From: £1,420
From: $1,890
You are met at the airport or your hotel in Puerto Montt and we drive you to Puerto Varas and your hotel. Mountain bikes provided for those who would like to limber up on a local ride.
In the evening, we gather to discuss our coming adventure over a cocktail at a local restaurant in Puerto Varas.
We drive south through Puerto Montt, the local capital and principal southern port of the region. We continues along the Carretera Austral next to the ocean before we arrive at the National Park Alerce Andino.
Alerce Andino Park is almost 40,000 hectares in size, making it the largest surviving Valdivian Rainforest in the world. Here survives many native Alerce trees – a giant coniferous tree distantly related to the redwoods of California. The largest are many centuries old.
We trek through dense and varied vegetation on the trail before we return to Puerto Varas for the evening. (12 km, 8 miles trekking).
We wake early and depart from Puerto Varas by mountain bike, on a dedicated bike path, along the shore of Lago Llanquihue. The snow capped volcanoes of the Andes grow steadily larger as we ride along the lakeshore towards them.
In Ensenada we hop aboard our support vehicle and travel uphill to the Mountain Lodge on the slopes of Volcan Osorno. After lunch on the lower slopes of the volcano, we spend the afternoon hiking on the surface of the volcano’s sculpted lava and snowfields.
We stay in a cozy mountain hut some 1,300m/4,265ft above seal level. With luck, we’ll enjoy a colourful sunset over Lake Llanquihue and Volcan Calbuco.
Biking: 45-65km / 28-40 miles (support vehicle at all times).
Hiking: 5-8km / 3-5 miles.
We are greeted by breathtaking morning views as we hike downhill on the slopes of Volcan Osorno to the edge of Lake Llanquihue.
We set off walking or biking across the slopes of Osorno volcano, enjoying wonderful views of the Calbuco volcano and Lake Llanquihue along the way. We then visit the sleepy hamlet of Cascadas – and after lunch we hike to a spectacular canyon and its waterfall.
We return by bike or support vehicle to Ensenada and overnight in cabins in this delightful lakeside town.
Biking: 35km / 22 miles (Support vehicle at all times)
Hiking: 3km / 2 miles
Depending on how we’re feeling, we can drive or cycle to Petrohue and visit the waterfalls there.
It is a short boat ride then hike to the start to meet up with our rafts – then it is rapids all the way down to our beach lunch spot. We return to Ensenada and our cabins for the night.
We will see the Pacific today as we cycle south to the Reloncavi Fiord. Our high points on the route afford us views of the largest ocean on the planet as we weave between the rustic farms of Northern Patagonia. It is possible to see dolphins on certain parts of the ride.
Late afternoon, we return to Puerto Varas and our hotel.
Biking: 45km/28 miles
We transfer you to Puerto Montt airport for your return flight.
(or extend your trip… just ask)
Hotels with en-suite bathroom, cabins and huts. Upgrades available at extra cost.
This trip is aimed at those active people, generally regular cyclists and keen walkers. We would expect some biking experience, but there is nothing a confident cyclist cannot achieve. Plus there is always a support vehicle available.
Distances of between 20-40km per day, and with this level of fitness you will be able to complete the other activities. The trip is active and fun without aiming to decimate you.
There is a support vehicle with you at most times when riding – not all areas are accessible by road – and your guide is with you on all activities.
There is no high altitude to worry about on this tour.
Almost all dietary requirements can be catered for – please ask.
You usually wake early, around 07.00-08.00. Your meals are prepared and served to you in the hotels/cabanas etc, and will be a mix of hot drinks, cereals, fruits and toast with jams.
After breakfast, packs are prepared and your guide will explain the day’s activity, and you typically cycle/trek 3-4 hours in the morning before lunch, with a short or break or two en route.
Lunch will be either sandwiches or meat and cheese with crackers, with fruits etc available on trips from hotels and shops.
After an hour or so for lunch – depending on weather conditions – you will continue, usually 3-4 hours more, although some days are shorter or longer than others, and then relax before dinner.
Most evening meals are not included. International and Chilean cuisine will be available.
Our English-speaking mountain bike and walking guides have many years’ experience riding and walking the trails in this region.
We use locally-run hotels and local support staff throughout the tour.
Effortless organization and breathtaking views made Patagonia a photographer’s paradise of sunrises and sunsets.
A beautifully organised Patagonian journey filled with rewarding treks, rich wildlife and magical remote stays.
This adventure cycling and walking holiday in the Lake District of Chile features great cycling and can be tailored to your exact riding level.
This tour can be customised to suit, there are varying lengths and difficulty of cycle rides and walks, all taking you through Chile’s varied landscapes.
We cycle through the Lake District and alongside fiords, through ancient forests and hike in Chilean rainforest.
Much of the terrain is gravel road and country lanes, with very little car traffic, on this beautiful route designed for cyclists and walkers.
From: $1190 per person
Duration
7 days
Chile is the land of contrasts, from verdant vineyards to driest desert, deep fjords and towering glaciated volcanoes.
A narrow but incredibly long, snake-like country, Chile’s unusual geography features more than 5,000km of South Pacific Ocean coast. The country is almost 4,400km long but barely more than 160km at its widest.
It is best divided into general regions, all of which offer spectacular landscapes and identities of their own.
This variety means Chile is the land where almost every activity is possible. Hiking, biking, rafting and kayaking.
Or climbing, cruising, fishing, horse riding, wine tasting.
Or simply eating great food, relaxing and exploring.
Festival: Festival de la Canción Viña del Mar
International song festival
Location: Viña del Mar
Festival: Tapati
Culture, dance, music, song, sport
Location: Easter Island
Festival: Carnaval de Invierno
Street parade with floats celebrating mid winter
Location: Punta Arenas
Festival: Fiesta de La Tirana
Religious festival – culture, mass dance parades
Location: La Tirana, Atacama
Festival: Independencia
Independence day – celebration of Chilean culture – various activities
Location: Country wide
Trekking heaven. Paine National Park lies in Patagonia and features some of the best trekking in South America. With no altitude worries here, hikers enjoy an unrivalled mix of access to wild flora and fauna that exists in this massif. It is at once windswept, and then balmy. Paine National Park is a must see for walkers visiting South America.
Northern Patagonia is the least densely populated part of the country – spectacular virgin scenery make this a hidden gem and superb area for trekking, boating and horse riding.
And that’s before you think about possibly cruising through fjords, or kayaking them, flying to Antartica or staying at a working hacienda.
Iconic, Easter Island is an archaeological treasure. Here you will find the famous Moai stone statues, as well as caves and rocks decorated with etched petroglyphs and painted pictographs.
Northern Chile features the Atacama, the driest desert with the clearest skies in the world, is alive with active volcanoes replete with spitting geysers mixed with archaeological wonders and fantastic rock formations.
Central Chile is the heart of Chile and includes the capital Santiago. With its Mediterranean climate of hot dry summers and mild wet winters, this central valley produces some of South America’s finest wines, Colchagua Valley to name but one.
Here, the Andean mountain chain soars more than 6,000m above sea level. Chile’s traditional symbols such as huaso (cowboy) and cueca (national dance) originate here, an area which is rich in agriculture and produces most of Chile’s export fruit.
In winter, skiers are attracted to this tasting the promise of some fabulous snow on the huge peaks which overlook Santiago.
Lush and verdant, The Lake District area is the place to climb snow-capped volcanoes by day while relaxing next to stunning glacial lakes by evening. You can walk, bike, raft, cruise and drive your way around this beautiful region.
Central, southern and Patagonia Andes all present different challenges to mountaineers and trekkers. Options are varied in the central Andes with many of the Patagonian peaks remaining unexplored and unsummitted.
Good kit is vital for every trip.
Book with Andean Trails and get 15% off Páramo’s fantastic ethical and high performance outdoor gear.
We provide everything except a bike, personal equipment and clothing.
During the day hopefully it will be generally sunny enough for shorts and T-shirts though having a fleece and rain gear handy is advisable. It can and will get cold, especially in the evenings so bring a warm fleece jacket, a good waterproof and some warm clothes including thermal underwear, gloves, scarf and woolly hat as well as one set of smarter clothes for cities.
Below is a more detailed guide.
Effortless organization and breathtaking views made Patagonia a photographer’s paradise of sunrises and sunsets.
A beautifully organised Patagonian journey filled with rewarding treks, rich wildlife and magical remote stays.
