Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > SOUTH AMERICA
SOUTH AMERICA Topics specific to South America only.
Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
Antofalla, Catamarca



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 2 Oct 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 3
Motorcycle rent circle roundtrip Arica -> Uyuni -> Antofagasta

Me and 2 friends want to make a ~10-day motorbike trip. We want to enter Chile via Arica (from Peru), and rent motorbikes around there. The idea is to drive a circle, going like this: Arica -> Oruro (Bolivia), Uyuni (Bolivia), San Pedros, Antofagasta (~2500km). http://goo.gl/maps/YCbds

At the moment I exhausted my Google searching capabilities for finding an affordable renting place in Arica or Antofagasta, where we can rent some bikes for the trip. Does anybody have tips or ideas or know a rental shop which I can contact?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 3 Oct 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 111
The first thing I'd check is whether you can take a rented moto out of Chile. I suspect someone here on the HUBB can answer that. Getting a Chilean registered moto that you have bought out of Chile and into Peru/Bol is problematic, so I suspect taking a rented moto out may not be an option.

If you're in S Peru, you can rent good adventure bikes in Cusco, and there's is plenty of epic riding down there. And if the Peruvians let you leave the country, then even more so - south to Titicaca, into Bolivia and down to Uyuni, west into Chile and Putre, back up into Peru through Tacna..... a great ride for 10 days or so.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 3 Oct 2013
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Posts: 3,903
The OP lost me at that word "affordable." What does that mean, exactly? If under a hundred dollars per day, best re-think your plans. And yes: figure out whether you can cross the border with a rented bike before getting too carried away regardless of price.

Somewhat cheaper in Peru, as a rule. Cuzco has lots of options.

Good luck.

Mark
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 3 Oct 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 3
It seems that it's possible to take a rented motorbike from Chile -> Peru. The guys from Motorcycle Rental help you with it for 100 us dollars per bike, which is very nice.

Ah, sorry for being vague with the term affordable. The guys from the above link also have a pick-up and drop-off service, but that'll cost 3200 dollars if we're going to have the bikes dropped off and picked up at Arica again. In that case the total of the rent would be 1066 + 10 x 90 = 2000 dollars (for just having a bike for 10 days, excl. helmets and such) per person. That's a bit out of our budgets to be honest.

Point is that we would really like to see some of Chile and Bolivia and that the route is epic so far as I've heard. Basically, if the rental guys would be in Arica or Antofagasta for instance, and there were no pick-up and drop-off costs, the trip would be set in stone already. That's why I'm inquiring for rental places around that area. Otherwise we will probably go to Cuzco indeed!
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 3 Oct 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 41
Careful with Peruvian bikes. Not sure about rentals, but crossing the Peru-Bolivia border on a bike with a Peruvian licence plate is a nightmare. Again as I said this may not apply to rented bikes, but I bought one in Peru, and the crossing is just way too complicated and costly (comparing to, say, crossing from Bolivia to Argentina)
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 3 Oct 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 3
Thanks for the warning. The rental agencies in Peru also are very allergic to the Peruvian - Bolivian border crossing, so that's a no-go indeed. If we are renting in Peru, then only Peru and Chile will be the possibilities.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 3 Oct 2013
Donmanolo's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mainly Slovenia
Posts: 371
Not too sure about the paperwork details etc, but for that kind of money,, why not just buy in Iquique (tax free area) then just sell or give away at the end of the trip. Would still work out a hell of a lot cheaper than those 3200 dollars you mention. Buying in Chile is certainly possible as a foreigner, check if there are outlets in the zofri, dealers can probably help with paperwork, and maybe even offer some kind of rental agreement disguised as a buy back scheme.
Good luck .
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 3 Oct 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 111
Quote:
Originally Posted by Donmanolo View Post
Not too sure about the paperwork details etc, but for that kind of money,, why not just buy in Iquique (tax free area) then just sell or give away at the end of the trip. Would still work out a hell of a lot cheaper than those 3200 dollars you mention. Buying in Chile is certainly possible as a foreigner, check if there are outlets in the zofri, dealers can probably help with paperwork, and maybe even offer some kind of rental agreement disguised as a buy back scheme.
Good luck .
But buying a moto in Chile takes time for a gringo - you have to obtain a temporary Chilean ID (RUT) which isn't a quick process.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 13 Oct 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 41
Another option would be a quick pop to Argentina. Then you´d do a Chile - Argentina-Bolivia-Peru-Chile trip and as far as I know, Peru´s got no problems when you´re entering the country. They just have this law or somthing about bikes with Peruvian plates leaving Peru to Bolivia.
On the other hand, if you´re renting bikes, it should be the rental agency´s responsibility to ensure all your paperwork´s fine. But then again, it´s South America...

P.S. Buying a bike might really be a better and cheaper option. The cheapest one being in Bolivia; another good thing, if you buy a new bike, they sort your license plate and ownership docs the same day. I bought my bike in Nazca, Peru, and it took them 2,5 months to sort out my license plate and papers
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
bolivia, chile, rental


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 19:59.