Itinerary - Chile & Argentina

Patagonia & the Lake District

Day 1: Puerto Montt - Frutillar

On arrival at El Tepual - Puerto Montt airport, you will be transferred (45/50 minute drive) to our joining hotel in Frutillar, a pretty lakeside town characterised by quaint colonial wooden German architecture and manicured rose gardens, contrasted by a backdrop of glowering volcanoes and black sand beach. A pier extends out into the crystal clear waters of Llanquihue Lake.   In 2017, Frutillar was named Chile's first Unesco Creative City of Music. This afternoon we have a bike fitting and introductory meeting with the tour group and guides.

Accommodation: Hotel (D)

Day 2: Frutillar - Puerto Varas

We begin cycling along the shores of Llanquihue Lake (the third biggest lake in South America) enjoying beautiful views of Osorno (2.652 mts), Puntiagudo (2.190 mts), Tronador (3.451 mts) and Calbuco (2.015 mts) volcanoes and the imposing Los Andes Range. on the ascent up to Frutillar.  We will stop for light refreshments on the way and have lunch in a picturesque village called El Frutillar, a German influenced settlement. There will be some free time for sightseeing in Frutillar and then a 40 minute transfer back to town where we will stay in the same hotel as last night.

Cycling distance: 34 km / 21 mi (3km / 5 mi gravel) + (29 km / 18 mi paved road)   
Accommodation: Hotel  (B)

Day 3: Puerto Varas - Osorno Volcano

This morning we continue our route around the Lake Llanquihue cycling to the small village of Cascada. We have a picnic lunch here and cycle on to Ensenada where you will enjoy more majestic views of the volcanos. From here we turn away from the lake cycling uphill to reach the foot of Osorno Volcano. We will stay tonight in a unique mountain lodge with stunning views of our dramatic surroundings. A memorable stop on the tour.  

Cycling distance:  58 km / 36 mi (100% paved road)  
Total climb: 1,540m (5,052ft)
Accommodation: Lodge (B,L)

Day 4: Osorno Volcano - Puella

We set off on our bikes after breakfast, cycling 10km downhill from our mountain lodge. This section of the ride is weather dependant as it is very steep. In bad weather conditions we will transfer downhill by vehicle. We continue to ride on a fairly flat road in the direction of Petrohue. From here we take our first lake crossing on the tour, boarding a private catamaran for a 2 hour boat trip to Peulla sailing on the emerald waters of Todos los Santos Lake. Tonight, we stay in Puella.

Cycling Distance: 29.4 km/ 18mi (6km/3.7mi gravel) + (23.4km/14.5mi paved road) 
Cycling Climb: 186m (610ft)       
Cycling Descent: 754m (2,474ft)
Accommodation: Hotel (B,L)

Day 5: Puella - Puerto Blest 

This morning we cycle 29km on a gravel road following the Perez Rosales Path toward Puerto Frias, which takes us across the border into Argentina. We will stop along the way for a picnic lunch. From Puerto Frias we have at 20 minute trip by catamaran across Frias Lake to reach Puerto Alegre. Disembarking we cycle 3km further on gravel path, to reach Puerto Blest.

Cycling Distance: 30.7 km/ 19 mi (100% gravel road)
Cycling Climb: 984m (3,228ft) 
Cycling Descent: 378m (1,240ft)
Accommodation: Hotel (B,L)

Day 6: Puerto Blest – Bariloche

After breakfast, we have another catamaran trip across the Nahuel Huapi Lake which takes about 1 hour. After disembarking we begin cycling the Circuito Chico route. We pass Bahia Lopez, Moreno Lake and the breath-taking panoramic viewing point from where you can see both Moreno and Nahuel Lakes, Victoria Island and the Andes mountains. There will be a 20/30 minute vehicle transfer to our beautiful lakeside hotel in downtown Bariloche.

Cycling Distance: 23.5 km/ 15mi (6.3km/ 4mi gravel ) + (17.2km/ 10.5mi paved road)
Cycling Climb: 621m (2,037ft)
Cycling Descent: 598m (1,961ft)
Accommodation: Hotel (B,L)

Day 7: Bariloche Rest Day

A free day to explore this beautiful town on the shores of Nahuel Huapi Lake. There are plenty of activities you could chose to do (at extra cost) : horse riding, white water rafting, kayaking, fishing and paragliding to name but a few. You could make a short journey to the base of Cerro Campanario and take a chair lift to the summit for spectacular panoramic views. Otherwise you may prefer just to relax by the lake and sample some of the chocolate for which this area is renowned.

Accommodation: Hotel (B,L)

Day 8: Bariloche- Villa Traful

After an early breakfast we transfer by vehicle (35 minutes) to "Amphitheatre" viewpoint.  There we start cycling along the road bordering Limay river, with its magical mountainous shapes towards "Valle Encantado" (Enchanted Valley).  From there we continue cycling by Traful river with its strange rock formations enjoying the transitional landscape between the the Patagonian steppe and the Andean Patagonic woods, up to a fanastic panoramic viewpoint called "Mirador del Viento" (Wind's Viewpoint).  Finally, we cycle the last 6 km and arrive in Traful village, by the shores of Traful lake.

Cycling Distance: 65 km/ 60.5mi (32 km / 19mi gravel) + (33 km / 20mi paved road)
Cycling Climb: 1,407m (4,616ft)
Cycling Descent: 1,164m (3,819ft)
Accommodation: Hotel (B,L)

Day 9: Villa Traful - San Martin de los Andes

Early breakfast then we start cycling 14 km alongside Traful Lake and then along the well known "Camino de lo Siete Lagos" (Seven Lakes Road).  We continue the remaining 74 km cycle inside this spectacular  area.  We will have lunch at a restaurant and then arrive in San Martin de los Andes (a beautiful village by the shores of Lacar lake).

Cycling Distance: 102 km/ 63 miles (23 km/14 mi gravel road) + (79 km/ 49 mi paved)
Cycling Climb: 226m/ 741ft
Cycling Descent: 535m/ 1,775ft
Accommodation: Hotel (B,L)

Day 10: San Martin de los Andes - Pucon

Breakfast and a 90 min. transfer before arriving at the border between Argentina and Chile, where we will start cycling, crossing to Chile through Mamuil Malal Pass. After lunch we continue up to Pucón Town. Our accommodation tonight is at the foot of  Villarrica Volcano (2.840 mts).

Cycling Distance: 77 km/ 48 miles (2 km / 1.2 mi gravel road) + (75 km / 47 mi paved)
Cycling Climb:1,135m/ 3,724ft 
Cycling Descent: 1,072m/ 3,517ft
Accommodation: Hotel (B,L)

Day 11:  Pucon Rest Day

We have a break on the tour today with time to explore the beautiful town of Pucon. Those looking to relax can visit one of the many thermal spas which surround the town or settle down on the volcanic sands of the lakeside beach. The energetic can cycle up to Claro River's waterfall or opt for white water rafting or horse riding. Adventure seekers might want to hike up to the crater of the beautiful Volcano Villarrica (weather permitting). It is a challenging but not a technical ascent to the summit for magnificent views across the surrounding area and the bubbling lava within the volcano. All equipment can be hired locally.

Accommodation: Hotel (B)

Day 12: Pucon to Cunco

This morning we will have a 30 minute vehicle transfer out of Pucon to Villarrica where our cycling begins. Setting off on the bikes we cycle along the quiet Interlagos route (passing Huilipilun and Colico) to the small village of Cunco, through Villarrica National Park. The area is densely populated by araucaria forests (also known as monkey puzzle trees).   You can relax this evening with a soak in a hot tub.

Cycling Distance: 55 km/ 34mi (16 km/ 10 mi gravel) +  39 km/24 mi paved road)   
Cycling Climb:704m (2,310ft) 
Cycling Descent: 607m (1,991ft)
Accommodation: Hotel (B,L)

Day 13: Cunco - Conguillio National Park 

After breakfast, our tour itinerary takes us cycling eastwards, passing through the village of Melipeuco, to reach Conguillio National Park, Chile’s first geo park.  In Mapudungún ‘Conguillio’ means 'water with pine kernels'. The park is also known as 'Los Paraguas' (the Umbrellas), due to the shape of its ancient araucaria forest. We cycle along volcanic lava trails that originate from the active Llaima Volcano (3.125 mts), the most active volcano in South America and one of only five in the world known to have an active lava lake within its crater. We will visit the Verde Lagoon and Arco Iris Lagoon before cycling back to our accommodation in the park, at the foot of the volcano.   

Cycling Distance: 71km/ 44mi (20 km/ 12mi gravel path) + (51 km / 31mi paved road)
Cycling Climb: 841m (2,759ft)
Cycling Descent: 246m (807ft)
Accommodation: Hotel (B,L,D)

Day 14: Conguillio National Park- Home

The tour ends today. We organise 1 group transfer at 12 noon to Temuco airport which should allow time to take a morning stroll around the park before your journey home. If you chose to stay on for extra days there are also options for kayaking, helicopter tours or trekking.  (B)