03.01.2024 :: 10.01.2024

Rio Grande – Punta Arenas

Let´s try this again, as the border crossing we wanted to take towards Porvenir was closed we took San Sebastian and then the gravel road westward. Once we were at the Magellan Straight it was really nice, and the wind dialed down a notch. We even were in Porvenir in time to catch a coffee before taking the Ferry towards Puerto Montt.

Finding a place to sleep in Puerto Montt took us a little longer then expected, but we made it in the end.

Punta Arenas – Rio Turbio

The original plan was to stay in Punta Arenas for two days, but the hotel was not that great and the weather had rain in the forecast, which made us leave Punta Arenas quickly the next morning. The rain came later that day, right before the border crossing back into Argentina. We did drive this stretch of road back in the beginning of 2019 on a bus. This time though the motorcycles did offer a rather unique perspective.

Rio Turbio was a nice little boarder town, which we stayed for two nights. A little bit of running, a little content creation, and in general some chilling. And off we went to the Hotel La Leona.

Rio Turbio – Hotel La Leona

Our destination was in between El Calafate and El Chalten. Fitz Roy country. A stretch of the Ruta 40 we have had already taken (in parts) in the end of 2019. However even though we drove it, both of us had trouble remembering certain stretches. Either the weather was really bad and we did not see a lot of we simply forgot. Anyway it was the Ruta 40, it had wind and amazing views.

What we did remember was the viewpoint before El Calafate, as the first time we made a stop there we had to fix a flat tire, after the break. This time we did not have a flat tire and did enjoy the view even more. And we were even able to take some shots of Fitz Roy on the horizon.

We did make camp at Hotel La Leona which was at least in Argentina one of the more expensive camp sites thus far, but oh well if you are the only one at Ruta 40 you make the prices.

The plan was to drive towards El Chalten on the next day to recreate the Patagonia (Brand) picture with our bikes in the foreground.

Hotel La Leona – Parque Patagonia – if plan hits reality

Well yeah the weather was great, with drizzle starting at nine o clock and fitz roy nowhere to be seen. So we decided to move on and make camp in a small village. The last time we filled up our gas tank and drove towards Chile and the Carreterra Austral. This time we wanted to stay on Ruta 40, as this stretch was unknown to us.

Alright the campsite was in someones backyard, and not really nice, so on we went, with Perito Morena in sight. However about 60km before we discovered Parque Patagonia, they had campsites about 20km inwards, and as the lady said. The luxurious version is more towards the Ruta 40, but the better view you get at the campsite. She was right.

So the next morning we took a little stroll towards a canyon, and were rewarded with the view above. The stroll turned out to be more of a walk of 10km. Well worth it.

Parque Patagonia – Perito Moreno

As it was already late, we decided to only ride the 80km towards Perito Moreno, and stay the night at the Camping Municipial. Alright that one was closed, as it did not meet the minimum standards of human hygene. We then ended up in the Hotel Belgrano, which most probably was anyway the better choice as we had yet again grueling winds at the Ruta 40

Perito Moreno – Tecka

The next day led us back to Tecka and over a Zona de Baches (potholes) we drove on our way to Sarmiento. Was fun yet again and in Tecka we new that the camping municipial was open and good.

Yet again, one of the moments that showed me how important language is, as i would have loved to have a proper conversation with him, but he does not speak English and my Spanish does not permit me to have a conversation.

Before we get to the end here a gallery of some panoramas i took, however i would urge you to view them on a proper screen, as on a phone screen they may not give you the right impression.

Till next time,
Happy Hacking everyone