SAMtNEWs PATAGONIA FEBRUARY 2011 On February 7 began a new adventure to Patagonia Argentina - Chile

Transcription

1 SAMtNEWs 08 February / March PATAGONIA FEBRUARY 2011 On February 7 began a new adventure to Patagonia Argentina - Chile 2.0 INCA SAMt JUNE 2012 A destination to see and experience much more Chile - Peru LIMITED vacancies 3.0 BEACH S MOTORCYCLE ADVENTURES, LTD. In 2011 South America Motorbike Tours has teamed up with very well known company 4.0 NEXT PATAGONIA SAMt OCTOBER 2011 Do not miss this historic opportunity to ride the original Patagonia!

2 1.0 PATAGONIA FEBRUARY 2011 Another Patagonian adventure departed from Osorno toward our first destination, Villa La Angostura, on 7 February. This time the group was comprised of six Frenchmen (Stan, Laurent, Fabio, Claude, Dominique and Marc), one from the United States (John) and an Australian (David). The guide César, Christian and me (Gaby) completed the team in the support vehicle. In addition, unlike on other tours, this time we had a special guest aboard the pickup: my sister Ana. 2

3 We left Osorno for our fi rst border crossing, the Cardenal Samoré Pass. The real driving motivation was the promise of taking the motorcycles down Route 215 along the edge of Lake Puyehue, across the Puyehue National Park and over the imposing Andes Mountains. We moved ahead amid forests, rivers and hidden lakes. We went through the fi rst border crossing and the road changed numbers, now it was Route 231. We were in another country, Argentina, in another nature reserve, the Nahuel Huapi National Park with another lake, the light blue giant, the vast Nahuel Huapi. We continued through Argentina to Villa La Angostura in Neuquén Province, 3

4 a jewel of the southern part of the continent. This wooden city is located 70 km from Bariloche, between the turquoise waters of Nahuel Huapi to the left and Lake Correntoso to the right. The river that feeds both lakes, the Correntoso, emerges from amid violet rocks and green forests. The highway looks like a spinal column crossing a natural reserve and invigorating the riders minds. The architecture in this mountain town of 11,000 inhabitants is European in style. Germans and Austrians arrived a long time ago and built houses with attics on the lakeside, amid the forests, or on the plain, lit up with lamps and with smoke eternally emerging from their chimneys. The enchantment of Villa La Angostura is complemented with shops and restaurants selling handcrafted products like chocolates, venison and trout, lots of trout! We spent the night here and the excellent wine and food were good companions to share the first impressions of the trip with. 4

5 Wake up, have breakfast and start up the bikes! We continued our trip along the south branch of the road, or the second half of the famous Seven Lakes circuit, one of the most beautiful roads in the region, which connects San Martin de Los Andes and Bariloche through the native cypress and coigüe (Chilean evergreen) forests of two different parks. Nahuel Huapi dominates the entire horizon with its cold, clear and waters as much as 500 meters deep in some areas. We continued moving forward and, a little at a time, this omnipresent being is left behind us. We continued southward, crossed the Limay River and the landscape continued unwaveringly beautiful. We took the road to Trevelin, along the edge of Lake Mascardi. This was an obligatory stop: it s my favorite lake, where I used to go on camping vacations when I was young. What better place to enjoy lunch with the group! Some were unable to resist the temptation of taking a dip in the lake, while others enjoyed their lunch and the peace and quiet in the area. That night in Trevelin we stayed at fishing lodge and the group was received by its chef (Germán) with an exquisite lamb that had already been cooking for some time. The spitted lamb a traditional dish in southern Argentina was a real delicacy for our riders palates. 5

6 We had breakfast and once again headed toward the border. We had Futaleufú on our horizon, a mountain town in Palena Province, Chilean Patagonia, from where the trip then continued on to the Puyuhuapi hot springs. Our riders reached the hot springs, built in the rainiest part of Chile, after a short ferry crossing. With their dense vegetation these hot springs are a real post card of the far south of the continent. The thermal waters, with temperatures of up to 60 degrees, were well-received by the group. From now on, most of the road is gravel. We crossed beautiful landscapes with the best views amid dense forests and lush vegetation. It is an incredible road and the pilot s bike s tires touched the mythical Route 40 for the first time. We spent the first night in the Estancia Los Toldos in Argentina, where the barbecue was not long in coming. Patagonian hospitality is embracing and warm, perhaps an attempt to compensate for the harshness of the road. 6

7 A great day awaits us today. We have 360 kilometers of gravel and dirt ahead of us, a delight for the bikes Well, it is for some. We fi nally reached the authentic Patagonia, the deep south of the world with its vast expanses and solitary plains. This is the living portrait of desolation. At the end of the world the only thing you can hear is the bleating of sheep. This is a unique landscape that you do not just visit; you also live it. We passed through Bajo Caracoles to reach the place where we spent the night, the Estancia La Angostura, an authentic Argentine ranch. Julio, a gaucho who has worked there for many years, is cooking us another spitted lamb along with a great variety of Argentine beef cuts. It was a long day for everybody, Route 40 once again put the skills of those who chose to ride it to the maximum test. We have another unbeatable experience on these roads, that of driving for hours across solitary plains altered only by the presence of certain wild animals like guanacos, rhea birds called ñandus in Chile, and armadillos, as well as the everpresent Patagonian wind. 7

8 We reached the halfway point on this adventure. We took an asphalt and dirt road to reach the beautiful city of El Calafate and, specifically, the imposing Perito Moreno glacier in the Los Glaciares National Park. The group took a break, parked its bikes and went to visit the glacier, one of the most spectacular sights in all of Patagonia, a light blue and white place of peace and quiet. 8

9 The riders left El Calafate with an eternal smile in their minds and on their faces. We crossed into Chile on a route that allowed us to see almost the entire expanse of the Grey glacier before reaching Torres del Paine. The three most beautiful granite horns in this part of the world are the landmark of the park. After a visit to the Grey glacier we left Torres del Paine along a route that takes us through impressive landscapes. After a few flat tires the group finally reached the Magellan Straits and crossed in a ferry under an incredible full moon to reach Cerro Sombrero in Tierra del Fuego. 9

10 We left Cerro Sombrero and headed to Ushuaia, the biggest city in Argentine Patagonia and the southernmost one in the world. Our goal on this tour is to set foot in this beautiful city, so far from everything It is true, the sailors of old called it Finis Terrae, or the end of the Earth, but its inhabitants prefer a more positive concept: The beginning of everything, they say. 10

11 Today the group will embark in a private boat to navigate through different islands and to appreciate the areas marine fauna. First the sea lions and then the penguin sanctuary. Everybody wanted to steer for a while, so much time on the bikes and gravel made handling the tiller seem like a simple game. The lunch on the boat started off with generous snacks and then a great variety of empanadas. There was also wine and beer. Of course, it was not a paradise for everybody! 11

12 The next morning we took the highway to the right, westward, to the end, Lapataia Bay in the coastal sector of the Tierra del Fuego National Park. Only penguins can survive further south. We followed the road to Rio Grande and stopped at the Estancia Harberton to have lunch. It was declared a National Historic Monument in 1999 and maintains its original architecture with wood buildings covered in corrugated sheet metal panels, welltended gardens, piers, and stone terraces. The menu, lentils with hot sausage, the traditional dish of the area, though it was a bit too spicy for some! 12

13 It is the last day of the expedition. We left Rio Grande on the fi nal stretch of this unforgettable tour, heading to Punta Arenas. This is where we shared the farewell dinner and the classic and necessary reminiscence of the trip s thousands of stories. Patagonia once again leaves a deep mark on our riders spirits and, despite the fact that some fell victim to its strong winds and gravel, its roads continue to awaken the passion of those who decide to challenge it on a motorbike. For SAMt it was yet another adventure, yet another chance to get to know and to share different cultures with a common connection, the passion of living a motorbike experience like this one. We hope to have you with us again in the not too distant future. 13

14 Testimonials Firstly, let me say a big thank you to Gabriela, Cesar and Cristian for all the planning, support and tireless effort you all made to make this tour such a f*@#$%^ amazing experience. Thank you Natalia and John as I know there was a lot of work being done in the background too. Thank you SAMt tours, and all who were part of Patagonia tour Feb 2011, for making it so easy for me to have such an unbelievable time. David Cohen Sydney, Australia I joined this tour as a fairly inexperienced rider; the knowledge and help that Domi provided me for the on-road riding, Cesar and Cristian for off-road riding, will be appreciated every time I get on my bike (no matter where or when). Every aspect of this tour scored 100%. 1. The organisation of the tour and the quality of the bikes. 2. The terrain for its beauty, vastness and constant surprises. 3. The accommodation, which perfectly complemented the experience and location. 4. The food and the wine. 5. The riding, which at times was fast and challenging but always exhilarating. 6. And the people, well they are all bikers and looking for something special (which I know I found). 14

15 Dear John, Gabriela, Cesar, Cristian and Natalia, On reading the testimonials of previous trips, it is hard to add another point that would not have been made yet This time round, it was a bunch of Europeans, mostly French, but also Swiss and Belgian (although living in Italy) that came across the Atlantic Ocean to figure out what motorbiking in Patagonia could look like. Our group was made of good mates who had already ridden thousands of miles together in various parts of Europe on BMW R 1200 GS and Adventures. John from California and David from Australia joined the group to make it more international and also more fun. The preparation work went extremely well, with Gabriela and Natalia working hard towards making sure that everything would have been anticipated. The most minute details were identifi ed to make our journey as smooth as possible (including keeping our big bags in Santiago until our return from Punta Arenas at the end of the trip). In short, a great deal of professionalism was demonstrated by Gabriela and team in all instances throughout the preparation phase. As for the trip, it was perhaps the trip of a lifetime! Cesar and Cristian did a wonderful job in handling the group through sealed and gravel roads. And there were a lot of them! Gabriela kept an eye on literally everything and extended an unmatched expertise to cope with the unexpected which we provided in large amounts! For example, one of us simply forgot his passport in his hotel bathrobe pocket after a late evening swim in the hotel hot springs. The problem is that he realized this after a 5 hour ride on gravel roads on reaching the Chile- Argentina border! Gabriela kept very calm indeed and started to make phone calls. The rest of the story would be too long to explain, but she showed no particular embarrassment and did a great job to recover the situation. And there are lots of other unexpected events that she handled in the most professional and expert manner. I cannot praise her enough for her persistent good mood and calm. We had the most wonderful experience throughout the trip, from outstanding landscapes, to excellent accommodation, food and local tours (Perito Moreno Glacier and Canal of Beagle excursion) and, as if this was not enough to make our journey exceptional, an ideal weather with virtually no rain at all. How could I summarise all this with only key words? Friendship, professionalism, excellence, nature, riding experience, humour, fun, occasional but sound tiredness, spa, food, wine, wind, pampa, dust, fantastic sceneries, guanacos, and so much more...overall a full set of memories for the years to come. I can only recommend SAMtours for their outstanding experience and professionalism in organizing motorbike tours in perhaps the most exciting and defi nitely unique area for motorbiking. Where do we go next??? Stan Paris, France ( km off Patagonia) 15

16 CHILE - PERU 2.0 INCA SAMt JUNE 2012 A destination to see and experience much more Chile - Peru LIMITED vacancies A millennial destination that brings an incredible combination of archaeological sites, museums with children mummified more than 500 years, sacred and majestic mountains one of the most ancient and diverse cultures of South America. Total Kilometers days 14 nights A unique opportunity to explore some of the most ancient cultures, a place that triggers the desire to stay, see and experience more. See further details on this tour and the description of the route we will take on: SAMt CONTACT contacto@samttours.com gzampini@samttours.com Gabriela Zampini Phone: + (56-2) Mobil: + (56 9)

17 4.0 BEACH S MOTORCYCLE ADVENTURES, LTD. In 2011 South America Motorbike Tours has teamed up with very well known company and their crew for some special adventures in Europe, Beach s Motorcycle Adventures. For almost four decades the Beach family has been conducting motorcycle tours of the European Alps. Discover why 50% of their tour members return again and again to enjoy the majesty of the Alps and the winding lanes of central Italy. Challenging roads, the finest hotels, new BMW motorcycles and the freedom to choose your own daily routes and pace are only a few of the points that make the tours offered by Beach s Motorcycle Adventures the standard which others attempt to equal. The Alpine Adventure East: May 22 (Florence, IT) to June 5 (Munich, DE) Ride in the former Eastern Block Countries The Alpine Adventure East opens in the Tuscan hills before crossing the Adriatic to the dramatic coastline of Croatia. The next few days are spent heading north to the Czech Republic via Bosnia-Herzegovina, Slovenia and Austria. The countryside is a throwback to the old days, and the locals are curious and courteous. Our northern destination is the stunning city of Prague before visiting Bavaria on the way to Munich. 17

18 The Classic Alpine Adventure: adventure.html June 12-26, July 3-17, July 24-Aug. 7 begins/ends in Munich, DE Choose from over 76 passes to conquer The Classic Alpine Adventure offers an indepth ride through the most mountainous areas of Austria, Lichtenstein, Switzerland, northern Italy, a corner of Slovenia, and the German state of Bavaria. Once you experience the roads and scenery available in the central Alps you will discover why riders repeat this tour 3, 5, and even 20 times. Refined over 39 years, this is the ride that coined the phrase classic tour. The European Alps are, very simply, the most magical place in the world to ride or drive. We could carry on for pages with descriptive adjectives of the Classic Alpine Adventure, but ultimately one word says it all - classic. Join us for an unforgettable, real-life definition of that word. The Alpine Adventure West: Aug. 21 (Zurich, CH) - Sept. 4 (Munich, DE) The footsteps of Napoleon The Alpine Adventure West begins in the heart of the Swiss Alps! After cutting through Germany s Black Forest we overnight in the medieval town of Kaysersberg. The character of the next two weeks becoming evident, as we pass through places too delightful to ignore, overnight in locations demanding detailed exploration, and are lured daily by the promise of more of the same just over the horizon! The Alps may begin in France, but, like a magic carpet, they indicate the way to Italy, then Switzerland, Austria and finally, the culmination of the adventure in Munich. 18

19 ARGENTINA - CHILE BOOK NOW! 4.0 NEXT PATAGONIA SAMt OCTOBER 2011 Argentina - Chile If you plan to ride the mythical route 40 you should do it this year! The Route 40 is being paved and will be finished shortly. Do not miss this historic opportunity to ride the original Patagonia! Total Kilometers days 15 nights SAMt CONTACT contacto@samttours.com gzampini@samttours.com Gabriela Zampini See further details on this tour and the description of the route we will take on: Phone: + (56-2) Mobil: + (56 9)