ATACAMA + MENDOZA • MARCH 2027
Atacama & Mendoza 2027 — Desert, Pacific & Andean Wines
15 days riding from southern Brazil to the Atacama Desert at 4,000m, descending to the Pacific coast and crossing the Andes back to Mendoza’s vineyards.
7,021 km · 3 countries · 4 borders · Moderate level.
The most complete continental crossing on the UpSerra calendar. You leave Urubici, ride across Argentina through pampean and mountain land, climb to the Atacama Desert in northern Chile, descend the Andes to the Pacific coast at Viña del Mar, cross the Andes again to Mendoza and its vineyards, and close the loop back to Brazil. Fifteen days across three countries and four completely distinct landscapes.
7,021 kilometers on motorcycle. You ride absolute desert at San Pedro de Atacama (4,000 m altitude with Valle de la Luna and Geiser del Tatio), Chilean Pacific coast from La Serena to Viña del Mar, vineyards of Mendoza at the foot of the Cordillera, and historic Salta with its preserved colonial architecture. The full logistics is UpSerra: hotels, support vehicle, experienced guides, professional photography.
This isn’t a single-destination tour — it’s South America condensed. In 15 days you cross Paso de Jama (4,275 m), breathe the driest air on the planet in the desert, feel the Pacific Ocean, taste Malbec at the foot of the Andes, and ride Cristo Redentor (3,832 m) on the way back. Whoever finishes this trip comes back with a different sense of scale.
Tour-completo format: you can bring your own bike or pick the BMW R1300GS UpSerra rental. Either way, mechanical support, AR↔CL↔AR border crossings, fuel logistics and lodging are handled by the team. Moderate level — 95% good asphalt with strong wind on Paso de Jama and the Chilean coast, plus altitude (Atacama). For riders comfortable on big bikes who have already done long routes (Brazilian serra, regional tours).
DEPARTURE
March 1 — 15, 2027
ROUTE
Urubici → Atacama → Pacific → Mendoza → Brazil
Urubici → Santo Tomé → Charata → Tafí del Valle → Salta → Paso de Jama (4,275 m) → San Pedro de Atacama → Pacific coast → La Serena → Viña del Mar → Cristo Redentor (3,832 m) → Mendoza → San Francisco → Paso de los Libres
Day-by-day itinerary
DAY 01 · URUBICI
Welcome and briefing
Welcome in Urubici, motorcycle prep, briefing with the team. Welcome dinner at Pousada das Flores UpSerra.
DAY 02 · 786 KM
Urubici → Santo Tomé
We cross the Serra Catarinense to the border at Uruguaiana, entering Argentina from the north. First night in Santo Tomé.
DAY 03 · 690 KM
Santo Tomé → Charata
Open Argentine pampa. Charata, in Chaco province, is a quiet inland town — perfect for a technical stop before climbing into the highlands.
DAY 04 · 560 KM
Charata → Tafí del Valle
Climb through the Argentine sierras up to Tafí del Valle, a high-altitude village in Tucumán surrounded by mountains. The landscape changes dramatically — the pampa is left behind, the Andes begin.
DAY 05 · 309 KM
Tafí del Valle → Salta
We cross sierras with spectacular landscapes to Salta, capital of the homonymous province — one of the most beautiful cities in northwestern Argentina, with preserved colonial architecture.
DAY 06 · SALTA · REST DAY
Salta · free day
Day to explore Salta — Plaza 9 de Julio, MAAM (Museum of High Mountain Archaeology), Cerro San Bernardo by cable car, local cuisine. Optional day trip to Cafayate via Quebrada de las Conchas (one of the most cinematic roads in the Americas).
DAY 07 · 596 KM · PASO DE JAMA
Salta → San Pedro de Atacama
Epic crossing through Paso de Jama (4,275 m) — one of the highest and most scenic Andes passes. Turquoise lagoons, white salt flats, vicuñas, wind. Entry into Chile and descent into the desert. Overnight in San Pedro de Atacama.
DAY 08 · ATACAMA · REST DAY
Atacama free day
Day to explore the desert: Valle de la Luna at sunset, Geiser del Tatio at dawn (4,320 m), Altiplanic Lagoons, Salar de Atacama with flamingos, the historic cactus. The village of San Pedro has a cosmopolitan Andean vibe.
DAY 09 · 557 KM · DESCENT TO PACIFIC
San Pedro → Taltal
Descent of 4,000 m to the Pacific coast. Taltal is a charming port town where the desert meets the ocean — extreme landscape. First night by the sea.
DAY 10 · 638 KM · CHILEAN COAST
Taltal → La Serena
Pacific on the right, desert on the left. La Serena is one of the oldest cities in Chile, with colonial architecture and wide beaches — the country’s second-founded city (1544).
DAY 11 · 425 KM
La Serena → Viña del Mar
Pacific coast scenic route to Viña del Mar, Chile’s “garden city” with famous beaches, vibrant atmosphere and proximity to Valparaíso (UNESCO World Heritage — worth the extension).
DAY 12 · 409 KM · CROSSING THE ANDES
Viña del Mar → Mendoza
Cordillera crossing through Cristo Redentor de los Andes (3,832 m, Chile-Argentina border) and descent to Mendoza, world capital of Malbec. In one morning: ocean. In the afternoon: vineyards at 800 m of altitude.
DAY 13 · MENDOZA · REST DAY
Mendoza vineyards
Tasting day. Maipú (historic vineyards) or Luján de Cuyo (premium tier). UpSerra helps assemble the circuit. Long lunch, long dinner, well-deserved rest after 12 intense days.
DAY 14 · 769 KM
Mendoza → San Francisco
Start of the return. Long stage across central Argentina to San Francisco, in Córdoba province. Overnight at a local guesthouse.
DAY 15 · 597 KM · CLOSING
San Francisco → Paso de los Libres
Last day. Crossing the Argentine pampa to the border at Paso de los Libres. Closing hotel. Flight home the next day or continuation back to Urubici.
What’s included
Included
- Bilingual rider-guide for the full 15 days
- Mechanical support vehicle
- 14 nights in selected hotels
- Welcome briefing in Urubici + closing hotel
- Full route, border and refueling logistics
- Professional photography and video coverage
- BR↔AR↔CL paperwork support
- Pre-trip advisory (gear, insurance, training)
Not included
- Travel to Urubici (SC, Brazil) — Florianópolis (FLN) is the closest international airport, ~3h drive
- Fuel during the tour
- Meals (breakfast included; some group dinners noted)
- Mendoza wine-tour fees (USD 60–300, depending on tier)
- Atacama optional excursions
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- If choosing own bike: CRLV, Green Card insurance, riding gear
Pricing
Two modalities: own bike (rider brings their motorcycle) or BMW R1300GS rental (UpSerra preparation, included).
⚠️ 2026 reference values held — 2027 update coming soon. Lock pricing on signup.
With BMW R1300GS UpSerra (included)
| Package | Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| Rider — Twin Room (BMW R1300GS included) | USD 7,200 |
| Rider — Single Room (BMW R1300GS included) | USD 9,000 |
| Couple — Double Room (BMW R1300GS included) | USD 10,500 |
Bring your own bike
| Package | Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| Rider — Twin Room (own bike) | USD 5,000 |
| Rider — Single Room (own bike) | USD 6,700 |
| Couple — Double Room (own bike) | USD 8,300 |
International wire / SWIFT
Lock-in rate at signup
Credit card
Up to 12 installments · Check rates
Down payment + balance
Until trip date · Flexible split with the team
Reserve your spot in the Atacama & Mendoza 2027
Drop your details and our team will reach out on WhatsApp within 24h to confirm payment and send paperwork.
Frequently asked questions
How does altitude affect the ride? Will I get sick?
San Pedro de Atacama sits at 2,400 m. Geiser del Tatio (optional on the rest day) reaches 4,320 m. Paso de Jama (D7) is 4,275 m. UpSerra uses progressive acclimatization — you sleep one night in San Pedro before climbing higher. Intense hydration, slow pace on the first morning, local coca tea — works for the vast majority of riders.
How does the BR/AR/CL border crossing work?
4 borders on this route: BR→AR (Uruguaiana / Paso de los Libres), AR→CL (Paso de Jama, D7), CL→AR (Cristo Redentor, D12), AR→BR (Paso de los Libres, D15). UpSerra organizes all advance paperwork. ID/passport, motorcycle license, CRLV and Green Card insurance are mandatory if bringing own bike. Crossing with the team support is straightforward.
How tough is this tour for someone who has never done South America by motorcycle?
Moderate level. 95% good asphalt, some sections with strong wind (Paso de Jama, Chilean coast) and altitude (Atacama). If you’ve already done Mendoza or have experience on the Brazilian serra (Mantiqueira, Serra Gaúcha) on a big bike, you’re ready. Not recommended as a first international motorcycle trip — there’s a complete continental crossing.
What’s the weather in March 2027?
End of austral summer. Argentina: 5-22°C depending on altitude and city. Atacama: 0°C in the morning, 25°C by afternoon, the desert dries everything. Chilean coast: 12-20°C, sea breeze. Mendoza: 8-22°C, strong sun but cool evenings. Layered gear required, especially for Atacama at dawn.
I don’t have an adequate bike — how does the rental work?
UpSerra runs a fleet of BMW R1300GS prepared for long expeditions. Rental adds ~USD 2,200 over the own-bike price and covers a ready-to-go bike, up-to-date maintenance, mechanical support from the chase vehicle, and the bike waiting for you in Urubici on D1.
Can I do only part of the tour, like just Atacama?
Not in this format — it’s a continuous 15-day package with the team riding together. If you want only Atacama, consider the Atacama Fly&Ride 2027 (fly directly from Salta). If you want only Mendoza, see the Mendoza 2027 tour.
SPOT RESERVATION
Reserve your spot in the Atacama & Mendoza 2027
Drop your details and our team will reach out on WhatsApp to confirm payment and send paperwork. Reply within 24 hours.
More than roads, we live experiences. More than destinations, we build friendships.