Road Cycling Chile Lake District 8 day tour

Discover the Lake & Volcano District cycling Chile’s southern backroads. Explore this fascinating part of the country dominated by clear-water lakes and amazing live volcanoes. Together with friendly locals, you will pedal alongside green rolling meadows and relax in soothing natural hot springs.

This tour is for nature lovers. For 8 days you will be visiting protected wild areas and observe endemic birds, learn about some of the most active Chilean volcanoes.

The thermal waters of this area are some of the best in the world; due to the volcanic activity, you can find hot springs and thermal spas almost everywhere you go. Likewise, the cuisine is another highlight of the tour, with the ingredients that have made Chile known worldwide: wine, delicious produce and seafood from the South Pacific Ocean.

Trip Summary
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Fixed departure dates: 12/19 JAN 2012
Meet / Depart: Temuco airport – Puerto Montt airport
Accommodation: Lodging at 3* and 4* hotels and luxury lodges & spas
Flights: We can help you buying local flights at the best prices
Distance: 460 KM / 285 Miles
Activities included: Road Cycling, SPA and Hot springs
Extras: We can help you planning a pre or post tour in Chile including hotels, transfers, car rental, all inclusive packages, day tours and more in Patagonia, Easter Island, Atacama, Wine country and Santiago.

Highlights:
- Channeling Andes Mountain range rides with amazing views
- Huilo-Huilo Natural Reserve
- Lakes Villarrica, Caburga, Calafquén, Panguipulli and Llanquihue
- Volcanoes Llaima, Lonquimay, Tolhuaca, Villarrica, Lanin, Mocho – Choshuenco, Puntiagudo, and Osorno.
- Hot springs and national parks with pristine green backroads for nature lovers
- Petrohue Waterfalls and Osorno Volcano climb, one of the toughest climbs in South America
- English speaking professional cycling guide
- Amazing cuisine and the best wines
- Van Support every day
- Great bike rental available
- Combine Torres del Paine National Park at the end of the cycling tour

What is included?
- Professional guide
- Lodging at 3 and 4 stars hotels and luxury lodges
- Private vans (1 van from 4 to 11 pax and 2 for 12+ pax)
- Support vehicle (pick-up truck) with bicycle trailer from 10 riders up.
- Basic cycle parts (cable housing, tubes, tires and spokes)
- Gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Full board – (breakfast, lunch and dinner) on-route snacks include: mineral water, energy drinks, trail-mix, fresh fruit and gourmet sandwiches)
- Entrance fee at Huife Hot Springs, and all activities according to the itinerary.

What’s not included?
- International and local flights (we can buy local flights for you)
- Accident Insurance (you MUST have your own insurance)
- Other cycle parts and components (derailleur, crankset, fork, etc)
- Entrance fee to National Parks
- Beverages & cocktails not included on menus
- Bike rental (available upon request) TREK 1.5 18-speed Road Bike 2009 or similar

DAY 1: ARRIVE TO ARAUCANIA – TEMUCO HOTEL – DINNER
Upon your arrival, our staff will meet you at Temuco Airport and drive you to the city, where we’ll check in at your hotel and have a rest. That evening we will check and fit your bicycles, have an orientation and briefing session, and enjoy an introductory dinner with your guides and fellow riders.

DAY 2: CUATIN AREA TO ANDEAN MOUNTAIN RANGE RIDE
After traveling 30 Km on our van, we’ll start cycling a beautiful area next to 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 we enter the city where we’ll enjoy box lunch on main square. From here, the road starts to ascend as we enter in foothills of the mountain range. Once the ride ends we’ll check-in at your Hotel where a soothing thermal bath awaits for us.
Bike traveled distance: 86 km

DAY 3: LONQUIMAY AREA – ANDES CLIMB RIDE
We ride alongside the Andean areas of La Araucanía on a very quiet and scenic road alongside Lonquimay River and the lands of different Pewenches indigenous communities. The road is rolling with false-flat sections and a few small climbs and good down hills. Afterwards, we’ll attack a climb up to the border with Argentina across Alto Bio-Bio National Park, reaching an altitude of 6,181 feet. At the top you can enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the Andes and views of 5 volcanoes. After cycling we’ll drive back to enjoy a soothing soak in a hot mineral bath of Manzanar hot springs, the perfect end to this very active day.
Bike traveled distance: 88 Km

DAY 4: VILLARRICA LAKE AND VOLCANO RIDE
Early in the morning we drive 2 ½ hours from Manzanar to Pucón, enjoying the views of five different volcanoes and arriving at Pucón, the main adventure tourism destination in the Lake & Volcano District. From here, we’ll cycle from our hotel to the village of Caburgua where we’ll eat a snack at the beach of Lake Caburgua. The road today is a constant false-flat with a few rolling hills – just enough to get your legs going. 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 the active Villarrica volcano. After cycling to Huife, we will visit the Hot Spring Resort and enjoy a soothing soak in a hot mineral bath Later we’ll take a short ride in the vans back to our hotel in Pucón. Evening at leisure (dinner NOT included). We highly recommend for you to explore this nice touristy town with its many shops, restaurants, bars and cafes. Ask our guides if you need some local knowledge about dining and good shopping.
Bike traveled distance: 56 km

DAY 5: CALAFQUEN AND PANGUPULLI LAKES RIDE
Each day brings new beauty on this tour, and today is no exception. We will ride the shores of two beautiful lakes, Calafquén and Panguipulli, and will cycle three-quarters of the way around Villarrica, a majestic, snow-capped active volcano. This road is smooth and quiet as almost no vehicles drive here. At one point we should be able to see four volcanoes Lanín, Villarrica, Mocho and Choshuenco. The last 50 Km are on amazing new road and asphalts. You’ll be amazed by our lodging in Huilo Huilo Natural Reserve.
Bike traveled distance: 91 km

DAY 6: GERMAN STYLE TOWNS AND LLANQUIHUE LAKE RIDE
Today we’ll ride in the vans 135 km (84 miles) until we reach the town of Osorno, where we will begin cycling. From this point we’ll start our ride towards Puerto Octay. This is a small charming village with a strong German heritage. The ride will end in Frutillar town, located by the Lake Llanquihue, where a unique landscape is waiting for us, the Osorno Volcano with its perfect cone.
Bike traveled distance: 85 km

DAY 7: OSORNO VOLCANO RIDE
This trip of a lifetime is about to end. We’ll ride from Puerto Varas to Ensenada alongside Lake Llanquihue until arriving at the amazing Petrohue Falls and the Osorno Volcano. You’ll have the opportunity to Challenge yourself and climb Volcan Osorno and one of the steepest climbs in S. America.
Bike traveled distance: 56 km

DAY 8: PUERTO MONTT AIRPORT – SANTIAGO
Sadly, it’s time to say good-bye to the beautiful Lake & Volcano District of Chile. After breakfast, we’ll ride in vans to Puerto Montt Airport to catch your flight back to Santiago. It’s been a trip you will always remember!