Bicycling Patagonia’s Lakes District

Guided Cycling Tours in Patagonia Lakes District
  • Length 7 days
  • From USD$3995
  • Style/Level Classic 3.5
  • Countries Argentina
    Chile
  • Begin/End San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina / Puerto Varas, Chile
See related tours

Join us on our 7-day Bicycling Patagonia’s Lakes District from Argentina to Chile tour where we will cycle paved roads across the Continental Divide in the Andes, from Argentina into Chile. At this latitude, the mountains are much gentler than the severe Peruvian and Ecuadoran landscapes that come to mind when you think of the Andes. Our route winds from the high plateau setting of San Carlos de Bariloche along Andean lakes, down through the valleys of the border region and into Chile’s Lake District. Cycle past conical volcanoes and snow capped Andean peaks, and one of Chile’s famous rushing rivers, and relax in the tranquil settings of our lovely hotels.

***Extend this bicycle tour by 3 days. Visit our Bicycling Patagonia’s Lakes District Plus! the Island of Chiloé bicycle tour.***

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

Highlights

  • Argentina and Chile’s Lake District, Views of Osorno and Calbuco Volcanoes, Waterfalls on the Petrohué River, thermal pools, San Carlos de Bariloche. Puerto Varas

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.

Our bikes in Chile and Argentina feature aluminum frames. We do shuttle a number of times on this ride to avoid traffic or sections of rough roads. A/C or fans may not always be available since they haven’t traditionally been needed.


Date Price Private room fee Note
Nov 30-Dec 6, 2024 TBA TBA  Book now and save $200 per person!
Feb 1-7, 2025 TBA TBA Book now and save $200 per person!
Feb 15-21, 2025 TBA TBA Book now and save $200 per person!
Dec 6-12, 2025 TBA TBA Book now and save $200 per person!
DateNov 30-Dec 6, 2024
PriceUSD$1750
Private room feeUSD$600
Note Book now and save $200 per person!
DateFeb 1-7, 2025
PriceUSD$1750
Private room feeUSD$600
NoteBook now and save $200 per person!
DateFeb 15-21, 2025
PriceUSD$3995
Private room feeUSD$600
NoteBook now and save $200 per person!
DateDec 6-12, 2025
PriceUSD$3995
Private room feeUSD$600
NoteBook now and 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 302 km (188 miles)
  • Average daily distance 76 km (47 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. We’ll meet late this afternoon to fit bicycles. After the 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, we’ll do a short test ride to make any necessary adjustments to your bike before heading out on our longer route. 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. Freshen up at the hotel and then take a short walk to the base of the ski area where 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 quick shuttle to Lake Nahuel Huapi. From there, you’ll set sail on a catamaran* and 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 (4,311 feet) to our thermal resort at the Termas de Puyehue. We’ll have a picnic lunch together before enjoying the downhill into Chile! Be sure to take advantage of the hotel’s wonderful thermal pools before dinner together this evening.

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 hotel. 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: Tour ends

Our tour ends after breakfast this morning. We’ll offer a shuttle, or you can take a taxi to the airport in Puerto Montt which is less than a half-hour away for those who are flying home. If you need to return to Bariloche, we recommend transferring across Todos los Santos Lake. This trip has daily departures and the bus leaves just one hundred meters from our hotel! It is a beautiful and relaxing boat and bus trip and you’ll arrive in Bariloche in time for a late dinner. Whatever your plans, buen viaje.

***Extend this bicycle tour by 3 days. Visit our Bicycling Patagonia’s Lakes District Plus! the Island of Chiloé bicycle tour.***

Meals : Breakfast

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


  • E-Bikes in Argentina and Chile

    Frame : Aluminum with front suspension
    Type : E-Bike (Chile and Argentina)

  • Road (Chile and Argentina)

  • Hybrid (Chile and Argentina)


Pre-trip planning checklist



  • The guides were very good. Great trip.

    Thomas E.Houston, TX
  • I’ve taken numerous bike tours with various companies and will say that ExperiencePlus! offers the best value for the money. Also, I find my fellow bikers in the ExperiencePlus! groups to be the easiest to get along with and among the nicest I’ve ever met while traveling – no whiners! Some of the more expensive bike tour companies tend to attract more high-maintenance travelers (who care more about the hotel and dressing up for dinner than the biking), meaning the focus of their trips will often stray from the biking and cultural experience. I like the fact that ExperiencePlus! will choose/recommend restaurants where the locals themselves dine.

    Charlene L.Jersey City, NJ
  • The tour leader was outstanding. She was most attentive to our needs and helped us have the best experiences …

    William D.Goshin, CT