CARRETERA AUSTRAL • OCTOBER 1–18, 2028
Carretera Austral Complete Tour 2028
The mythical Chilean road in 18 days.
8,283 km across Brazil, Argentina and Chile through fjords, glaciers and remote villages.
The Carretera Austral is motorcycle touring’s legendary road in South America. Twelve hundred open Chilean kilometers through the wildest heart of Patagonia — fjords, glaciers, forests, turquoise glacier rivers, villages with twenty houses at the end of nowhere. This tour is the complete version: 18 days crossing Brazil, Argentina and Chile, with the entire Carretera and everything that comes before and after it.
You leave from Urubici, cross pampas-and-Patagonia Argentina, enter Chile at Hornopirén and follow the Carretera ferry by ferry — from the fjords of Chaitén to the snow-capped peaks of Coihaique, from Lago General Carrera with its Marble Caves to the far reaches of Villa O’Higgins. You return to Argentina via Paso Roballos, cross Bariloche and Neuquén, and close the loop at Paso de los Libres. Closed circuit. Complete Patagonia.
This isn’t a first international trip — it’s for those who already have miles on a big bike and want to close the definitive Chilean Patagonia route once and for all. Full UpSerra logistics: hotels, ripio-ready support vehicle, bilingual guides, professional photography and filming.
TERRAIN
80% Asphalt / 20% Gravel
FERRIES
4 Chilean fjords
TOTAL DISTANCE
~8,283 km
FORMAT
Expedition South America
THE ROUTE
Urubici → Patagonia → Carretera Austral → Bariloche → Brazil
URUBICI
Day 1 · Brazil
NEUQUÉN
Day 5 · Gateway to Patagonia
V. LA ANGOSTURA
Day 6 · Andes Crossing
HORNOPIRÉN
Day 8 · Entry into Chile
CHAITÉN ★
Day 9 · Pacific Fjords
COIHAIQUE
Day 10 · Aysén Capital
MARBLE CAVES ★
Day 11 · Lake General Carrera
VILLA O’HIGGINS ★
Day 12 · End of the Road
BARILOCHE
Day 15 · Back to Argentina
🇧🇷 Brazil · 🇦🇷 Argentina · 🇨🇱 Chile
DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY
18 days. From Urubici to the most remote Patagonia in South America.
DAY 1 · SUN 01/10 · URUBICI
Welcome to Urubici
Welcome at Pousada das Flores UpSerra, technical briefing, gear check, welcome dinner. Last night in Brazil.
DAY 2 · MON 02/10 · ~786 KM
Urubici → Santo Tomé
The adventure begins. We cross southern Brazil to the border at Uruguaiana, entering Argentina. Overnight in Santo Tomé.
DAY 3 · TUE 03/10 · ~772 KM
Santo Tomé → Campana/Zárate
Long ride across the pampas plain to the Buenos Aires metropolitan area. Overnight in Campana or Zárate, on the banks of the Paraná River.
DAY 4 · WED 04/10 · ~597 KM
Campana → Santa Rosa
Transition into the heart of Argentina, with arid scenery and endless straights. Santa Rosa is the capital of La Pampa.
DAY 5 · THU 05/10 · ~536 KM · GATEWAY TO PATAGONIA
Santa Rosa → Neuquén
Arrival in Neuquén, the gateway to Argentine Patagonia. The landscape starts to open up.
✦ First glimpse of the Andes on the horizon
DAY 6 · FRI 06/10 · ~530 KM · FIRST ANDES CROSSING
Neuquén → Villa La Angostura
First Andes crossing and arrival in charming Villa La Angostura, on the shore of Lake Nahuel Huapi surrounded by araucaria trees.
DAY 7 · SAT 07/10 · FREE DAY
Villa La Angostura — Rest Day
Day to explore the village. Suggestions: Bosque de Arrayanes, Cerro Bayo, Nahuel Huapi viewpoints. Recharge before entering the Carretera.
DAY 8 · SUN 08/10 · ~444 KM · ENTRY INTO CHILE
Villa La Angostura → Hornopirén
Entry into Chile and the start of the legendary Carretera Austral. Ferry crossing and first Chilean coastal scenery. Overnight in Hornopirén.
DAY 9 · MON 09/10 · ~322 KM · FJORDS
Hornopirén → Chaitén
Navigating between fjords, narrow road and dense vegetation. Chaitén is a village facing the Pacific, with its still-active namesake volcano.
✦ Highlight: Fjords · Chaitén Volcano · Pacific
DAY 10 · TUE 10/10 · ~233 KM · MOST SCENIC STRETCH
Chaitén → Coihaique
One of the most scenic stretches of the trip, crossing forests and turquoise glacier rivers. Coihaique is the regional capital of Aysén — the last big city before the far south.
DAY 11 · WED 11/10 · ~215 KM · MARBLE CAVES
Coihaique → Puerto Río Tranquilo
Views of Lake General Carrera — the second-largest lake in South America, turquoise-blue water. Optional boat trip to the Marble Caves: rock formations carved by glacial water. Unmissable.
✦ Highlight: Marble Caves · Lake General Carrera
DAY 12 · THU 12/10 · ~344 KM · FAR SOUTH
Puerto Río Tranquilo → Villa O’Higgins
The most remote region of the Carretera Austral, with raw, untouched nature. Villa O’Higgins is the end of the road — beyond it, only the wildest Patagonia. Getting here is the high point of the tour.
✦ The end of the road. The ultimate destination of the Carretera Austral.
DAY 13 · FRI 13/10 · ~231 KM · GRAVEL
Villa O’Higgins → Cochrane
Gravel road (ripio) between snow-capped peaks, meltwater rivers and isolated landscapes. The tour’s most technical stretch. Cochrane is a border village to reset the rhythm.
DAY 14 · SAT 14/10 · ~250 KM · BACK TO ARGENTINA
Cochrane → Perito Moreno
Return to Argentina via the beautiful Paso Roballos — a remote border with stunning scenery. Perito Moreno (the town, not the glacier) is the base for continuing through northern Argentina.
DAY 15 · SUN 15/10 · ~799 KM
Perito Moreno → Bariloche
Long ride across the Patagonian steppes and back to Andean scenery. Arrival in San Carlos de Bariloche, the tourist capital of Argentine Patagonia.
DAY 16 · MON 16/10 · ~439 KM
Bariloche → Neuquén
Winding, well-paved roads along Andean rivers and valleys. Back to Neuquén to prepare for the final return stretch.
DAY 17 · TUE 17/10 · ~837 KM
Neuquén → Viejo Molino
Return stage crossing central Argentina. Overnight in Viejo Molino (Córdoba), preparing for the last day.
DAY 18 · WED 18/10 · ~948 KM · CLOSING
Viejo Molino → Paso de los Libres
The end of the journey. Crossing to the border at Paso de los Libres. Farewell dinner and celebration of 18 days and 8,283 km of a complete expedition.
THE PACKAGE
What’s included
✓ INCLUDED
- ● UpSerra guiding throughout the tour
- ● Ripio-ready mechanical support vehicle (parts + assistance)
- ● 17 nights of accommodation (UpSerra Pousada + selected hotels)
- ● Full initial briefing in Urubici
- ● Professional photography and filming coverage
- ● Complete route and fueling planning
- ● Pre-trip assistance (documentation, equipment, gravel riding)
✕ NOT INCLUDED
- ● BMW R1300GS rental (R$ 10,100, optional)
- ● Fuel during the tour
- ● Meals
- ● Chilean ferries
- ● Marble Caves boat trip
- ● International travel insurance (mandatory)
- ● Personal expenses
- Tourist taxes and local fees — paid directly by the participant
The Chilean ferries are essential for crossing the fjords — UpSerra books them all in advance and advises on timing. Payment is made directly at each crossing.
ADVENTURE LEVEL
Pre-requisites
This isn’t a first international tour. It’s for those who already have miles on a big bike and want to close out Chilean Patagonia in one go.
Documentation (South America)
- ● ID or passport in good condition
- ● Valid Category A motorcycle license
- ● Motorcycle registration (if own bike)
- ● Notarized authorization (third-party motorcycle)
- ● Carta Verde insurance (AR/CL)
- ● SOAPEX/SOAP insurance in Chile (mandatory)
- ● International health insurance (recommended)
Experience & Equipment
- ● Experience on a 700cc+ motorcycle, comfortable on gravel
- ● Gravel-ready gear (high boots, protective armor)
- ● Rain cover mandatory (Patagonia rains heavily)
- ● Thermal gear: liner, balaclava (0–15°C)
- ● Vaccinations: none mandatory for AR/CL
RESERVE YOUR SEAT
Reserve your seat on the Carretera Austral Tour 2028
Leave your details and our team will reach out on WhatsApp to arrange payment and send the documentation. Reply within 24 hours.
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RESERVE YOUR SEAT
Reserve your seat — Carretera Austral Tour, Oct 2028
Leave your details and our team will reach out on WhatsApp to arrange payment and send the documentation. Reply within 24 hours.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Common questions
Why is this tour Adventure Level?
Because of a combination of factors: gravel stretches (Villa O’Higgins ↔ Cochrane, ~80 km of gravel), 4 ferry crossings through the Chilean fjords, long stages (up to 948 km on the closing day) and unpredictable Patagonian weather — sun, rain, wind and cold in the same day. This isn’t a first international tour. It’s for those who already have miles on a big bike and want to close out Chilean Patagonia in one go.
How do the Chilean ferries work?
The ferries are essential vessels for crossing the fjords of the Carretera Austral — without them, the road doesn’t exist. There are 4 crossings in total, lasting from 30 minutes to 4 hours each. UpSerra books them all in advance and advises on timing. The cost of each ferry is paid directly at the crossing and is not included in the package.
How much gravel is on the tour?
The main gravel stretch is between Villa O’Higgins and Cochrane — approximately 80 km of gravel. The rest of the Carretera is paved. The gravel requires suitable tires (dual-sport or adventure), moderate speed and constant attention, but it’s manageable on a properly prepped BMW R1300GS. UpSerra provides a specific gravel-riding briefing before the section.
What’s the weather like in October in Patagonia?
October is the start of the Patagonian spring: it can bring sun, rain, wind and snow all in the same day. Temperatures range from 5°C to 18°C, with gusts up to 80 km/h in the far south. A rain cover, balaclava and thermal liner are essential. UpSerra provides full equipment guidance for local conditions before the tour.
I don’t have a suitable motorcycle — can I rent one?
Yes. UpSerra provides a tour-prepped BMW R1300GS (gravel-ready, rear rack, GPS). The rental has an additional cost of R$ 10,100 — including mechanical preparation, insurance and management of mechanical contingencies. Spots for the bike-included package are limited. Let us know when you book.
Can I do just the Carretera, without the outbound/return legs?
No. The tour starts and ends in Urubici — the outbound and return route through Argentina is an integral part of the expedition, with high-value scenery and stops. We don’t offer a shortened itinerary. If you’d like to do the Carretera by plane, that’s a different tour (ask about Fly&Ride Carretera).
PRICING
Investment — Carretera Austral Complete
| MODALITY | WITHOUT MOTORCYCLE | WITH BMW R1300GS UPSERRA |
|---|---|---|
| Solo rider — shared room | R$ 29,100 per person | R$ 39,200 per person |
| Solo rider — single room | R$ 35,400 per person | R$ 45,500 per person |
Payment terms: 10% deposit upon sign-up. Balance in up to 10 interest-free installments by card, or 6% discount for full payment via PIX. Limited seats to maintain the pace and full attention of the UpSerra team.
Limited seats.
Reserve your seat on the Carretera Austral Tour 2028. October 1–18.
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