Dennis and I always talked about going on a motorcycle adventure together, and after much consideration, we decided to take on Patagonia. This decision was not made lightly, as we knew we were in for a challenge - 10,000 kilometers of driving in just eight weeks, except that turned into six weeks.
After arriving in Santiago, we spent three weeks searching for the right motorbike to take on this journey. Eventually, we settled on a 2012 Honda Falcon, which we felt would be durable enough to handle the rough terrain and the notorious Patagonian winds, yet it had no luggage rack.
From Santiago, we headed across the Andes and towards Mendoza (wine country) and onwards south into the heart of Patagonia - with a makeshift luggage rack we screwed on last minute. The first few days were challenging as we adjusted to sitting on the bike for long hours but that was nothing compared to the the strong Patagonian winds that we were faced with a few weeks on, which are known to be some of the strongest in the world. Id like to say that after a few days of getting used to the winds, we were able to make better time on the road but the winds just got worse and worse and the temperature dropped dramatically.
One of the highlights of our trip was the Argentinian food. We enjoyed many traditional dishes, such as empanadas, asado, and dulce de leche. We made sure to try the local cuisine in every town we passed through, and we were never disappointed by the local asado (BBQ) which was delicious and cheap.
We also had some incredibly long driving days, covering hundreds of kilometers at a time. But it was worth it for the breathtaking landscapes we encountered. The snow-capped Andes mountains, the vast Patagonian steppe, and the awe-inspiring glaciers (Perito Merino was incredible) were just a few of the incredible sights we encountered along the way.
After arriving in Santiago, we spent three weeks searching for the right motorbike to take on this journey. Eventually, we settled on a 2012 Honda Falcon, which we felt would be durable enough to handle the rough terrain and the notorious Patagonian winds, yet it had no luggage rack.
From Santiago, we headed across the Andes and towards Mendoza (wine country) and onwards south into the heart of Patagonia - with a makeshift luggage rack we screwed on last minute. The first few days were challenging as we adjusted to sitting on the bike for long hours but that was nothing compared to the the strong Patagonian winds that we were faced with a few weeks on, which are known to be some of the strongest in the world. Id like to say that after a few days of getting used to the winds, we were able to make better time on the road but the winds just got worse and worse and the temperature dropped dramatically.
One of the highlights of our trip was the Argentinian food. We enjoyed many traditional dishes, such as empanadas, asado, and dulce de leche. We made sure to try the local cuisine in every town we passed through, and we were never disappointed by the local asado (BBQ) which was delicious and cheap.
We also had some incredibly long driving days, covering hundreds of kilometers at a time. But it was worth it for the breathtaking landscapes we encountered. The snow-capped Andes mountains, the vast Patagonian steppe, and the awe-inspiring glaciers (Perito Merino was incredible) were just a few of the incredible sights we encountered along the way.
One of the most unforgettable moments of our trip was our visit to Torres del Paine National Park. We spent a few days driving through the park, taking in the stunning scenery and wildlife. We saw herds of guanacos, graceful Andean condors, but sadly we didn't feast our eyes on a puma. However, it was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Another highlight of our trip was meeting other adventurous travelers on the road. We encountered other motorcyclists, hikers, and even cyclists/brave bikepackers who were all exploring this beautiful region. We swapped stories and tips and made valuable connections with people from all over the world.
Our trip wasn't without its challenges, however. We faced some mechanical issues with our motorbike and had to get creative with repairs. But we persevered and were able to continue on our journey even making it all the way to Buenos Aires with dodgy brakes that we couldn't get fixed along the way.
As we neared the end of our trip, we reflected on the incredible experiences we had in Patagonia. We had driven over 10,000 kilometers, endured the strongest winds we had ever encountered, savored delicious Argentinian food, and encountered breathtaking landscapes and wildlife. It was a journey that challenged us, inspired us, and left us with a newfound appreciation for the beauty and diversity of this world.
In conclusion, our motorcycle trip through Patagonia was a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that we will never forget. It was an experience that pushed us to our limits, but also rewarded us with unforgettable moments and memories. We would highly recommend this trip to any adventurous travelers looking to explore one of the most beautiful regions of the world.
Another highlight of our trip was meeting other adventurous travelers on the road. We encountered other motorcyclists, hikers, and even cyclists/brave bikepackers who were all exploring this beautiful region. We swapped stories and tips and made valuable connections with people from all over the world.
Our trip wasn't without its challenges, however. We faced some mechanical issues with our motorbike and had to get creative with repairs. But we persevered and were able to continue on our journey even making it all the way to Buenos Aires with dodgy brakes that we couldn't get fixed along the way.
As we neared the end of our trip, we reflected on the incredible experiences we had in Patagonia. We had driven over 10,000 kilometers, endured the strongest winds we had ever encountered, savored delicious Argentinian food, and encountered breathtaking landscapes and wildlife. It was a journey that challenged us, inspired us, and left us with a newfound appreciation for the beauty and diversity of this world.
In conclusion, our motorcycle trip through Patagonia was a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that we will never forget. It was an experience that pushed us to our limits, but also rewarded us with unforgettable moments and memories. We would highly recommend this trip to any adventurous travelers looking to explore one of the most beautiful regions of the world.