Cycling the Lake District of Chile & Argentina

Begin your adventure in Puerto Varas, a popular town on the shore of Lake Llanquihue with views towards Osorno Volcano. Puerto Varas has been nicknamed the City of Roses for its abundant and fragrant seasonal blooms.

Around 6pm, say hola to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other, have a bike fitting and learn more about the adventures ahead. Your tour leader then ensures a big Chilean welcome over a group dinner.

There’s no cycling today, so take time to rest your legs before our two-wheel adventure begins in earnest tomorrow.

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Our Lake District cycling adventure starts in scenic fashion as we navigate around the shore of Lago Llanquihue (the third biggest lake in South America) and stretch our legs for the more challenging days ahead.

From the lakeside road, we enjoy spectacular views of the volcanoes and the Andean range that lie to the east. Volcanoes Osorno, Puntiagudo, Tronador, Puyehue and Calbuco are all visible on a clear day. We’ll cycle to the lakeside village of Frutillar, a German-influenced settlement home to the modern Teatro del Lago theatre. The ride ends here; after lunch we’ll transfer back to Puerto Varas.

Today’s ride will be mostly paved: 18mi (29km) paved and 3.1mi (5km) unpaved.

We follow the shoreline of Lago Llanquihue once more today but in an easterly direction past Ensenada, straight towards the imposing Calbuco and Osorno volcanoes. Our journey from here across the mountain range takes us into more remote and spectacular environments.

We cycle onwards, following the banks of the emerald-coloured Rio Petrohue. Upon reaching reaching Lago Todos los Santos, we are greeted by a beautiful view and we’ll swap our mode of transport and board a private catamaran ferry. Crossing the lake is a peaceful experience as we keep our eyes peeled for Andean condors overhead (journey time approximately 1hr 30min to two hours).

Today’s ride will all be paved. It will consist of approximately 28mi (45km) on flat terrain and a climb for the last 9.3mi (15km).

After breakfast, we start cycling towards the Argentinian border, which involves riding 12.4mi (20km) with a steady incline before a challenging climb (approximately 2,297ft/700m over 4.7mi/7.5km) to reach the frontier. There is then a short descent into Puerto Frias.

Depending on how the weather has been in the preceding days, the unpaved mountain roads can either be well compacted or sometimes loose and dusty. The final leg of today’s unforgettable journey across the Andes is a short ferry crossing on Lago Frias followed by a 1.9mi (3km) ride to your hotel in Puerto Blest.

Today is the most challenging day with 19.3mi (31km) unpaved. The border crossing involves a long steep climb on gravel followed by a fast downhill.

Puerto Blest is on the westernmost point of Lago Nahuel Huapi and from here we board a catamaran to Puerto Pañuelo. Instead of cycling directly towards Bariloche, we take a scenic route on a paved road that loops via Punto Panoramico, a viewpoint with panoramas of the Argentinian Lake District. As we approach Bariloche, we board the bus for a transfer (approximately 30 minutes), linking up with the lakeside main road.

We aim to take the catamaran at midday, but if this is unavailable we will catch a later catamaran. In this instances we have time to walk to Los Cantaros Waterfall before heading back to the hotel for lunch.

Today’s ride will be 10mi (16km) paved and 5mi (8km) unpaved.

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After several days of travelling, today is a free day allowing a chance to relax. You may wish to look around the centre of Bariloche, a hub for ski and adventure sports with numerous chocolate shops.

There are plenty of adventurous activities available, such as an independent trek up Mount Campanario to enjoy beautiful views from the summit followed by an afternoon stroll through downtown Bariloche. Alternatively, there are other half-day or full-day activities such as kayaking, rafting, and horseback riding (with prior reservation the day before).

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Departing Bariloche, we transfer (approximately 1hr 30min) along a busy section of Argentina’s famous Ruta 40, bordering Nahuel Huapi Lake. We then begin cycling the first section of the Seven Lakes Route – Camino de los Siete Lagos – entering one of the most spectacular areas of the journey.

Along this beautiful route, we pass several lakes, including Escondido, Villarino, Falkner, Hermoso, Machónico, and Lácar. After lunch, we arrive in San Martín de los Andes, a charming village on the shores of Lácar Lake.

Today’s ride will be 39mi (63km) paved.

Begin with a transfer (approximately 1hr 30min) to our starting point. From there, we ride towards Aluminé along La Ruta del Pehuén (the Pehuén Route) a scenic road through one of Neuquén’s distinctive Patagonian landscapes, known for its ancient pehuén, or araucaria, trees.

We have lunch en route before continuing to our accommodation by the shores of the Aluminé River.

Today will be 37km (23mi) on gravel road and 17km (10.5mi) on paved road.

After breakfast, we begin cycling beside the Aluminé River, following its scenic course through the Patagonian landscape. After today’s ride, we transfer to the small village of Villa Pehuenia.

The next two nights are spent at the beautiful Posada La Escondida, set on the shores of Aluminé Lake.

Today’s ride will be 54km (33.5mi) on paved road and 10km (6mi) on gravel road.

Today is at leisure for you to choose from organised activities or a rest day. Your tour leader can advise which local excursions are best depending on what you would like to do.

Options include a popular kayak excursion on the crystalline waters of Alumine Lake or head up Batea Mahuida Volcano and enjoy the mountain views on a short hike to the crater lagoon (this activity is subject to local permissions on the day).

After breakfast, we pedal 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 lunch we transfer (approximately 45 minutes) to the Mapuche town of Melipeuco for any last-minute provisions before cycling a lovely stretch of paved road towards Conguillio National Park. From the park entrance we cycle for 3.7mi (6km) on an unpaved road until we reach our charming accommodation.

The scenes we 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 mostly paved:  16.8mi (27km) paved and 5mi (8km) unpaved gravel.

Today is our final day of cycling, as we continue riding through Conguillío National Park, passing several beautiful lagoons, including Laguna ArcoÍris and Laguna Verde, as well as Conguillío Lake. We also visit the interpretation centre to learn more about the formation of this remarkable volcanic landscape, although the centre is occasionally closed during our visit.

This afternoon, we enjoy a two-hour walk through native forest to see ancient monkey puzzle trees. Afterwards, we transfer to Temuco.

Tonight is our final evening together with the group and staff – the perfect opportunity to look back on a fantastic journey over a meal and drinks.

Today will be a ride of 14km (8.5mi), all on unpaved gravel.

Our adventure ends and it’s time to start our return journeys home − depending on your flight schedule, you can enjoy a free morning sightseeing in the city or take a short transfer to Temuco airport for your flight back home.

If you want to stay in Chile for longer, speak to your sales representative who can reserve additional accommodation for you.