Synopsis:
Travel by bicycle on a unique tour through the Lakes District of Southern Chile and Argentina. Climb a smoking volcano, hike through a pristine Araucaria (monkey-puzzle) forest, camp at remote hot springs and enjoy both the Chilean and Argentine culture and cuisine while camping and staying in hotels. There are massages available in Pucon, San Martin and Bariloche.
ATAC’s tour vehicle takes all personal gear between camps and hotels. It is possible to mountain bike ride as much as you like. The van can pick up those who choose to ride less or not at all on any particular day. Transportation, guides, and all meals (except for lunch and dinner on day 8) are included in trip price. View equipment list to see what we recommend bringing.
Day 1:
Arrival:
Arrive at Temuco airport via Santiago, Chile. Meet your ATAC Patagonia trip leader. Drive 1.5 hours through farmlands past the small city of Villarrica to the lakeside town of Pucon. Stay in the Ecole Lodge, your home for the next two days. Meet the whole group for a hearty vegetarian dinner at Ecole’s restaurant.
Day 2:
Climb Villarrica Volcano – Mountain Biking Down:
Leaving Pucon early in the morning, climb Volcano Villarrica. The summit has breathtaking views of the Andes as well as spewing, bubbling lava in its crater. Upon descending to the ski area, ride mountain bikes back to town. Dine at the local steak house.
Total Climb to Crater from Ski Resort: 3000 ft
Total Distance by Bicycle: 20 km
Total Descent on bike: 5000 ft
Day 3:
Mountain Biking Along the River:
In the morning, eat breakfast at Ecole and then ride bikes along the Rio Trancura and Rio Liucura past the Ojos de Caburgua to Lago Caburgua. Continue up the road to the entrance of Huerquehue National Park. Stay at a cabin on the shore of Lago Tinquilco. Eat a hearty vegetarian meal in the evening.
Total Distance by Bicycle: 40 km
Altitude Gain: 2000 ft.
Day 4:
Hike through Huerquehue National Park:
Leaving in the morning, hike through Huerquehue National Park, past 3 small lakes and through ancient Araucaria forests to the Rio Blanco hot springs. Stay in cabins near the hot spring pools. Mountain bikes and gear travel with the ATAC Patagonia van.
Total Hike Time: 6-8 hours
Day 5:
Mountain Biking and Crossing the border to Argentina:
Leaving early in the morning, Mountain bike from the hot springs through thick native coigue forests and on the way to Cunco. Mountain bike along lakes and rivers – heading North on the Western edge of the Andes. Load everything into the van and cross the border to Argentina. Stay at cabins in the high desert surrounded by Araucaria trees.
Total Distance by Bicycle: 60 km
Total Elevation Gain: -500 ft
Day 6:
Horseback Ride, Hike and/or Ride:
After a leisurely breakfast, ride horses through the desert landscape and Araucarias. Stop at a lake for lunch and a maté before returning the to the cabin. If you still have the strength, head out for some mountain biking. In the evening, feast on locally raised lamb.
Total Distance by mountain bike: 50 km
Total Elevation Gain: 1500 ft
Day 7:
Mountain Bike Ride and Drive to San Martin:
Leaving at 7 am, mountain bike over a pass to Villa Pehuenia. For those who would rather sleep in, the van departs at 10 am. Meet up in Villa Pehuenia for a trout lunch. In the afternoon, drive along Rio Alumine to San Martin de Los Andes. Stay at a hotel overlooking the lake.
Total Distance by Mountain Bike: 40- 60 km Total Elevation Gain: 1500 ft
Day 8:
Fly-Fishing and Mountain Biking:
Leaving early in the morning, drive along Lago Lacar to Hua-Hum. Basing ourselves on the shore of a lake, learn to fly-fish, ride a 2 hour mountain biking loop, lounge on the sandy shores of the lake, or hike to a hot springs. After a late afternoon asado, return to San Martin in the evening.
Day 9:
Mountain Biking Villa La Angostura:
Departing early in the morning, drive the famous Seven Lakes Road to Villa La Angostura. After lunch, mountain bike the peninsula trail to the Bosque de Los Arrayanes National Park. After a snack, board a ferry to Bariloche. Arriving in the evening, dine at Alberto’s famous steakhouse as a farewell meal.
Total Distance by Mountain Bike: 20 km
Day 10:
Departure:
For those who have time for a quick mountain bike ride in the morning, tour Cerro Otto. After that, hop on your returning flight home.
Notes: This itinerary is an example of what might happen on this mountain biking trip. This itinerary typically changes due to weather and group decisions at the moment of the trip. Please bring an open mind open to adventure! All itineraries can be customized.
Download the Mountain Biking & Hot Springs Itinerary.
(may differ slightly from the one online.)
Reservation Instructions:
A US$500 deposit per person and completed reservation forms are required to make a reservation.
Reserve by phone:
Call (USA) 1.877.282.2728 and we can help you make a deposit with a credit card.
Reserve by mail or fax:
Follow the steps below to make a reservation by mail or fax with credit card or check:
1. Download the reservation packet (the link to the left).
(PDF - Acrobat Reader required)
2. Read the trip notes, equipment list, itinerary and trip notes.
3. Complete and sign the reservation form.
4. Fill in the credit card form or complete a check or money order written to ATAC.
5. Send the completed reservation forms:
by mail with completed check (made to ATAC) or credit card forms to:
ATAC Patagonia
PO Box 5498
Incline Village, NV 89450
by fax with credit card forms (credit card only - no checks):
(USA) 1.866.822.9207
Some notes about reservations:
1.
Trip Cost Inclusions and Exclusions. The cost of the biking tour from Pucon, Chile to Bariloche, Argentina includes:
accommodations, food (up to 24 meals), equipment, transportation,
and guides. The mountain biking tour price does not include: airfare
and travel expenses to Pucon (or Temuco), Chile and from Bariloche, Argentina; government tourist taxes; additional meals;
alcoholic beverages with some dinner(s); optional activities; and
individual costs not provided to the rest of the clients.
2.
Trip Cost, Deposit & Cancellation. The full balance of the trip
cost is due 60 days before the trip departure date. If this balance
is not paid 60 days prior to departure, ATAC reserves the right
to cancel the client’s reservation. If a reservation is made
less than 60 days prior to departure, the full balance of the trip
is due at that time. A client’s cancellation is effective
on the date ATAC receives written notice of the cancellation. $200.00
of each deposit is nonrefundable, regardless of when cancellation
notice is given. If cancellation notice is received over 120 days
before departure, a trip cost payment and $300 of the deposit will
be refunded; if received 90 days before departure, a trip cost payment
and $200 of the deposit will be refunded; if received 60 days before
departure, a trip cost payment and $100 of the deposit will be refunded;
if received 30 days before departure, one-half of the trip cost
will be refunded; and if received less than 30 days, there will
be no refund. Note: ATAC recommends that all clients purchase traveler’s
insurance and can help clients locate an agent. If a client is prevented
from traveling due to serious illness, death in the immediate family
or a similar catastrophe, at ATAC’s sole discretion, the client
may transfer to another trip or locate another qualified individual
to take client’s space subject to the replacement client executing
the required documents.
3.
ATAC reserves the right to cancel a trip up to 30 days prior to
departure on the condition that 100% of the trip cost payment and
deposit be returned to the client. ATAC may cancel a trip within
30 days of departure for reasons of force majeure, unusual or unforeseen
circumstances outside the company's control. When a trip is canceled
by ATAC, the client may choose between a full refund of all monies
paid and any alternative trip with open reservation space offered
by ATAC, subject to an adjustment for any difference in costs.
Please download and review the complete reservation packet from the DOWNLOAD INFO section in the left column to understand all terms and conditions before making
a deposit.
