Set off from San Carlos de Bariloche in Patagonia, Argentina to cross the Andes into Chile on a historic trade route that uses a low pass through the dramatic mountain range. Travelling by bike and boat, this incredible journey has shortish distances and a handful of short, steep climbs very manageable by anyone with an E bike, to take in the stunning landscape – beautiful emerald lakes, four thousand year old forests, snow-capped volcanoes and startling panoramas. Designed to give you time to absorb the peace and beauty of the landscape, enjoy beautiful hotels and scenery, with days off to walk and boat, ‘The crossing of the Andes’ is a gentle but vivid and dramatic way to explore Argentina and Chile.
This trip is not a group tour and is priced on the basis of just 2 participants. Of course, if you want to share the fun and bring along your friends and family, we'd be delighted to have them too!
Holiday details
Price
- Luxury
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from £4,465 per person
Based on two people sharing a room
Duration
8 days and 7 nights
Start & Finish
Starts every day from early November to end of March
Hotels
- Luxury
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Beautiful hotels in remote locations overlooking lakes in both Argentina and Chile
Holiday type
Guided. This tour is priced with a knowledgeable, local guide
The guide is bilingual. In addition you will also have your own support vehicle for the duration of the tour
Activity level
Not so gentle cycling. More info...
Electric bikes
Available. Supplement of £235 per bike
Mileage
5 days of cycling 19 up to 38 miles (61 km) and two days of optional walking 1.4 to 4 miles (2.2 to 6.2 km) or more
Terrain
Back lanes and tracks
What’s included?
Ensuite accommodation every night with breakfast. The services of our friendly local Hosts. Luggage transfers between hotels. Touring bikes and accessories. 24/7 phone contact number. Adventure Handbook with our local tips. GPS Routes on an App with waterproof phone holder. Guidebook or OS maps. Protection of your funds. Advice, help and guidance planning your trip.
Transfer from Bariloche airport to your hotel and from your hotel in Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt airport. Read About Our Trips for further details
Traffic-free
80% traffic free
Options
- Add on a city stay in Buenos Aires before you fly to Bariloche where this tour starts. We can organise hotels and guides.
- Add on a city stay in Santiago at the end of the tour with a flight from Puerto Montt. We can organise hotels and guides.
Itinerary day-by-day
Luxury
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1. Day one
Arrive in Bariloche
Arrive in Bariloche and settle into your iconic hotel, home for the next 2 nights. Set among dramatic lakes and mountains, enjoy Llao Llao's fabulous landscape and facilities. Take a dip in an array of pools, enjoy a round of golf, or explore on foot. This remarkable hotel is an utterly wonderful start to your trip. Meet your host and guide later in the day who will fit your bicycles, discuss your itinerary, and outline the cycling and walking options available on each day.
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2. Day two
Bariloche a circular ride
Your host and guide will meet you after breakfast and you are off! Cycle Circuito Chico, taking in a few lakes, an excellent introduction to the northern Patagonia landscape, its woods, lakes and mountains with an intriguing craft brewery for a lunch stop. A number of other options are available today too, from gentle to more strenuous cycling.
Optional 14 miles (22 km)
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3. Day three
Bariloche to Puerto Blest
Today you have a walk up Cerro Campanario to admire the breathtaking views of lakes and mountains, and then catch the 1 hour boat trip from Puerto Pañuelos to the far end of Nahuel Huapi Lake where remote Puerto Blest is located. Mountains rise either side of you, a stunning silence as you settle into your beautiful hotel for the next 2 nights, mountains cascading down into the cove. You are in an idyllic setting and your guide will take you through the different length of walks available the following day.
Optional 1.4 miles (2.2 km) Ascent 230m
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4. Day four
Circular walk from Puerto Blest
A fantastic circular guided walk today through a native woodland landscape untouched for millennia. Meet the alerce trees, over four thousand years old, and still growing, trails taking you up by the thundering waterfalls, Cascada Los Cántaros, and on through the wooded landscape, with the legendary 1500 year old larch tree. A special day's walk in a beautiful landscape with more demanding options available.
Optional 4 miles (6.2 km) or more
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5. Day five
Puerto Blest to Petrohué
Great drama today as you are crossing the Andes by bicycle from Argentina to Chile. Cycle along to the lake's edge for a short twenty minute boat ride across glacial turquoise waters to Lago Frías. Then pedal uphill a short distance to the pass before the long descent down into Chile, one of the most beautiful cycling days, rugged mountains and trees becoming valleys and green fields. You reach the border crossing as you approach Peulla and not far beyond hop aboard a catamaran to cross Lago Todos Los Santos, admiring a number of stunning volcanoes. Disembark at Petrohué where you stay the night.
19 miles (31 km) Ascent 400m, descent 1,000m
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6. Day six
Petrohué to Puerto Varas
Start the day with a visit to an excellent museum displaying maps, photographs and artefacts, to illustrate the story of the pass you are cycling. We then transfer you uphill to Osorno volcano with a stop at the mountain refuge giving amazing panoramic views of Llanquihue lake. Cycle downhill from here on the zig zag road and along the lake leading to bustling Puerto Varas where you stay the next 2 nights.
Up to 38 miles (61 km)
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7. Day seven
Puerto Varas to Frutillar
Today you have a beautiful cycle ride along the edge of Lago Llanquihue to the small town of Frutillar. Admire a dramatic mountain range of volcanoes and a gentle landscape of farmsteads by the lake. Frutillar's recently opened opera house is worth a visit, then stroll up and down the lake shore to admire the town's German influenced wooden architecture. Transfer back to the hotel or for those who wish to cycle, ride back along the shoreline to your hotel in Puerto Varas.
11 or 22 miles (18 or 36 km)
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8. Day eight
Depart Puerto Varas
Depart Puerto Varas via a transfer to Puerto Montt airport. Flights from here go to Santiago, Chile's capital and several other locations.