Experience a variety of unspoilt natural areas during this 12/15-day tour of Argentina (10 days) and Chile (5 days). As we cross the "Lower Andes" twice, we ride through dense forests, past lakes and volcanoes, and view a range of wildlife and beautiful landscapes. Sample local delicacies and mix with the locals. Relax in hot pools.
Your Itinerary
Day 0: Arrival at Bariloche Airport (Argentina).
After setting up our bikes in the afternoon, we will have some free time to explore downtown Bariloche before having our dinner. Accommodation: Hostería "Pájaro Azul"
Day 1: Bariloche(Argentina) - Ensenada (Chile)
The first crossing of the Andes through Perez Rosales Paso. We drive to Puerto Pañuelo and take the first ferry to Puerto Blest (1.5 hours sailing time). We ride our bikes for a few kilometres to Puerto Alegre before taking a second ferry to cross Lago Frías, which is surrounded by impressive mountains, blue lakes and lush green rainforest vegetation. After a short ride we cross the border into Chile, before enjoying a great downhill to Peulla and catching the last ferry across lake "Todos los Santos". Two hours later in Petrohue we have a great view of the snowcapped perfectly-shaped "Osorno" volcano. We finish with a 16-km bike ride to Ensenada. 62 kms of dirt and paved roads (350 altitude meters gain, 1030 altitude meter loss)
Day 2: Ensenada (Chile) - Puerto Octay (Chile)
We head north along a dirt road bordering the eastern side of the "Llanquihue" (the third largest lake in South America), through green, humid "Valdivian" rainforest, passing the re-vegetating volcanic scoria of "Osorno", caused by its last eruption in 1835. Later green fields, historic buildings, Christian and Lutheran churches, illustrate the influence of past German migration on the road to Puerto Octay. 66 kms of dirt and paved roads. ( 800 altitude meters gain, 800altitude meter loss)
Day 3: Puerto Octay (Chile) - Pucon (Chile)
We travel 300km by bus to a small village, Pucon - known as the adventure capital of Chile. The afternoon is free for optional rafting, single trail riding or just shopping and swimming. (3hrs single trail riding - optional 28km 600altitude meters gain, 600 altitude meter loss).
Day 4: Pucon – Menentue
Today you can choose to climb the Villarica volcano, a unique opportunity to look into an active volcano or to bike 48k to Menenute. Our dinner will include delicious fresh fish from the Atlantic Ocean, before we spend the night near the hot springs of Menentue. Climbing Villarrica Volcano: For many travellers, this is the reason to visit Pucón. The climb is not technically difficult, but you need to be in good physical condition. The tour agencies charge 40-50 US$ and will provide you all the equipment, including boots, ice axe and crampons, transport and guide. You leave Pucon at 7 AM in a van to reach the starting-point at 1400 metres above sea level (Pucón is only at 220). From there you walk uphill for 4 to 6 hours to the top at 2847 metres. If you are lucky, you can see boiling lava in the crater and enjoy the view of about ten volcanoes around you. (optional 48km 600altitude meters gain, 600 altitude meter loss)
Day 5: Menentue - Conaripe (Chile)
It will be a hard, but rewarding day with a relaxing bath in thermal waters at its conclusion. Firstly, we negotiate a steep climb over the saddle between the Villarica and Quetropillan Volcanoes in the National Park - 1000 metres in altitude over 22 km. Then there is a great downhill to Coñaripe (26 km) and further to Termas de Coñaripe - 200 metres in altitude and 15 km. 75km on dirt roads, single trails 1575 altitude meters gain, 1760 altitude meter loss.
Day 6: Conaripe (Chile) - San Martin ( Argentinien)
The second Andean crossing - through Hua Hum Paso. We bike east, uphill for a few kilometres to Puerto Fuy, where we will cross the "Pirehueico" lake ("Snowpool") on the ferry to Argentina through the lowest passage between both countries. After two hours on the boat, we ascend another 8 kms back towards the Chilean border and two more to get to the landmark that separates the two countries. We continue our two-wheeled journey towards San Martín de los Andes, along the northern shore of Lake "Lacar". The stunning winding path demands attentive eyes and compliant muscles. After many undulations we arrive at "Piedra de Trompul" (Trompul´s stone), where local legend says that when the storm thunders and the echo resonates all over the valley, it will rain or snow. The tourist village (population 17,000) offers adventure and "Chapelco´s" famed ski-resort. (62,5 kms of dirt roads. 1100 altitude meters gain, 700 altitude meter loss)
Day 7: San Martin
San Martin looks very similar to Switzerland in Europe and is well known for summer and winter sports alike. Today there is again some optional single trail riding available. We cycle up to the ski-field, where we will enjoy lunch with a great view. In the afternoon there are two downhill options, either the gravel road or single trail back to San Martin.
Day 8: San Martín de los Andes (Argentina) - Confluencia (Argentina)
The day begins with a short drive to "Meliquina" lake through attractive scenery. Then we set out on the bikes to meet the face of the "other Patagonia" - one that it is neither green nor humid and lacks lakes and rainforest, but is a visage of spectacular shapes in a red and dry stunning landscape. We climb to "El Paso del Córdoba" (Cordoba Pass - 1400 metres above sea level)) along an amazing untravelled rock path. After incredible views and an exciting downhill, we arrive at our accommodation in "Confluencia". You can cycle from San Martin, the total distance is 92km. 52 kms of dirt roads, 900(1515) altitude meters gain, 1300 altitude meter loss.
Day 9: Confluencia (Argentina) - Villa la Angostura (Argentina)
From "Confluencia" we head west, in similar landscapes to the day before, but as soon as we near the Andes these changes to forested hills and we cycle along zig-zag paths. We pass through "Villa Traful", a tiny tourist town on "Traful" lake, before the journey concludes after the climb of "El Portezuelo" along the "Camino de los siete lagos" (Seven lakes path) to "Villa la Angostura". 92 kms of dirt roads, 1525altitude meters gain, 1500 altitude meter loss.
Day 10”: Villa la Angostura (Argentina) - San Martin (Argentina)
The perfect day to finish a great bike tour. We ride over "Península de Quetrihué", where legend says that Walt Disney was inspired to create "Bambi". Well, do not believe the story, because it is not true, but come and enjoy one of the best singletracks that you will ever ride!! Not only an exciting track, but in one of the most beautiful endemic forests in the world - the "Arrayanes" forest. The "Arrayan" grows in cold and humid areas and is remarkable for its orange, onion-like skin. This protected forest is located at the end of the peninsula in a National Park, by the lake "Nahuel Huapi". In the afternoon we return to Villa la Angostura and then drive three hours towards San Martin. 24km of singletrack and 6km of paved roads, 300 altitude meters gain, 300 altitude meter loss.
3 day Extension to Calafate - Non Biking
Day 11: Bariloche (Argentina) - Calafate (Argentina)
Flight to Calafate on the southern shores of Lago Argentino in the magnificient Parque Nacional Los Glaciares. The attractive town of 7,000 people is the perfect relaxing base for exploring the glacial giants of the region. In El Calafate you will find yourself at the gateway to the majestic world of glaciers. This town is near Lago Argentino , a green water surface covering 1600 km2, with a length of 60 km, a width between 12 and 14 km, and depths from 35m in Feruglio on the coast and centre, to 300m in Península Avellaneda.
El Calafate is 316 km from Río Gallegos, over Lago Argentino 185 m. above sea level, and receives its name from the small bush calafate, indigenous of Patagonia; its fruit is a delicious berry very good for the elaboration of jam. According to tradition, whoever eats calafate will return for more. But reality indicates that who visits Calafate wants to stay forever. It is an important touristic resort of national as well as international importance, since all glacier circuits start there. The area has a dry climate, with an average maximum temperature of 19ºC, and an average minimum in winter of -2º. In summer the sun rises at 5.30 hrs. and sets at 23hrs. Winter days are shorter with only 8 hours of daylight. Los Glaciares National Park covers a surface of some 600.000 has with 47 glaciers, like Marconi, Viedma, Moyano, Upsala, Agassiz, Bolado, Onelli, Peineta, Spegazzini, Mayo, Ameghino, Moreno and Frías, all of them draining to the Atlantic.
Day 12: Calafate (Argentina)
There is the possibility of a launch from Puerto Bandera, 45 kms west of Calafate, to visit the massive Upsala Glacier named after the Swedish city that sponsored the first scientific/glacial expeditions in the area. At 60 kms long and with two terminal fronts each of 4 kms width, it is the largest glacier in South America, three times bigger than Buenos Aires! Huge blocks of ice break off and literally sail as far as the main body of Lago Argentino where they sit until the wind, sun and rain melt them away. To get to these glaciers you take a catamaran through the northern branch of Lake Argentino, where you must navigate about 70 km. to get to Glacier Upsala and Onelli Bay, where the catamaran stops for three hours.
Upsala Glacier forms an ice spit of some 60 km. long and 10 km. wide and constitutes the biggest glacier in the area. Its surface is approximately 595 km, about three times as big as Buenos Aires. The name Upsala is also the name of the city in Sweden where the first glaciology research work was carried out at the beginning of the 20th century. At Onelli Bay, passengers disembark and go for a short walk through the forest, where glaciers Onelli, Bolados, Agassiz and Heim meet. During the hike you will enjoy these beautiful landscapes with a variety of shapes and colors in the immense icebergs detached from Upsala Glacier.
Day 13: Calafate (Argentina)
We can also take a boat to, or walk on the actual surface of Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the world's few advancing glaciers. The 50/80-metre-high river of ice, periodically dams the Brazo Rico (Rico Arm) of Lago Argentino and when the ice can no longer support the weight of the rising water the dam explodes. Huge icebergs topple into the Canal de los Témpanos (Iceberg Channel) on a regular basis.
Day 14: Calafate (Argentina) - Buenos Aires (Argentina). Flight to Buenos Aires and departure.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Prices listed above a for 15 day tour; the price for 12 day tour is US$1,985. Bike rental - US$180.
Piece includes:
- All accommodations
- All meals except for those listed below
- Professional guide services
- Support vehicle and luggage transport
- All National Park fees and permits
Not included:
- Domestic flights within Argentina (ie Buenos Aires to Bariloche, Bariloche to Buenos Aires & the flights to/from Calafate for those that take the Tour extension). We can book the flights for you.
- The price does not include personal expenditures (such as snacks, drinks, mini-bar, telephone calls, laundry or anything not indicated in the itinerary).
- Dinners on Days 4, 7, 8 and 12 are not included.
- Adventure rafting, hiking and other excursions in Pucón are not included.
- Meals for the extension not included
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Argentina
Chile
Bicycle Touring
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