Best of Andes – 3 paso

When all tour participants have arrived, we meet for a welcome greeting and refreshment, with introductions. The evening’s program is getting to know each other and we eat dinner together in true Latin-American style. Those who are not tired after the long journey may go to a local bar nearby.

(Explorer & fun day)

We start the day with an information meeting, where we cover information about your Best of Andes 3 Paso tour and your stay in Santiago. We also cover practical information regarding mc and car rental checkout. We also cover safety & information, so everyone is well prepared for our journey (tour info, safety rules, traffic rules, practical info, bike preparation.

Afterward, we spend the rest of the day in downtown Santiago according to your own preference. We recommend visiting Cerro San Cristobal (an 860-meter hill in the center of Santiago, which also features a zoo and wine museum and a gondola ride to the top, where a Virgin Mary statue overlooks the city) and SkyCostanera (Santiago highest viewing platform at the top of the tallest building in Latin America, offering a panoramic view of the city in 360° at 300 meters high).

In the evening we check out our motorcycles/vehicles before we go for dinner together.

(Driving day 1: 338 km/240  miles)

We start our driving adventure in Latin America! When everyone is ready, we embark on our spectacular adventure tour. We head north for one of the tours absolute highlights; crossing the Argentina border through Cristo Redentor on 3.832m / 10.499ft above sea level. The roads are perfect for motorcycle riding, you probably will enjoy every meter we ride. Note: the stretch across the actual mountain pass, which is an optional ride, is a gravel road.

We stop for lunch in Las Cuevas, before we continue to Puenta del Inca, an old Inka (Indian) village. On our way to Mendoza, we also stop to enjoy the view and take pics of the Aconcagua (Andes highest mountain, 6962m above sea level). Our last stop is Mendoza, where we will spend a fun evening together. Mendoza is a lovely laid-back city, with many cozy cafes and exciting shopping. Make sure you visit the fountain in the city center.

(Explorer & fun day)

Spend the day in Mendoza according to your own preference. We recommend “The wine yard experience”, where we visit one of the worlds’ most famous and best wine yards. Program: a winery tour, restaurant brunch with regional menu, wine tasting, etc). Other options are relaxing at the hotel, exploring or shopping in Mendoza.

(Driving day 2: 363 km/225 miles)

We leave exiting Mendoza and the tasteful wine country and head back to the Andes mountains. We drive north on Ruta 40 / 149, and stop by beautiful La Cuesta del Viento, before having a nice dinner in Rodeo.

(Driving day 3: 373 km/232 miles)

Welcome to another tour highlight! We leave Rodeo and Argentina and head back to Chile. This driving leg will be one of the most amazing rides of your life. We ride Ruta 150 to breathtaking Paso Agua Negra  (4.781m / 15.682ft) where we will cross the Chile border, and start driving Ruta 41. You will be astonished by the wonderful views as the mountains spread out before you. Hold your cameras ready & be prepared for lifetime memories.

On our way to La Serena, we stop by beautiful Pisco Elqui, where pisco was distilled in the early history of Chile (The original name of the town was La Greda). Our last stop is La Serena, where we will meet beautiful beach shores and cozy small villages.

(Driving day 6: 515 km/321 miles)

Welcome to a beautiful riding day along the Chile coastline. As we head south to Vina del Mar we ride along the beautiful beach shores, through cozy small villages. Watch out for pelicans & sea lions.

Our first stop is Fray Jorge national park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. We continue south and make a couple of fun pits stops in cozy Papudo and Zapallar. We spend our last evening & farewell dinner together in fun Vina del Mar, Chiles’ version of St Tropez.

(Explorer &  fun  day)

This day is an Explorer & fun day – according to personal preferences (e.g. swimming in the Pacific Ocean or relaxing on one of the beautiful white beaches of Viña del Mar). The city is considered to be the most luxurious resort city in Chile. Here you will find a variety of gourmet restaurants and a mix of modern and old buildings. Especially the old colonial buildings are very charming. The town has a relaxed atmosphere and if you feel a need to be a bit romantic, you can catch one of the city’s typical horse cabs.

(Driving day 5: 363 km/226 miles)

We continue south on nice motorcycle roads, some along the coastline and some driving inland in wine country. Be prepared for a delicious meal and tasty wine when we reach Talca, which lies in the middle of the famous wine country.

(Driving day 6: 486 km/286 miles)

Welcome to another tour highlight. Today we will drive Paso Pehuenche (2.554m/8.376ft), the last of the three mountain passes, and the lowest in altitude. However, one of the most beautiful & enjoyable rides you will ever experience. The roads are curvy, the turns slow, and the natural scenery breathtaking. We eat lunch at a local cafe on the border, before we head to Valle Grande, and a spectacular evening.

(Driving day 7: 317 km/197 miles)

It will be another amazing day! As we cruise north on Route 173 into Canyon del Atuel, be prepared for spectacular views and roads. Note: driving in Canon Atuel is mostly gravel road. Ride carefully! We enjoy lunch in beautiful Valle Grande, before we once more set course to Mendoza, for another evening with the delicious food & wines from this region.

(Driving day 8: 375 km/233 miles)

The end of our adventure tour in the breathtaking Argentina, Chile and Andes mountains are approaching, as this is our last driving day. We end the tour with another highlight, as we once more cross the Argentina- Chile border through mesmerizing Cristo Redentor Paso. We are lucky guns who get to ride this majestic drive once again in the opposite direction. Note: the stretch across the pass (optional ride) is a gravel road.

We stop for lunch in Uspallata, and once more stop in Puenta del Inca, before we cross Cristo Redentor. We continue to Santiago, return our vehicles, and check-in at the hotel. We spend our last evening & farewell dinner together in fun Santiago.

The end of our adventure tour in breathtaking Argentina, Chile, and the Andes mountains has come to an end. We say goodbye to our Best of Andes Mountains tour and return home. Thanks for a great ride, good times and sincerely thank you for choosing to tour with Explorify. We wish you a safe trip home and hope to see you again on one of our other tours in the US, South America, Asia, Oceania or Europe.

Note: Because of the time difference travelers from Europe will arrive home the date/day after departing the US.

Also: This program is a guideline for activities and experiences on the tour. Deviations may occur, but we guarantee that our positive tour leaders will do their utmost to execute the program as described – as far as it is feasible and circumstances allow. We are continually working to improve the program, thus you may experience positive surprises.