Chile

DEPOT LOCATION :
Valparaiso, CHILE (CLVAP)
80mins from Santiago's Arturo Merino Benitez Airport

SECURE STORAGE :

FREE 2 weeks import & export at terminal depot then US$15 per day thereafter
For import, as of Dec 2025 local customs authority will no longer allow us to clear your motorbike on your behalf.
Therefore, we encourage clients to collect bikes ETA + 3 business days + 12 to 14 days. This provides for good buffer period whilst avoiding crazy storage costs.
Our agent operates there Mon, Wed, Fri and aims to have riders launched by lunchtime.
Max 15 clients per day. We can arrange for a Tue or Fri given demand.
For ETA Wed 13 Jan 2027, we recommend collection day vicinity Fri 29 Jan and Mon 01 Feb.
For export customs clearance, we are still able to manage your motorbike on your behalf because the Temporary Import Permit (TIP) will already have been sorted at Chile land border entry.
Keep in mind that Chile TIP is valid for 3 months and your motorbike must clear customs exit from Valparaiso in that time.
Chile TIP 3 month period resets every time you re-enter Chile so time your final Chile land border entry accordingly.
For export, alternative secure storage available for US$50 per month PLUS US$75 to transport your bike to the depot in the two week free period.

TRUCKING OPTIONS :

CPD Required? NO

TIMINGS :

Import timing is a sweet spot to enable riding Southern Patagonia mid Feb to mid Mar before too COLD and post peak CROWDS … then follow Autumn north to Colombia OR loop back to Valparaiso … ideally reach Amazonian Andes late Mar / start Apr after peak WET season … and continue to enjoy the supreme weather of Apr - May through the Andes.
You will hear seasoned Southern Patagonia riders swear by March as the best month (something about the light) - but most likely starting to get too cold for the average Aussie rider back end of Mar :)
Sadly, due to the new import rules, we are unable to accommodate varying start times without excessive storage costs for the later starters. Therefore we have to commit to an import timing that we believe will 'best fit' the majority.
Please consider that we are not just timing for Patagonia but also one of the world's greatest adv regions: northern Argentina, Atacama northern Chile, Altiplano Bolivia, Peruvian Andes and so on.
- The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is generally closed February for rainy season. From late March is a much better time.
If we get enough demand for an alternative launch time e.g. before Christmas, then we will run another shipment to meet that demand. Please read Article Season and Ride Window before expressing interest for alternative timings.

BREAKING UP YOUR TRIP

Chile TIP is 3 months and resets every time you re-enter Chile.
As of recently (Jan 2024), Argentina have been issuing 8 month TVIPs at various border crossings. Keep in mind that nowadays Argentina is computerised when it comes to tracking foreign registered motorbikes entering and exiting land borders - so make sure you exit (to reset the clock) in accordance with TVIP.
Uruguay has generous 12 month TIP making it a popular long-term storage or base option for overlanders.
Panama TIP is only 30 days but we have good option to air freight your bike from Bogota to Panama City and leave your bike in Customs Bonded storage @ US$100 per month. You can fly home from Bogota and resume your journey from Panama City when you're ready, which for most will be when their ride window lines up for Alaska.

EXIT | RIDE WINDOW | ROUTE SUGGESTION

VALPARAISO | 1 - 3 months

The table below is to give you a BALL PARK idea of km and saddle hours involved to tackle southern AND northern routes (to Machu Picchu) with a loop back to Valparaiso.
These are TRUNK LINE numbers. You need to add your secret squirrel exploring to these kms/hrs. 20% has been added to the total.
Take note that the trunk line in Chile (first and last legs) has used Panamericana Hwy.
Also note numbers aren't speed limits - they're overall moving averages.
Rookie riders: do not underestimate how slow your journey can progress relative to your plan, particularly remote tracks in the Amazonian Andes. Be conservative or you'll end up with very little 'head outta helmet'.
There are 34 vehicle borders crossings between Chile and Argentina (known as 'Pasos') located along the Andes Mountains and the island of Tierra del Fuego. Routes via these Pasos are in some of the prettiest regions you'll ever see - but they COST YOU TIME in km and border crossing … so consider your Pasos carefully :)

CARTAGENA | 3 - 6 months

NORTH AMERICA | 6+ months

For the Darien Gap, we can arrange air freight of your bike from Bogota to Panama City for ~US$1,200
There are also container share options from Cartagena to Colon - but you'll struggle to beat that air freight rate.
Consider using Panama do break up your Americas trip as mentioned above
For Alaska, consider that Poker Creek - Little Gold Creek Crossing (Top of the World Highway) is generally open from mid May to mid September. If you're crossing here late Aug / early Sep then you very much want to be headed SOUTH.

THIRD PARTY INSURANCE SOUTH AMERICA

www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/Americas

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