Chile - Its Where to Cycle this Winter!

Custom Cycling in Chile - any date, any group size. Though we make it guided with a local Chilean expert guide, we offer in the same way as a self-guided trip for max flexibility.

For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, winter generally refers to the cold period from about November through March. This is of course the summer period in the southern hemisphere and the perfect time to get away from the cold. Here is our cycling program:

ROAD CYCLING IN THE LAKES & VOLCANOES DISTRICT + HOT SPRINGS 12 DAY TOUR

1. - ITINERARY

DAY 1: SANTIAGO – TEMUCO
Upon your arrival, our friendly staff will be waiting for you at Temuco’s Airport and followed by driving to the city we’ll check in at the hotel in Temuco. Today we’ll check and assemble the bicycles to get them ready to start the itinerary on the next day.
Lodging at Hotel La Frontera
/ Boxed Lunch (BL) / D /



DAY 2: LAUTARO - MALACAHUELLO
We’ll begin early in the morning by traveling 30 km (18.6 miles) in our private minibuses until the main square of the town of Lautaro. Then we’ll commence pedaling the road-bikes across an old bridge over the river Cautín towards the Andean Mountain Range. The route passes through the middle of seeded fields on smooth hills with a beautiful view to the volcanoes Llaima, Lonquimay and Tolhuaca and an extensive green valley before the city of Curacautín. From here, the road starts to ascend as we enter in foothills of the mountain range. We’ll go bordering the Cautín River as the valley goes narrowing after each meter we ascent until arriving at the plain of Malalcahuello village where a soothing thermal bath awaits for us at the Malalcahuello Thermal Resort. Lodging at Termas de Manzanar / B / BL / D / Bike traveled distance: 84 km / 52 miles. Vertical gain: 750 meters / 2.460 feet




DAY 3: MALACAHUELLO - MELIPUECO
Today and followed by a filling breakfast, the minibuses will take us to the Sierra Nevada Range (18 km or 11 miles) right through the tunnel Las Raíces, the longest tunnel in Chile (4,5 km or 2,8 miles). Here we’ll start riding the bicycles, bordering the Lonquimay River by an almost flat valley. We’ll bike through the lands of different Pewenches communities, ascending the international path Pino Achado until reaching the Customs. It is possible to extend the route on 22 km more, until the peak altitude of 1.884 meters (6.181 feet over sea level), so that we can enjoy the descend afterwards. In the small village of Liucura, we’ll arrive at the meeting point with the minibuses that will take us through the Icalma Lagoon, bordering the China Muerta National Reserve followed by reaching the town of Melipeuco, where we’ll stay overnight in the accommodation of your choice, near of the National Park Conguillío and at the foothills of Llaima Volcano (3,125 meters / 10,253 feet). Lodging at Hosteria Los Pioneros / B / BL / D / Bike traveled distance: 79 + 22 km / 49 + 11 miles. Vertical gain: 850 meters / 2.789 feet

DAY 4: MELIPEUCO – TEMUCO
Today we’ll leave Melipeuco and head to the city of Temuco. The initial 26 km (16 miles) of unpaved road will be done on the minibuses. Then, from Villa Garcia and ahead we’ll have a good pavement road to bike towards Temuco. Riding with the Llaima Volcano behind us, we’ll enjoy the landscape of Mapuche land, along with smooth hills and scenic Nothofagus tree forests in the middle of green meadows.
As we approach to Padre Las Casas, with constants ascents and descends, we’ll arrive to Temuco, passing over the river Cautín next to the old railroad bridge of 1898. Lodging at Hotel La Frontera / B / BL / D / Bike traveled distance: 74 km / 46 miles Vertical gain: 400 meters / 1.312 feet

DAY 5: TEMUCO – PUCON
On our fifth day we’ll drive on the minibuses from Temuco to the south, through the famous Pan American Highway, towards the town of Freire (27 km / 17 miles), where we begin to prepare our bicycles. We’ll turn aside of the main highway towards the mountain range. The route is quite flat with slight ascents and slopes, and in some parts it is possible to see five volcanoes. From Freire and if we have favorable weather conditions, we’ll see how the Villarrica volcano approaches with each mile and acquires bigger dimensions. Then, following the Toltén River, we’ll arrive at the Villarrica Lake and as we go pedaling along its south shore we’ll take-in the view of the Lake and Volcano. Finally, we’ll arrive to the city of Pucón, the main adventure tourism destination in the Lakes & Volcanoes District. Lodging Hotel & Spa Araucarias / B / BL / D / Bike traveled distance: 80 km / 50 miles Vertical gain: 300 meters / 984 feet

DAY 6: REST DAY
Today we’ll take the day off, which means that we won’t ride our bikes. However, in Pucón we can keep being active exploring the wide array of activities to choose from; here are some suggestions to do during the day:
Rafting in Trancura River. Class 3 / 4; Ascend the active volcano Villarrica (2.847 meters / 9.340 feet); Hiking in National Park Huerquehue (all this activities have an additional cost). Then in the evening, we’ll go to Huife Hot Springs, a thermal center located by the Liucura River and surrounded by stunning native forests. We’ll have a buffet dinner at Huife’s restaurant and then head back to Pucón.
Lodging Hotel & Spa Araucarias / B / L / D /

DAY 7: PUCON - COÑARIPE
Today we’ll start bordering the Villarrica Lake by its beautiful south bay until the city of Villarrica, where we’ll take another road and head south. Our destiny of the day is the Calafquén Lake located along Licanray and Coñaripe beach-towns. The landscape is dominated by the presence of Villarrica Volcano which we will be surrounding in a 75%. Later on, as we ride by the lake Calafquén, we’ll see in several places the lava flows that in 1964 destroyed the town of Coñaripe. We’ll check in at the hotel of your choice and in the afternoon we’ll enjoy a thermal bath at the Geometric SPA surrounded by an exuberant rainforest nature. Lodging at Hotel Termas de Coñaripe / B / BL / D / Bike traveled distance: 67 km / 42 miles. Vertical gain: 400 meters / 1.312 feet

DAY 8: COÑARIPE - PANGUIPULLI
We return to Licanray and continue by a route that goes along the Calafquén Lake by the west. In a spot of the route we’ll have to opportunity to see again five volcanoes of the region. Today we won’t find many long ascends and the road stands out by the green prairies with native forests. After about 35 miles, we’ll get to Panguipulli city, which name means “land of lions”, and also it is a tourist destination located at the border of the lake that takes its name. From this city we’ll drive about an hour until arriving to the Natural Reserve Huilo Huilo where we’ll stay overnight.
Lodging at Lodge Montaña Magica – Huilo Huilo / B / BL / D / Bike traveled distance: 56 km / 35 miles. Vertical gain: 250 meters / 820 feet

DAY 9: PANGUIPULLI – LAGO RIÑIHUE
Leaving Huilo Huilo and Panguipulli, we start ascending a first hill towards the south, to arrive at a plain. We’ll be going across the typical landscape of the Lakes & Volcanoes District, smooth green hills and constant slopes and slight ascents. Our new destiny is the first lake-port in Chile (1910), the village of Riñihue. The village is in the hill of a moraine glacier in the south shore of the Riñihue Lake. A section of 3 km we’ll be done by transport until we get to our lodging, a unique place in an amazing spot. Lodging at Lodge Montaña Magica – Huilo Huilo / B / BL / D / Bike traveled distance: 83 km / 52 miles. Vertical gain: 500 meters / 1.640 feet

DAY 10: RIÑIHUE – TERMAS DE PUYEHUE
We’ll start this day with a relax morning, because the first 135 km (84 miles) will be done on transport by the Pan-American highway until Osorno city. Again, we’ll leave the highway to ride our bikes towards the Mountain Range and a new lake, the Puyehue. The route follows towards the Andes by the shore of the lake, biking next to beautiful beaches and hills. At the end of the lake, the route ascends some kilometers until reaching the fantastic Termas de Puyehue Hotel.
/ B / BL / D / Bike traveled distance: 77 km / 48 miles. Vertical drop: 500 meters / 1.640 feet

DAY 11: TERMAS DE PUYEHUE – PUERTO VARAS
This trip of a lifetime is about to end. During the morning, we’ll take a fast slope until the height of the Puyehue Lake as the beginning of our final stage. Arriving at Entre Lagos the minibuses will take us to the Llanquihue Lake, where a unique landscape is waiting for us, the Osorno Volcano with its perfect cone. The side of the Volcano reaches the same shore of the lake and we’ll pass through the middle until the village of Ensenada. We will make a short tour to the Petrohué Falls and return to Ensenada to attack a complete section of 47 km (29 miles) until reaching the charming german-style city of Puerto Varas, our last destination where we let ourselves to relax and enjoy a farewell dinner. Lodging at Hotel Bellavista – Puerto Varas / B / BL / D / Bike traveled distance: 72 km / 45 miles.
Vertical drop: 250 meters / 820 feet

DAY 12: PUERTO VARAS – PUERTO MONTT AIRPORT
After breakfast, the transportation will take us to Puerto Montt Airport to catch your flight back to Santiago.
/ B /

2. - PROGRAM INCLUDES
Professional guide
Private transportation
Life & accident insurance
Full board (diet for sport)
Entrance fees and all activities according to the itinerary

3. - NOT INCLUDED
International and domestic Chilean flights
Cycle parts needed in repair, etc.
Tips, beverages & cocktails

4. - DIFFICULTY
Challenging Level 3: designed for people who lead very active lives and are comfortable participating in up to [6] hours of physical activity per day. Programs at this level generally involve some activities of higher intensity and/or a more vigorous pace.

5. - OPEN DATES
From the 15/09/06 until the 15/04/07.

6. - HOTELS
As indicated in the program or similar.

7. - VEHICLES
Modern van or minibus according to group size. Air-conditioned.


8. - ITINERARY MODIFICATIONS
Slight itinerary modifications might occur due to weather and or road conditions, or force majeur.

PRICES LOW SEASON (01 September to 31 of December 2006)

2 PAX USD 4195.-
4 PAX USD 2725.-
6 PAX USD 2450.-
8 PAX USD 2195.-
10 PAX USD 1998.-
12 + PAX USD 1965.-
SUP SGL USD 450.-

FOR HIGH SEASON PLEASE ADD 90 USD TO THE NET PRICES SHOWN ABOVE. (01 January to 31 April 2007)