Fin del Mundo

For centuries, travellers have been fascinated by the "Fin del Mundo," literally the "End of the World." Ever since Ferdinand Magellan sailed through the waters at the tip of South America in 1520, the idea of reaching this far-flung outpost has captured the imaginations of explorers from around the planet. This tour invites riders to realise that dream, following in the footsteps of adventurers like Charles Darwin and Bruce Chatwin, cycling south through Chile and Argentina until arriving in Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego, where cyclists can step off their bikes and gaze out over the vast, bleak beauty of the Fin del Mundo.

The journey begins in Chile's capital, Santiago, and takes riders through some of the country's famous vineyards before the route heads south along the Pacific Coast and turns inland past endless lakes and towering volcanoes. Crossing the Andes into Argentina, riders follow the scenic Route of the Seven Lakes into the resort town of Bariloche.

From Bariloche, riders begin their passage down the legendary Carretera Austral, a 1,200km odyssey through a remote and sparsely populated region of vast forests, mountains and glaciers, before finally arriving at the world's southernmost city, Ushuaia, and the Fin del Mundo. The full tour can also be booked as two standalone sections, Route of the Seven Lakes and Carretera Austral, for riders who prefer a shorter commitment.

Highlights

• Colchagua Valley vineyards near Santiago
• Chile's lakes and volcanoes region
• Crossing the Andes via the Route of the Seven Lakes into Bariloche
• The 1,200km Carretera Austral through remote Patagonian wilderness
• Patagonian forests, mountains and glaciers
• Arriving at Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city, and the Fin del Mundo itself

Surface and terrain:
20–40% unpaved roads; a mountain, touring or gravel bike is recommended, with one set of 35–40c tyres and one set of 45–50c tyres for the rougher sections. Mountainous and remote terrain throughout, including Andes crossings.

Suitable for:
Experienced, adventurous cyclists comfortable with long daily distances (averaging over 100km on riding days), rough/gravel roads, mountainous terrain and camping. Expedition category, 4/5 difficulty score.