Best of Andes – 3 paso

Upon the arrival of all tour participants, we gather for a warm welcome, complete with refreshments and introductions. The evening’s agenda is focused on getting to know each other better, fostering camaraderie among the group. We kick off the tour with a delightful dinner, embracing the vibrant flavors of Latin American cuisine. For those still brimming with energy after the journey, there’s an option to explore a nearby local bar, adding a touch of adventure to our first night together.

(Explorer & fun day)

The day kicks off with an informative meeting, where we delve into details about your Best of Andes 3 Paso tour and your stay in Santiago. We cover practical aspects such as motorcycle and car rental checkout, safety guidelines, traffic rules, and essential information to ensure everyone is well-prepared for the upcoming journey. Following the meeting, the rest of the day is at your leisure to explore downtown Santiago according to your preferences.

For an enriching experience, we recommend visiting Cerro San Cristobal, an 860-meter hill featuring a zoo, wine museum, and a gondola ride to the top, where a Virgin Mary statue offers a breathtaking view of the city. Another highlight is SkyCostanera, the tallest building in Latin America, boasting Santiago’s highest viewing platform at 300 meters, providing a panoramic 360° view of the city.

In the evening, we gather to check out our motorcycles or vehicles before enjoying a delightful dinner together. Get ready for an exciting adventure through the heart of Chile and Argentina!

(Driving day 1: 338 km/240  miles)

As everyone gears up for our spectacular adventure tour, we set our sights northward for one of the tour’s absolute highlights: crossing the Argentina border through Cristo Redentor at an elevation of 3,832m/10,499ft above sea level. The roads are tailor-made for motorcycle riding, ensuring you’ll relish every meter of our journey. Please note that the stretch across the actual mountain pass, which is optional, involves riding on a gravel road.

A lunch break awaits us in Las Cuevas before continuing to Puenta del Inca, an ancient Inka (Indian) village. En route to Mendoza, we’ll pause to savor the view and capture photos of Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Andes at 6,962m above sea level. Our final destination for the day is Mendoza, where we’ll spend an enjoyable evening together. Mendoza, with its laid-back charm, boasts numerous cozy cafes and enticing shopping opportunities. Don’t miss the chance to visit the fountain in the city center. Get ready for an unforgettable day on the road!

(Explorer & fun day)

Enjoy a day at your leisure in Mendoza, tailored to your preferences. We highly recommend “The Wine Yard Experience,” where you can visit one of the world’s most famous and outstanding wineries. The program includes a winery tour, a restaurant brunch featuring a regional menu, wine tasting, and more. Alternatively, you can unwind at the hotel, explore the city, or indulge in some shopping. Whatever you choose, Mendoza offers a variety of experiences to suit your interests.

(Driving day 2: 363 km/225 miles)

We bid farewell to the enchanting wine country of Mendoza and set our sights back on the Andes mountains. Our journey takes us north on Ruta 40 / 149, with a delightful stop at the scenic La Cuesta del Viento. We then proceed to Rodeo, where we’ll enjoy a delightful dinner to cap off the day’s adventures.

(Driving day 3: 373 km/232 miles)

Welcome to another tour highlight! Leaving Rodeo and Argentina behind, we embark on a journey back to Chile. Brace yourself for one of the most breathtaking rides of your life as we traverse Ruta 150 towards the awe-inspiring Paso Agua Negra (4,781m / 15,682ft). Crossing the Chilean border, we commence our journey on Ruta 41, treating you to astonishing views as the majestic mountains unfold before your eyes. Keep your cameras at the ready and prepare for memories that will last a lifetime.

En route to La Serena, we make a stop at the picturesque Pisco Elqui, where pisco was distilled in the early history of Chile (the original name of the town was La Greda). Our final destination is La Serena, where beautiful beach shores and charming small villages await.

(Driving day 6: 515 km/321 miles)

Welcome to a beautiful riding day along the Chilean coastline. Heading south to Vina del Mar, we ride along the picturesque beach shores, passing through charming small villages. Keep an eye out for pelicans and sea lions as you enjoy the coastal scenery.

Our first stop is Fray Jorge National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Continuing south, we make a couple of enjoyable pit stops in the delightful Papudo and Zapallar. We conclude our journey with the last evening and a farewell dinner in the lively Vina del Mar, often considered Chile’s version of St. Tropez.

(Explorer &  fun  day)

This day is an explorer and fun day, allowing you to tailor your activities to personal preferences. Whether it’s swimming in the Pacific Ocean or relaxing on one of the beautiful white beaches of Viña del Mar, the day is yours to enjoy. Viña del Mar is considered the most luxurious resort city in Chile, boasting a variety of gourmet restaurants and a blend of modern and old buildings. The old colonial buildings add charm to the city, creating a relaxed atmosphere. For a touch of romance, you can opt for a ride in one of the city’s typical horse-drawn cabs.

(Driving day 5: 363 km/226 miles)

We continue our journey south on scenic motorcycle roads, alternating between the picturesque coastline and inland routes through wine country. Anticipate a delightful meal paired with tasty wines upon our arrival in Talca, situated in the heart of the renowned wine country.

(Driving day 6: 486 km/286 miles)

Today, we embark on the journey through Paso Pehuenche (2,554m/8,376ft), marking the last of the three mountain passes and the lowest in altitude. Despite its lower elevation, this ride promises to be one of the most beautiful and enjoyable experiences, featuring winding roads, leisurely turns, and breathtaking natural scenery. We’ll pause for lunch at a local cafe near the border before heading to Valle Grande for a cozy evening.

(Driving day 7: 317 km/197 miles)

Get ready for another amazing day! We’ll cruise north on Route 173 into Canyon del Atuel, where spectacular views and winding roads await. Please note that driving in Canon Atuel mostly involves gravel roads, so ride carefully! After enjoying lunch in the beautiful Valle Grande, we’ll set course once more for Mendoza, where another evening of delicious food and wines from this region awaits.

(Driving day 8: 375 km/233 miles)

The end of our adventure tour in the breathtaking Argentina, Chile, and Andes mountains is approaching, as this is our last driving day. We conclude the tour with another highlight, crossing the Argentina-Chile border once more through the mesmerizing Cristo Redentor Paso. We are fortunate to ride this majestic route once again in the opposite direction. Note: the stretch across the pass (optional ride) is a gravel road.

We stop for lunch in Uspallata and once again in Puenta del Inca before we cross Cristo Redentor. We continue to Santiago, return our vehicles, and check into the hotel. We spend our last evening and farewell dinner together in Santiago.

The end of our adventure tour in breathtaking Argentina, Chile, and the Andes mountains has come. We say goodbye to our Best of Andes Mountains tour and return home. Thanks for a great ride and sincerely thank you for choosing to tour with JoyRides. We wish you a safe trip home and hope to see you again on one of our other tours in the US, South America, Asia, Africa, Oceania or Europe.

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Please note: Due to the time difference, travelers from Europe will arrive home on the date/day after departing the US.

Additionally, this program serves as a guideline for activities and experiences on the tour. While deviations may occur, we assure you that our positive tour leaders will make every effort to execute the program as described, to the extent feasible and considering prevailing circumstances. Our commitment to improvement means you may encounter positive surprises along the way.