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 this tour is just perfect but wish it were shorter - then visit our Bicycling Chile's Wine Country 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. If it is open we will have a guided tour of this unique Hacienda before continuing on to our vineyard and wine 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 or take a walk around town. We highly recommend visiting the Santa Cruz museum, one of the best museums on Chile's natural history and contemporary issues. 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: Duao to Constitución
Highlights: Constitución
We continue south along the coast today to the resort town of Constitución. We pedal through pine forests and past spectacular rock formations on the beaches. Take your time, take a swim, and get some photos! Dinner is together tonight. Daily mileage: 54 km (34 miles)Lodging: Cabanas Playa El Cable
Day 9: Constitución to Pelluhue
Highlights: Rolling hills, Pacific Coast
We'll be surrounded by cool pine forests most of the way to Chanco. Our hotel tonight is in the beach town of Pelluhue. You might enjoy exploring the nearby beach and active sand dunes which once buried Chanco over the last century before pine woods were planted to protect it. Daily mileage: approximately 67 km (42 miles). Dinner is on your own this evening.Lodging: Cabañas Campo Mar
Day 10: Pelluhue to San Javier
Highlights: Wine tasting and a great bicycle ride
We head inland today after shuttling to Cauquenes. Visit the "casa de la Cultura" and local market before jumping on your bike and riding towards the one of our favorite roads. We spend our last night in a beautiful winery and vineyard guesthouse. We'll have a final dinner together this evening. Daily mileage: 64 km (38 miles)Lodging: Tabonko
Day 11: Transfer to Santiago
Highlights: Shuttle back to Santiago and wine tasting
We head back to Santiago today, but not without stopping at one last winery, one that was founded in 1880. We'll be back in Santiago this afternoon around 4 pm in time for you to catch a flight home!-
HighlightsHistoric Vineyards, Chilean wine, Colonial chilean cities, Santiago de Chile, Bicycle the Pacific Coast of Chile
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Includes"The Usual" plus... Use of a quality 27-30 speed bicycle; 11 days, 10 nights accommodation, all breakfasts, 7 dinners, 3 lunches, van support, bilingual tour leaders, 3 wine tastings and visit to three wineries. Shuttle back to Santiago.
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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
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Total Distance502 kms (310 miles)
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Daily Distance55 kms - 105 kms (34 - 65 miles)
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What to ExpectBicycle rides through vineyard laden valleys. Coastal scenery and small villages along the way.
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Rating201
Mostly flat riding with some short steep hills on half the days. Last 3 days have more rolling terrain with some climbs over 2 miles. -
NotesIf you think this tour is just perfect but wish it were shorter - then visit our Bicycling Chile's Wine Country bicycle tour.
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Terms
| Dates | Price | Single Supplement* |
Notes | Next Step |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 12 - 22, 2013 | $4595 | $600 | Book It | |
| Mar 08 - 18, 2014 | $4595 | $600 | Book before August 1st and Save $200, per person. | Book It |
| Oct 18 - 28, 2014 | $4595 | $600 | 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
Start
City (on route)
End
City (not part of route, provided for reference)How would you describe this tour to a friend?
Surprising, interesting, doable, fascinating and fun. Keep up the good work. We cannot say enough good things about ExperiencePlus!
Laurie & Gary U., Ft Collins, CO
Sunny and warm, comparable to September in California, mostly flat, except for coastal range, good combination of vineyards, lakes and ocean beaches, minimal traffic, no crowds after local tourist season, easy flight from NYC.
Eric S., NY, NY
What was your favorite experience on this trip?
The day riding though the national park. The temperature was perfect and there was a tail wind so I was a happy rider. Also enjoyed the lunch at the farmer''s house. Interesting to be in a local home. Lunch was nicely served and delicious.
Marion M., Toronto, Canada
What was your favorite experience on this trip?
Seeing the beautiful country, meeting wonderful Chileans and, of course, tasting fine wines.
John S., Burke, VA
What was your favorite experience on this trip?
Casa Silva Winery, Museum in Santa Cruz, riding along the ocean with the sanddunes, farm house for lunch, youth dancers --- LOTS!
Pat & Monte P. Ft Collins, CO
What was your favorite experience on this trip?
Hard to pick one thing...this may have been our favorite of 7 ExperiencePlus! trips. The organization, guides, scenery, and people all combined to make for a wonderful vacation.
Mary B., Newport Beach, CA
