Chile & Argentina - Lake District Explorer

A landscape of snow-capped volcanoes, deep valleys, lakes and monkey puzzle tree forests set against the awesome Andes.

Well paced, our route is on a combination of quiet gravel tracks and earth roads that skirt immense lakes and pass through sleepy villages, allowing us to absorb ourselves fully in the Lake District, its people and their way of life. Accommodation along the way is a combination of small hotels, lodges, cabanas and family run hospedajes (South American guesthouses), chosen for their location, hospitality and friendly welcome.

Our initial cycling takes us past the Parque National Alcerce Andino, before heading along the shores of Estero Relconcavi to arrive at Lago Llanquihue. From here you'll have superb views of the impressive Volcano Osorno and we'll bne able to visit the crashing rapids and waterfalls of Saltos de Petrohue. The next day we head into Argentina, and Villa La Angostura, from where we move on to Bariloche, a place famed for its chocolates and Swiss style architecture. From here we head along the lovely Ruta de Las Siete Lagos‚ to San Martin de los Andes.

More incredible volcanoes and towering arucaria trees line our route back to Chile. Volcan Villarica beckons us to the picturesque town of Pucon, from where we can take an optional hike to it's lofty summit. Just a couple more days biking left and for many the highlight of the trip, as we wind our way through stunning scenery of Conguillio National Park. Our final night is spend in Temuco, from where next day we take the domestic flight to Santiago for our onward connections.

Highlights

• Majestic Volcan Osorno and its snow-capped peak
• Tasting the chocolates of Bariloche
• Biking the Seven Lakes Route to San Martin de los Andes
• The monkey-puzzle tree forests of Conguillio
• Sampling a tasty Malbec or Carmanere after a day’s biking
• Hiking the lofty heights of Volcan Villarica

We will be cycling on both side of the Andes mountain range, passing fjords, rivers, waterfalls, volcanoes, mountain ranges and of course lakes. That means constant highlights!

The route is approx. 70% on sealed roads and 30% on compacted wide gravel tracks, with light traffic on most days.