Bike Patagonia Day 1 Santiago - Temuco-Pucon Depart Auckland for Santiago with LAN Airlines .Cross the dateline and gain a day , arriving midday. Day 2 Pucon (B,L) We'll cycle from our hotel to Lake Caburgua and then towards Pucon's famous Hot Springs. The ride today is a combination of rolling hills with several short climbs at the second half of the road. Throughout today's ride our guide will help us identify several species of birds and trees as we cycle next to beautiful farms and enjoy views of the Villarrica volcano. With a little good luck, we will see smoke coming out of this active volcano. After cycling the rolling and sometimes hilly road to the hot springs, we will enjoy lunch and then a soothing soak in a hot mineral bath. Later we'll take a short ride in the vans back to our hotel in Pucón Day 3 Chile's 7 Lakes Route (B,L,D) Departing from Pucón, we drive 8 kms by minibus to Palguín Bajo, where we start biking .The road leads us by the Palguín valley through the National Park Villarrica, with views of scenic waterfalls formed by basaltic rock, as we will pass several majestic snow-capped volcanoes such as Quetrupillan and Rucapillan. The vegetation changes from raulí (Nothofagus alpina) and hualle (Nothofagus oblicua) forests to araucarias as we ascend to Chinay, the higher point of the day at 1.250 m above sea level. From Chinay we'll experience an exciting descent through the forest; jumping and dodging natural obstacles like roots and mud puddles. If this incites too much exertion, there is an option to visit the Geometricas Hot Springs on the way down. While riding downhill we have a wonderful view of Calafquén Lake, which is situated on the eastern border of Coñaripe, a town that was totally destroyed by the 1964 eruption of the Villarrica volcano (Rucapillan). The minibus will be waiting for us in Coñaripe to take us alongside the lakes Calafquén and Panguipulli to finally get to the National Reserve Mocho-Choshuenco . We'll stay at Huilo – Huilo, a private ecological initiative located next to the reserve. Day 4 Huilo Huilo (B,L,D) The area of Hulio Huilo was shaped by a huge volcano,today we will ride on the fotthills of this giant with incredible views of the Andes, the Lanin volcano and teh lake Neltume. The tough climb that we have to conquer for enjoying this view is going to followed by scenic and fun downhill towards the Huilo Huilo waterfalls which gives the name of this pristine area 35km Day 5 Huilo Huilo -Puyehue (B,L,D) Today an amazing single track is waiting for us. Starting right next from our hotel we will climb a few kms and we'll find ourselves in the shoulders of the Casablanca Volcano where we can enjoy the immensity of the Andes and we'll look for that gem of a trail. Find your own perfect lin on the pyroclastic sand before enetering to one of the greenest and fun trails of the tour 35km Day 6 Puyehue -Puerto Varas (B,L) Start riding from the hotel, alongside Lake Llanquihue, where a unique landscape is waiting for us - the Osorno Volcano with its perfect cone. The side of the Volcano reaches the shore of the lake and we'll pass through the middle of this astounding landscape. Continue to Petrohue, attacking 50km in one of the most beautiful routes of the tour, passing through quaint little villages with a strong German heritage Day 7 Puerto Varas (B) A free day , we can either bike around Puerto Varas and to the markets in Puerto Montt or its possible to do a day trip across to the picturesque island of Chiloe Day 8 Puerto Varas -Coihaique (B,D) Transfer to Puerto Montt airport for a LAN flight to Balmaceda . Day 9 Coihaique - Villa Cerro Castillo (B,L,D) We will ride 40 km on paved road towards El Blanco. The town was a post for travelers and populated by farmers. There are just 500 people that live in the town today. In the afternoon we will continue to Villa Cerro Castillo. You will pass by the Reserva Villa Cerro Castillo and admire the interesting landscapes and peaks Day 10 Villa Cerro Castillo - Puerto Tranquilo (B,L,D) An early start today driving 50km and then start the ride Day 11 Puerto Tranquilo - Puerto Bertrand (B,L,D) Tranquilo- this small port town is home to Lake General Carrera, the largest lake in Chile. Day 12 Puerto Bertrand - Cochrane (B,L,D) we will begin cycling along Baker River. You will be able to admire the impressive rapids along the way. We will ride on gravel road, and cycle over a couple of demanding stretches as we head towards the next town. We will stay in a cozy hostel in Cochrane. This is the last town we will stop at with internet and telephone connection. After today we will be entering some of the most untouched places in Patagonia. Outside of Cochrane you can find San Lorenzo Mount, this is one of the highest peaks in the region (12,158 ft) and on a clear day you can see it in the distance. We will spend the night in Cochrane before delving further into Patagonia Day 13 Cochrane - Caleta Tortel (B,L,D) Our destination today is Caleta Tortel. You will begin cycling after breakfast and will be traveling approximately 128 kilometers today in total. You will enjoy beautiful views along your 60-kilometer ride on gravel roads to Los Nadis. The rest of the trip will be a mixture of traveling by bike and by auto. Caleta Tortel is an incredible town built on steep stone cliffs and until 2003 was only accessible by water. Today the town is connected via boardwalks and when you arrive you will have to get a boat- taxi or walk along the boardwalks for about 30 minutes until reaching our final destination in a cozy hostel. Day 14 Caleta Tortel (B,L,D) During our rest day we will have the opportunity to visit Jorge Montt Glacier. We will enjoy a day trip by boat to see the northern portion of the Southern Ice Fields, which is the third largest fresh water reserve in the world. In the evening we will return back to Caleta Tortel Day 15 Caleta Tortel - Villa O'higgins (B,L,D) We will need to start out early today because the journey today is 155km on gravel roads and water. We will begin the day by a transfer to Puerto Yungay where we will board a boat. This ferry will save us some distance peddling and also make the last leg of our adventure on the Carretera Austral more interesting! We will head towards Villa O'Higgins after the ferry crossing docks in Rio Bravo and have 92 km to go on gravel roads. Finally we will arrive in Villa O'Higgins and prepare for the lake crossing the following day. Day 16 Villa O'higgins - Candelario Mansilla (B,L,D) Today we will begin our voyage across Lake O'Higgins and Lake San Martin. First we will have breakfast and be prepared to cross the ferry. We will have to ride 15 minutes down a gravel road and then board a ferry that will take us two and a half hours across Lake O'Higgins to Candelario Mansilla, where we will stop and enjoy the life of this remote Estancia for the evening. Day 17 Candelario Mansilla - el Chalten (B,L) We will begin the day hiking/cycling 4-6 hours on a trail that isn´t maintained very well; the distance is only 22 km. It will be difficult, but will add an aspect of true adventure and wilderness to your ride. Finally you will reach Lago Del Desierto and will board another boat to cross the lake. A transfer will meet you and as you come into El Chalten you will notice the amazing peaks that made this area famous. It is a short 40km ride to El Chalten Day 18 El Chalten (B) Day to explore. Long or short walk options amidst the stunning scenery of Fitzroy National Park are possible or relax in the peace and tranquillity of this lovely mountain town Day 19 El Chalten - el Calafate (B) Drive to the other side of Lago Argentino to Calafate , time to explore the town this afternoon Day 20 Perito Moreno Glacier (B) Full day tour to this amazing feat of nature – surely one of the natural wonders of the world !!! Day 21 Calafate – Torres del Paine National Park (B,L,D) Day 22 Torres del Paine (B,L,D) Our day starts early, with an energetic breakfast, then we will begin our drive to Estancia Lazo a typical family ranch from Patagonia, its here where we began our ride along the edge of Lago Sarmiento and then entering a spectacular single track to reach Laguna verde, our journey continues along this spectacular trail until a technical downhill Trail with an amazing view of the lakes and rivers.After this downhill ride, our vans will be waiting us with fruits, isotonic drinks, dry fruits and some local beer to share our first day experience in the National Park Day 23 Torres del Paine (B,L,D) This day our goal is the impressive view of Torres del Paine from Day 24 Torres del Paine (B,L,D) After another good breakfast we prepare for this big day where we visit the spectacular Rio de las Chinas Valley we will ride our bicycles by an old off-road path, we will continue towards the hidden Valley, passing through Laguna Cebolla and started to go towards Cañadon Macho a nice and fast trails to finish our day with a lot od adrenalin. Day 25 Torres del Paine (B,L,D) Rise very early to appreciate the fantastic Sunrise and then we go to start our last day ride, this ride has an special taste, we will ride surrounding Laguna Azul, some nice forest, and open trails, most of the time by single tracks, our intense ride will have ass a reward the spectacular view of the Dickson glacier. Day 26 Torres del Paine - Punta Arenas -Santiago (B) Today take a bus through this rugged, mountainous area, geographically remote from the rest of the country. Through the wilderness this four-hour bus ride through magnificent scenery to |
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Dates & Prices: Information available on request |
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