Patagonia with MotoBirds – Chasing Wind and Wonder (2023)

Patagonia with MotoBirds – Chasing Wind and Wonder

Back in 2016, Agata joined MotoBirds for their first-ever women-only ride through the Himalayas. It was wild, beautiful, and unforgettable. Since then, there were other adventures – Kyrgyzstan in 2017, South America in 2019… and then, well, COVID hit, and then ADV Hoppers went off exploring on their own.

But in 2023, something shifted. Agata craved that all-female ride energy again. She missed the laughter, the sisterhood, the shared grit. And Patagonia? It had been calling her name for years. So the decision was easy. She was in. And here is a short recap of the trip.

 

“At Least We’re Not at Work…”

Before we even set off, the weather app served up a doozy: snow, rain, wind… basically, a chaos cocktail. But hey, better than sitting at a desk, right? Patagonia, here we come!

Getting There: A World Away

Route: KRK – AMS – EZE – BRC
The flights were long and packed, but I came prepared. As soon as I landed, I felt it – this was a different world. Breathtaking, wild, and, oh my god, so windy! We had a bit of time to chill, get to know each other, and prepare for the days ahead. The buzz was real. This was happening.

Money Matters (Welcome to Argentina)

Argentina’s economy? Let’s just say… it’s complicated. Here’s the deal: there are two exchange rates for USD – official and “blue.”

Official rate: around 350 ARS per dollar

Blue rate: around 900 ARS per dollar (yes, really)

Paying with cards usually gives you the official rate, so not ideal. Revolut? Not the best choice here. The better deal? Cash. But be ready – exchanging USD will leave you with a mountain of bills. Two $100 notes = a wallet-busting 180 bills of 1000 ARS. Good luck fitting that in your pocket.

Daily Ride Journal

Day 0: San Carlos de Bariloche

Our starting point. Bariloche looks like a Swiss ski town – clean, charming, full of chocolate shops, and surrounded by mountains. It was election day, so thanks to local laws, no celebratory wine (yet!). We spent the day resting and soaking it all in.

Day 1: Bariloche – Trevelin

Frozen hands. Sunshine. Rain. Wind. Welcome to Patagonia!
We were meant to enjoy the stunning Los Alerces National Park, but all we saw were clouds, mud, and a flat tire (thanks, universe!). Still, we made it. Wet, muddy, and smiling.

Day 2: Trevelin – Futaleufú

Short ride, big vibes. The border crossing into Chile was smooth (though we had to unpack everything – no fruit, meat, or dairy allowed!). After checking into a cozy spot in Futaleufú, we jumped straight into rafting on the Rio Azul. Wild and awesome. Thank you Patagonia Elements!

Day 3: Futaleufú – Lago Verde

Rain, drizzle, more rain. But then – Carretera Austral magic. Even with low visibility, the ride was something else. Gravel hairpins, epic climbs, jaw-dropping views (when we could see them). We rode through it all, and it was worth every soggy mile.

Day 4: Lago Verde – Coyhaique

Finally, the skies cleared! We cruised along the legendary Carretera Austral, extending our route just to enjoy more of it. The scenery? Unreal. The company? Even better.

Day 5: Coyhaique – Puerto Río Tranquilo

One word: WOW.
Gravel highways, endless sunshine, twists and turns, postcard-perfect views. This was THE day. Pure Patagonia magic.

Day 6: Puerto Río Tranquilo – Puerto Guadal

A chilled start with a bumpy boat ride to the stunning Marble Caves (Catedrales de Mármol). The colors, the shapes… nature is seriously talented.

Then a relaxed ride along Lago General Carrera (the second-largest lake in South America!) led us to Puerto Guadal. Our stay? Terra Luna Lodge – think glass domes and views that don’t even look real.

Day 7: Puerto Guadal – Chile Chico (border crossing attempt 1… and 2)

Scenic roads, gravel fun, and… surprise! The border we planned to cross was closed due to new rules. So we had to backtrack 250km and try another one. Too late- it was shut. Classic adventure plot twist.

Day 8: Chile Chico – Estancia Santa Thelma

Third time’s a charm – we finally made it across into Argentina! The roads were mostly straight and paved, the wind was brutal, and the landscape screamed “Pampa” (aka a whole lot of nothing). One unlucky rider even hit a pothole and broke his bike frame. We ended the day at a remote estancia, where the meat for dinner was legendary.

\

Day 9: Estancia – El Chaltén

Wind. More wind. And then some. It wasn’t just tough – it was dangerous. Unpredictable gusts, deep gravel, a few off-the-road incidents… but we made it. Sadly, El Chaltén greeted us with fog, rain, and snow. No Fitz Roy views. No trekking. Just wet boots and hope for better luck.

Day 10: El Chaltén – El Calafate

The weather mellowed out as we rolled into our final destination. The wind was still there, but maybe we were just tougher by then. The lakes’ colors continued to blow our minds – so many shades of blue!

Day 11: Perito Moreno Glacier

Bonus day! And yes, we rode there. Twisties, scenic roads, and skeptical (mostly male) riders warning us about “dangerous conditions.” Sound familiar? We ignored the drama and had one of the best rides of the trip.

The glacier itself? Absolutely stunning. Ice cracking, shifting, shining. We didn’t see any penguins, but hey, maybe that’s a reason to head further south next time?

Final Thoughts: Why I’ll Keep Coming Back

Was the trip hard? Not really. In fact, I left wanting even more. But that’s kind of the point, right? There’s something special about women-only rides. You can’t quite explain it—it’s in the camaraderie, the shared moments, the “we got this” attitude. MotoBirds nailed it again.

 

Wanna Ride with MotoBirds?

If this sounds like your kind of adventure, check out MotoBirds’ website for upcoming trips. And if you choose Patagonia – it’s  windy, wild, unpredictable – and 100% worth it.

 

Route

Video