Location:

Argentinian North Patagonia. Río Negro Province in Argentina.

Duration:
Six days/Five nights.

Activities:

day 1: night descent of Mount Otto - the perfect welcome
This afternoon we will receive the group with a welcome cocktail, followed by a detailed presentation of the tour, as well as a mini-clinic on mountain biking. We will fit the bikes and have a brief ride, making sure everything is in perfect order, after which we will hop on our van, driving to the top of Cerro Otto. The upper ridge of the mountain has great riding trails, crossing through thick forests – there are trails with different technical levels to choose from. The views from atop are truly magical, with the Andes Range on one side, the Patagonian Steppe on the other, and lakes and forests all around us. We’ll find the perfect spot to view the sunset over the Andes - a real treat! The adventure continues when we get on our bikes again, for a nighttime descent all the way back to town. With the city’s lights off in the distance, and wrapped in the immense darkness, our lamps will guide us on our way down. You will surely remember this experience!
Today’s activity
Approx. 15 km (9 miles) over dirt and gravel road or trails, with some light hills at the start, then all downhill, medium technical difficulty.

day 2: the Ñirihuau Valley – great riding through ranches, rivers and canyons
After a morning ride in our van, we’ll arrive at the edge of the Patagonian Steppe. With impressive peaks and green forests in sight, we’ll begin this magical day of crossing the Ñirihuau River Valley. We will approach the Cerro Las Buitreras (Vulture Nests´ Mountain) - this amazing peak is famous as a preferred breeding area for the Andean Condor, and its eroded volcanic rock makes for a truly impressive sight. Our morning’s biking ends upon arrival at Estancia La Esperanza, where we’ll live a very special day. La Esperanza (Hope Ranch) is a working ranch, situated in the heart of the Ñirihuau Valley, set deep among mountains outside Bariloche. We’ll meet Gerd Hickmann, our host at the ranch – born in Germany, Gerd is today an adopted Patagonian man. In this company we will enjoy an outdoors country picnic by a quiet stream or under the shelter of the ranch´s main house, while we sip on Argentine yerba mate.

After lunch and relaxing at the ranch’s main house, you will have the option for more biking. You can also opt to go horseback riding through the tight canyons of La Esperanza, under mountains and peaks eroded by the wind, creating an imposing and majestic landscape. This is also a special place for viewing the native fauna – it is common to see the Andean Condor flying high above, or red deer racing towards the forest.

Today’s activity
25 km (15 miles) over dirt back roads, some gravel, some light uphills, low technical difficulty.

Optional
For horse lovers, this is a unique opportunity - please ask us previously, so that we can organize your horseback outing after our morning ride (this activity is not included in the price of the tour).

day 3: mountain bike and rafting in the Manso River
The day begins with a morning drive, heading South in our comfortable van, travelling over the edge of the National Park – a fantastic ride, winding through various lakes and mountain ranges covered with thick native forests. After an hour and a half in the van, we arrive at the Manso River Valley, inside the National Park. This will be a day of adventure – we´ll first jump on our bikes, initiating a wonderful ride over trails on the edge of the river. After this very fun stretch on the bikes, we will stop for a light lunch, taken outdoors, inside an exuberant forest with views of the river.

The magnificent Manso carries cristal-clear snowmelt waters, fed by the mountain chains of the region, and winds its way towards the nearby Pacific Ocean. This creates an awesome setting for a rafting journey, all the way to the very border with Chile. The river’s rapids are great for a safe and fun rafting experience. After this fantastic experience, we’ll have a barbeque lunch together, prepared by our friends at the Manso.

Today’s activity
21 km (13 miles) over dirt trails, with some steep hills, medium technical difficulty; some streams have to be waded on foot. Rafting is class III + or below, depending on conditions. No previous experience is required.

day 4: singletrack below Cerro Catedral
After a day of so much adrenaline, we’ll begin a little later this morning, so that you can sleep in a bit, or relax with a book after breakfast. Another fantastic mountain biking experience awaits us, this time riding over fun singletrack and downhill trails. After a short drive to Villa Catedral, the resort base for South America’s most developed ski area, we’ll use the lifts to access the magnificent views atop Catedral’s upper ridge - these world-class sights could not be left out. You can choose from restaurants on the mountain or at Villa Catedral for your lunch.

We’ll hop on our bikes again, this time en route to Lake Gutierrez – its deep blue colors contrast with the dry mountains on the opposite edge, as well as with the inmense native forest below our feet. Here you can choose from taking a smooth, easy dirt road, descending to the lake’s shore. Or you can get on a tight singletrack trail that crosses the forest, always on the side of Mount Catedral, negotiating roots in some stretches, or controlling your speed as you descend fast over smooth singletrack. Once we arrive at the lake, we’ll stop at Hosteria El Retorno, where we´ll have refreshments or the famous tea of El Retorno, while soaking in the delightful scenery at Lake Gutierrez. If you haven’t had enough adventure, we can join Lake Gutierrez with the Virgen de las Nieves (Our Lady of the Snows) shrine, crossing little used trails through pretty forests in the outskirts of Bariloche.

Today’s activity
Approx 20 km (12 miles) of technical trails over the foothills of Cathedral, with sectors of roots and rocks, medium-high technical difficulty, and some steep hills. The optional dirt road to Lake Gutierrez is low-medium technical difficulty, all downhill or flat. The dirt trails to Virgen de las Nieves are mostly flat or rolling hills, with few steep uphills, low technical difficulty.

day 5: the magical Patagonian Steppe
Today’s journey begins after a brief shuttle to the mouth of the Limay River. Fed by the snow melt waters of Lake Nahuel Huapi, the river is truly beautiful – its turquoise and emerald waters make their way under eroded rocks and jagged peaks, and poplar trees line its shores. We will pedal over a remote dirt road taking us through small farms and ranches – here we will have the opportunity to see and meet local farmers. At some stretches, we’ll get off the main road, going over off-road tracks that take us to impressive views of the distant Andes Range. With some luck, we will see local wildlife, like the guanaco (a type of llama), its elegant silhouette off in the distance; or even the choique, a type of ostrich that is native to the region.

Upon arriving at Villa Llanquin, a small country town on the shores of the river, we are awaited by local friends with a country asado, as grilled meat is called in Argentina. We’ll have plenty of time to rest up by the river, take a soak in the water, or even do some more mountain biking in the afternoon. Tonight we’ll have our goodbye dinner, together celebrating the week´s accomplishments and adventures - the perfect ending to this great trip.

Today’s activity
26 km (16 miles) on dirt and gravel roads and trails, with some steep hills.

Optional
Additional 25 km over dirt trail, with some very steep hills.

day 6: adios in Bariloche
After breakfast, we will shuttle you to the Bariloche airport. For those remaining in the region, or continuing your trip in Patagonia – which we highly recommend – we will gladly help you with your travel plans within Bariloche or Argentina.

hotel: Hotel Tivoli
With a fantastic location in central Bariloche, everything is nearby, including the lake´s boardwalk, only a couple of blocks away. The location also offers an excellent variety in gastronomic and entertainment options nearby. The staff´s excellent service also make the Tivoli a great option, becoming an ideal base for your week of adventure. You might even stay a few more days in Bariloche, or make this your base for further travel within our wonderful region (which we highly recommend!).