FLY&RIDE • ATACAMA • SEP 18–28, 2026
Atacama Fly&Ride 2026 — Desert, Altiplano & Pacific
Fly into Tucumán. Your BMW R1300GS is waiting.
11 days, 2,851 km between Argentina and Chile — without the long pampas crossings.
Fly & Ride is the smart way to experience the Atacama on a motorcycle. You fly into San Miguel de Tucumán in northern Argentina, where a UpSerra-prepared BMW R1300GS is waiting at the hotel. From there, 11 days through the highest, driest, most lunar landscapes of South America — Cafayate vineyards, Salta colonial streets, the painted sandstone of Purmamarca, the white salt flats of the Atacama, and the descent to the Pacific coast at Taltal. No long pampas crossings — just the best of the desert.
2,851 km, two countries, two Andean crossings — Paso de Jama at 13,123 ft / 4,000+ m on the way out, Paso San Francisco at 15,400 ft / 4,700 m on the way back, one of the highest and most remote passes on the continent. In between: three nights in San Pedro de Atacama, two of them free for Valle de la Luna, Geiser del Tatio, Altiplano Lagoons. Plus the descent to the Pacific in Taltal and the Chilean coast through Copiapó.
Easy level. Average 260 km / 162 mi per day, paved roads, comfortable pace. The entry tour to the Atacama for international riders. Full UpSerra logistics: bike, hotels, bilingual tour leader, support vehicle, professional photo coverage. You arrive, you ride the desert, you see the Pacific, you fly home. Smart.
IN MOTION
Watch the previous edition
Footage from the previous Atacama edition. Landscapes, the bike, the rhythm — exactly what’s waiting for you in September.
More videos on @upserra YouTube channel →
THE ROUTE
Tucumán → Salta → Atacama → Pacific → Tucumán
Day-by-day itinerary
DAY 01 · FRI SEP 18 · TUCUMÁN
Arrival in San Miguel de Tucumán
Land in San Miguel de Tucumán. UpSerra team welcomes you at the airport, transfer to the hotel. Afternoon: technical briefing, BMW R1300GS handover, equipment check. Welcome dinner with the group.
DAY 02 · SAT SEP 19 · 228 KM
Tucumán → Cafayate
First ride. Climb through Tafí del Valle and arrive in Cafayate, a 5,580 ft / 1,700 m altitude valley — capital of Argentinian Torrontés. Scenic road into the Andean terroir. Free afternoon for local wine tasting.
DAY 03 · SUN SEP 20 · 168 KM · QUEBRADA DE LAS CONCHAS
Cafayate → Salta
One of the most cinematic roads in South America: the Quebrada de las Conchas — red sandstone formations sculpted by wind and water, with named landmarks (Anfiteatro, Garganta del Diablo, Castillos). Arrival in Salta, the colonial gem of northwest Argentina.
DAY 04 · MON SEP 21 · 188 KM · CERRO 7 COLORS
Salta → Purmamarca
Climbing through the Quebrada de Humahuaca (UNESCO Heritage) to Purmamarca, a small village at the foot of the iconic Cerro de los Siete Colores — a hillside of seven distinct mineral colors. Short late-afternoon walk in the golden light. Altitude acclimatization before Paso de Jama.
DAY 05 · TUE SEP 22 · 411 KM · PASO DE JAMA
Purmamarca → San Pedro de Atacama
The epic day. Cross the Paso de Jama (13,123 ft / 4,000+ m), entry into Chile. Turquoise lagoons, white salt flats, vicuñas, wind. Descent into the Atacama Desert. Arrival in San Pedro de Atacama in the late afternoon — 3 nights here to explore desert and altiplano without rushing.
DAY 06 · WED SEP 23 · ATACAMA · FREE
Valle de la Luna / Valle de la Muerte
Free day in San Pedro. Valle de la Luna at sunset is the Atacama postcard — moonlike rock formations, dunes, color shifting from orange to purple. For those with energy: Valle de la Muerte in the morning, sandboarding or hiking. The village has a cosmopolitan Andean atmosphere — good restaurants, bars with live music.
DAY 07 · THU SEP 24 · ATACAMA · FREE
Geiser del Tatio / Altiplano Lagoons
Pre-dawn departure to Geiser del Tatio (14,170 ft / 4,320 m, freezing dawn when the geysers vent steam most powerfully). Afternoon: Altiplano Lagoons (Miscanti and Miñiques) or Salar de Atacama with flamingos. Sunset at the Toconao oasis on the way back to San Pedro.
DAY 08 · FRI SEP 25 · 550 KM · MANO DEL DESIERTO
San Pedro → Taltal
Descent of 4,000 m / 13,000 ft to the Pacific coast. Along the way we pass the Mano del Desierto, Mario Irarrázabal’s sculpture rising from the sand — classic Atacama photo stop. Arrival in Taltal, a charming port town where the desert meets the ocean. First night by the sea.
DAY 09 · SAT SEP 26 · 279 KM · CHILEAN COAST
Taltal → Copiapó
Pacific to the right all day. Copiapó is the gateway to the Chilean Atacama and the base for climbing to Paso San Francisco the next day. Short stage to recover before the highest crossing of the tour.
DAY 10 · SUN SEP 27 · 529 KM · PASO SAN FRANCISCO
Copiapó → Tinogasta
The highest day of the tour: Paso San Francisco (15,400 ft / 4,700 m), one of the most remote Andean passes on the continent. Almost no tourists — only lagoons, volcanoes, vicuñas, wind. Ojos del Salado on the horizon. Return to Argentina and descent to Tinogasta, a palm oasis in the Catamarca province.
DAY 11 · MON SEP 28 · 498 KM · FINISH
Tinogasta → San Miguel de Tucumán · finish
Return to Tucumán through the Argentinian interior, closing the loop. Bike returned, farewell dinner with the group. Flight home next day or extension on your own.
EXPEDITION MEMORIES
Atacama in pictures
Photos from previous editions in the desert and altiplano — to give you a sense of what’s waiting for you in September.
More on Instagram @upserra_ →
FLY&RIDE FORMAT
You fly. The bike is waiting.
This is the first Fly&Ride on the UpSerra 2026 calendar. The difference is simple: instead of leaving Urubici and crossing 3,000 km / 1,860 mi of Argentinian pampas to reach the Atacama, you fly into San Miguel de Tucumán and the UpSerra-prepared BMW R1300GS is at the hotel when you land. Eleven days that begin where the landscape gets interesting.
The route crosses the Andes twice at different altitudes: Paso de Jama (13,123 ft / 4,000+ m, into Chile) and Paso San Francisco (15,400 ft / 4,700 m, back into Argentina — one of the highest passes in South America). In between, three nights in San Pedro de Atacama with Valle de la Luna, Geiser del Tatio, and Altiplano Lagoons. The pace is unhurried — average 260 km / 162 mi per day, Easy level, with room to absorb each place.
No vehicle paperwork to organize, no border permits to chase. The bike is UpSerra’s — you only need your passport and a valid Class A motorcycle license (1+ year holding it).
What’s Included
- BMW R1300GS prepared by UpSerra (always included in this tour)
- Bilingual tour leader for all 11 days
- Mechanical support vehicle (does not carry luggage)
- 10 nights of accommodation in selected hotels and inns
- Technical briefing in Tucumán + bike handover
- Professional photo and video coverage
- Complete route, refueling, and logistics planning
- Pre-trip support (documentation, equipment, flights)
Not Included
- International flight to San Miguel de Tucumán (TUC, round-trip)
- Motorcycle fuel during the tour
- Meals (only breakfast included at hotels)
- Mandatory international travel insurance
- Optional Atacama excursions (Valle de la Luna, Tatio, Lagunas — local agencies)
- Wine tasting in Cafayate
- Personal expenses
In Atacama, the iconic excursions (Valle de la Luna, Geiser del Tatio, Altiplano Lagoons) are operated by local agencies from San Pedro — paid directly. UpSerra helps you build the free-day itinerary. In Cafayate, the team guides you to the best wineries for your taste.
Requirements
Documentation (international riders)
- Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond return date
- Visa requirements: US/Canadian/UK/EU/AU/NZ citizens enter Argentina and Chile visa-free for tourism (up to 90 days)
- Motorcycle license (Class A or equivalent) — held for at least 1 year. International Driving Permit (IDP) recommended (AAA in the US, AA in UK)
- Mandatory international travel insurance with high-altitude coverage (Paso de Jama 13,123 ft, Paso San Francisco 15,400 ft) and medical evacuation
- Round-trip international flight to San Miguel de Tucumán (TUC), arriving by Sep 18 and departing on or after Sep 29
Since the bike is UpSerra’s, no vehicle registration, ownership letter or Carta Verde insurance is required — all BMW documentation and AR↔CL border crossings are handled by the team.
Other requirements
- Easy level — ideal first international tour. 99% paved roads, comfortable pace, ~260 km / 162 mi daily average
- Heavy-bike experience (700cc+) with comfort at altitude — Paso de Jama and Paso San Francisco have strong winds
- Layered desert + cold-weather gear: insulated jacket, balaclava, reinforced gloves. Atacama days 15-25°C / 59-77°F, nights 0-5°C / 32-41°F. High passes can drop below freezing
- Acclimatization: arrival in Purmamarca (D4) at 7,500 ft / 2,300 m before Paso de Jama on D5 — UpSerra guides hydration and pace
- Vaccinations: none mandatory — keep yellow fever and tetanus up to date
RESERVE YOUR SPOT
Reserve your spot — Atacama Fly&Ride September 2026
Leave your details and our team will reach out on WhatsApp within 24 hours.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How is Fly&Ride different from a full tour?
You fly directly into the destination region (Tucumán) instead of riding from Brazil. Saves 4-5 days of long pampas crossings. UpSerra has the BMW R1300GS waiting at the hotel. Best option for international riders short on time.
How tough is the high altitude?
Two passes above 13,000 ft (Paso de Jama Day 5 at 13,123 ft / 4,000+ m, Paso San Francisco Day 10 at 15,400 ft / 4,700 m). 3-night stop in San Pedro de Atacama (7,900 ft / 2,400 m) for acclimatization. Mild headache normal first day. Drinking water and going slow is the protocol. Tour leaders monitor everyone, with portable oxygen available in the support vehicle.
Do I need to buy an international flight? How much?
Yes, the international flight to San Miguel de Tucumán (TUC) is on you (not included in the package). Common connections: USA → Buenos Aires (AEP/EZE) → Tucumán. Total ~14h flight time. Plan to arrive 1 day early. UpSerra sends suggestions on airports and timings compatible with Day 1 and Day 11.
How much fuel and food cost?
Fuel: ~USD 350-450 across 2,851 km. Meals: USD 30-60/day (only breakfast included at hotels). Atacama excursions: USD 100-200 per outing (Valle de la Luna, Tatio, Lagunas). Cafayate wine tasting: USD 40-100. Budget USD 1,000-1,500 personal expenses for 11 days.
What’s the weather like in September?
Early Southern Hemisphere spring. Argentina lowlands: 8-22°C (46-72°F). Atacama desert: 15-25°C (59-77°F) days, 0-5°C (32-41°F) nights. Pacific coast: mild, 12-20°C (54-68°F). Paso de Jama and Paso San Francisco can have light snow — felt on the bike at -5°C (23°F) with wind. Layered system mandatory.
Is it tough for someone who’s never ridden in South America?
Easy level — the only easy tour in the September lineup. 100% paved, ~260 km / 162 mi daily average, comfortable pace. The challenges are wind and altitude on the two Andean passes. If you have heavy-bike (700cc+) experience and have ridden mountain roads (Alps, Rockies, Cascade range), you’re ready. Since the bike is UpSerra’s (no maintenance, parts, or border logistics to worry about), it’s a great entry point to international motorcycle touring.
Is the bike always included? Is there an option without bike?
Yes, BMW R1300GS always included in this tour — there’s no option without bike. Since the rider flies into Tucumán, the logistics only make sense if the UpSerra bike is waiting at the destination. Riders who’d prefer to bring their own bike should consider the Atacama + Mendoza Tour September 2026, which starts in Urubici and allows your own motorcycle.
What’s the difference between Atacama Fly&Ride and Atacama+Mendoza September?
The Atacama+Mendoza Sep starts in Urubici, runs 15 days, covers 7,021 km / 4,363 mi and crosses 4 borders (BR→AR→CL→AR→BR). Includes Mendoza, Pacific coast from La Serena to Viña del Mar. Own motorcycle allowed. The Atacama Fly&Ride starts in Tucumán (you fly), runs 11 days, 2,851 km / 1,772 mi, only 2 borders (AR↔CL). Focused on Atacama + altiplano + northern Chilean coast. BMW always included. Lighter, more focused, no pampas crossings.
Do I need a visa for Argentina or Chile?
Citizens of the US, Canada, UK, EU, Australia, and New Zealand currently enter both countries visa-free for tourism (up to 90 days). Always check the latest entry requirements before departure — UpSerra confirms with you ahead of time.
How do I pay? What’s the deposit?
10% deposit at booking confirms your spot. Balance via international wire transfer in USD or credit card. The team contacts you on WhatsApp within 24 hours.
Pricing
Per person, in USD. BMW R1300GS prepared by UpSerra always included. International flight to Tucumán not included.
| Package | Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| Rider — Twin Room (BMW R1300GS included) | USD 6,500 |
| Rider — Single Room (BMW R1300GS included) | USD 7,500 |
| Couple — Double Room (BMW R1300GS included) | USD 7,500 |
Payment terms: 10% deposit at booking confirms your spot. Balance via international wire transfer (USD) or credit card. Talk to the UpSerra team on WhatsApp.
Limited spots.
Small group to preserve pace and full attention from the team.
Reserve your spot directly with our team.
“More than roads, we live experiences. More than destinations, we build friendships.”
@UPSERRA_ · OFFICIAL BMW MOTORRAD PARTNER