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Bicycling Patagonia's Lakes District
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Bicycle Tours in Chile: Bicycling Patagonia's Lakes District

Join us on our 7-day Bicycling Patagonia's Lakes District from Argentina to Chile tour where we will cycle paved roads across the Continental Divide in the Andes, from Argentina into Chile. At this latitude, the mountains are much gentler than the severe Peruvian and Ecuadoran landscapes that come to mind when you think of the Andes. Our route winds from the high plateau setting of San Carlos de Bariloche along Andean lakes, down through the valleys of the border region and into Chile's Lake District. Cycle past conical volcanoes and snow capped Andean peaks, and one of Chile's famous rushing rivers, and relax in the tranquil settings of our lovely hotels.

***Extend this bicycle tour by 3 days. Visit our Bicycling Patagonia's Lakes District Plus! the Island of Chiloé bicycle tour.***

Day 1: Welcome to South America!

Highlights: Fit Bicycles, Welcome Dinner

We meet this afternoon on the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi, just outside of the center of San Carlos de Bariloche. We'll schedule a transfer from the Bariloche Airport for anyone flying in this morning. After checking in, take a walk down to the lake and enjoy the stunning views of the Andes right outside the hotel. Or, better yet - explore Bariloche. This mountain town is a year-round destination for outdoor lovers and is bustling in the summer. We'll meet in the afternoon to fit bicycles and suggest a short test ride before meeting for a drink and dinner this evening.

Lodging: Sol del Nahuel

Day 2: Bariloche

Highlights: Bariloche, Cerro Campanario take the ski lift to the top of the Andes

We follow a classic ride today after a brief shuttle from Puerto Pañuelo back to Bariloche. Tiny back roads lead us through forests and offer stunning views of both Lago Nahuel Huapi and the smaller Lago Perito Moreno. We recommend the chairlift up the Cerro Campanario to enjoy what some people call one of the top 10 views in the world. After lunch together those who want can pedal up (and down!) the Cerro Catedral route just outside of Bariloche before continuing back to the shores of Lago Gutierrez where we regroup before heading back to our hotel. We'll be back at our hotel this evening in Bariloche. Dinner is on your own tonight. Mileage: 50 kms of rolling hills (30 miles).

Lodging: Sol del Nahuel

Day 3: Villa La Angostura

Highlights: Lake Nauhel Huapi, scenic road to Villa La Angostura

This morning we we'll avoid traffic with a 20 km (12 miles) shuttle out of Bariloche. We'll begin cycling at the south eastern tip of Lake Nahuel Huapi where you'll enjoy beautiful views on your way to Paso Coihue. We'll feast on a delicious picnic lunch together on the shore of the lake before continuing on to Villa La Angostura on one of Argentina's most scenic roads. Villa La Angostura is picture-perfect nestled in the foothills of the mountains. Dinner is on your own tonight. Distance: Approximately 70 km (43 miles).

Lodging: Hosteria El Establo

Day 4: Crossing into Chile

Highlights: Cardenal Samore Pass, thermal spas

Heading across the Andes we'll pedal from Lake Espejo over the Cardenal Samore Pass (4,311 feet) to our thermal resort at the Termas de Puyehue. We'll have a picnic lunch together before enjoying the downhill into Chile! Be sure to take time to relax in the hotel's thermal pools before dinner together this evening. Today's mileage: 85-93 km (52-55 miles).

Lodging: Hotel Termas De Puyehue

Day 5: Termas de Puyehue to Petrohue

Highlights: Lake Llanquihue, views of Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes

We pedal around the east side of Lake Llanquihue today with stunning views of the snow-capped Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes. We'll stop for a picnic lunch and enjoy the tranquility as we pass quiet farmlands and small forests. Before we reach our hotel plan to make a stop to visit the famous "saltos", or waterfalls. Take the shuttle or bike the last 6 km of gravel to the hotel before relaxing at the edge one of Patagonia's beautiful lakes. Dinner together this evening. Daily mileage: 75 km (46 miles).

Lodging: Hotel Petrohue

Day 6: Puerto Varas

Highlights: Puerto Varas

Continuing our ride around Lake Llanquihue we'll enjoy more great views of Osorno Volcano on our way to Puerto Varas, a small but bustling town with numerous craft stores and great walks along the lake. We'll have our final dinner together this evening. Estimated distance: 63-69 km (39-43 miles).

Lodging: Hotel Puelche.

Day 7: Puerto Varas

Highlights: Tour ends

Our tour ends after breakfast this morning. We'll offer a shuttle, or you can take a taxi to the airport in Puerto Montt which is less than a half-hour away for those who are flying home. If you need to return to Bariloche, we recommend transferring across Todos los Santos Lake. This trip has daily departures and the bus leaves just one hundred meters from our hotel! It is a beautiful and relaxing boat and bus trip and you'll arrive in Bariloche in time for a late dinner. Whatever your plans, buen viaje..

***Extend this bicycle tour by 3 days. Visit our Bicycling Patagonia's Lakes District Plus! the Island of Chiloé bicycle tour.***

  • Highlights
    Chile's Lake District, Views of Osorno and Calbuco Volcanoes, Waterfalls on the Petrohué River, thermal pools, San Carlos de Bariloche
  • Includes
    "The Usual" plus... Use of a quality 27-30 speed bicycle; 7 days, 6 nights accommodation; 5 dinners with wine, 7 breakfasts, 3 (2 picnic) lunches
  • Countries
    Argentina, Chile
  • Begin/End
    San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina / Puerto Varas, Chile
  • Arrive/Depart
    San Carlos de Bariloche (BRC) / Puerto Montt, Chile (PMC)
  • Total Distance
    390-456 kms (240 - 280 miles)
  • Daily Distance
    Average per day 65-76 kms (40-47 miles)
  • What to Expect
    Stunning views of the southern Andes, volcanoes, lakes and waterfalls. An exhilarating ride into Chile, great food and fun activities.
  • Rating
    301-401
    Asphalt roads. Rolling hills and flat terrain on most days with some longer distances. One long climb on Day 3 over the Andes, cumulative elevation gain does not exceed 3000 feet that day.
  • Notes
    Extend this bicycle tour by 3 days. Visit our Bicycling Patagonia's Lakes District Plus! the Island of Chiloé bicycle tour.
  • Terms
    Terms & Conditions
Dates Price Single
Supplement*		 Notes Next
Step
Dec 07 - 13, 2013 $3195 $500 Book before August 1st and Save $200, per person. Book It
Jan 04 - 10, 2014 $3195 $500 Book before August 1st and Save $200, per person. Book It
Feb 22 - 28, 2014 $3195 $500 Book before August 1st and Save $200, per person. Book It
*We are happy to match solo travelers who would like to share a room with someone of the same gender. If no match exists, due to hotel pricing, we will charge 50% of the single supplement rate. This fee will be collected at the time of the final payment. If a roommate assignment is available this fee will be refunded at the conclusion of the tour.
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Click on the "pins" for details about each day's highlights.

Map Key

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Yellow pinCity (on route)
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Spectacular scenery, excellent leaders, wonderful hotels. Most of the rides were truly breathtaking
Samuel S., Asheville, NC
The guides were excellant--always available and helpful. It was a great biking as well as cultural experience!
Diane W., Boulder, CO
Another fine ExperiencePlus! trip!
Robin D., Oakland, CA
I would recommend the tour until I am blue in the face. We loved the cycling, we enjoyed the people we met, and we had such fun at the stops...
Gillian Q., Vancouver, Canada
I have described this as the best vacation of my life.
Toni H., Steamboat Springs
I had such a fantastic time on this tour. I think I can speak for my whole family when I say that this was my most favorite vacation of all time. I absolutely LOVED the hotels including the range and variety we got to stay in. Food was good, especially breakfast. Loved the empanadas as well. I felt like I really got to experience a great part of Patagonia and even the volcano was a good story. All pre-trip correspondence was so informational and very much helped me to prepare for the trip.
Tiana E., Steamboat Springs, CO
An awesome tour. Best bike I have had on a tour (besides my own). I'll be back
Patricia S., Alexandria, VA
Great bike, great guides, great people, great scenery, great experience.
Justin L., San Francisco, CA
What was your favorite experience on this trip? The breathtaking scenery, the camaraderie of the folks in the group, the challenge of daily riding, the food and wine, the chance to see how another culture lives.
Kathleen L., Springfield, VA
I have to say that this was the best vacation of my life! I loved the guides, the places we stayed, the people, the challenges of our first bike trip, and of course the family together (without any disagreements!)
Toni H. Steamboat Springs, CO
What was your favorite experience on this trip? Hard to choose...stunning scenery, challenging climbs, helpful, supportive tour leaders. I also loved the garden luncheon, and enjoyed the farm tour.
Julia V., Nottingham, NH
I enjoyed listening to our guides' regional stories, the scenery was magnificent crossing the Andes and the food was terrific in Chile.
Lisa N., Pottersville, NJ
Thanks for a great ExperiencePlus!
Jeff W., Fort Collins, CO
The trip was well organized: the guides were attentive, informative, helpful and fun to hang out with; the hotels were great; restaurants that were included or recommended by the guides were fabulous; bikes were in "new" condition; the other people on the trip were great travel companions. I would definitely recommend your company to anyone looking for a bike touring company and I hope to make it on another one of your trips some time.
Jeff F., Cottekill, NY
Thanks so much for everything, I feel really blessed in having such nice tour leader all the time. And I'm in love with the Hotel Puelche in Puente Varras, archecturally it was interesting, the porportions and lay out, plus the food was goood.
Barbara H.
Lexington, MA
We just returned from the Argentina - Chile trip and wanted to let you know what a wonderful time we had. The tour leader did an outstanding job leading this inaugural journey and along with our Argentine guides made our ride fun and interesting. The Chiloé extension only added icing to the cake. What a beautiful island filled with very special people and gorgeous scenery. I would highly recommend to anyone going on the bicycle trip to not miss this added bonus. It is well worth the time and money.
Larry and Corky B.
Herkimer, NY
[What I liked most was] The biking and the treatment we received from the tour leaders. Especially the birthday cake they provided at the day-three dinner for my 61st birthday.
James M.
HI
[What I liked most was] the ride to Fruitallar. It was so beautiful and not much traffic.
Whitney R,
Fresno, CA
The tour leader was outstanding. She was most attentive to our needs and helped us have the best experiences ...
William D.
Goshin, CT
I've taken numerous bike tours with various companies and will say that ExperiencePlus! offers the best value for the money. Also, I find my fellow bikers in the ExperiencePlus! groups to be the easiest to get along with and among the nicest I've ever met while traveling - no whiners! Some of the more expensive bike tour companies tend to attract more high-maintenance travelers (who care more about the hotel and dressing up for dinner than the biking), meaning the focus of their trips will often stray from the biking and cultural experience. I like the fact that ExperiencePlus! will choose/recommend restaurants where the locals themselves dine.
Charlene L.
Jersey City, NJ
The guides were very good. Great trip.
Thomas E.
Houston, TX