Home › Forums › Ride Gatherings › EOI – Dakar rally trail bike tour, South America
This topic contains 17 replies, has 0 voices, and was last updated by Jeffrey Smith 13 years, 6 months ago.
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February 24, 2011 at 7:59 am #99596
I am looking at doing a tour which includes some of the spectator sections of the Dakar rally in the new year of 2012.
I expect to hire a bike if the tour organiser does not provide one (hopefully a BMW but who knows) and the tour will include at least some sections of the Dakar rally if not most of it.
I am also expecting to do some other touring in the South Americas, probably go to Machu Pichu and the regular touristy places and I would also like to see Rio de Janero.
It is early and tour companies have no details yet as they dont know the route of the rally yet but I thought I’d post this up if someones keen.
Only for those who will actually have the funds please!
Expect to need at least $6K and of course a passport & visas etc.
February 24, 2011 at 4:25 pm #197268Sounds great WB all except the part about riding a BMW :laugh: I will watch with interest mate good on you and good luck with it.
TB
February 24, 2011 at 9:23 pm #197269Hi WikdBeemer,
This is right up my alley… keep me posted …… always looking for the next big adventure.
KatGirl
February 25, 2011 at 1:48 am #197296The Dakar rally trail bike tour sounds very interesting…it would be a great adventure
February 26, 2011 at 4:07 pm #197307Thanks for the support, I will post info here as soon as I get it.
If any one is genuinly interested PM me and I can keep you updated as soon as specific details are available (I wont be posting any sensitive info here).February 27, 2011 at 2:39 pm #197326Try this as a bit of an appetiser if your considering it.
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=10761244&postcount=1
April 19, 2011 at 3:10 pm #197270Hi mate
I am extremly interested in this. Have you found anymore detaisl? I have found a couple of companies that conduct tours using F800gs, which would be an ideal bike I reckon.Not sure about your budget though. I reckon we will need double that.
The route has now been released on the Dakar website and its looks awesome .
Takes in Argentina, Chile & Peru.There is an Aus based company asking about 18k all inclusive, but I am sceptiical as they havnt done it before.
I am in contact with a company in Buenos Aries that is going to put together a package and let me know.
If you have any more details let me know or pm me your numer and I will give you a call.
April 19, 2011 at 10:22 pm #197371Those photos are some of the best adventure riding shots I’ve seen. Your an insperation. Go Off (Places to go minds to blow)
April 20, 2011 at 9:58 pm #199759mcGUYver wrote:Hi mate
I am extremly interested in this. Have you found anymore detaisl? I have found a couple of companies that conduct tours using F800gs, which would be an ideal bike I reckon.Not sure about your budget though. I reckon we will need double that.
The route has now been released on the Dakar website and its looks awesome .
Takes in Argentina, Chile & Peru.There is an Aus based company asking about 18k all inclusive, but I am sceptiical as they havnt done it before.
I am in contact with a company in Buenos Aries that is going to put together a package and let me know.
If you have any more details let me know or pm me your numer and I will give you a call.
yes I have had contact with a couple of South American companies, and it will cost about $12K, 3.5K min. for the airfare and 8-9K for the tour, then there’s all the other costs.
It will stretch my budget to it’s max but still do-able.I am only 80% sure I will be doing it this year.
The Australian company I contacted were planning their tour to follow/watch the rally for every day of the rally and they seemed hell bent that was the only way to do it and it was really expensive, probably the same mob you’re talking about.
I think I deleted their email, I didn’t like the tone of it.The one that looks best to me so far is $9K for the tour, South American Motorcycle Tours
Send them an email and they will send you the full details & cost.April 21, 2011 at 12:20 pm #197271For anyone interested here are some details I got from one enquiry. This one sticks to the west coast and has a bit too much main road stuff for me, so I dont thin k I will be doing it. Waiting on more info to come in. Will post up as I get it, just is case there is someone that would like to come along.
Dakar 2012 Spectator Tour
through
Northwestern Argentina and the Atacama Desert
Total distance about 2500 km, approx 30 % gravel roads. The trip can be done in the 4 x 4 off road support vehicle, too!
Day 1 You will be picked up at the airport in Salta and brought in the Hotel from where the tour starts next day. After an introduction to the bikes and the tour and some general information about Salta, you have the rest of the day at your free disposal.
Day 2 Salta – Quebrada del Rio de las Conchas – Cafayate – Amaicha – Belen
We leave Salta southwards through the fertile Lerma Valley, which narrows into the canyon of the Quebrada de Cafayate. This beautiful canyon is striking for its red sandstone formations, weathered by wind and water to bizarre shapes.
Through the sandy planes of the Calchaqui Valley we ride into the town of Cafayate, the wine capital of Salta, and now on the legendary Ruta 40 we keep heading south on tarmac and gravel roads through the sparsely populated planes of Catamarca to get to the town of Belen.
Approx. 400 km on tar.
Day 3 Salta – Fiambala. We ride deeper into the Andes, crossing a small adventurous pass to get to Tinogasta and Fiambala.
Approx. 200 km, 100 km on gravel.
If the pass is closed because of road conditions, we ride along the Ruta 40 and then on the Ruta 60 to Fiambala.
Approx. 300 km on Tar.
Day 4 Fiambala – Paso San Francisco – Copiapo (Chile)
It will take usa ll day to cross and enjoy the ride over the stunning pass “Paso de San Franzisco”. With over 4600 m altitude it is one of the highest passes in the world!
Approx. 400 km tar and gravel.
Day 5 Copiapo – Dakar Race Stage 6 – Copiapo
We will go to the location where todays stage endsto see the arrival of the competitors after this challenging stage.
Day 6 Copiapo – Dakar Race Stage 7 – Copiapo
We will go to one or two locations to watch the race through the deserts around Copiapo from close up. After this whole day being with the race, we go back to relax in our Hotel in Copiapo.
Day 7 Copiapo – Antofagasta
Today we will ride to Antofagasta, enjoying the Atacama Landscapes on the way. This is the rest day of the race, so we have the entire day to enjoy our ride.
Approx. 600 km.
Day 8 Antofagasta – Dakar Race Stage 8 – Antofagasta
We’ll go towards the last part of todays Dakar Special to watch the race.
Day 9 Antofagasta – Dakar Race Stage 9 – San Pedro de Atacama
We’ll go to the starting point of today’s Special to see the racers set of for their 9th racing day towards Iquique. We then get off the race and ride to San Pedro de Atacama to see the Sunset in the Valley of the Moon before going to the charming little village of San Pedro.
Day 10 San Pedro de Atacama – Toconao – San Antonio de los Cobres (Argentina).
On our way back to Argentina we visit the Xaxa Lagoon with it’s Flamingos and then ride up into the high plains of the Andes, passing stunning scenery and the railroad bridge of the famous “Train to the Clouds”.
Overnight stay in the Hosteria de las Nubes.
Approx. 350 km, 300 on gravel.
Day 11 San Antonio de los Cobres – Quebrada del Rio Toro – Salta
Alternative ride if the pass is closed will lead us along the tracks of the legendary “Train to the Clouds” through the colourful valley Quebrada del Toro. After arriving in Salta you have some time to enjoy the city before we meet for the good bye dinner on invitation of Horizonte Tours Total 300 km, 250 on gravel.
Day 12 We will bring you to the airport to catch your flight. You will take awesome impressions, great memories and a Horizonte present with you on your way back home.
The Tour Operator reserves himself the right to change the itinerary. As the Organization of the Dakar comes out with some late changes, the itinerary is due to changes at any time.
TOUR: Dakar 2012 Spectator Tour Duration of the tour: 12 days / 11 nights Total distance: about 2500km, ca. 30 % gravel roads. Participants (drivers): minimum: 4, maximum: 10 Level of experience: The trip is suitable for any motor-biker with some off-road experience. Prices: With support vehicle: Riding a BMW F 650 GS: 5400 US$ Riding a BMW F 800 GS: 5800 US$ Riding a BMW R1200 GS: 6400 US$ Riding a BMW R 1200 Adv.: 6800 US$ Single room surcharge: 700 US$ Included: – Motorbike rental – Third party insurance and fully comprehensive insurance (excess of 3000 US$) – Trilingual guide (English, Spanish, German) – 4×4 support vehicle – Petrol for the whole trip – Additional Transport (taxi etc.) – Maps – Accommodation (double rooms) in high quality hotels – 8 high end dinners – Lunch – Entry fees – Water and soft drinks – Airport transfer in Salta and Ushuaia exlcuded: – Flights – Travel insurances – Health insurances – Accident insurances Climate and season: The Atacama Desert is known as the driest place on earth. The climate of the Bolivian Altiplano is also characterized by a pronounced dry season. We try to undertake our trips in the dry season, but rainfall is always possible. The dry season of this region falls during the southern winter, so cold temperatures – especially at night – are possibleApril 22, 2011 at 9:59 am #199857That’s the Horizonte Tours itinarary, they are the cheaper option so far.
Dont forget the tour is 14 days and @ 30% dirt/gravel over 2500Km it averages out to about 65Km of dirt every day, the rest is easy(?) tarmac so you can see the sights and relax.
I’m happy with that if I’m riding an F800GS, they (BMW dealer) say this is the best bike to do it on, F650GS if you’re shorter.Another thing to remember, need to have access to another $3K for insurance excess in case you have a stack (riding Beemers that’s probably cheap).
Anyway here’s another company still putting their tour together, price and precise details not yet available; AdMo Tours
Other companies I know of are;
Horizonte Tours
South American Motorcycle ToursThe rough route for the 2012 rally…
April 22, 2011 at 11:17 am #199894Another thought is to just fly to Peru, hire a bike and follow the last few stages & then tour around for a while seeing some of the sights & stuff.
It might work out cheaper & more interesting?May 9, 2011 at 10:34 pm #197272Have been doing a bit more research on this and am now in contact with 2 people in Soth America who are looking at putting together an exclusive package.
I need about 10 riders to make it viable.
Price will be approx 10K including bike hire (F800gs or F650GS) 18 days mix of camping and hotels. All meals and fuel and insurance.Will take in as many stages as possible and will include the starting ceromony in Mar Del Plata and also the finishing ceromony in Lima peru. Will also be planning on seeing some of the sights including Michu Michu ruins and lake Titikaka etc.
Airfares should be about another 2k on top.
Still putting all the details together but if anyone is interested please let me know asap.
I am off to the Isle of Man and Europe for the next 8 weeks, so wll check in when I get back to see if there is any interest.
Please note I am not making any money out of this. Just trying to put it all togther to make it more viable for me.
May 10, 2011 at 8:51 am #200908It’s not looking good for me I’m sorry to say.
My finances are not as good as I hoped but there is still some hope things will get better in time.I priced some air fares and getting to Rio or Santiago return is a minimum of $3500, then you need to get to Mar del Plata and also from Lima to a major airport to fly home.
Return to South America is the same cost as a 3 stop round the world ticket.So it around $14K for the big expenses, then add extra meals, spending money and a couple of nights accomodation before/after the tour…..
McGuyver your plan is definitely an option but I am only a 50% maybe at this stage :S
May 10, 2011 at 10:36 am #200961I look like being out of work for a few months from the end of this month, I can’t see myself finding a job with my arm in a sling so at this stage I am also doubtful that I could make it.
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