Cycle the Lake District of Chile and Argentina

[The operator] did an amazing job in planning and executing this trip, by selecting a team of professionals in Chile who carefully selected the best routes for cycling with different topography, varied landscapes views and minimum traffic. The logistics were flawless with minimum bureaucracy when crossing the border controls. We enjoyed good and well maintained rental mountain bikes, best hotels in each location which were thoughtfully selected along the route usually at the best vantage points which only locals would know about. The guides took us to excellent local restaurants and gave us recommendations for best local dishes of fish/meat and we had the chance to enjoy the best rustic and local cuisines. The only problem is that time flies too fast when you are having the time of your life! We highly recommend this trip, escorted by a great team, with beautiful landscapes, delicious food and lovely people.

This holiday had everything. It was my first visit to South America and I loved every moment. The organization of the trip was excellent, making it easy to relax and enjoy throughout. The guides were simply wonderful, highly professional, engaged well with the group, fun, and extremely knowledgeable about the area. The cycling was superb and the briefings prepared us well for each days cycling (what we would see, and experience , and with very good emphasis on safety advice) The non-cycling day had plenty of options to choose from – I chose the volcano climb which was quite an experience. This is one of the very best [operator] holidays I have experienced.

The route selected for this holiday was really interesting, varied – Chile and Argentina – quite different. So well chosen. The accommodation provided also must be classed as excellent.

Lunches – all prepared by the guides – were simply superb. Lots of variety, all very fresh, and good, nutritious food – absolutely brilliant. We chose to eat dinners with the guides and the rest of the group for all our evening meals. The restaurants chosen by the guides were excellent and gave a good taste of local cuisine, with plenty of variety. On route refreshments were readily available – plenty of fresh water and energy providing foods.

Our tour leaders along with the two support guides made an excellent team. They made sure everything ran smoothly and were highly professional, confident and knowledgeable about the area and culture. They were very friendly and made the holiday fun and exciting. They were well organized, and paced the cycling well for the mixed group. These leaders were amongst the best we have experienced with [operator] holidays. The support vehicle was new, smart, well maintained and very comfortable. Plenty of room, comfortable seats and good air conditioning.

Hire bikes were superb for the terrain we were to ride on. Also very well maintained throughout the trip.

As for the cycling, I loved all of the days. The gravel trails were challenging at times with the loose surface – but I enjoyed the challenge. Tarmac roads were a good smooth surface. The scenery never failed to amaze me with such beauty and vibrant colours – just stunning. Then there were the snow capped volcanoes, clear blue waters of the lakes, the bright blue skies, monkey puzzle forests and of course the single track. Utterly amazing was the Valley of the Monuments – I have never experienced anything like this before!

Chile and Argentina Lake District is an amazing, although somewhat challenging, ride. The scenery is stunning, and the food is amazing. I had no desire to visit these two countries, really don’t know why, but my husband has always wanted to so I gave in. I am glad I did – just to be surrounded by all the volcanoes and lakes while riding is stunning. The scenery was wonderful every day with all these lakes and volcanoes, and changing plant/tree species – really there are no words for this!

[The operator] was very responsive to all the questions we had and provided quick answers. One of the best meals for dinner was when the guides made us a BBQ dinner on New Years Eve – the food was great. The guide team made excellent, wonderful lunches every day. The snacks, mostly chocolate, on the bus were well received by one and all.

Our tour leader was an excellent guide. Very accommodating to desires and wishes of riders, very encouraging, very personable, very knowledgeable. In about 30 years of doing this type of tour, he was one of the best guides we have ever had. His knowledge about the area is amazing and his English is great. He really knew how to “lead” a tour and was always smiling. Our other guide was also excellent. His smiling personality and ability to make any situation funny/fun is amazing. He went out of his way to be helpful to everyone. He and Vicente make a truly great team and really made the ride the fun tough as it was. The driver they had for this ride, was beyond excellent. His driving was amazing, he always kept the bus clean, although his English was minimal we could always make ourselves understood and he always had a smile on his face and kind words for everyone. I think the whole group felt that he was “one of the guides” that is how involved his was with everyone’s comfort.