Bike Tours in South America: The Best and The Rest

South America is made for cyclists who want more than mileage. A bike tour here can mean rolling between Chilean and Argentine lakes, climbing into thin Andean air, descending from cloud forest toward the Amazon, or following remote Patagonian roads where the scenery feels larger than the map.

Why You Should Go

The rewards are big: dramatic landscapes, strong local food cultures, welcoming small towns and routes that can suit everyone from supported leisure riders to self-sufficient bikepackers.

The trade-off is that South America asks you to plan properly. Altitude, weather, road surfaces, dogs, traffic, ferry schedules and long gaps between services can all shape the ride. Choose the right region, season and support level, and the continent offers some of the most memorable bike touring on earth.

The Best Routes

The Carretera Austral, Chilean Patagonia

• Chile’s Carretera Austral is the headline act for adventurous cyclists: a long, rugged journey through fjords, temperate rainforest, turquoise rivers, glaciers and small frontier towns. Expect a mix of pavement and gravel, ferry crossings, sudden weather and stretches where services are limited.
  **Best for: ** Experienced riders, gravel tourers and bikepackers who want wilderness, solitude and a true expedition feel.
  **Watch out for: ** Wind, rain, rough surfaces, limited supplies, ferry timing and the need for a reliable bike setup.

Chile and Argentina’s Lake District

• The Lake District is one of South America’s most approachable multi-day cycling regions. Routes around Bariloche, San Martín de los Andes, Puerto Varas and the Seven Lakes area combine volcano views, forested roads, lakeside towns, good food and more comfortable lodging options than many remote routes.
  Best for: First-time South America bike tourists, couples, small groups and riders who want scenery without full expedition logistics.
  Watch out for: Summer traffic near popular towns, changeable mountain weather and occasional steep climbs.

Peru’s Sacred Valley and Andes-to-Amazon rides

• Peru delivers cultural depth alongside serious riding. The Sacred Valley offers Inca sites, traditional markets and big mountain views, while longer itineraries can descend from high Andean passes toward warmer cloud forest and Amazon-edge landscapes.
  Best for: Riders who want archaeology, culture and mountain scenery packed into a relatively short trip. Watch out for: Altitude, cold mornings, technical descents, traffic near towns and the need to acclimatise before hard riding.

Ecuador’s Avenue of Volcanoes

• Ecuador is compact, varied and well suited to guided riding. The Avenue of Volcanoes links highland towns, indigenous markets, crater lakes and views of peaks such as Cotopaxi and Chimborazo. Distances can be manageable, but the elevation makes even moderate days feel more demanding.
  Best for: Shorter guided tours, volcano scenery, mixed surfaces and riders who want variety without crossing huge distances. Watch out for: High altitude, cool wet weather, dogs in rural areas and rough tracks after rain.

Mendoza wine country, Argentina

• Mendoza is the gentler counterpoint to the continent’s big adventure routes. Vineyard roads, mountain backdrops and relaxed food-and-wine stops make it ideal for shorter touring days. Many rides can be arranged as supported day trips or multi-day itineraries with comfortable accommodation.
  Best for: Leisure cyclists, food-focused travellers, mixed-ability groups and anyone who wants a softer landing in South America.
  Watch out for: Heat, sun exposure, drinking too much during tasting stops and busier roads around the city.

Bolivia’s Altiplano and Salar de Uyuni

• For strong riders, Bolivia’s high plateau is unforgettable: salt flats, volcanoes, flamingo lagoons and immense open skies. This is less a casual bike tour than a high-altitude expedition, and many travellers choose a supported operator because conditions can be remote and harsh.
  Best for: Fit, experienced cyclists seeking stark landscapes, big skies and a serious physical challenge. Watch out for: Altitude above 3,500 metres, cold nights, washboard roads, limited water, strong sun and sparse services.

Other Routes to Consider

• Colombia’s Coffee Highlands: A beautiful choice for climbing, coffee culture and colonial towns, best suited to riders comfortable with hills and traffic near urban areas.
• Atacama to Salta: A dramatic desert-and-Andes crossing through northern Chile and Argentina, ideal for experienced riders who can handle heat, altitude and long distances.
• Rio de Janeiro and Brazil’s coastal rides: Good for day rides and short scenic trips, especially with local guidance; expect traffic and humidity.
• Uruguay’s coast: A lower-key option with flatter terrain, beach towns and a more relaxed touring rhythm than the Andes.
• Tierra del Fuego: A bucket-list ride for hardy cyclists, with wind, cold and remoteness as part of the appeal.

Cycling Tips for South America

• Match the season to the region. Patagonia is generally best in the southern summer, while many Andean and desert routes are more comfortable in the dry season.
• Respect altitude. Build in rest days before riding hard above 2,500 to 3,000 metres, drink steadily and keep the first few days conservative.
• Choose tyres for reality, not speed. Many “roads” include gravel, potholes, washboard or broken pavement; wider tyres can make the trip safer and more enjoyable.
• Carry more food and water than you think you need. Remote stretches can be longer than expected, and shops may have limited hours or supplies.
• Use lights and high-visibility clothing. Tunnels, fog, dust, rain and traffic can reduce visibility quickly.
• Learn basic Spanish phrases. Even a small vocabulary helps with directions, food, mechanical help and accommodation.
• Check the bike every day. Dust, gravel and rain are hard on chains, brake pads and bolts.
• Do not overpack. Climbs, altitude and rough roads punish excess weight; bring reliable layers and repair essentials, not duplicates of everything.

How to Choose a Bike Tour in South America

Start with your riding style. If you want hotels, luggage transfers and daily support, look for a guided or self-guided tour in the Lake District, Mendoza, Ecuador or Peru. If you want independence and are comfortable with uncertainty, Patagonia and Bolivia can deliver a much wilder experience.

Next, be honest about difficulty. South America can make distances misleading: a 50-kilometre day at sea level on smooth roads is not the same as 50 kilometres on gravel at altitude. Ask tour operators about average daily climbing, maximum elevation, road surface, van support, rest days and what happens if weather changes the plan.

Finally, choose for the experience you actually want. Pick Patagonia for wilderness, Peru for culture and history, Ecuador for volcanoes and compact variety, Mendoza for comfort and wine, Colombia for climbing and coffee, and Bolivia for a raw high-altitude challenge.

♢♢♢

The best bike tours in South America are not all extreme, but they do reward preparation. The Carretera Austral is the classic for adventure, the Lake District is the most balanced all-rounder, Peru and Ecuador bring culture and altitude, Mendoza offers a relaxed introduction, and Bolivia is the demanding option for riders chasing the edge of the map. Choose the route that matches your fitness, comfort level and appetite for uncertainty, and South America will give you a ride that feels far bigger than the distance on the itinerary.

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From the Editor:

Over 250 Great Bike Tours in South America for you to choose from

The bike tours listed below are not ranked in order but the results are heavily weighted towards tours or operators that I can vouch for and can be confident of having a successful (if not amazing!) trip where you are looked after at least as well as the listing implies.
You can also use the filters to reduce the list (e.g. by guided tours, family tours, easy tours or many more).

Another source of good independent opinions is reviews from fellow cycle tourists. Why not share your opinion when you get home?

Related pages for more detailed guides:

• Bike Tours in Colombia: The Best and the Rest