01 · To study the trip
Book Carretera Austral
R$ 297.90
Visual, strategic content to understand how the expedition works and get inspired to plan your own.
- Big-picture view of the project
- Travel-pace concept
- Preparation checklists
- Visual references
Expedition · Planned: November 2026 (date TBC)
Carretera Austral Expedition
From Curitiba to the end of Ruta 7. Four countries, fjords, glaciers, the Marble Caves, Villa O’Higgins and Torres del Paine — in 21 days of real riding.
- 21days on the road + 1 spare day
- 11,500km, approximately
- 4countries: BR · AR · CL · UY
- 7riders, maximum
First things first
It’s not a joyride. It’s an expedition.
Long transit days, ripio, crosswinds, ferries and border crossings. That’s why the group is small and every rider has a conversation with us before their spot is confirmed.
The expected level is intermediate to advanced. If now isn’t your moment yet, the Book and the Operations Guide are great ways to prepare.
Minimum rider profile
- Proven long-distance touring experience
- Intermediate or advanced riding skills, confident on ripio (loose gravel)
- A suitable, freshly serviced bike with the right tires
- Good physical condition and a medical certificate
- Maturity for group decisions
- Availability for all 22 days
The journey
One expedition. Four acts.
01
The crossing
Curitiba → Uruguaiana → the Argentine pampas → Neuquén. Three long days in the saddle to reach the Andes in one piece.
02
Carretera Austral
Paso Cardenal Samoré, ferries through the fjords, Queulat, Cerro Castillo, the Marble Caves and the end of Ruta 7 at Villa O’Higgins.
03
Torres del Paine
Paso Roballos, Ruta 40, El Calafate, Puerto Natales and a full day inside Patagonia’s most iconic park.
04
The ride home
Bariloche, Buenos Aires, the Buquebus ferry to Colonia and the ride home through Uruguay and Rio Grande do Sul.
Expedition map
One line on the map. Thousands of decisions on the road.
Each color is a phase of the journey. Tap a section to see that day or open it in Google Maps.
- The crossing
- Carretera Austral
- Patagonia
- The ride home
- Ferry
Approximate route along the roads of the itinerary. Click a section to see that day or open it in Google Maps.
Full roadbook · 21 days
Day by day: distances and the logic behind them
A pace of 800–1,050 km/day on the Brazilian and Argentine corridors, 400–500 km/day in the Andes and 200–450 km/day on the technical stretches. Click each day to see the route, fuel, lodging and the stage link.
The crossing
Day01 Curitiba → Uruguaiana
One of the three big transit days. Day one is about endurance, not sightseeing.
Departure: 04:30 Expected arrival: 7–8 pm
Route
- Curitiba
- Lapa
- União da Vitória
- Erechim
- Passo Fundo
- Carazinho
- Ijuí
- São Luiz Gonzaga
- São Borja
- Uruguaiana
Fuel
- Rule for the whole trip: look for a gas station every 250–300 km — never run the tank down to the limit
- Curitiba: full tank
- Passo Fundo/Carazinho: refuel
- Ijuí/São Luiz Gonzaga: refuel
- São Borja: top up
- Uruguaiana: top up again for the next day
Lodging
- Uruguaiana: simple hotel with secure, enclosed parking, close to the way out of town and near a restaurant
- Avoid crossing the city unless necessary
Day02 Uruguaiana → Chivilcoy
First border crossing and another pure transit day. Instead of stopping in Campana/Zárate, we push further west — that balances out the next day.
Departure: 06:00 Expected arrival: 5–6 pm
Route
- Uruguaiana
- Paso de los Libres
- RN14
- Concordia
- Ceibas
- Zárate
- Luján
- Chivilcoy
Fuel
- Paso de los Libres: full tank after the border
- Concordia: refuel
- Zárate/Luján: refuel
- Chivilcoy: top up
Lodging
- Hotel on the west side of Chivilcoy, not in the historic center
- The night’s goal: sleep, eat, refuel and leave early
Day03 Chivilcoy → Neuquén
Far more balanced than leaving from Zárate. The goal is to reach the hotel before dark.
Departure: 05:30
Route
- Chivilcoy
- Pehuajó
- Santa Rosa
- General Acha
- Chacharramendi
- Catriel
- Neuquén
Fuel
- Chivilcoy: full tank
- Santa Rosa: refuel
- General Acha: mandatory fuel stop
- Catriel: refuel
- Neuquén: top up
Critical point: There are reports of a stretch of about 286 km with no gas stations between the RN151/RP20 junction and Chacharramendi. General Acha is a mandatory fuel stop.
Day04 Neuquén → Villa La Angostura
The mindset changes: the first recovery day after roughly 2,900 km in three days. Lunch on the way and an afternoon arrival in the Andean lakes.
Departure: 08:00
Route
- Neuquén
- Arroyito
- Piedra del Águila
- Villa La Angostura
Fuel
- Neuquén: full tank
- Piedra del Águila: refuel
- Villa La Angostura: top up
Carretera Austral
Day05 Villa La Angostura → Hornopirén
A day where the mileage is deceiving: we cross the Andes via Paso Cardenal Samoré and take our first ferry. The priority is reaching Hornopirén without racing the night.
Departure: 06:30
Route
- Villa La Angostura
- Paso Cardenal Samoré
- Entre Lagos
- Osorno
- Puerto Montt
- Caleta La Arena
- ferry
- Caleta Puelche
- Hornopirén
Fuel
- Villa La Angostura
- Osorno
- Puerto Montt
- Hornopirén: completely full tank before bed
Border: Paso Cardenal Samoré may run reduced hours outside summer. Confirm opening times a few days ahead.
Day06 Hornopirén → Chaitén
Not a road day: it’s Ruta Bimodal day, alternating ferry and motorcycle through the fjords.
Route
- Hornopirén
- ferry (≈ 3.5 h)
- Leptepu
- ride to Fiordo Largo
- ferry (≈ 45 min)
- Caleta Gonzalo
- Chaitén
Logistics
- Schedules published by Somarco (Mar–Dec): Hornopirén → Leptepu at 10:30 am; Fiordo Largo → Caleta Gonzalo at 3:00 pm
- Reference fare for a motorcycle on the subsidized route: CLP 8,900 — reconfirm fares and times before the trip
- In Chaitén: refuel, dinner and sleep
Rule: Book the motorcycle’s spot on the ferry in advance.
Day07 Chaitén → Coyhaique
This is where the real Carretera Austral begins. Even at just over 400 km, plan on 8 to 10 hours: ripio, photo stops, wildlife, rain, roadworks, wind and scenery.
Route
- Chaitén
- Villa Santa Lucía
- La Junta
- Puyuhuapi
- Parque Queulat
- Villa Mañihuales
- Coyhaique
Fuel
- Chaitén: full tank
- La Junta: refuel
- Puyuhuapi: top up if possible
- Coyhaique: full tank
Day08 Coyhaique → Puerto Río Tranquilo
One of the best days of the trip. Low average speed and lots of stops: Villa Cerro Castillo sits around km 702 of the Carretera and Río Tranquilo at km 824.
Departure: 09:00
Route
- Coyhaique
- Villa Cerro Castillo
- Puerto Río Tranquilo
Fuel
- Coyhaique: full tank
- Cerro Castillo: top up, if fuel is available
- Puerto Río Tranquilo: refuel
Day09 Marble Caves (Capillas de Mármol)
Zero mileage required: two nights in Puerto Río Tranquilo. Boat trip to the Marble Caves in the morning, when the wind on Lago General Carrera tends to be calmer.
Logistics
- After the tour: lunch and rest
- Visual bike check: tire pressure, chain, luggage straps, pannier and crash-bar bolts, visor cleaning
- If the morning trip is cancelled because of wind, there’s still time later in the day
Day10 Puerto Río Tranquilo → Villa O’Higgins
A true expedition day to the end of Ruta 7 — and the classic photo at the “Fin de la Carretera Austral” marker.
Route
- Puerto Río Tranquilo
- Puerto Bertrand
- Cochrane
- Puerto Yungay
- Fiordo Mitchell ferry
- Río Bravo
- Villa O’Higgins
Fuel
- Puerto Río Tranquilo: full tank
- Cochrane: mandatory fuel stop
- Villa O’Higgins: top up
Logistics
- About 132 km between Cochrane and Puerto Yungay and 100 km between Río Bravo and Villa O’Higgins, plus the crossing
- Overnight in Villa O’Higgins
Ferry: The Yungay–Río Bravo crossing is free, but the November schedule must be reconfirmed.
Patagonia
Day11 Villa O’Higgins → Cochrane
We retrace part of the route, leaving without hurry but in sync with the ferry. Sleeping in Cochrane matters: the next day demands focus.
Route
- Villa O’Higgins
- Río Bravo
- ferry
- Puerto Yungay
- Cochrane
Day12 Cochrane → Paso Roballos → Gobernador Gregores
The most technical day of the trip. Early start to reach the border right as it opens (8 am–8 pm).
Departure: 07:00
Route
- Cochrane
- Ruta X-83
- Paso Roballos
- RP41
- Ruta 40
- Gobernador Gregores
Fuel
- Cochrane: absolutely full tank
- Don’t count on any fuel in between
Plan B: If Paso Roballos is closed: Cochrane → Chile Chico → Los Antiguos → Argentina. That’s why there are no non-refundable bookings in Gobernador Gregores.
Day13 Gobernador Gregores → El Calafate
After Roballos, almost a rest day. Early arrival in El Calafate (no visit to the Perito Moreno Glacier on this edition).
Departure: 09:00
Logistics
- Time to give the bike a basic wash, lube what’s needed, do laundry, reorganize luggage and rest
Day14 El Calafate → Puerto Natales
A relatively short day, with Argentina/Chile immigration. Two nights at the same hotel in Puerto Natales.
Departure: 08:00
Route
- El Calafate
- Esperanza
- Río Turbio
- border
- Puerto Natales
Logistics
- In Puerto Natales: refuel, check in and an early dinner
Day15 Torres del Paine
Non-negotiable on the itinerary: a full day inside the park, with no fixed mileage goal.
Route
- Puerto Natales
- Cerro Castillo
- Laguna Amarga
- Laguna Azul
- Cascada Paine
- Lago Nordenskjöld
- Salto Grande
- Lago Pehoé
- Lago Grey
- Puerto Natales
Wind: Check the wind in the morning. On a loaded bike in Patagonian gusts, slowing right down is a sign of experience.
The ride home
Day16 Puerto Natales → Perito Moreno
Back to transit mode: border, wind, Ruta 40 and few services. Not a day to leave after 9 am.
Departure: 05:30–06:00
Fuel
- Puerto Natales: full tank
- Refuel as soon as you’re back in Argentina
- Gobernador Gregores/area: top up
- Bajo Caracoles: don’t count on it as a reliable station
- Perito Moreno: full tank
Day17 Perito Moreno → Bariloche
A well-documented stretch along Ruta 40 to Lake Nahuel Huapi.
Departure: 06:00
Route
- Perito Moreno
- Río Mayo
- Gobernador Costa
- Tecka
- El Bolsón
- Bariloche
Fuel
- Perito Moreno: full tank
- Río Mayo: mandatory fuel stop
- Tecka: refuel
- El Bolsón: refuel
Fuel alert: After Río Mayo there are about 233 km with no gas stations on the planned route.
Day18 Bariloche → Neuquén
A deliberately short day: accumulated fatigue takes its toll. Arrive early, shower, dinner and sleep — tomorrow is huge.
Route
- Bariloche
- Piedra del Águila
- Neuquén
Day19 Neuquén → Buenos Aires
The longest day of the return. Every big gas station is an opportunity: the corridor has a stretch of about 286 km with no fuel.
Departure: 04:30–05:00
Route
- Neuquén
- General Acha
- Santa Rosa
- Pehuajó
- Luján
- Buenos Aires
Fuel
- Neuquén
- General Acha
- Santa Rosa
- Pehuajó
- Buenos Aires
Lodging
- This time the hotel is near the port, not the city exit: Microcentro, Retiro or the far north of Puerto Madero, ideally less than 1 km from the Buquebus terminal
- Book only after confirming secure parking for the bike — it’s worth paying a bit more not to leave it on the street
Day20 Buenos Aires → Buquebus → Colonia → Jaguarão
Crossing the Río de la Plata is part of the logistics strategy. Ferry between 9 and 11 am (per the November schedule), with time to wake up rested, refuel and reach the terminal two hours early.
Route
- Buenos Aires
- Buquebus
- Colonia del Sacramento
- Ruta 1
- Montevideo bypass
- Melo
- Jaguarão
Logistics
- Check-in opens about 2 hours before; anyone traveling with a vehicle shows the bike’s registration and the vehicle-deck ticket
- Bikes travel on the vehicle deck between Buenos Aires and Colonia
- Still a long day: no sightseeing in Colonia this time
Day21 Jaguarão → Curitiba
The last big push, heading home. No reason for another night in Porto Alegre if the group is rested and the weather cooperates.
Departure: 05:00
Route
- Jaguarão
- Pelotas
- Porto Alegre
- BR-290/BR-101
- Santa Catarina
- Curitiba
Rule: If you reach the Porto Alegre area very tired or in heavy rain, stop and sleep. There’s no prize for finishing the 1,000 km.
Day22Contingency
Operational plan subject to final review 30 days before departure. Ferry and border schedules are reconfirmed with the official authorities.
Book · Guide · Ride along
Three ways to experience the Carretera
Study the trip, get the complete operations plan or ride it with us.
02 · To ride it on your own
Complete Operations Guide
R$ 997
All the project’s know-how so you can ride the route without starting from scratch.
- Full day-by-day roadbook
- Routes on Google Maps
- Lodging and support stops
- Fuel and range planning
- Ferries, borders and plan Bs
- Special spots and surprises
03 · Max. 7 riders
Ride with us
R$ 5,500
Base price per rider for the 21–22-day expedition led by the Bigtrail Adventure team.
- Roadbook planning
- Route safety
- Strategic trip leadership
- Access to the Complete Operations Guide
Does not include fuel, lodging, meals, tours or personal expenses.
I want to ride with youTransparency
What it costs to ride the Carretera
On top of the expedition price, we estimate R$ 14,600 to R$ 19,600 in personal expenses per rider. With the “Ride with us” package, we recommend a total budget of R$ 20,100 to R$ 25,100 (BRL).
Estimates for planning purposes, subject to exchange rates and season. The detailed spreadsheet is sent to participants one month before departure.
| Lodging | R$ 5,000 – 6,500 |
|---|---|
| Fuel (≈ 640 L) | R$ 4,500 – 5,000 |
| Meals | R$ 3,100 – 4,600 |
| Ferries + Buquebus | R$ 820 – 1,480 |
| Tours and parks | R$ 450 – 1,300+ |
| Paperwork and insurance | ≈ R$ 700 |
| Estimated total | R$ 14,600 – 19,600 |
Preparation
Documents by country
🇦🇷 Argentina
National ID or passport, driver’s license, vehicle registration, Carta Verde insurance and the owner’s authorization if the bike isn’t in your name.
🇨🇱 Chile
Passport recommended, SOAPEX insurance, temporary import of the bike and SAG declaration (watch out for food items).
🇺🇾 Uruguay
National ID or passport, driver’s license, bike registration and Mercosur insurance.
Health: up-to-date vaccinations and a mandatory medical certificate. Luggage: don’t carry fruit, meat, cheese, honey or animal products through customs.
Document list based on requirements for Brazilian riders. Riding with a different passport? Ask us and we’ll check what applies to you.
Expedition principles
Conservative fueling
We fill up before we need to. Always.
Range is not a target
Nobody wins anything by running on fumes.
The weather rules
Wind and rain set the pace, not the schedule.
Practical hotels
Secure parking, a hot shower and early breakfast beat star ratings.
Always a plan B
Every critical stretch has a mapped alternative route.
Day 22 in reserve
A buffer in the calendar for the unexpected.
Frequently asked questions
Questions before you twist the throttle
Yes. Much of the Carretera Austral and Ruta 40 has stretches of ripio (loose gravel) with crosswinds. This trip isn’t suited to beginner riders: the expected level is intermediate to advanced.
Big trail bikes with good range and dual-sport tires: BMW GS, Triumph Tiger, Ducati DesertX/Multistrada, KTM Adventure, Ténéré, Africa Twin and similar. We review every application.
No. It’s the base price for leading and planning the expedition. Fuel, lodging, meals, tours and personal expenses are paid by each rider — we estimate R$ 14,600 to R$ 19,600 for these costs. The detailed spreadsheet is sent to participants one month before departure.
Argentina: national ID or passport, driver’s license, vehicle registration, Carta Verde insurance and the owner’s authorization (if the bike isn’t yours). Chile: passport recommended, SOAPEX insurance, temporary vehicle import and SAG declaration. Uruguay: ID/passport, driver’s license, bike registration and Mercosur insurance. A medical certificate is mandatory. Requirements shown are for Brazilian riders; other nationalities should check with us.
No. The pre-booking starts a conversation: we look at your experience, bike and expectations. Your spot is only confirmed after that, with a contract and payment.
Yes. The Book is for studying and getting inspired; the Operations Guide gives you the full roadbook, routes, lodging, fuel stops and plan Bs so you can ride the trip independently.
Pre-booking
Want to ride with us?
Tell us a bit about yourself and your bike. No charge at this stage: our team reviews your profile and reaches out for a chat.
- Max. 7 riders
- Departing from Curitiba · planned for Nov 2026, date TBC
- Reply within 2 business days
