South America Coast To Coast (trip)

South America Coast To Coast

  • Rio Airport, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • Active & Adventure
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Peru, South America

from $14,990* per person42 DaysJuly
Luxury accommodations Exertion level: 3
Operator: Compass Expeditions 12 people max
This extraordinary ride takes us from the shores of the Atlantic to the high plateau of the Altiplano and across the deserts to the Pacific. From the “cidade maravilhosa” (marvellous city) of Rio, we will ride the emerald coast, one of the worlds most beautiful coastal rides, then the amazing roller coaster ride at Serra do Rio do Rastro through some wonderful jungle scenery. The world’s greatest waterfalls, isolated deserts, snow capped volcanoes, legendary Incan ruins and the hauntingly beautiful Altiplano, all await us as we traverse this dynamic continent. A highlight of this extraordinary ride is the incredibly stunning, otherworldly and remote Salar de Uyuni. A truly unique ride not offered by any other operator, join with us and experience this ride with a difference.

Loading map, please wait...

Locations visited/nearby

Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Peru, South America

0 testimonials about this trip.

2 testimonials about the provider, Compass Expeditions:

  • Reviewer: James, located in Australia
    I wanted to send a quite note to all the Compass Team to say thanks. I thoroughly enjoyed the tour and sincerely appreciate the efforts of Leo, Tarvo and Andy. These guys really went the extra step in ensuring that everything went smoothly on the trip. Thanks also to all those who assisted in organising the tour, it really was as good as I hoped it would be.
    I hope to able to do another tour with Compass in the future but will need some time for funds and annual leave to recuperate!

    Thanks again
  • Reviewer: Chris and Glynis, located in Australia
    What an amazing tour. Given that neither of us have done more than farm track and car park gravel before, to say it was hard work was an understatement, but with leo's guidance, a real learning experience. Leo, was awesome. Lots of knowledge, very friendly, always smiling, great sense of humour, first class person. Tavo could not do enough to please everyone, what a great guy. Andy, tried so hard to please, very friendly guy a real asset to the team. As for the Compass organisation - wow. Nothing was not thought of, every little detail was covered. The support & backup were first class & I doubt could not be bettered. As for the locations & scenery! Patagonia was always somewhere as a young rock climber I always wanted to come to but never got the chance, now I have seen the best of it with Compass, it has gone way beyond my expectations, a wonderful & enchanting place.

    This trip has inspired us to do more. We will be riding with you again for sure, now we have coped with some tough terrain.

    Thankyou again for one, if not THE best experience of a life time

Comments from Facebook

Itinerary

Week One

No other city has such a vibe, such a setting and such instantly recognisable sights as Rio. We spend two nights here before transffering out to the colonial masterpeice township of Penedo where our bikes await. Turning toward the Atlantic we soon descend from the mountains and hug the coastline to enjoy one of the most beautiful rides imaginable, the Costa Verde, bound for the colonial town of Paraty. Colourful stone buildings line the cobbled streets of this beautiful port town, we spend two nights here. We sail around the tropical islands that dot the bays or explore the surrounding countryside on bike; the choice is yours. We follow the coast road toward Bertoiga where we can enjoy an ice cold beer or a refrigerated coconut. Next port of call, literally, is the wonderful port town of Antonina we can explore the colonial centre and scenic beach of Baia de Paranagua. We ride into the Vale do Itajai and stop at the Germanic city of Blumenau.


Week Two

From Blumenau we ascend into the Serra do Rio do Rastro toward brazils highest city of Sao Joaquim sitting 1355m/4445ft but not before riding the amazing mountain road that stretches from Bom Jardim to Sao Joaquim through stunning Araucaria forests. Continuing east we ride across Brazil before arriving at one of the world’s greatest sights, Foz do Iguaçu. With 275 waterfalls plummeting over 80m/262ft you will hear the roar long before you see the mighty Iguaçu falls. This is one of the world’s great sights, one that will leave you awestruck. We spend three nights visiting the falls from both the Argentinean and Brazilian sides.


Week Three

Riding west we stop at the laid back village of Puerto Valle before continuing through the Chaco region. We ride en-route to the wonderful city of Salta in Northern Argentina where we spend two nights for the chance to stretch our legs in this beautiful city, after the long ride across the Chaco. Climbing into the Andes we cross into Chile at the remote Paso Jama and onto the wonderful desert oasis of San Pedro de Atacama. We have two nights here for a chance to explore the great surrounding Atacama desert landscapes and enjoy the adobe style open air restaurants, we wont get wet, we promise, it hasn’t rained here in over 400 years. From San Pedro we enter an incredible world of expansive salt flats, coloured flamingo filled lagoons, geyser fields and still active volcanos as we ride into Bolivia and across to the remote and wild Uyuni.


Week Four

From the wonderfully remote Uyuni we shall enjoy a 4 x 4 trip out onto the largest salt flats in the world, this is an incredible day with epic vistas, being out on the salt flats is a completely surreal experience, returning to Uyuni we shall vist the home of Bolivia’s fleet of abandoned steam trains parked in the desert, before continuing on across the Andes through beautiful canyon lands to the, UNESCO listed
Potosi which also happens to be the highest city in the world at a breathless 4016m/13,170ft. An eye-opening underground mine tour is included. A full days ride back on paved roads will see the week out as we ride into the ramshackle La Paz, spectacularly set at the foot of the snow capped Mt Illimani. Three nights are spent here wandering the steep cobble stoned streets and visiting the amazing local markets.


Week Five

Leaving the city of La Paz we cross the border into Peru, riding along the shores of the world’s highest navigable lake, Lake Titikaka until will arrive at the lakeside city of Puno where we spend two nights enabling us to visit the amazing floating reed, Uros Islands and spend time out on the stunning lake that is bordered by the Snow capped Andes off in the distance. Travelling west the ride will take us into the Andes crossing the 4319m/14,170ft pass at La Raya, before reaching the wonderful city of Cusco. We ride the incredible Sacred Valley dotted with enormous Incan ruins before catching the train to the legendary Machu Picchu, nothing can prepare you for this legendary Incan city where we spend a full day wandering the complex. Another day will be spent exploring the magical city of Cusco perhaps enjoying a beer and meal at Norton’s Rats which overlooks the wonderful Plaza de Armas.

Week Six

We hit the dirt roads as we ride toward the world’s deepest canyon at Chivay, home to the giant Condors. The ride is magnificent as we get well off the Gringo Trail riding amongst volcanoes and mountains in
this spectacular desert landscape. It is these very mountains that the mighty Amazon begins its journey. The hot springs of Chivay are a perfect way to relax and unwind after a hard days ride. Descending out of the Andes we arrive at the “White City” of Arequipa with the snow capped volcano of El Misti looming above. We have the day to explore this beautiful city with arguably South America’s finest Plaza de
Armas and visit the fabulous Santa Catalina Convent and the frozen Incan mummy known as “Juanita the Ice Princess” sacrificed over 500 years ago. The route from Arequipa leads us to the coast as we ride the
stark, impossibly rugged coastline on the road that clings to the mountainsides. We spend a night at Puerto Inca surrounded by the moonlike landscape as the Pacific pounds our beachside resort. Next we
ride to the famous town of Nazca via the macabre Chauchilla cemetery. We enjoy a flight over the mysterious Nazca lines, the only way to really appreciate them. A transfer is organised onto Lima Peru's capital

More information from Compass Expeditions: