazing out over the glacier, about every 30 seconds or so, you'll hear what sounds like a deep thunder. It's actually the ice constantly cracking and shifting, which leads to amazing break-offs of ice splashing down into the water.
The famous peaks & horns of Torres del Paine are great in pictures, but in person its so much better. This actually is not the "Torres" (Towers), but instead Los Cuernos (The Horns) found just on the other side. Truly a unique mountain formation.
What does it mean when you see the sign above? It means "get ready," cause the sign below is VERY appropriate.
So as I said, Tierra del Fuego really isn't much to look at. The landscape sure does improve quite a bit about the time you reach this sign above, as you've been counting down the kilometers of the ride. And then eventually, absolutely exhausted from all the wind and bad weather, you arrive at this sign.......at the END OF THE WORLD!Here's just one look at the entrance to the City of Ushuaia.....as the picture reminds us: "The Southernmost City in the World."
Not enough pictures, and you want to see more? Great reason for folks to contact us to learn more about motorcycle tours in Patagonia to see this absolutely amazing part of the world.
