*Disclaimer: I share my experience as little to no information was provided in advance of this expedition. By reading this I hope others are better able to choose how they would like to cross the Darien Gap. Most names are not disclosed to protect others identities*

Five months ago, my partner and I quit our jobs, moved out of our apartment, and left our lives in Austin, TX forever. Like many others we were languishing during the pandemic and begged for a change that would remind us what it feels like to be alive again. We packed our motorcycles with all of the belongings we thought we would need for 6–12 months abroad and started our round the world adventure.

After months on the road and quite a few headaches at border crossings, we were questioning whether we should continue our journey to South America or turn back around in Panama. Throughout our travels, some borders in South America remained closed and the costs of inflation and pandemic precautions were really catching up to us. We were following others traveling at a faster timeline and found out it would cost $1,250 to fly each motorcycle from Panama to Columbia in order to bypass the Darien Gap.

But suddenly everything fell into place when we learned that the border to Peru was open. Around the same time we received an email from Captain Ludwig, the owner of the infamous Stahlratte. He seemed very excited to restart his voyages across the gap and this is what he offered for $980 USD:

1. transport of your motorcycle carti to turbo including handling lashing cover etc.
2. your transport from carti to capurgana (you will have to buy your ferry ticket in capurgana (20us)
3. the overnight stay in the hotel in sapzurro (we also pay a second night there if for any reason there are delays)
4. food and drinks on the way from carti to sapzurro untill arriving to the hotel in sapzurro
5. boat ride sapzurro to capurgana
6. paperworks for leaving panama and all migratory services on the way for stamping out of panama and stamping in to colombia
7. a short stoppover at one of the san blas islands for swimming

Although we thought the price was pretty steep, we expressed our interest in the first voyage and responded with additional questions regarding process and whether he would be present. He let us know that we had nothing to worry about and that all the work will be done for us on this journey so we can sit back and relax. He also let us know that he is currently in Spain but his business partner and the boat owner Niko will be present with a local captain from San Blas. At the moment this sounded good enough for us, so we each put down $100 for the deposit, sent all documents requested, and found ourselves riding to the Port of Carti less than two weeks later.

on adventure rider I am posting day by day details about the experience will include a cost breakdown provided by captain lulu. the thread can be found here: https://www.advrider.com/f/threads/o...#post-44207051

more photos and videos can be found on our adventure instagram: @vuelva__pronto

Hola MiniMotoChica,

thank you for the report.

I am gonna be in Colombia hopefully soon and as I plan to ride further North thru Central America, your report tells me that I can find boats from Turbo going up to Panama easily to take my DR650 and me.

Enjoy South America.

mika

Very useful report, I'm considering moving to Colombia and I am planning to visit before since I have never been there.

Thanks!

So ,do I understand correctly that the Steelrat is sailing again ,delivering motos and folk between Colombia and Pananma? thanks

No, the Sthalratte was sold off. This was on a 6m aluminum skiff. 4 bikes w/ 4 people for 4 days, with several days in a small hotel....

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it reads like an adventure! Thanks for sharing!

Surfy

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