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!
Santiago de Chile, Chile's Central Wine Valley, Santa Cruz, Pacific Coast Beaches, winery visits
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.
Our bikes in South America are aluminum frames and the road bikes come with a carbon fork.
Includes
8 days, 7 nights, meals as noted in itinerary, wine tastings. Shuttle back to Santiago on the last day of the tour; and the usual (see below).
Learn more about what is included and what to expect on your Classic tour at the Classic Tour Style page.
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.
Highlights: Casa Silva winery + Viña VIK winery. Beginning of Chile central Valley or “zona huasa”
We'll shuttle south into the Central Valley this morning and stop at our first winery for a tour followed by lunch. After lunch we'll have our bike fitting before we begin cycling . The stunning Andes will be our backdrop today as we pedal through vineyards to our hotel, which is one of Chile's most stunning wineries and hotels. Inspired by the Andes Mountains and the work of Frank Gehry, the Vina Vik hotel is nestled in the foothills of the Andes in the Millahue Valley, named "Lugar de Oro" or "Golden Place" by the native Mapuche. We'll have dinner and a wine tasting in this stunning winery and hotel built by one of Chile's award winning architects.
On our bicycle ride to today we'll pass several distinct towns in the central agricultural area of Chile as we pedal towards Santa Cruz, the capital city of this region. We'll see watermills that were once used to irrigate the fertile farmlands of Chile's most famous wine region. These important watermills are protected by UNESCO in the small town of Larmahue.
Today we will do a loop ride out of Santa Cruz to the Valle de Apalta, home to several of Chile's most important wines such as Montes, Casa Lapostolle, Ventisquero, and the up-and-coming wine of Neyen. Along the way we'll learn about the culture and process of Chilean wine making. Many wineries along the our ride invite visitors to stop in for a visit. Feel free to stop and explore these wineries along today's loop ride.
We highly recommend taking time this afternoon to visit the Santa Cruz Museum, one of the best museums of Chile's natural history.
Highlights: Lolol village & it local craft with mane
Ride from Santa Cruz to Colchagua valley passing through small villages along the oldest agricultural area of Chile with a colonial past still present in part of the architecture and quiet lifestyle.
Highlights: Ride from Marchugüe to Pichilemu beach
We pedal west today as we cross the coastal range to end up on the seaside in one of Chile's most famous windsurfing beaches. You'll notice the stark difference between the dry hills on the eastern side of the range and the green forests on the western/seaward side. Between the Andes and the Coastal Range, Chile has some of the most diverse climates in such a narrow stretch of land and today you will see that in person.
Highlights: Salt flats at “Lo Valdivia”, Pacific coastline, Vichuquén lake
We ride south today and criss-cross the coastal hills again until we reach the Salt Flats of Lo Valdivia. As we pedal through forests and hills you'll catch glimpses of the pacific before we finish in a small fishing village to gather before shuttling to our hotel.
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!
In the evening of Day 1, meet your fellow cyclists and Tour Leaders at the Day 1 Hotel specified in the itinerary.
You will find more details in our welcome note at the hotel's front desk
Note:
As you are planning, remember that the hotels listed in our itineraries are our primary hotels and are - in rare cases - subject to change. Before you make arrangements, check with us if your tour departure is guaranteed. If your tour departure is out further than 6 months, please also check with us as there might be slight changes to the itinerary.
The below information will help you plan your arrival. For more tips or other routes, you might like Rome2Rio. The fare and timing information listed below is approximate.
We recommend flying into the Santiago International Airport (SLC).
How to get to the Day 1 Hotel:
Arriving at Santiago Airport and proceeding to the Day 1 Hotel
Taxi, located just outside the airport (20-30 min/26,000 Chilean pesos)
or private transfer (Taxi drivers in Chile can be a little intimidating, so if you’d like us to arrange a private transfer from the airport to the hotel contact reservations@experienceplus.com (20-30 min/fares vary)
Day 8: Departure Information
End of tour, Shuttle to Santiago
We offer two complimentary ExperiencePlus! shuttle options back to Santiago on the last day of the tour. Your spot on the shuttle is already reserved for you.
Please take note of the shuttle times and locations as you plan.
Option A: Arrival at the Santiago Airport by 4:30 p.m.
Option B: Arrival back at the Day 1 Hotel in Santiago (refer to the itinerary) by 5 p.m.
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.
Our bikes in South America are aluminum frames and the road bikes come with a carbon fork.
Pre-Trip Planning Checklist
To do right after you booked!
Read through your Reservation Confirmation and After you Book Information (link sent to you by e-mail), it has important information to help you plan your trip!
Check the date on your passport. The expiration date should extend three months past your date of return to your home country.
Refer to your Tour Packet/Itinerary to see step-by-step arrival and departure information for your tour, meeting place and time, if a reservation on a complimentary ExperiencePlus! Shuttle (if applicable) is required, and other important information to help you plan your arrival and departure.
Reserve your flights after you know you have a confirmed tour departure. Please check with our office if you do not know if your trip is confirmed.
Book your pre and post-tour hotel nights.
Begin your chosen training program.
Final payment is due 90 days (120 days for Bike &Barge/Boat tours) prior to the tour start. Please refer to your Invoice and the Final Payment Reminder e-mail we send 10 days prior to the due date for detailed instructions.
We'll email you your access code to Digital Daysheets, Hotel Itinerary, Participant Roster, names and contact information of your Tour Leaders, emergency phone numbers, and other important departure information about 2 weeks prior to your tour start date. All this will be provided to you via a feature called Experiences via the RideWithGPS App (tracks available but not necessary for navigation on Classic, Expedition and Bike & Boat tours).
Day of Your Flight
Get as much sleep on the plane as you can. Pack your one day of cycling gear in your carry-on. See you soon!
What to Expect on Tour
Classic Tour Style
Learn more about what is included and what to expect on your Classic tour at the Classic page.
The best bike tour I''''ve ever had! The guides were so knowledgeable, helpful and entertaining; food was amazing and the wineries excellent! The culture and countryside spectacular too. The route was planned perfectly and appropriately for our groups bike experience, there were options on long trip days which were appreciated.
Callie R., Mercer Island, WA - March 2018
Meals were great. Above expectation,,,loved the fresh veggies and fruit, Lodging was upscale and most comfortable. Bike worked perfectly ..no problems. Loved meeting the Chileans! We like ExperiencePlus! tours, easy going but carefully done and caring guides with safety built in. Love the chalk arrows.
Jane O., Leawood, KS
Awesome ride, roads, food, and wine.
Charlene R., Cheyenne, WY
Fun, flexible, personal and full of beautiful scenery. The biking route was excellent and the museum in Santa Cruz was top notch.
Fran and Chris J., Wasilla AK
Easy riding, beautiful countryside, superb wines and good food.
Catherine C., Anchorage, AK
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
Gentle
Gentle terrain includes mostly undulating/flat sections and a rare longer climb (less than 3 km - 2 miles) with an average grade less than 3%.
Rolling Hills
Rolling hills featuring multiple gentle slopes (average grade of 3-4%) usually less than 3 km (2 miles). There may also be an occasional shorter (less than 2 km -1 mile) but steeper climb. Or a longer climb where the average grade is less than 3%.
Hilly
Hilly terrain has climbs up to 3 km (2 miles) with an average grade between 4% and 6%. There may also be climbs longer than 3 km (2 miles), but with an average grade less than 4%.
Very Hilly
Very hilly terrain includes one or more climbs, some of which maintain an average grade (meaning you will have short sections both steeper and less steep in the same climb) of 7% and 8% for no more than 3 km (2 miles). There will also be some longer climbs, but with a lower average grade.
Mountainous
Mountainous terrain includes one or more climbs with an average grade over 8%. Mountainous rides can also include longer climbs (more than 5 km - 3 miles) with an average grade up to 6%.
Level 1 - 1.5
For those desiring gentle rides with a limited amount of climbing.
Level 5, also known as our Expeditions, are multi-week tours designed for strong riders looking for the challenge of riding across countries or continents.
Gentle terrain includes mostly undulating/flat sections and a rare longer climb (less than 3 km - 2 miles) with an average grade less than 3%.
Hilly
Hilly terrain has climbs up to 3 km (2 miles) with an average grade between 4% and 6%. There may also be climbs longer than 3 km (2 miles), but with an average grade less than 4%.
Very Hilly
Very hilly terrain includes one or more climbs, some of which maintain an average grade (meaning you will have short sections both steeper and less steep in the same climb) of 7% and 8% for no more than 3 km (2 miles). There will also be some longer climbs, but with a lower average grade.
Mountainous
Mountainous terrain includes one or more climbs with an average grade over 8%. Mountainous rides can also include longer climbs (more than 5 km - 3 miles) with an average grade up to 6%.
Tour Levels
Level 1 - 1.5
For those desiring gentle rides with a limited amount of climbing.
Level 5, also known as our Expeditions, are multi-week tours designed for strong riders looking for the challenge of riding across countries or continents.
Very hilly
Mountainous
