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South America in spring 2008 anyone?
Hi, I am planning to do a tour in South America next year, hopefully starting in April. I want to go to Argentina, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and Chile for at least 4 or 5 months, duration depending on start date and return for a new job. Ideally I'd start from Cologne, Germany, but could also do UK where I am currently living. Doesn't really matter from where the plane departs I suppose...
None of my friends can come (no time, no money, no desire for adventure etc), so I am looking for a travel companion for however long we get on. I'm 29, biologist, speak some Spanish and have traveled quite a bit, including Argentina. Anyone interested? Peer |
Just a thought
Is there any particular reason to do this trip during the southern hemisphere winter? (I guess you are staying well north of the usual ambition to visit TDF).
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I guess the other option would be coming down from Canada or the US and arrive in TDF in the summer there, but I am keener on South America, don't want to spend months touring through North America. Also this would require more time (which I might have or not, not sure yet). |
Hey there,
I'm planning on doing Central/South America starting Nov 2008 with a buddy from home (who may or may not bail on me as the time gets closer...), but before that I'm looking to head from Europe towards Oz from spring 2008, and ship the bike to wherever it is we'll begin in S America. Would you be interested in joining for one or both sections of that trip? I'm 28, living in Munich, working for BMW as a clay modeller. Used to be a motorcycle designer, but the pay's better doing just modelling. Go figure. And yes, when birds ask me what I do for a living, I do say "modelling" :clap: Nick |
Actually I wanted to focus on SA, I am really keen on going there. Maybe if I'm still there in November we can arrange something. Your plan would turn my SA trip into a RTW trip...I am intrigued now...
Have you thought about a route and a rough time frame (what countries when)? I'm not sure how much time I'll have and my budget is limited. Do you want to camp or stay in hotels? Any idea how much this will cost? What bike do you want to ride? Working for BMW, you could get a discounted F800GS, right? Peer |
Planning to take a Yamaha XT660R, and camping gear. Though who knows what I'll feel like at the end of a long ride in Asia... where a room can be had for pennies. I'm sure that'll often win over pitching the tent at least some of the time! I'm hoping to be away for between a year and 2 years, but I really want to set up my own company, so had better get on with that at some point. Who knows what the future holds or what opportunities may be presented along the course of the trip. That's partly what I'm looking forward to.
Anyway, another guy off the forum and I are lanning to join the other lot in Warringtom on 24th Nov, just to meet and chat etc etc. Why don't you come along. I know it's a long way from home, but I'm coming in from Munich! (Albeit primarily to buy new gear at the NEC show...) My mother lives near High ycombe, so that's where I call home in the UK. |
Hey Peer and Nick,
I plan on riding my KLR650 from San Diego to Argentina sometime next summer, hope to work my way south pretty slow, enough time to check out all the cool places along the way. I would be interested in meeting up or riding with either of you. I can't go until after June...obligations...you know. I have a place to stay in San Diego to prep the bike and sort logistics. Got some friends along the way. I'm up for hotels or camping and can party with the best of them. Either of you interested. |
Hey Nick, I have read the UK to Asia thread, it sounds like it's going to be a great trip. However, it is not really what I want to do now, South America is where I have to go.
Mikester, this could well work out. My favourite plan at the moment is to go north from Argentina in April (more or less, it is very difficult to predict when I'll finish my work here in the UK). I guess we could both end up in Ecuador at about the same time, then I would turn south again towards Tierra del Fuego. The other option would be the trans-America trip from Alaska, I reckon I could be in California at the time you are leaving from there. I favour option 1 because North America will be relatively expensive and requires more insurances, also the Darien Gap and all the Central American countries are giving me a bit of a headache. With another person though I'd be much happier to do it. You'd be up for reaching TDF around November, going mainly through Chile and then back through Argentina? |
I'm interested, but have to figure out what it is I want to do precisely... I really want to do S America the most, but was planning on doing that with a good mate from home. He may however be interested in moving the day forward somewhat to accomodate everyone. I'm definitely interested to do Eastern Europe, and thru that way towrads Oz, but my plans are really fluid. All I know is I want to get going around May/June.
I think a big group riding together is not great, though 3 or 4 tops could work, giving everyone a little relief from being with just one guy 24/7. I mean to say adding another person or two, to my friend and I could be a good idea. Just curious, how old are you Mikester. I only ask, since people's definition of "I can party with the best of them" varies. Even my father feels he fits comfortably into this category!! I assure you he does not. Just about to buy a lightly crash damaged XR660 for prepping. Can't wait to get started. |
Nick,
I'll be 40 next month. This trip is a present to myself. I had a little buzz last night, probably why I mentioned that I liked to party with the best of them. Not an everday occurance. Get your plans sorted out, maybe we can meet somewhere in C.A. or S.A. Peer, Glad to hear that this may work for you. Let me know what you decide. If you want to leave from San Diego, you'll have a place to stay. I haven't really settled on any departure date yet, I have to stay in Vermont until June. Trying to save for this trip. Talk to you lads later. Mike |
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http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...tion-1-a-30342 |
Mike,
Yeah, 40's not too old a all. I had 2 friends who were 40 when I lived in Bangalore and they were... how can I put it... "lively" I was tempted to start in CA as I have US citizenship thru my mother too (as well as UK), so I thought I could work for a few months there and prep the bike, but actually I realised that continuing to earn in Europe for a few more months is far more financially rewarding given the exchange rates. Anyway, like I say the plan is very indefined right now... |
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Thanks for the offer Mike, that's very kind. I have actually considered buying a bike in the US and riding it down to Argentina, but I'm not sure what to do with it when I get there. Selling may not be so easy with a foreign registration. I thought I could get a cheap crappy bike, but then staying in one place for a while to get it registered and prepared would sort of defeat the plan of getting a cheap bike. Is it difficult to get a bike registered in Cal as a foreigner? I wouldn't mind dumping such a bike somewhere or selling is for small money. The thing is, I'm not a mechanic and I don't want to have too many problems with the bike. So the other option would be getting a shiny new bike to take advantage of lower prices in the US. Which bikes are good and cheap in the US? I suppose the KLR650? I would then ship it to Europe after the trip, but I assume I'd have to pay import duty. Do you know anything about this? Anyway, the current plan is to buy a KTM in Germany in January, prepare it there and fly/ship it over to wherever I'll start. |
Hi Peer,
I'm not to sure about foreign registraions in the US, I will look into this and post some info for you. I just got rid of my old CB750Custom for a shiny new '08 KLR560. I payed $5200 US for a new bike. I'm sure you could find an '05 or '06 for somewhere around $3000 to $3500 US that won't require much work. California is a hotbed for moto entusiasts, I will keep my eye out for some info on that also. I too am not a mechanic, I can keep one running, but if I had to rebuild the motor, I'm sure I would end up beating my head against the wall. I'll try to get some info for you, try Motorcycle Trader for some info about sales in the US. I'm sure you could even find something pretty cheap that is not in the KLR class, but will still be sufficient to make the trip. I'll be in touch with you and Nick to see what your plans become. Looking forward to meeting up with you guys and possibly doing some S.A. riding. Nick, As I mentioned to Peer, if you want to start in the US, you will also have a place to stay and prep the bike. I live in Vermont right now, but I have some great amigos in San Diego that will put us up, I visit them at least three times a year, they're my bro's. Stay in Europe to make your money now, the US dollar sucks now and it won't be getting anytime soon. (maybe after the 2008 presidential elections..haha). If you decide to ship the bike to the US, we could either start from Vermont and go west or in San Diego. I haven't decided if I'm going to ride across country as I have already made that trip twice. I'm glad to be in communication with like minded people. I'll talk to you lads soon. Mike |
Me Too
I am also planning the Trans American highway from Alaska to Argentina in 2008. My current plan is to start sometime between July and Sept (depending on when I finish work) and then if I finish in July ride from Newfoundland or just start in Calgary up to Alaska and then down. I didn't want to get to Mexico much before October so to miss the summer heat and hopefully the rainy season in Central America.
I only wanted to be away about six months but don't want to come back to the UK until about March of 2009 so might be a bit longer if I can't convince work to keep me until the end of August. I wouldn't mind finding someone to start the mexico down bit with. Annette ps. I was suppose to go last year but ended up working another year instead. This time though I am definitely going. |
So Annette, you're saying you want to spend 3 months doing N. America, leaving just 3 months to do Central/South America? I think N. America may get a tad tedious in comparison after 3 months...
My buddy has now officially pulled out of doing the S. America leg of the trip, which is a real bugger, and so I'm definitely going to have to coordinate my trip with one or more other people, as my Peruvian and Columbian friend said I should definitely not do it on my own.... I have to get more info from them on that subject though. My Peruvian friend is the daughter or the Governor of Lima, don't you know! Hoping that'll help somehow! |
Annette, for us the timescales/budget worked out like this;
South America: 5 months- $15-30/day Central america: 1 month- $30/day Mexico: 1 month- $40/day North America: 2.5 months- $80/day (mainly due to covering longer distances/fuel costs- fill up twice in a day and thats $50) If you budget £600/month for South/Central America, that should be fine though it was about half what we needed in North America! We also felt like we were moving pretty quickly compared to most people we met too (Argentina - Alaska is a bloody long way!). If you can, you should plan to spend more time in South America and Mexico. I agree with Nick, once we got up to North America, although the people were fantastic and had great scenery etc, we just found it way too expensive and well, a bit too 'easy' after some of the other stuff we had done in the South and found myself wishing I could get back down there... Good luck with it and glad you have set yourself a date. |
Hi Guys.
Peer, Nick & Mike,
Guys am planning a similar trip, starting in Feb from Phoenix. Got family there and will be in the US in Jan to buy my bike & kit it out & do a few runs in AZ & CA before I head down into Mexico beginning of March. I will be riding a KLR650 or a 650GS I guess!! My two options. I plan to spend 4 - 5 months till July in Central America, hopefully get some diving in as well then head down to South America and ride slowly to down the west coast and get to TDF Xmass 2008. I will make up the rest of my plan to get back to the UK as I go on, maybe head up the east coast to Rio in time for the carnival 2009? I Plan to camp wherever I can to keep the cost down, and food is no worries as I am a great cook & love local produce to cook with. Let me know if any of us can hook up for any part of our adventures. Cheers Mojo. |
I'll be keeping a close eye on this thread guys. I'm a just-past-fifty guy living in Ontario Canada who's working hard at not working hard. Can't officially say I'm retired, but haven't been to my cubicle in almost two years. I'm told that I'm being indecisive. What do you think?
Back on track. Have had bikes on and off all my life but now I'm keen on riding my '08 KLR to Argentina and then maybe float it to N.Z. ... Australia ... SEA ... Africa ... Europe ... sort of a RTW thing I guess with no particular timeline. Just wanted to say Hi ... Greg |
Set the date
Hi Mike,
Thanks for that useful information. Actually I was going to write to you about whether you used a GPS. I have also got my starting date sorted out. I just had it confirmed from my boss that he wants to extend my contract until the end of Aug (actually he asked until the end of Sept but I told him Alaska would be too cold by then). So my plan is to fly straight to Anchorage and zip up north, then down through Alberta to see the family and then straight down to LA to see my cousin and enter Mexico early October. Mexico for October. Central America November. South America December until Feb (or it becomes warm enough to go back to the Northern Hemisphere). Or something like that. I will take it under consideration that 6-7 months isn't very long to do this trip. My flatmate thinks that I should take two years. Anyway if anyone wants to hook up from LA down that would be grand. Toodle pip! |
Annette- I did use GPS, Garmin Quest and Worldmap (you can buy it but you will find it on the web for nowt). Javier in BA had some good GPS maps for Argentina/Chile which although not routable, were very good. Bob 'smellybiker'- also has some great maps for sale on line. You can do it without GPS but I liked the fact that even though the detail was sometimes a bit sketchy in places, at least you knew you were heading in the right direction (a real plus on the altiplano in Bolivia!).
Just a thought but if you really only have 6-7 months, why not just ship to say BA and do a good loop round South America? |
Rtw 2007 -?
Hi Annette
I'm currently in the early days of a RTW planned to take 5+ years. I've done Prudhoe Bay to San Diego, taking 6 months and stopping to hike, climb and relax in all the most scenic places along the west coast. I plan to leave for Mexico and Central America in January 2008, to spend several months there, learn Spanish and relax. So aim to reach South America in about August or September. It'll be good if we can meet along the road.. David |
Hello Friends,
If someone of you come to Brazil and pass near my location (27° 10' S 51° 44' W), don't forget to tell me OK? I'll help you. A hug, |
Spring 2008
I'm looking into a trip going east to Labrador from BC, and then down south to South America starting spring time 2008, I'll have to keep an eye on the forums, it'd be neat to meet up with some people along the way to say hello! I don't plan on making it a short trip, I'll probably be stopping along the way and volunteering at different projects.
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