Road Cycling in Lake District
Cycling through lakes and volcanoes. 8 days / 7 nights
Overview
Discover the Lake and Volcano district in Chile.
Cycling Chile’s south backroads is the ultimate green tour.
This well supported cycling program has been especially made for intermediate and advanced road cyclists.
Itinerary
Day 01: Santiago – Temuco – Malalcahuello (First ride)
Our local staff will meet you at Temuco Airport and transfer you to a small quaint mountain village called Malalcahuello, where a soothing thermal bath awaits us at our hotel. Your guides will assist you to assemble and fit your bike and then take a short warm-up ride. In the evening, we’ll have an orientation and briefing session before our Welcome Dinner together.
Accommodation: Corralco Hotel & SPA, (4 stars) www.corralco.com
Meals: Welcome Dinner
Bike traveled distance: 12 miles
Time cycling: 1 hour
Day 02: Kütralkura Geopark and The Andes Climb (Second ride)
Today, the van will take us to the Sierra Nevada Range right through the tunnel Las Raíces, the longest tunnel in Chile (4,5 km/2,8 miles). There we’ll set off on our second ride, traveling alongside the Lonquimay River by an almost flat valley; this section features the Kutralcura Geopark and one of the smoothest roads.
We’ll bike the Geopark territory through the lands of different Pewenches communities, ascending the international path Pino Achado until reaching the Customs. The road is quite rolling with several flat sections and a few small climbs. If you want to pedal up some serious grades, it is possible to extend the route on 22 km (13.6 miles) more, until the peak altitude of 1.884 meters (6.181 feet above sea level).
Once you reach the border line with Argentina you can enjoy breathtaking scenery of the Andes. Later we'll get in the van and drive back to our hotel.
Accommodation: Corralco Hotel & SPA, (4 stars) www.corralco.com
Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch and Dinner
Bike traveled distance: 36 + 14 miles
Time cycling: 3,5 hours approximately (with an optional additional 1,5 hour)
Time driving in the van: 30min before riding / 90min after riding
Day 03: Rolling Green Hills (Third ride)
Ride down the valley from the village of Malalcahuello. We’ll ride alongside the Cautín River as the valley opens after each meter we descent the foothills of the mountain range. We'll enjoy a beautiful view to the volcanoes Llaima, Lonquimay and Tolhuaca. This ride gets you to an extensive green valley, passing through the middle of seeded fields on smooth hills.
Upon completing today's ride we get in the vans and start traveling to Pucón (2-hour drive), the main adventure tourism destination in the Lake & Volcano District. Enjoy the Villarrica Volcano views and pool at your hotel.
Evening at leisure. Ask our guides if you need some local knowledge about dining and good shopping.
Accommodation: Martina De Goñi Hotel (3 stars)
Meals: Breakfast and Picnic Lunch
Bike traveled distance: 47 miles
Time cycling: 4 hours approximately
Time driving in the van: None before riding / 2 hours to Pucón after riding
Day 04: Pucon's Hot Springs Loop Ride (Fourth ride)
Today, we’ll cycle from our hotel to Lake Caburgua and then towards Pucon's famous Hot Springs. The ride is a combination of rolling hills with several short climbs at the second half of the road. Throughout the 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 this active volcano.
After cycling the rolling and sometimes hilly road to the hot springs, we will enjoy lunch and then a soothing soak in a hot mineral bath. Later we’ll take a short ride in the vans back to our hotel in Pucón, or you can ride in your bike if you want.
Evening at leisure.
Accommodation: Martina De Goñi Hotel (3 stars)
Meals: Breakfast and Picnic Lunch
Bike traveled distance: 52 km / 32 miles (+ 22 miles if you want to ride back to Pucón)
Time cycling: 3 hours approximately
Time driving in the van: 40 min from hot springs to hotel in Pucón
Day 05: Chile's 7-lake route (Fifth ride)
Each day brings new beauty on this tour, and today is no exception. Today we will ride one of Chile's most scenic roads: The 7-Lake Route. We'll pedal alongside the shores of two beautiful lakes, Calafquén and Panguipulli, and cover 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 five volcanoes. We'll have a picnic lunch by the beach of Lake Panguipulli - meaning “land of lions” - while enjoying the views of Chile's southern volcanoes.
From there, we’ll keep riding alongside Lake Panguipulli until the end of the paved road near Choshuenco village. From this point we will drive half hour to the Natural Reserve Huilo Huilo, where we’ll eat dinner and stay overnight at the incredible Nothofagus Hotel & Spa.
Accommodation: Nothofagus Hotel & SPA (4 stars) www.huilohuilo.com
Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch and Dinner
Bike traveled distance: 94.7 km / 58.8 miles
Time cycling: 6 hours approximately
Time driving in the van: 40min from Pucón before riding / 30min to Hotel after riding
Day 6: The German Settlers Route (Sixth ride)
Today we’ll ride in the vans 84 miles until we reach the city of Osorno, where we will begin cycling. From this point we’ll start our ride towards quaint little villages with a strong German heritage. The route consists of rolling hills with flat stretches until we end the ride by the beach of Lake Llanquihue, where a unique landscape is waiting for us: the Osorno Volcano with its perfect cone.
After then we'll enjoy an incredible buffet lunch in a German family-owned restaurant and then drive in the vans 35 minutes to Puerto Varas. Evening at leisure.
Accommodation: Cumbres Patagonicas Hotel & SPA (5¶ stars) www.cumbrespatagonicas.com
Meals: Breakfast and Buffet Lunch
Bike traveled distance: 90 km / 56 miles
Time cycling: 5 hours approximately
Time driving in the van: 3 hours before riding / 35min to Puerto Varas after riding
Day 07: Vicente Perez Rosales National Park ride (Seventh ride)
This trip of a lifetime is about to end. In the morning, we’ll start riding from the hotel, alongside Lake Llanquihue, with the Osorno Volcano in the background. The side of the Volcano reaches the shore of the lake and we’ll pass through the middle of this astounding landscape as we ride through Ensenada village.
We will start pedaling from Puerto Varas to Petrohue, attacking 34 miles in one of the most beautiful routes of the tour. Upon completing the ride we’ll head back with the vans to the charming german-style city of Puerto Varas and let ourselves to relax and enjoy a farewell dinner in a seafood restaurant.
Option extra 7.3 miles /3750ft: Challenge yourself and climb Volcan Osorno and one of the steepest climbs in South America if not Europe.
Accommodation: Cumbres Patagónicas Hotel & SPA (5 stars) www.cumbrespatagonicas.com
Meals: Breakfast, Buffet Lunch and Farewell Dinner
Bike traveled distance: 55 km / 34 miles
Time cycling: 4 hours approximately
Time driving in the van: 70 minutes after cycling, from Osorno Volcano to Puerto Varas
Day 08: Puerto Varas – Airport in Puerto Montt (PMC)
Sadly, it’s time to say good-bye to the beautiful Lake & Volcano District of Chile. After breakfast, we’ll visit Puerto Varas downtown looking for special souvenirs to bring home. Ask our guides about the local Markets with the best souvenirs, handcrafts and woolen clothing. Later we’ll ride in vans and head to the Puerto Montt Airport to catch your flight home or wherever your travel takes you next. It’s been a trip you will always remember! End of services.
Meals: Breakfast
Please book your domestic flights not before 10am.
Slight itinerary modifications might occur due to weather and or road conditions, or force majeure.
WE ALSO HAVE A LUXURY VERSION OF THIS TOUR, ASK FOR OUR PRIVATE DEPARTURE TOURS.
All our programs can be modified according to your requirements or needs.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Helmets & Pedals
Most riders choose to bring their own helmets, but if you prefer, we have a small number of helmets available on a 'first come, first served' basis. Please let us know in advance if you'd like to use one. All our bikes are equipped with Wellgo pedals and toeclips. We will be happy to substitute any pedals you choose to bring. Amity Tours also has a small number of Shimano SPD and SPD-SL pedals, available on a 'first come, first served' basis. Please let us know in advance if you prefer to use them.
Road Safety
Besides your own on-road safety gear (helmet, rearview mirrors, bright colored jerseys and gloves) we provide a support vehicle that drives at the rear of the group with a road-sign that alert other drivers the presence of bike riders on the road. Drivers in Chile are used to bicycles on the road, so they shouldn't bother you while riding. All our staff communicates by radio at all times.
Bike hire US$ 250,00
Our company counts with great rental bikes: Cannondale Caad8-5 105 Alloy road bike or similar.
If you rent one of our great bikes, please feel free to bring your own helmet, pedals, seat and seat post (27,2 mm). We can provide them too. Please bring two water bottles.
90 Minutes riding wait policy.
In order to ensure that the timing and logistics of the rides and tour go more smoothly, please be informed that from the time that it takes for the first rider to complete a ride, the transportation vehicles will wait a maximum of 90 minutes for the remaining cyclists to finish riding. After this point, the riders yet to reach the finish line will have to get into the vans and be transported in the vehicles to reunite with the group.
Bicycle choice
If you bring your own bike, make sure they have tires of at least 28 cm size. Although the road surfaces are normally in fine shape, one never knows what condition they will be in after the winter. Pack your bike well in a cardboard box that we can easily dismantle for its transportation during the tour. Standard size bike hard-cases are welcomed, nevertheless if they are extremely oversized they might have to be shipped to Puerto Varas (last city in the tour) at your own cost (USD $50 approx).
Non Standard Wheels
If your wheel size is different than 700c, you MUST bring your own parts (tires, tubes and spokes). Likewise, if your wheels have any special features make sure you bring your own special spokes.
Highlights
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Chile’s First Geopark “Kütralkura”, Lonquimay Volcano and Malalcahuello National Reserve
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Pucón city and Villarrica Volcano views
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Caburga Lake and Hotsprings
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7 Lakes Route
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Huilo Huilo National Reserve.
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Puerto Varas, Llanquihue lake and Osorno Volcano
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Vicente Perez Rosales National Park
Open Dates
We can confirm this tour with a minimum of 2 clients.
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October 27th to November 03rd 2018,, still not confirmed (min. 2 pax)
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November 09th to 16th 2018, CONFIRMED DEPARTURE
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December 01st to 08th 2018, still not confirmed (min. 2 pax)
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January 20th to 27th 2019, still not confirmed (min. 2 pax)
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February 23rd to March 02nd 2019, still not confirmed (min. 2 pax)
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April 02nd to 9th 2019, still not confirmed (min. 2 pax)
Included
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Professional tour guide (01 guide for every 9 clients)
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Private transportation with trailer & bicycle rack. Modern van or Mercedes-Benz Sprinter minibus according to group size, air-conditioned.
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Accommodation at 3, 4 and 5 stars hotels. As indicated in the program or similar.
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Meals as per itinerary (7 breakfasts, 04 picnic lunches, 02 lunches and 04 dinners; on-route snacks include: mineral water, energy drinks, trail-mix, fresh fruit and gourmet sandwiches).
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Gratuities at restaurants and hotels
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Accidents insurance
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Basic cycle parts (cable housing, tubes, tires and spokes),
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All activities according to the itinerary.
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Entrance fees to hot springs and national parks
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All routes can be extended up to extra 20 miles
Not included
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International and local flights
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Travel insurance
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Other cycle parts and components (derailleur, crankset, fork, etc)
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Extra beverages & cocktails
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Laundry
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Bike rental available upon request - Bike rental: US$250 for the whole tour.
DIFFICULTY
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Intermediate: You’re active on your days off, and recreational biking may even be your weekend sport of choice. You love to ride, and it shows in your endurance and strength. Our intermediate bike tours offer a steady but active pace, with opportunities to push yourself. Expect some challenging climbs, with great descents over rolling terrain. Average distance per day: 40-50 miles / 65-80 km.
PACKING TIPS
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We advise you to bring clothing for warm and cold weather; also including helmet and cap, brightly colored cycling jerseys, arm and leg warmers, base layers, windbreaker, booties, gloves, two pairs of sneakers, a waterproof jacket and any other waterproof item, sunglasses, bathing suit and sandals. Don’t forget your camera!
VISAS
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Visa to enter Chile: No advance Visa application is needed for entry into Chile. Australian and Mexican citizens entering Chile for tourism purposes will be charged a $160.00 processing fee payable on arrival. Cash and credit card accepted.
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USA, Canada and New Zealand citizens no longer need to pay the reciprocity fee ($160.00) to enter Chile. A valid passport is required travelling as a tourist for 90 days.
FAQ's
Weather notes
We suggest visiting the web for current conditions in Chile and doing your own research on this topic. www.meteochile.cl/reg09.html and www.meteochile.cl/reg10.html or www.accuweather.com
Generally the weather in this area is very similar to Northern California, specially the coast side. Late October and November (spring time in the southern hemisphere) present milder temperatures (50°F / 77°F) with some scattered rain. During December you can start feeling the beginning of the summer with temperatures around 50°F / 81°F. In January and February temperatures range between 60°F / 95°F. Remember that you are visiting the Lake & Volcano district, so always expect some rain!
In Chile there are no insects or animals that represent a threat to human beings.
Airline Information
We highly recommend getting the Chile Airpass ticket with Lan Airlines, which includes the international flight from your country to Santiago (Chile) and the domestic flights Santiago(SCL)- Temuco(ZCO) / Puerto Montt(PMC)-Santiago(SCL). This Airpass is definitely less expensive than buying the flights separately and what's more important it is very flexible if there are some unexpected last minute changes. Lan Airlines Airpass can be purchased at any IATA travel agent.
The international terminal at SCL is located in the same building than the domestic terminal.
Note: The local flights in Chile have a luggage allowance of 23kg. You will need to pay excess if your baggage exceeds this. There is an allowance for cycling equipment charged at 3kg (approx $5 per kg).
Insurance
Any policy you purchase should, at the very least, cover trip cancellation, loss of baggage, accident/life coverage, travel delays, and non-refundable airline tickets. Carriers for travel insurance include Travel Guard and Travelex. You may also consider insurance that covers emergency medical evacuation. Search the web to find the best deal that suits your needs- read the fine print
Altitude sickness
There is nothing to be worrying about altitude sickness. We will never get higher than 4,200 feet
Currency
In Chile, the local currency is called peso.
The current exchange rate is $1 USD = $650 Chilean Pesos (CLP).
Travel checks are not convenient because only few places accept them and the exchange rate is 10% lower than dollar bills. Most credit cards are accepted at shops, restaurants and hotels. The most common cards are Master Card, Visa and Dinners Club. American Express is less commonly accepted that the others. There is no need to bring a large amount of cash; there are ATMs almost everywhere we go on the tour. The maximum amount of money that you can withdraw per day is equivalent to $360.000 CLP. For up to date information we suggest you visit the website www.xe.com/ucc/
Gratuity
In Chile, the gratuity for hospitality services is normally 10% of the bill. People usually tip in restaurants, hotels and the local staff of guides. You shouldn't tip taxi drivers, baggage carriers and bar tenders, they do not expect any tips. At the end of the trip gratuity for the crew for a job well done is highly appreciated. We encourage you to use your discretion and tip according to the caliber of service you receive. As a guideline, the industry standard is $120 dollars per person, per guide.
