Patagonia Planning

I have been looking for ideas for a trip to mark my 50th year and been inspired by this clip, originally posted by Steady Eddie

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223152&highlight=patagonia

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On the assumption I can save the pennies I have been looking into this and a few other tour companies as well as the possibility of shipping my own bike or fly/hire/ride. There seems very little difference in cost between the various options, but I don't like the idea of being without a bike whilst mine is shipped out and I find the laziness of having someone else doing all the organising and taking advantage of their local knowledge quite attractive, so I am leaning towards the tour companies and so far Patagonia Backroads are up there at the top of the list.

http://www.patagoniabackroads.com/home.htm

but two others have caught my eye:

http://www.samotorbiketours.com/motorcycle/1/our_company.php

http://www.compassexpeditions.com/

I would grateful though for any advice or recommendation from anyone you has done a trip of this sort in this been part of the world.

Although not yet an "open invite" a travel companion or two would be welcome if anyone is interested in coming along. Currently I am looking at Jan - Feb 2012. (Not sure? Go back and watch that clip again).

... Couple of observations: -

... If you are time constrained then using a tour company makes sense, you will have a set agenda and all the accommodation etc is sorted in advance. You are going to be more restricted in terms of finding your own route and side-bar tours because the groupd agenda rules overall. You also will spend your time with the group and not be imersing yourself in the culture and local community.

... But, you will lose that big part of the adventure which is finding your own way, meeting new (local) people, figuring out your own places to stay and eat, travelling at your own pace etc.

... If you use a 'bike-supplied tour' then you'll be left wondering why the feck you bought a great big rough tough adventure bike in the first place

... Flying a bike into Buenos Aires, or Lima, or Santiago, is a piece of cake. You can clear it from customs in a day. It is more expensive than sea, but not as much as you might think.

... Docks are notorious for being slow moving and you'll be hit with all sorts of 'hidden' charges which will close the gap between sea and air freight prices and you may find yourself mired in red-tape and paying 'expediency' fees (aka palm-grease) to get anything done at all.

... Check out James Cargo for shipping info if you want to go independent

Cheers

Patagonia with Compass Expeditions

Hi Scott,
Be sure to check out, a very cool promo video clip on their home page.

www.compassexpeditons.com

Fantastic tours of Patagonia, great value for money tours (lots of tour inclusions) and they operate with their own fleet of bikes (BMW F650gs twins / 1150gs adventure).

Lots of testimonials from many satisfied customers.

truman said:

Fantastic tours of Patagonia, great value for money tours (lots of tour inclusions) and they operate with their own fleet of bikes

Click to expand...

... It's normally good form to use the words 'our' or 'we' when referring to your own business

No problema Bede. Will do for future posts

patagonia

GreatScott said:

Cheers

Click to expand...

hi, Sawpit here. I used to work as a hiking/ horse pack guide in the Torres del Paine National Park- Chile. I speak spanish fluently (originally from Chile). That is the one of the most beautiful places in theworld (and i live in Telluride...). Keep in touch, i'd love to maybe join if you plan to go it alone. I have an 1150 GS- i would probably just ride it down there!

sawpit said:

hi, Sawpit here. I used to work as a hiking/ horse pack guide in the Torres del Paine National Park- Chile. I speak spanish fluently (originally from Chile). That is the one of the most beautiful places in theworld (and i live in Telluride...). Keep in touch, i'd love to maybe join if you plan to go it alone. I have an 1150 GS- i would probably just ride it down there!

Click to expand...

Will do. Plan is a trip in early 2012

patagonia.

went in 2008, we used a company called moto adventura chile, found them exellent to deal with. they offer organised, hire, self guided and purchase/buy back options. HC travel are also good.
we also looked at frieghting our bikes but as we were only away for 4 weeks hire worked out cheeper.
paul.

paul nicholls said:

went in 2008, we used a company called moto adventura chile, found them exellent to deal with. they offer organised, hire, self guided and purchase/buy back options. HC travel are also good.
we also looked at frieghting our bikes but as we were only away for 4 weeks hire worked out cheeper.
paul.

Click to expand...

Thanks I'll check them out

looking to work as a guide-

truman said:

Hi Scott,
Be sure to check out, a very cool promo video clip on their home page.

www.compassexpeditons.com

Fantastic tours of Patagonia, great value for money tours (lots of tour inclusions) and they operate with their own fleet of bikes (BMW F650gs twins / 1150gs adventure).

Lots of testimonials from many satisfied customers.

Click to expand...

Are you looking for guides for this winter? I speak spanish fluently-