One of the most prestigious "new world" wine producing regions, Chile's central valley has produced award winning wines in recent years. Join us on our bicycle tour of the Chilean wine country where we pedal through vineyards of the Central Valley before turning south and bicycling along the stunning beaches of the scenic Pacific Coast. We stay in historic colonial cities such as Santa Cruz and Constitucion and visit secluded villages and beach resorts. This is an excellent trip for both wine and food lover and photographer!
If you are thinking that 8 days is just not enough, consider our 11-day tour, Bicycling Chile's Wine Country Plus! the Pacific Coast bicycle tour.
Day 1: Arrive in Santiago
Highlights: Santiago, capital of Chile
We gather today in Santiago de Chile, the capital of Chile. Santiago is a delightful, metropolitan city. We suggest arriving at least a couple of days early so you can explore the covered market and San Cristóbal Hill, a major city landmark. We'll have introductions and a welcome dinner tonight.Lodging: Hotel Rio Bidasoa
Day 2: Fit bikes, Winery Visit
Highlights: Transfer from Santiago, lunch and winery visit, fit bikes and short ride
We'll shuttle south into the Central Valley this morning and stop at our first winery for a tour and lunch. We'll also fit bikes here and then pedal through vineyards to our hotel. On our bicycle ride today we'll have the Andes as a stunning backdrop. Our destination today is Zuñiga, a small historical village with a hotel that is often frequented by Chileans in the summer as a city get-a-way. Dinner together tonight. Mileage: 30-40 km (19-25 miles)Lodging: Hacienda Santa Clara
Day 3: Bicycle Zuñiga to Winery and Hotel
Highlights: Wooden windmills, fertile farmland, quiet roads
On our bicycle ride to today we'll pass several distinct towns in the central agricultural area of Chile. We'll see windmills once used to irrigate the fertile farmlands of Chile's most famous wine region that are protected by UNESCO. The 2010 earthquake severely damaged the UNESCO World Heritage Museum of the Hacienda El Huique, a once - perfectly preserved example of a 19th century rural Chilean estate. It has been closed due to damage, but if it is open we will have a guided tour of this unique Hacienda before continuing on to our vineyard and wine estate hotel in the Colchagua Valley. Dinner together tonight. Daily mileage: 70 km (42 miles)Lodging: Las Majadas Guest House
Day 4: Bicycle the Apalta Valley and Santa Cruz
Highlights: Bicycle ride through Chilean Wine country
Today we'll head towards Santa Cruz, the largest city in this region's wine area. On our ride to Santa Cruz we'll pedal through the Valle de Apalta, home to several of Chile's most important wines such as Montes, Casa Lapostolle, and Ventisquero, as well as the up-and-coming wine of Neyen. Along the way we'll learn about the culture and the process of wine making at lunch together at a local winery. Many wineries along the way invite visitors and you are free to stop and explore. Dinner on your own tonight. Daily mileage: 35-75 km depending on choice (19-44 miles)Lodging: Hotel Santa Cruz Plaza
Day 5: Santa Cruz Rest Day, optional ride
Highlights: Santa Cruz, relax by the pool
We have a rest day today to enjoy this bustling little town. Relax at our beautiful hotel lounging by the pool and we highly recommend visiting the Santa Cruz museum, one of the best museums on Chile's natural and cultural history. Dinner is on your own.Lodging: Hotel Santa Cruz Plaza
Day 6: Santa Cruz to Vichuquén
Highlights: Boyeruca beach, Lago Vichuquén
We leave Santa Cruz today and ride west towards the Pacific Ocean. On the way take time to visit the beautiful town of Lolol. Our ride ends on the coast at Boyeruca beach. From here we'll shuttle the last 45 kilometers to avoid some rough roads. Dinner is together tonight. Daily mileage: 80 km (50 miles)Lodging: Hotel Marina Vichuquén
Day 7: Vichuquén to Duao
Highlights: Duao and its beautiful beach
We're back on our bikes today, headed first to the coast then south to Duao, a beautiful and isolated beach on the Pacific Coast. Take your time and do some beach-combing along the way or pedal straight to Duao where you can enjoy a little beach time. Dinner together this evening. Daily mileage: approximately 60 km (37 miles)Lodging: Hostería Donde Gilberto
Day 8: End of tour, Shuttle to Santiago
Highlights: Shuttle to Santiago
If you are in beach mode we recommend sticking around this area. If not, we'll shuttle you back to Santiago today for your flight home or more adventures in South America. Whatever you decide Buen Viaje!If you are thinking that 8 days is just not enough, consider our 11-day tour, Bicycling Chile's Wine Country Plus! the Pacific Coast bicycle tour.
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HighlightsSantiago de Chile, Chile's Central Wine Valley, Santa Cruz, Pacific Coast Beaches, Cycling quiet roads and paths, Waterloo, Flanders Field Museum, Lambic beer, Historic hotels, Guided brewery visits, WWI battle and historical sites, 3 Tappist breweries
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Includes"The Usual" plus... Use of a quality 27-30 speed bicycle; 8 days, 7 nights, all breakfasts, 4 dinners and 3 lunches with 2 wine tastings. Shuttle back to Santiago on the last day of the tour.
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CountriesChile
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Begin/EndSantiago de Chile, Chile/ Santiago de Chile, Chile
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Arrive/DepartSantiago Int'l Airport (SCL) / Santiago Int'l Airport (SCL)
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Total Distance317 kms (196 miles)
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Daily Distance28 kms - 80 kms (18 - 50 miles)
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What to ExpectNew world wines and visits to wineries, wonderful accommodations and tasty food.
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Rating201
Mostly flat riding with some short steep hills on half the days. About half the days have riding distances over 35 miles. -
Notes
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Terms
| Dates | Price | Single Supplement* |
Notes | Next Step |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 12 - 19, 2013 | $3550 | $500 | Confirmed departure. Confirmed Departure | Book It |
| Mar 08 - 15, 2014 | $3550 | $500 | Book before August 1st and Save $200, per person. | Book It |
| Oct 18 - 25, 2014 | $3550 | $500 | Book before August 1st and Save $200, per person. | Book It |
| *We are happy to match solo travelers who would like to share a room with someone of the same gender. If no match exists, due to hotel pricing, we will charge 50% of the single supplement rate. This fee will be collected at the time of the final payment. If a roommate assignment is available this fee will be refunded at the conclusion of the tour. | ||||
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Here on ExperiencePlus.com
- 6 Reasons to Bicycle Chile and Argentina
ExperiencePlus! owner and occasional tour leader Maria Elena Price shares 6 reasons you should explore Chile and Argentina. - Chile Travel Information Page
Read up on country customs, airport information, culinary specialites, and more! - Chile: A New Destination with a Familiar Twist
Maria Elena Malpezzi Price shares her experiences leading the inaguaral trip in Chile. - Chilean Wine Country
So is this the next Napa? Come and see for yourself. - The Wine Country of Chile
An overview and slide show of the trip. - We Are ExperiencePlus! Meet your Tour Leaders
We'd like to introduce you to your tour leaders. We believe we have the best bicycle tour leaders out there, click through to see a slideshow about them.
Elsewhere on the Web
- Blog from Patagonia & Chile
Diane and Bill tell stories and share photos from both Patagonia and Chile! They took two ExPlus trips back to back and documented them here. - Downhill Bicycle Racing in Chile
A little bit of culture (and craziness) from Valparasio, Chile - Santiago, Chile City Guide
Lonely Planet voted this city in Chile #7 in their top ten cities of 2012; check out this city guide for more information on it - Santiago, Chile Is Hardly Sleepy Anymore
An October 25, 2009 article from Finn Olaf Jones of The New York Times.
Click on the "pins" for details about each day's highlights.
Map Key
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City (on route)
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City (not part of route, provided for reference)A lot of fun, good routes. Great total experience.
Rick S., Revere, MA
Beautiful scenery, interesting historical sites, great chocolate!
Carol W., New York, NY
Fun, fantastic....would do it again. Thanks for a great time.
Kimberly B., Phoenix, AZ
I loved everything-especially the tour leaders. We are hooked - we'll definitely be doing more ExperiencePlus! tours in the future.
Susan C., Brookeville, MD
