Mountain Bike Andes Traverse
Argentina - Chile

Crossing the Andes is both a physical challenge and a sporting adventure, combining the best aspects of a cycle tour.

The tour takes three complete days of 9-10 hours cycling per day over gravel roads, some of which are vehicle routes and others for trucks only.

Over the three days the route encompasses some spectacular scenery, from the Patagonian steppe to the Andean woods and the Chilean rain forest. Valley, rivers, lakes, volcanoes, hot springs and huge mountains accompany us throughout the ride.

A Mountain Bike Guiding Team, bicycle mechanics and vehicle support will be with us throughout the trip.

During the trip cyclists can enjoy riding without carrying any weight apart from fluids, food for the road, a camera and warm clothing. The support team will transport our equipment and maintain constant communication with the guides so they can provide mechanical or First Aid assistance if required.

Should any cyclist not wish to continue cycling for whatever reason, it’s no problem to put the bicycle on the truck and continue as a passenger in the vehicle.

At the end of the day cyclists can rest and reflect on the day at the campsite while the team organize a delicious meal.

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Who can do it?

This is a medium-high level trip, including technical skills required. You must have experience in cycling continuously for several hours over various types of terrain including dirt, sand and rocky mud, inclines and downhill. Even if the speed of the ride is not fast, the duration and irregularity of the terrain make it tiring.

5 Day Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome in San Martín de los Andes, accommodation (request your option) and pre-trip meeting with the guides responsible for the trip, equipment check.

Day 2: We leave town early and cycle through Argentinian territory until we reach our campsite at Lake Nonthue, a beautiful spot within Lanín National Park with limited services available (drinking water, small shop and toilets). Camp in tents provided.

Day 3: We leave early for Hua Hum and the border with Chile, where we pass through Customs. 10km further on we arrive in Puerto Pirihuico where we board a ferry and make our way across the lake passing Puerto Fuy and Neltume. After lunch we begin a challenging ride to the Liquiñe Hot Springs. We spend the night there in a small hotel/cabins (included) and enjoy the hot water springs. Dinner in the restaurant (not included).

Day 4: After breakfast we begin riding again to the Chile-Argentina border, but this time we go via the Carirriñe pass, with more Customs formalities. Once in Argentina again we pass through beautiful volcanic scenery, lava deposits, hot springs and lakes, ending our beautiful ride. When we arrive at the Curruhe Grande campsite transport will be waiting to take us back to San Martín de los Andes. Accommodation in the same place as Day One.

Day 5: Breakfast at your accommodation, transfer to bus station or airport. End of services.

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DETAILS:

• Group size: between 2 and 10 people, depending on the demands of the trip.

• Proposed dates: one per month between November and April.

• Prior check of all personal equipment and physical fitness. Mechanical check of bicycle.

• Guide, assistant guide, cook, bicycle mechanic.

• Support vehicle (completely set up for the trip).

• Bicycle parts.

• Tents and camping equipment.

• Raft trip across Lake Pirihueico.

• Food: We provide four meals each day.

• Communication equipment including ‘handy’ radios and cell phone.

• First Aid: qualified personnel and equipment available.

• Overnight accommodation: free camping, in tents. y hostería/cabañas and small hotel/ cabins.

• Weather: Taken into consideration at the time.