If you’ve already ridden through the Brecon Beacons, you know what a GS is capable of.
Patagonia offers nearly 3,000 kilometers of extraordinary landscapes: volcanoes, mountains, Andean forests, and steppe, with landmarks such as the Perito Moreno Glacier and Torres del Paine.
We set out from Lake Llanquihue, cross over to San Carlos de Bariloche, and follow Route 40 to Trevelin, in the heart of Cwm Hyfryd. Here, the legacy of Y Wladfa, the Welsh colony in Patagonia, lives on.
We explore heritage routes, old Welsh chapels, and the living history of the first settlers, whose legacy continues to shape Argentine identity.
This itinerary, designed by Christian Austin—a descendant of the Mimosa settlers—offers a unique glimpse into Welsh history in Patagonia.
TRIP DETAILS
| Destination | Patagonia — Y Wladfa (Chubut) + Route 40 |
| Duration | 11 days |
| Distance | 3,000 km |
| Motorcycle | BMW F 750/800 GS |
| Base Price | £8,500 |
| Next departure | October 24, 2026 & October 23, 2027 |
| Difficulty | 6/10 — Intermediate |
| Required Level | Experience riding on gravel and in crosswinds. Route 40 under varying conditions. Suitable for motorcyclists with at least two seasons of mixed-terrain riding experience. |
| Language | English / Spanish |
| Group size | Maximum of 12 riders |
ITINERARY
- Day 1 — Puerto Varas: Welcome on the shores of Lake Llanquihue with Mount Osorno in the background. Motorcycle pickup, briefing, and welcome dinner. Overnight stay at a hotel overlooking the lake.
- Day 2 — Puerto Varas › Bariloche (310 km): Crossing the Andes via the Cardenal Samoré Pass, surrounded by active volcanoes and the Valdivian rainforest. Lunch in Villa La Angostura. Overnight stay in Llao Llao, Bariloche.
- Day 3 — Bariloche › Trevelin (300 km): First section of Patagonian Route 40: El Bolsón, Epuyén, Cholila, Los Alerces National Park, and on to Cwm Hyfryd. Barbecue with Patagonian beers and wines. Overnight in Trevelin.
- Day 4 — Rifleros Route / Arroyo Pescado / Trevelin (160 km): A loop along the trail that opened the valley to Welsh settlement in 1885. Esquel, Arroyo Pescado, and the 1902 Plebiscite School—where the settlers chose their Argentine destiny. River trout on the way back.
- Day 5 — Trevelin and Esquel: the heart of Y Wladfa (50 km by bus): A day without the motorcycle. Heritage tour in Trevelin: the Museum of the Andes and Bethel Chapel (1897). Afternoon in Esquel: Seion Chapel (1904) and a gathering with the local Welsh community—beer, traditional food, and singing.
- Day 6 — Trevelin › Los Antiguos (620 km): The Patagonian steppe in all its glory: Tecka, Gobernador Costa, Río Mayo, Perito Moreno (Santa Cruz). Overnight in Los Antiguos, on the shores of Lake Buenos Aires.
- Day 7 — Los Antiguos › Gobernador Gregores (380 km): The Santa Cruz Plateau, with the Andes as a backdrop. The Pinturas River and the Cueva de las Manos — 9,000-year-old rock art. Overnight stay at a working ranch with Patagonian gauchos.
- Day 8 — Gobernador Gregores › El Calafate (320 km): Heading southwest toward the great glacial lakes: Lake Viedma and Lake Argentino. Stop in La Leona—the hideout of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Overnight in El Calafate.
- Day 9 — El Calafate › Perito Moreno Glacier (160 km): Minibus tour to the glacier’s front — ice walls up to 60 meters high. Boat ride or ice hike (optional). Condors and eagles in Los Glaciares National Park. Farewell asado in El Calafate.
- Day 10 — El Calafate › Torres del Paine (370 km): The final stretch through the steppe. Cross into Chile via Paso Don Guillermo. Enter Torres del Paine National Park. Overnight stay inside the park at a luxury hotel. Motorcycle tour of the park’s points of interest.
- Day 11 — Torres del Paine / Puerto Natales › Punta Arenas (330 km): Milodon Cave. Lunch in Puerto Natales. Drive along the Última Esperanza Inlet to the Strait of Magellan. Arrival in Punta Arenas — the starting point for the return home.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Certified BMW motorcycle guide for the 11 days
- 11 nights in 4-star hotels, lodges, and ranches, with breakfast included
- BMW F 750 GS Rental with Basic Insurance (other models subject to availability)
- Welcome dinner (Day 1, Puerto Varas) and farewell dinner (Day 11, Punta Arenas)
- Service vehicle equipped with basic tools and spare parts
- Pickup in Puerto Varas and drop-off in Punta Arenas
- Admission to museums, Welsh chapels, and attractions along the route
- National Park Admission Tickets (Los Glaciares, Torres del Paine, Río Pinturas)
- Mini-trek on the Perito Moreno Glacier (boat ride + walk on the ice)
- GPS tracks, daily trip notes, emergency contacts, and tour documentation
- Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages for the road
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
- International and domestic flights to/from Chile
- Lunches and dinners not specified
- Fuel
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Personal insurance (trip cancellation, medical, travel, luggage) — comprehensive coverage is recommended
- Damage to the motorcycle and fines (extended coverage available at the time of booking)
- Single Room Surcharge
- Other expenses not listed as included
RESERVATION POLICY
Deposit: £1,000.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I need an international motorcycle license? You must have a valid license to ride high-displacement motorcycles (>450 cc) in your country of residence. The international license serves as a translation of your own license; it does not replace it.
What level of experience is required? The trip is planned to take place on secondary and mountain roads. All paved roads are narrow, with curves and steep inclines.
What happens if I have to cancel? The reservation is always forfeited. The rest of the money paid depends on the cancellation policy.
Does the tour go ahead even if the weather is bad? Yes.
