Location:

Argentinian and Chilean North Patagonia. Río Negro and Neuquen Provinces in Argentina and X Region in Chile.


Duration:

Ten days/nine nights. The best weather will be fine between November and march, from the end of springtime to the beginning of the fall.


Activities:

Day 1: Bariloche welcome This afternoon we will receive the group with a welcome cocktail, followed by a detailed presentation of the trip, as well as a mini-clinic on mountain biking. We will fit bikes and have a brief test ride, making sure everything is in perfect order. In the evening, we will host a traditional Argentine dinner at the famous Parrilla de Alberto – an authentic asado (grilled steak) accompanied by great Argentine wine. You will spend two nights at the Hosteria Santa Rita - set on the shores of the Lake Nahuel Huapi, the views from every room are enchanting. A small, family-run inn, the Santa Rita offers a comfortable, homely feel. And the location is perfect, set just outside central Bariloche, below the foothills of Mount Otto.

Day 2: The trails of Cerro Otto and Cerro Catedral
You’ll quickly see why Cerro Otto (Otto Mountain) is the favorite spot for local mountain bikers. After a short ride in our van to the nearby Otto, we’ll ride the van to the top, getting on a trail that takes us to magnificent views of the Andes Range. You can descend back to the base through awesome single-track trails over the south side of the mountain, or over the same dirt road we rode up on.
After spending our morning in Otto, we’ll drive to Cerro Catedral, South America’s biggest ski resort. The views from atop the ridges of Catedral are world-class, and cannot be left out of this itinerary. We will use the lifts to take us atop, where you will have different options for lunch.
The mountain biking continues. From Villa Catedral, we’ll get on a fantastic trail crossing the hills below the mountain, down towards Lake Gutierrez - its deep blue waters contrast with the dry mountains of the steppe on the opposite shore, creating wonderful views. The circuit is varied and lots of fun, from fast singletrack descents, with plenty of smooth curves; to tight, windy sectors, with rocks and roots to negotiate.
Upon reaching the lake, we’ll stop to rest at the lovely Hosteria El Retorno, where we can have tea while taking in this beautiful natural setting. For those wanting more biking, we can join Lake Gutierrez with the Virgin of the Snows shrine, crossing little-know trails and paths in the outskirts of Bariloche.
Dinner is on your own tonight - Bariloche offers an immense variety of restaurants, as well as great entertainment options. Catch a tango show, visit a pub or a live music show, or just stroll its lively streets.

Day 3: Crossing Lake Nahuel Huapi to the Arrayanes Peninsula and Villa La Angostura
Today we begin our trip out of Bariloche. After a short shuttle to Port Pañuelo, set under the lovely Llao Llao hotel, we’ll board a large, comfortable catamaran boat, crossing the majestic Lake Nahuel Huapi, with the Andes Range always nearby, sailing past islands filled with native forest. The catamaran sets in at the southern tip of the Peninsula de Arrayanes, which holds a one-of-a-kind myrtle wood forest, and offers an awesome singletrack ride, crossing the entire stretch of the peninsula. Once out of the forest, we will have lunch in a lovely volcanic beach, within a picture-perfect forest setting. We’ll have different options for more singletrack riding in the afternoon.
Villa La Angostura is a lovely Patagonian town on the northern shore of the Lake Nahuel Huapi. Choose from among its cozy restaurants and cafés for dining, stroll its quiet streets, or relax at the homely El Establo. Dinner on your own.

Day 4: Great trails in Angostura, and the famous Seven Lakes Route
The surroundings of Villa La Angostura also offer great mountain biking trails. We’ll begin the day riding a few city blocks out of the hotel, quickly getting into a forest just behind town. A local guide will lead us through very fluid trails, sometimes very tight, sometimes wide, but always very fun. We will eventually reach the base of Cerro Belvedere, and stop at the beach of Lake Correntoso, a lovely place to rest. Our riding ends when we cycle over the so-called Old Road to Chile, which begins after crossing and old wooden bridge, taking us first over an old dirt road, and eventually into a very fun, windy trail, slowly being engulfed by native forest, near the shores of the crystal-clear waters of Lake Correntoso. At the end of the trail, we’ll ride down to the beaches of Lago Espejo (Mirror Lake), another beautiful spot where we’ll have a picnic lunch.
On our van, we’ll ride over the famous Seven Lakes Route. The dirt road takes us over the northern sector of the Nahuel Huapi National Park, and into the Lanin National Park. We’ll see all the splendor of the parks’ forests, lakes and mountains. Upon arrival into San Martín, our new base, you’ll have the option of riding down a paved road, 20 kms (12 miles) of wonderful downhill into Lake Lacar.
Set on the shores of the Lake Lacar, San Martin is a stunning mountain town, very elegant and chic, maintaining the characteristic stone and wood architecture of the region. A great setting for our next two nights. Dinner is on your own tonight - you’ll find great dining opportunities in San Martin.

Day 5: Cross-country ride to Lago Escondido
The trail to Lago Escondido (Hidden Lake) offers a phenomenal mountain biking opportunity, with smooth turns, fast descents, streams to cross over, all within a fascinating natural setting. After a short trip on our van, over the edge of Lake Lacar, we will take the road into Quila Quina, a small village on the shores of the Lake. Right at the trailhead, we’ll enter a Mapuche indian community, where we will have the chance to see and meet its people, who live in small farms maintaining a traditional lifestyle. You will have countless opportunities to stop, rest and gaze at the natural surroundings, deep within the Lanin National Park. Once we arrive at Lago Escondido, with its beaches of volcanic sand, set within remote mountains and native forests, you will feel the beauty of the Patagonian Andes like in no other place. The return to Quila Quina is exceptionally fun!
After a picnic lunch together at Quila Quina, on a quiet beach, we’ll shuttle back to San Martín (approx. 30 min.), where you’ll spend a lovely night. Dinner is on your own tonight

Day 6: The crossing of the Andes over the Hua-Hum Pass
The day you have been waiting for! Crossing the Andes is an experience of a lifetime, and an unparalleled sensation will abound you. We have chosen this mountain pass not only as a great mountain biking backroad, but also for its beautiful natural setting. We begin pedaling at our hotel in San Martin de los Andes, quickly entering the dirt road to Chile, where we will take on a very tough, but short, climb. The view from above towards San Martin is superb. Here we begin a cross-country ride through magical forests, under countless mountains, deep within the Lanin Volcano National Park. Soon after entering Chile, we are awaited by a special excursion – we will get on a ship that crosses Lake Pirihueico, a remote and lovely lake, set deep within green towering mountains in the Chilean Andes. In the afternoon, we will arrive in Port Fuy, a small town over the Lake’s shore, and continue our journey in our van, getting deeper into the lush rainforests of this region of Chile. We will explore the Huilo-Huilo Reserve, and hike to the impressive Huilo-Huilo Falls, under the shadows of the Choshuenco Volcano. We will arrive early at Conaripe Thermal Baths and Hotel, where we are awaited by its pools fed by natural hot springs – the ideal place to relax and recuperate energies. Also a great setting for our group dinner, celebrating our day’s accomplishments.

Day 7: Conaripe Thermal Baths, rafting and rest in Pucon
This morning, you can wake up early for another soak in the thermal baths. Or, why not sleep in a bit? After an abundant breakfast, we´ll leave Conaripe in our vehicle, crossing wonderfully green forests, eventually coming under the Villarica Volcano´s shadows. After time for free lunch in Pucon, you can choose from various activities for you rest day: the famous Trancura River rafting - plenty of adrenaline and superb views of the Villarica; a wonderful canopy tour in nearby forests; or even a tour of the exclusive thermal baths surrounding Pucon.
In the afternoon, you will want to get to know the lively town of Pucon. On the edge of Lake Villarica, this small city has become the adventure capital of the Chilean Lakes Region. Pucon is a great base for our last days of adventure together. Dinner is on your own tonight - you will have three nights in Pucon to try the great regional cuisine, including the famouse Chilean salmon.

Day 8: The Transvolcanic Trail
Today´s ride takes us to a sector of the Villarica National Park that few tourists venture into. In our vehicle, we will take a dirt road up to the pass between the Villarica and Quetrupillan Volcanoes, approaching the edge of the park. Here, we´ll begin pedaling uphill, over a dirt road that eventually becomes an off-road track. Once over 1000 ms (3300 ft), we enter an extraordinary forest of monkey-puzzle trees and southern beech. We will leave our bikes for a while, commencing a hike to the the Pichillancahue Glacier. The path eventually takes us over the tree line, crossing high-mountain prairies, ravines and beds of volcanic rock, with incredible views of the volcanoes and the Andes Range all around us. We´ll have a quiet picnic outdoors, in a beautiful forest. The descent on our mountain bikes is fantastic, and seems to last forever! Dinner is on your own in Pucon tonight.

Day 9: Villarica Volcano
Undoubtedly, today’s program is the best way to close the trip! Our van will take us to the Volcano’s ski base, right under the cone of the Villarica, with majestic views of the region. Our local mountain bike guides, very experienced downhill riders, will give us a detailed talk on descent technique. From here, we get on extraordinary singletrack trails, on a fascinating descent. There are plenty of long, windy stretches, crossing over amazing lava beds and thick forests. Each one is free to ride down at their own pace, with the support from our guides, who will always be nearby-.
After a ride down a dirt backroad through farms and forests, we’ll reach Lake Villarica where we’ll have a picnic lunch together. Another day that you will surely remember for years to come!
Tonight we will have a farewell group dinner in Pucon, celebrating this fantastic journey together.

Day 10: end of journey and adiós in Pucon
After breakfast, we will shuttle you to the airport at Temuco (approx. 2 hours over paved highway). If you prefer to stay in Chile longer, or return to Argentina, we will gladly help you with your travel plans.