Bicycling Chile’s Wine Country

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.

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.

Highlights: Watermills of Larmahue

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.

Highlights: Apalta Valley

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.

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!