Bicycling Patagonia’s Lakes District Plus! The Island of Chiloé

Cycling in Patagonia - Beautiful vistas and big lakes cycling from Chile to Argentina
  • Length 10 days
  • From USD$5595
  • Style/Level Classic 3.5
  • Countries Argentina
    Chile
  • Begin/End San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina / Puerto Varas.
See related tours

Join us on our 10-day Bicycling Patagonia’s Lakes District Plus! the Island of Chiloé from Argentina to Chile. We will cycle across the Continental Divide in the Andes, from Argentina into Chile experiencing the wild expanse of Patagonia’s ever-changing landscape of pristine lakes, lush forests, conical volcanoes and snowcapped Andean peaks. Next, we explore Chiloé Island’s tranquil fjords, wooden churches, pastoral landscapes and the rugged Pacific coastline. With its rich history and isolated location, Chiloé Island offers a cultural experience that is unique to Chile and the world.

If this sounds great but you prefer a shorter tour – check out our Bicycling Patagonia’s Lakes District tour which features the first 7 days of this itinerary.

Is cycling in South America for you? Check out our What to expect: Cycling in South America page.

Highlights

  • Chile’s Lake District, Views of Osorno and Calbuco Volcanoes, Waterfalls on the Petrohué River, thermal pools, San Carlos de Bariloche, Chiloé Island, Wooden Churches, Penguins

Includes

Keep in mind

We work hard to maintain consistency across all of our tours, but some trips have unique differences. Here are some things to keep in mind about this tour.

  • This tour includes some shuttling to avoid traffic or sections of rough roads. 
  • A/C or fans may not always be available at hotels since they haven't traditionally been needed in the area (read more on air conditioning on tour).
  • For the hike on Day 3, sneakers or running shoes will be sufficient. The hike will be flat and mostly on forest paths. At the end, there will be some wooden steps and walkways. There is no real need to pack heavy hiking boots. 


Date Price Private room fee Note
Nov 30-Dec 9, 2024 USD$5595 USD$1000 Sold out! Wait list available.
Feb 1-10, 2025 USD$5595 USD$1000 Filling fast!     
Feb 15-24, 2025 USD$5595 USD$1000 Departure confirmed to go.
Dec 6-15, 2025 USD$5595 USD$1000 Book now save $200 per person!  
DateNov 30-Dec 9, 2024
PriceUSD$5595
Private room feeUSD$1000
NoteSold out! Wait list available.
DateFeb 1-10, 2025
PriceUSD$5595
Private room feeUSD$1000
NoteFilling fast!     
DateFeb 15-24, 2025
PriceUSD$5595
Private room feeUSD$1000
NoteDeparture confirmed to go.
DateDec 6-15, 2025
PriceUSD$5595
Private room feeUSD$1000
NoteBook now save $200 per person!  

Download Itinerary

We’ll send you a link to a full day by day tour itinerary that can be downloaded and printed so you can review all the details online and offline. This packet also includes details about what to expect on tour and arrival and departure details.
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  • Total distance 419 kms (260 miles)
  • Average daily distance 70 km (43 miles)
  • Tour style Classic
  • Tour level 3.5

Highlights: Fit Bicycles, Welcome Dinner

We meet this afternoon at our hotel in San Carlos de Bariloche. This bustling mountain town is a year-round destination for outdoor enthusiasts. After the bike fitting we’ll take a guided walk through Bariloche and enjoy a welcome dinner together.

Meals : Dinner
Lodging : Alma Suites del Lago

Highlights: Bariloche, Cerro Campanario ski lift for panoramic view of the Andes, hotel spa

Today, tiny back roads lead us through forests and offer stunning views of Lago Nahuel Huapi and the Lago Perito Moreno. Our ride ends at the base of Cerro Campanario. We’ll take the chairlifts up the mountain to enjoy a panoramic view of Bariloche – this is often called one of the top ten views in the world.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging : Hotel Llao Llao

Highlights: Hiking day, Lake Nahuel Huapi, Arrayanes National Park

Your day begins with a catamaran* ride on Lake Nahuel Huapi. View Bariloche’s surrounding area from a different perspective as you float towards the Quetrihué Peninsula. Upon docking we’ll walk a wooded path through Arrayanes National Park and some of the most pristine myrtle in South America. In the 1970’s, this 300-year-old myrtle stand was awarded special protection under the Argentine government. Local legend has it that Walt Disney walked through this forest in the late 1930’s and it inspired his choice for Bambi’s cinnamon color as well as the film’s setting. Our hike will take between 3 and 4 hours.

*In December the catamaran schedule changes so there will be a longer (1.5 hr) group shuttle to Villa La Angostura. We will still get to enjoy a 30-minute catamaran ride on Lake Nahuel Huapi before setting out on the hike through Arrayanes National Park.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging : Hosteria El Establo

Highlights: Crossing the Andes, Cardenal Samore Pass, thermal spas

Today’s ride is all about crossing the Andes! While Argentina and Chile share the same latitude, Argentina’s dense and diverse vegetation is distinctly different from the lush green forests and farmlands of Chile. Prepare to be awestruck as you enjoy the incredible shift in landscape while pedaling from Lake Espejo over the Cardenal Samore Pass to the thermal resort of Termas de Puyehue. We enjoy a gradual climb up, starting out at about 2,700 feet to summit at 4,311 feet. We’ll have a picnic lunch together before enjoying an exhilarating downhill into Chile!

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging : Hotel Termas De Puyehue

Highlights: Lake Llanquihue, views of Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes

There are a few options for today. Stretch your legs on a guided 2.5 hour hike, or relax by the hotel’s hot springs pool, before lunch at the hotel. We’ll shuttle to the starting point of your ride, overlooking Lake Llanquihue. After a quick downhill, you’ll pedal the east side of Lake Llanquihue with stunning views of snow-capped Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes in the near distance. Enjoy tranquil farmland and small forests before reaching our lakeside destination. For those wanting a full day’s ride, you may depart the hotel this morning by bike and enjoy a picnic lunch along the way.

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging : Hotel Petrohue

Highlights: Puerto Varas

Just after leaving our hotel, plan to visit the famous “Saltos de Petrohue,” waterfalls. Continuing our ride around Lake Llanquihue we’ll enjoy more great views of Osorno Volcano on our way to Puerto Varas, a small but bustling town with numerous craft stores and great walks along the lake. We have the inside scoop on Puerto Varas’ best restaurant for dinner together this evening.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging : Hotel Solace

Highlights: Chiloé Island, Penguins, traditional curanto

From Puerto Varas we’ll shuttle and then ferry to the island of Chiloé continuing to the beautiful Pacific Coast and rock islands of Puñihuil, which just so happens to be the only place in Chile where you can view both Magellan and Humboldt Penguins. First we stop in Ancud for lunch together and then we bike to Puñihuil bay, where we take a boat ride around the small islands to visit the local penguins. After that we shuttle to Castro and have dinner together.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging : Hotel Palafito 1326

Highlights: Fishing villages, traditional Chilote boats

We pedal to the east coast of Chiloé today towards Dalcahue, Curaco de Velez and the village of Achao on the Island of Quinchao. Achao is the main town of the island and where the oldest church of Chiloé archipelago is located. After Achao, we continue to an Agritourism for lunch and after that we’ll take the van back to Castro.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch
Lodging : Hotel Palafito 1326

Highlights: Quiet roads, birds and wildlife viewing

We pedal from Castro to Chiloé National Park on the Pacific Coast today to explore its ancient forests and learn about its history. This region was described by Charles Darwin on his famous voyage as rich in its diversity of temperate-zone forest plants. The park was created by the indigenous communities of Chiloé who have fought to protect the environment threatened by intensive deforestation. The national park is also home to rare species of animals endemic to Chile, such as picaflores (hummingbirds), kingfishers, huillines (sea otters), and pudúes (the smallest deer in the world). We’ll visit with members of the indigenous community of Quilque over lunch with local products.

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging : Hotel Palafito Cucao

Highlights: Tour ends

We board our shuttle and transfer to the Puerto Montt Airport. Expect to be at the airport in time to catch flights scheduled after 2 p.m.

Meals : Breakfast

Visit our Tour Level page to learn more about terrain levels and how we determine day and tour levels.



Pre-trip planning checklist

Argentina travel planning page



  • Not your typical cycling adventure! Patagonia is a special corner of the world. For people who love the outdoors, it’s a great place to visit.

    Amy E., Boulder, CO – February 2024
  • Hilly with plenty of climbing every day! Crossing the Andes is actually one of the easier days, and it is very interesting going through the border crossing. The route was diverse though with ferries and countryside

    Julie G., Boulder, CO – February 2024
  • A great tour for winter. And exceptional food! I was particularly grateful for the attention to vegetarian options

    Rita Z., Falls Church, VA – February 2024