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Cycling the Lake Districts of Chile & Argentina
Duration
13 days
Site savings
$98
From
$4,780 USD
Ride through the beautiful Lake District of Chile and Argentina on a 13-day bicycling adventure. Discover a beautiful and fertile land at the northern gateway to Patagonia - a magical landscape filled with active volcanoes, turquoise rivers, gigantic lakes and ancient native forests. See Andean condors swooping down from the foothills of the cordillera as you cycle on some of the most scenic paved routes that South America has to offer.
- CategoryAdventurous
- TypeFully Guided
- Duration13 days
- Culture LevelAdventurous
- Skill Level3 - Intermediate
- Activity Level4 - Challenging
- Elevation3 - Intermediate
- TerrainMixed
- Distance222.5 miles
- Avg. Daily Distance24.9 miles
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Quick Stats
- Duration13 days
- Main DestinationChile
- Distance222.5 miles
- Avg. Daily Distance24.9 miles
- Elevation3 - Intermediate
- TerrainMixed
Route Map (click to view larger image)
Itinerary Details
- Day 1Start Puerto Varas
The journey begins in Puerto Varas, nicknamed the City of Roses. We’ll gather at the hotel for the first time this evening, enjoying a welcome briefing with the tour leader: an excellent chance to get to know your fellow travelers. There’s no cycling today, so take time to rest your legs before our two-wheel adventure begins in earnest tomorrow.
- Casa Kalfu Hotel
- Day 2Cycle around the edge of Lago Llanquihue to Frutillar
Your Lake District cycling adventure starts off today in scenic fashion as you navigate clockwise around the shore of Lago Llanquihue (the third biggest lake in South America) and stretch your legs for the more challenging days ahead. From the lakeside road, you will enjoy spectacular views of the volcanoes and the Andean mountain range that lie just to the east. Volcanoes Osorno (2652m/8700ft), Puntiagudo (2190m/7185ft), Tronador (3451m/11,322ft), Puyehue (2240m/7349ft) and Calbuco (2015m/6610ft) are all visible on a clear day. You’ll cycle to the picturesque lakeside village of Frutillar, a German-influenced settlement which is home to the modern 'Teatro del Lago' theatre. The ride ends here and after lunch, you’ll transfer back to Puerto Varas.
Today's ride will be mostly paved. (30km/18mi paved and 4km/2mi unpaved)- 21.1 miles
- 1,269.7 ft
1,269.7 ft - Casa Kalfu Hotel
- Breakfast and Lunch
- Day 3Ride from Puerto Varas to Petrohue; boat ride on the emerald waters of Todos los Santos Lake
You will follow the shoreline of Lago Llanquihue once more today but in an easterly direction past Puerto Chico and Ensenada, straight towards the imposing Calbuco and Osorno volcanoes. Gateway to the Andean Lakes, your journey from here across the mountain range takes you into more remote and spectacular environments. You will cycle onwards, following the banks of the emerald-colored Rio Petrohue towards the 'Saltos de Petrohue' waterfalls. Upon reaching 'Lago Todos los Santos' you are greeted by a beautiful setting and you'll swap your mode of transport in order to board a catamaran ferry. Cruising across the lake is a wonderful and peaceful experience as you keep your eyes peeled for Andean condors flying overhead (journey time approx. 1.5/2 hours).
Today’s ride will all be paved. It will consist of approximately 45 km (27mi) on flat terrain and a climb for the last 15 km (9mi).- 37.3 miles
- 2,135.8 ft
2,135.8 ft - Hotel Peulla or Natura
- Breakfast and Lunch
- Day 4Begin the Andes crossing to Argentina; lake crossing and some tough cycling sections to arrive at Puerto Blest
After breakfast, you will start cycling towards the Argentinian border which involves riding 20km (12.4mi) with a steady incline before taking on a challenging climb (approx. 700m/2296ft over 7.5km/4.6mi) to reach the frontier. There is then a short descent into Puerto Frias. Depending upon how the weather has been in the proceeding days, the unpaved mountain roads can either be well compacted or sometimes loose and dusty. The final leg of today’s iconic journey across the Andes is a short ferry crossing on Lago Frias followed by a 3km (1.8mi) ride to your hotel in Puerto Blest.
Today is the most challenging day as you cycle on 31km (19mi) of unpaved roads. The border crossing involves a long steep climb on gravel followed by a fast downhill section.
- 19.3 miles
- 3,228.3 ft
3,228.3 ft - Hotel Puerto Blest
- Breakfast and Lunch
- Day 5Ferry across Lago Nahuel Huapi to Puerto Panuelo; cycle to Bariloche
Puerto Blest is situated on the westernmost point of Lago Nahuel Huapi and from here you will board a catamaran to take you to Puerto Pañuelo. Instead of cycling directly towards Bariloche, you will take a scenic route on a paved road that loops around via Punto Panoramico to enjoy an awe-inspiring view of the Argentinian Lake District. As you approach Bariloche you will board the bus for a short transfer (approx. 20 minutes), linking up with the lakeside main road.
Today's ride will be on 15kms (9mi) of paved and 9kms (6mi) of unpaved roads.
- 14.9 miles
- 1,561.7 ft
1,561.7 ft - Alma del Lago Suites and Spa
- Breakfast and Lunch
- Day 6Free day; time to explore the city of Bariloche and ascend the nearby viewpoint of Cerro Campanario
After several days of traveling, today is a free day allowing a well-earned chance to relax and take in the beautiful surroundings of the Lake District. You may wish to take a look around the center of Bariloche, a ski and adventure sports hub with numerous chocolate shops. There are plenty of adventurous activities available should you wish to indulge, such as guided ‘stand up rafting’ on Rio Limay, or the opportunity to independently trek up to Refugio Frey and back again on the slopes of Cerro Catedral.
- Alma del Lago Suites and Spa
- Breakfast
- Day 7Transfer to the Limay River; pass through the Enchanted Valley; cycle to Villa Traful
- Day 8Short transfer to start point; cycle the Camino de los Siete Lagos to San Martin de los Andes
We begin the day with a transfer (approximately 50 minutes) to the starting point for another spectacular cycling route along the Camino de los Siete Lagos (Seven Lakes Road). This is a scenic route that winds northwards past lakes and forests, connecting the alpine towns of Villa La Angostura and San Martin de los Andes. Depending upon the exact start point, today involves riding around 39.1mi (63km) through spectacular and rewarding landscapes. We will break up the ride with a lunch stop and should therefore arrive in San Martin de los Andes in the afternoon. Entering the picturesque small town involves a wonderful approach along the shore of Lago Lacar.
Today will be all paved and 39mi (63km) in total; the last 10.6mi (17km) is a fast downhill section.- 24.4 miles
- 2,811.7 ft
2,811.7 ft - Le Village Hotel
- Breakfast and Lunch
- Day 9Transfer to Alumine village; cycle along the Alumine River to Villa Pehuenia
After breakfast, we take a transfer (approximately two hours) to Alumine village. From here, you will start cycling alongside the Alumine River in what is known as La Ruta del Pehuen, named for the monkey puzzle forests in the area. We also pass many Mapuche houses and farms. After lunch, we carry on cycling around Alumine Lake, crossing three rivers until you arrive at the small village of Villa Pehuenia. The next two nights are spent in the beautiful Posada La Escondida, on the shores of Alumine Lake.
Today’s ride will be 24.9mi (40km) paved and 14.3mi (23km) unpaved gravel.- 39.1 miles
2,053.8 ft
2,053.8 ft- Posada La Escondida
- Breakfast and Lunch
- Day 10Free day in Villa Pehuenia
Today is at leisure for you to choose from doing organized activities or resting. Your tour leader can advise which local agencies to use depending on what you would like to do.
Options include a popular kayak excursion on the crystalline waters of Lake Moquehue. Or take a 4x4 up Batea Mahuida Volcano and enjoy the mountain views on a short hike to the crater lagoon.- Posada La Escondida
- Breakfast
- Day 11Cycle to Icalma Village in Chile; short transfer to China Muerta National Reserve; cycle the lunar landscape of Conguillio National Park
After breakfast, we say goodbye to Argentina and cross back into Chile via the Icalma International Pass. Once we clear immigration, we stop for lunch in Icalma Village. After a transfer (approximately 40 minutes) to avoid a gravel road, we jump back on the bikes inside China Muerta National Reserve and cycle a 16.8mi (27km) stretch of paved road towards Conguillio National Park. From the entrance, we take a short walk to Truful Truful waterfall. After, we cycle for 4.3mi (7km) until we reach our accommodation.
The scenes you'll encounter today are vastly different from the rest of the tour. Clouds rise from surrounding valleys and quickly change form while passing over the volcanic lava. Llaima Volcano (10,253ft/3,125m) dominates the skyline and we spend the night in a remote ecolodge. The property restricts energy use as part of its self-sufficiency, meaning electricity and hot water are not available during the night.
Today’s ride will be 26.1mi (42km) paved and 5.6mi (9km) unpaved gravel.- 31.7 miles
- 2,765.7 ft
2,765.7 ft - La Baita Conguillio Ecolodge
- Breakfast and Lunch
- Day 12Ride through Conguillio N.P.
It is your last day of cycling today as you continue riding further within Conguillio National Park and see several beautiful lagoons (Laguna Arco Iris, Laguna Verde) and Conguillo Lake. You will also visit the interpretation centre to learn more about the formation of the park. (Please note that this may not be possible as sometimes the centre is closed during your visit).
You will then walk for an hour through the native forest to see ancient monkey-puzzle trees. Tonight will be the last evening all together with group and staff, so it is the perfect opportunity for a last meal and drinks to look back on what will have surely been a fantastic journey.
The loop ride for today will all be in unpaved gravel. The way out will be mostly uphill and the return will be mostly downhill.
- 16.8 miles
- 1,227 ft
1,227 ft - La Baita Conguillio Ecolodge
- Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Day 13End Temuco Airport