TOUR DESCRIPTION:

ARGENTINA, BOLIVIA & CHILE – THE ABC MOTORCYCLE EXPEDITION

Three countries. Twelve days. Some of the most extraordinary landscapes in South America. This is a true motorcycle expedition through the high Andes and the Altiplano. We call it ABC – Argentina, Bolivia and Chile – but don’t let the simplicity of the name fool you. There is nothing particularly easy about the route we have chosen. And that is precisely the point.

Forget the usual tourist circuits and comfortable shortcuts to Uyuni. We have put together a route that takes us deep into the mountains and deserts of the Altiplano, along remote gravel tracks, across high-altitude passes and through landscapes that most visitors to South America will never see. From the red canyons of northern Argentina to the Atacama Desert, the volcanic wilderness of southwestern Bolivia and the immense Salar de Uyuni, this is probably one of the most spectacular ways to experience the Altiplano on two wheels.

This expedition is definitely not for snowflakes. There will be long days in the saddle, demanding gravel, thin air, freezing mornings and moments when the road seems to go on forever. You’ll need grit, endurance, proper off-road experience and a genuine appetite for exploration. But the reward is extraordinary: a journey through some of the wildest and most beautiful terrain in the Andes, with the immense satisfaction of knowing you’ve earned every kilometre.

THREE COUNTRIES, ONE REMARKABLE ROUTE THROUGH THE ALTIPLANO

Our adventure begins in Salta, in northern Argentina. We ride south through the spectacular red-rock formations of Quebrada de las Conchas towards Cafayate, then follow the legendary Ruta 40 through Quebrada de las Flechas and Cachi. From there, the mountains become higher, the roads rougher and the air noticeably thinner. The extraordinary Abra del Acay, rising to almost 4,900 metres, takes us towards San Antonio de los Cobres and into the heart of the Argentine Puna. This is where the Altiplano begins to reveal its true character.

Crossing the Andes into Chile, we descend towards San Pedro de Atacama, a small oasis surrounded by some of the driest and most surreal landscapes on Earth. After a well-earned rest day, we head into Bolivia, where the adventure moves into another league. Remote mountain tracks lead us through a volcanic wilderness of mineral-coloured mountains, high-altitude lagoons, flamingos and seemingly endless desert plains. We spend the night at an isolated lodge near A Laguna before continuing towards Uyuni and its legendary salt flats.

But reaching Uyuni is not the end of the adventure. After a day to explore the Salar, the train cemetery, etc, we travell south through Bolivia towards the Argentine border. Our final riding day brings us back to Salta through the colourful landscapes of Jujuy and Quebrada de Humahuaca. Twelve days, three countries, thousands of kilometres and one extraordinary circuit through the Andes. No easy shortcuts, no ordinary sightseeing tour – just a genuine adventure from beginning to end.

EXPEDITION HIGHLIGHTS

• ABC – Argentina, Bolivia & Chile – Three countries and an extraordinary 12-day motorcycle expedition through the Andes and the Altiplano.
• Salta and the spectacular Quebrada de las Conchas – Red sandstone formations, dramatic canyons and twisting roads through the mountains of northern Argentina.
• Cafayate, Cachi and the legendary Ruta 40 – Some of Argentina’s most beautiful mountain roads, including the extraordinary rock formations of Quebrada de las Flechas.
• Abra del Acay – almost 4,900 metres above sea level – One of the great high-altitude mountain crossings of South America, with challenging gravel and unforgettable views.
• The remote Argentine Puna – Vast desert plateaus, isolated mountain settlements and landscapes that seem to belong to another planet.
• Crossing the Andes into Chile – High mountain roads, enormous volcanic peaks and the dramatic descent towards the Atacama Desert.
• San Pedro de Atacama – An oasis in the middle of one of the driest deserts on Earth, with a well-deserved rest day to explore or simply recover.
• The Bolivian Altiplano – A remote world of volcanic deserts, sandy tracks, mineral-coloured mountains and high-altitude lagunas.
• Flamingos and the high-altitude lagoons – Extraordinary landscapes, where flamingos gather beneath the volcanoes.
• An overnight stay in the Bolivian wilderness – A unique lodge, surrounded by spectacular scenery far from the distractions of city life.
• Salar de Uyuni – The world’s largest salt flat and one of the most extraordinary natural landscapes in South America.
• A full day in Uyuni – Time to discover the salt flats, the train cemetery and experience the surreal beauty of Bolivia’s high plateau.
• The long road back through Bolivia – An unforgettable southbound stage across remote Altiplano landscapes towards the Argentine border.
• Quebrada de Humahuaca – Historic mountain settlements, colourful geological formations and a spectacular final ride back to Salta.
• Real adventure riding – Long distances, remote tracks, high mountain passes, extreme altitude and changing conditions that demand experience, endurance and determination.
• A small team of like-minded riders – People who understand that the best adventures aren’t always comfortable, predictable or easy.

WHO IS THIS EXPEDITION FOR?

This expedition is for experienced riders, not beginners. You must be confident riding on loose gravel, sandy tracks and uneven mountain roads. We will spend several days at altitudes well above 4,000 metres. Some stages are long and physically demanding, with limited services, unpredictable weather and little margin for unnecessary delays. If your idea of a perfect motorcycle holiday involves smooth asphalt, short riding days and arriving at the hotel for lunch, we have plenty of other wonderful tours for you. This one is different.

Just as important as riding ability are attitude, flexibility and team spirit. On a route like this, things don’t always go according to plan. A mountain pass may become impassable, a border crossing may take longer than expected, a track may be washed out or the weather may force us to reconsider the day’s route.  A little stubbornness helps on the motorcycle. A big ego does not.

GUIDANCE, LUGGAGE AND LOGISTICAL SUPPORT

This is an organised motorcycle expedition, but it is not a conventional guided holiday. We travel with a planned route, experienced leadership and daily briefings covering road conditions, distances, fuel availability, altitude and border procedures. The itinerary has been designed to combine some of the Altiplano’s finest riding with its most spectacular scenery. Logistics matter enormously when you’re travelling through three countries and some of the most isolated parts of the Andes. Fuel stations can be hundreds of kilometres apart, accommodation options are limited and mobile phone coverage can disappear for long stretches.

Flexibility is part of the expedition, not an unfortunate exception. At these altitudes, weather, border restrictions, road closures and the physical condition of the group can require changes to our plans. The guide may adjust the route, departure times or daily programme when necessary. We will always aim to follow the planned itinerary, but reaching the next destination safely matters more than proving a point or sticking stubbornly to a GPS track.

THE FREEDOM TO EXPLORE – AND THE RESPONSIBILITY TO RIDE AS A TEAM

There is a special kind of freedom that comes with riding through the Altiplano. The road stretches towards distant volcanoes, the mountains change colour with the light, and sometimes the only signs of life are a few vicuñas or flamingos beside a lagoon. There are no crowds, no souvenir shops at every viewpoint and no places where you can stop and order a cappuccino. This is exactly what makes the experience so extraordinary.

We want you to enjoy the riding, the landscapes and the feeling of genuine discovery. There will be opportunities to stop for photographs, appreciate the surroundings and take in places that feel almost untouched. But this freedom comes with responsibility. On long and demanding stages, the group needs to maintain a sensible rhythm, respect agreed meeting points and work together. Sometimes that means waiting for another rider. Sometimes it means helping with a difficult section. And sometimes it means accepting that the perfect photograph will have to wait because we still have a very long way to go.

The Hard Way to Uyuni is about more than reaching the famous salt flats. It’s about everything that happens before and after: the climb towards Abra del Acay, the first breath of thin mountain air, the silence of the Bolivian high-altitude desert, the wind, the dust, the occasional difficult moment and the laughter at the end of a long riding day. It’s about discovering what lies beyond the familiar routes and sharing the experience with people who came for the same reason. We could have made this expedition easier. We deliberately didn’t.

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:

THE FEW THINGS YOU TAKE CARE OF

This is a true motorcycle expedition, and we take care of the main logistics so you can concentrate on the riding. However, a few expenses remain your responsibility. Here’s what is not included in the expedition price:

• International flights to and from Salta, Argentina. Please do not purchase airline tickets until MotoBirds confirms that the minimum group size has been reached and the expedition will proceed.
• Tourist visas and personal entry requirements for Argentina, Chile and Bolivia, if applicable to your nationality (EU citizens do not require a visa).
• Lunches, dinners and drinks.
• Motorcycle fuel throughout the expedition.
• Refundable motorcycle security deposit, payable at motorcycle handover (€600) in cash.
• Motorcycle recovery, towing or transport costs resulting from accidents, damage or circumstances attributable to the rider, where these are not covered by insurance.
• Medical expenses exceeding the limits of, or excluded from, the travel insurance provided by MotoBirds.
• Emergency rescue, medical evacuation, medical transport and repatriation costs not covered by insurance. Given the extreme altitude and remoteness of this route, we strongly recommend additional coverage through Global Rescue or an equivalent specialist provider.
• Optional excursions and activities, including additional sightseeing in San Pedro de Atacama, optional guided excursions around Salar de Uyuni and entrance fees not expressly included in the programme.
• Single-room supplement, if requested and available (€70/nigh).
• Tips for local guides, drivers and other service providers, at your discretion.
• Personal expenses, including laundry, souvenirs, shopping and other individual purchases.
• Additional accommodation, airport transfers or services outside the official expedition programme.
• Any other services or expenses not expressly listed under “Price Includes”.