A cycling holiday in the Chilean Lake District and Northern Patagonia

Transcription

1 A cycling holiday in the Chilean Lake District and Northern Patagonia Cycle amongst the iconic snow-capped volcanoes of Conguillio National Park Take on the challenge of cycling to 1150 metres on Volcan Villarrica Two days of trail riding above San Martin de los Andes in Argentina Bike across the Andes from Argentina back into Chile HOLIDAY CODE PPMB Argentina, Chile, Patagonia, Cycling, 14 Days 10 nights lodge, 3 nights hotel, 12 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 10 dinners, max group size: 16, 11 days biking, 560 kilometres, 60% off-road, 90% vehicle supported, max altitude metres VIEW DATES, PRICES & BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY HERE

2 PAGE 2 Introduction Our northern Patagonian journey ventures into both Chile and Argentina, following the path less trodden through some of the most remote parts of the Andean Lake District. Using our local agent s wealth of knowledge, we have set up a cycling journey that takes us beyond the guidebooks to explore this region s many incredible treasures. The result is a truly authentic experience in a part of Patagonia that is only just opening up its eyes to tourism. The essence of this area is frontier or backcountry style, with a rustic charm, set within a stunning Andean landscape which wouldn t be out of place in a Jurassic Park movie. From the lakeside town of Villarrica, we ll explore the Chilean Lake District, cycling on jeep tracks and quiet backroads amongst snow-capped volcanoes and dazzling lakes. Conguillio National Park is a hidden gem with turquoise lakes and giant forests of the wonderful araucaria (monkey-puzzle) trees framing the twin peaks of the towering Volcan Llaima. Biking through the reserve areas of Conguillio and China Muerta, we experience an intriguing mix of landscape, from rugged volcanic lava flows to lush meadows, forest, picturesque farms and tumbling rivers. Then, cycling to the very remote Huerquehue National Park, we spend a couple of nights in the homelands of the Mapuche Indian people, before reaching the bustling town of Pucon. Continuing our journey southwards, we will visit the unique Huilo-Huilo Reserve, before taking the ferry from Puerto Fuy on Lake Pirihueico and crossing the Hua Hum Pass (659m) into Argentina. We then spend 3 nights at St Martin de Los Andes and have 2 great days of biking on the local forest tracks and singletrack trails. Finally, from the Tromen Pass (1105m), we recross the Andes and enjoy a thrilling descent back into Chile for a final night and celebration back in the Chilean Lake District s adventure capital, Pucon. Explore International. This holiday is part of our Explore International range. Participants on these trips can book through KE or through one of our international partners. This helps us to gather together sufficient numbers of like-minded adventurers to get your holiday up and running quickly. Led by an English-speaking guide, the cosmopolitan nature of these groups can be an important part of the experience! Is this holiday for you? ADVENTURE CYCLING. Suitable for any regular mountain biker, this holiday offers an exploration by bike of one of the world's most stunning landscapes Northern Patagonia s Lake District. Fully guided and with vehicle support throughout (except for some very short sections) this is a very do-able' cycling holiday, with options to add or reduce the distance cycled. Altitude is never an issue and cycling distances of around 50 kilometres a day, on a mix of jeep roads, forest trails and quiet tarmac back roads, make this holiday accessible to a wide cross-section of cyclists. Those looking for a bit of down-time can choose to do as much or as little as they wish during the 2 days we have scheduled for cycling on the trails above San Martin de los Andes. Accommodation is in a mix of hosterias and rustic holiday park cabins and small hotels chosen to take advantage of their location and hospitality. EXCELLENT BIKE HIRE AVAILABLE LOCALLY. Holiday Itinerary Day 1: Meet at the group hotel in Villarrica. A transfer from Temuco Airport is provided. Arrival at Temuco Airport after a short internal flight from Santiago. Meet the guide at the airport and KE Land Only package services begin with the 45 minute transfer to the group hotel in the town of Villarrica. Situated on the lake of the same name there are stunning views across to the snow-cone of Villarrica Volcano (2860m). Villarrica is the main tourist centre for the region of La Araucania and a magnet for adventure travellers, with many cultural, artistic and sporting events during the summer months. Arriving at the hotel in the evening, we head straight out for dinner at a nearby restaurant.

3 PAGE 3 HOTEL MEALS D Day 2: Cycle towards Llaima Volcano, through farmland and forest, to Melipeuco. After breakfast at the hotel, we have a half-hour transfer northwards to the start of our Patagonian cycle adventure. Our ride today takes us on non technical jeep trails across the north-western flanks of Llaima Volcano (3125m) one of the largest and most active volcanoes in Chile. Passing through picturesque farmland and forest, we'll have a real taste of the rural treasure of the Chilean Lake District. Starting in 1845, there was a period of German immigration which saw some 40,000 settlers established in this region. As we cycle beside fields of grazing cattle, we'll see that many houses and churches still have a Bavarian look to them. A long and testing ascent brings us ever closer to Llaima. The landscape here is spectacular, with small lakes, forest and close-up views of the volcano. We'll stop off at a local house for a lunch of pasta, before loading up the support vehicle for the short transfer to the village of Cunco. From here, it's a pleasant 34 kilometre ride on tarmac to our overnight base just outside the remote village of Melipeuco. En route to our lodge accommodation, we will also see the impressive Pil- Pil waterfall and a very impressive solidified river of volcanic lava. DESCENT 1100M ASCENT 1100M TIME 5-6 HRS CYCLING HOURS DISTANCE 60KM MEALS BLD Day 3: Cycle via the western entrance of the Conguillio National Park to Manzanar. Dominated by the volcanic peaks, Llaima and Sierra Nevada, the Conguillio National Park is an area of outstanding natural beauty and we will get a first taste of its special landscape today. After breakfast at our accommodation, we will have a short (12 kilometre) vehicle transfer to the start of our day's ride. Following a quiet backroad and heading in a north-westerly direction, it takes an easy couple of hours to reach the sleepy town of Cherquenco with its colourful timber-fronted houses and grazing horses. From here, we cycle on a gravel road to the western entrance of the park. This sector of the park is known as Los Paraguas and there is a small ski centre here which comes into its own in winter. We will find a suitable spot to stop for our picnic lunch, then continue on our bikes to the spectacular 'Four Volcanoes Viewpoint'. From here, we have a final and very enjoyable 7 kilometres of steady descent across the northernmost part of the park. The landscape here is dominated by the snow-peak of Llaima and by the ancient lava field across which we are cycling. Overnight at our excellent and welcoming hosteria (lodge) accommodation in Manzanar. DESCENT 500M ASCENT 500M TIME 5 HRS CYCLING HOURS DISTANCE 54KM MEALS BLD Day 4: Cycle on an old railway track with views of Llaima and Longuimay. Overnight at Melipeuco. In the 1940's, a project was started to build a railway from the Chilean port of Tacahuango to Bahia Blanca in Argentina. Political differences meant the line was never completed, but the hard packed rail bed does make a great cycle route and we follow this on the first part of today's ride. We take a short transfer through the Tunnel Las Raices, until recently the longest tunnel in South America, before cycling up into the China Muerta Forest Reserve. Established in 1968, this reserve area is dedicated to the preservation of important tree species, such as the araucaria (monkey puzzle tree), which can live for more than a 1000 years. These forests of arboreal giants grow close to volcanic zones and, with the backdrop of the volcanoes - Llaima and Longuimay, we are in for a

4 PAGE 4 scenic ride! Today, we will also visit the Quinquem Reserve, managed by the Pehuenches Indian people. After a picnic at the local school, it's back on our bikes for more jeep road ride cycling, including a long and memorable descent to the same Melipeuco accommodation we stayed at 2 nights ago. DESCENT 1000M ASCENT 400M TIME 5 HRS CYCLING HOURS DISTANCE 50KM MEALS BLD Day 5: Superb dirt road and singletrack loop ride through the Conguillio National Park and back to Melepeuco. We make no apologies about returning to the Conguillio National Park today, as we set out to ride a loop that includes the best dirt road and singletrack in this beautiful reserve area. Cycling directly from our Melipeuco accommodation, the tarmac soon gives way to a gravel 4WD road as we gradually climb to enter the park from the south via the main entrance. Sculpted by the many eruptions of Llaima Volcano, this area features deep valleys, with extensive accumulations of lava. The vegetation is distinctive, too, with forests of araucaria trees that make this a unique area to ride through. Highlights of the day include the amazing 'lunar' landscapes, combined with several lakes of different colours, ranging from green to deep blue. The quality of the cycling today is also special, as we follow tracks and trails that cross the fields of volcanic ash that are prevalent in this area. We will find a suitable lakeside stopping place for our picnic lunch and then, after cycling across the entire park, we will loop around and make our return to Melepeuco. ASCENT 800M DISTANCE 52KM DESCENT 800M TIME 5 HRS CYCLING HOURS Day 6: From Cunco, cycle to the lakes of Colico and Caburga. Overnight at the San Sebastian Hot Springs. We have a short drive to Cunco after breakfast. Here, we sort our bikes out and set off on a jeep road which takes us by way of the big lakes of Colico and Caburga, with a stop off for our picnic lunch on the lake shore. The last part of the ride is gently uphill to our basic cabin accommodation at the San Sebastian Hot Springs. This is a remote and isolated area, regularly cut off by snow in the winter. There are wild boar in the forest, which the local people hunt with dogs. The hot springs are a rustic gem, hidden away in the forest and far from the madding crowd. With a selection of pools and wooden tubs there are plenty of places to soak away the strains of cycling, before enjoying a wonderful dinner cooked by our local hosts to the sounds of the traditional 'cueca' music. DESCENT 300M ASCENT 650M TIME 4-5 HRS CYCLING HOURS DISTANCE 48KM MEALS BLD Day 7: Jeep road cycling through the Alpine Huerquehue National Park to Catripulli Village. Now on the south side of Sollipulli, we start our long day with a steep climb on a jeep road which loops around the Huerquehue National Park. There is very little traffic, just a stunning backdrop of mountains and volcanoes for us to enjoy. Arriving at the small village of Reigolil, with its waterfalls and suspension bridges, we follow a quiet track on the eastern side of the river, descending into remote territory, where we could easily bump into a gaucho on his way to cattle market. We stop off for lunch at a sheep farm where there is also a Mapuchean restaurant. At the farm, we can also learn a little about the traditional Mapuchean way of farming and their use of wool for clothing

5 PAGE 5 and handicrafts. In the afternoon we ride amongst scenery reminiscent of an Alpine valley, finally reaching our overnight stop at Catripulli Village where we stay in cabins. Catripulli has lots of hot springs and spas for anyone in need of a soak. DESCENT 1200M ASCENT 800M TIME 6-7 HRS CYCLING HOURS DISTANCE 76KM MEALS BLD Day 8: Cycle back to Lake Villarrica through the ancestral home of the Mapuche people. Overnight at Pucon. Today is relatively easy, as we bike to the shores of Lake Villarrica and the town of Pucon, whose name means 'gateway to the mountains' in the local language. Away from the main road, our route follows the quiet northern bank of the Trancura River through the ancestral home of the Mapuche people. There are great views of Volcano Villarrica during the ride and we will reach Pucon, the adventure capital of the Chilean Lake District, in time for lunch. There are lots of great places to eat and you are free to choose your venue for both lunch and for dinner. The afternoon and evening is free for the group to explore the town which jam packed with restaurants, bars and equipment shops. Overnight in Pucon in cabin accommodation. HOTEL DESCENT 700M ASCENT 500M TIME 4 HRS CYCLING HOURS DISTANCE 53KM MEALS B Day 9: Cycle challenge on Volcan Villarrica, then transfer to Choshuenco on Lake Panguipulli. Rising up abruptly to a height of 2487 metres, Volcan Villarrica provides us with the opportunity for a great mountain bike challenge. After breakfast, those who are up for the challenge can ride the 12 kilometre gravel jeep road that climbs the volcano's lower slopes as far as the Refugio Volcan Villarrica at an elevation of approximately 1150 metres. The first 10 kilometres is at an average inclination of about 7% and it gets a bit steeper after that. There are a lot of Strava segments on this track - the first 8 kilometres has been ridden in 26 minutes, for example. We can expect to take 2 to 3 hours for the climb which winds it way up through recent lava flows. It is a challenge but the support vehicle is always available to help out if needed. We can spend some time admiring the views out across the lake (and exploring amongst the debris erupted as recently as 2015). We can also have coffee in the bar. Then it's about turn for a fast descent back to the outskirts of Pucon, with some great singletrack options on the way down. From Pucon, we then transfer southwards into the heart of the Lake District, passing the lakes of Calafaquen and Panguipulli and stopping off at a roadside restaurant for lunch. Arriving at our hotel accommodation at Choshuenco Village, we can cool off with a swim in the lake. The spectacular Volcan Choshuenco overlooks the village. DESCENT 950M ASCENT 950M TIME 4 HRS CYCLING HOURS DISTANCE 24KM MEALS BD Day 10: Visit the Huilo-Huilo Reserve, cycle to Puerto Fuy and then ferry, bus and bike to San Martin in Argentina. After breakfast, we will bike out to the unique Biological Reserve of Huilo Huilo. Much of this 600 square kilometre tract of native forest was bought in 1998 by Chilean business man Victor Petermann, who has created a haven for

6 PAGE 6 both wildlife and tourism. Not to be missed is a visit to the unique and utterly quirky Magic Mountain Hotel, surrounded by rain forest and by picture postcard waterfalls and rivers. There is even a brewery nestling in the woods that serves wonderful craft beer. We then continue our scenic ride to Lake Pirihueico, where we will aim to catch the early afternoon (1pm) ferry from Puerto Fuy to Puerto Pirihueico. Arriving at the end of the lake after an excellent hour and a half cruise eastwards, is just like turning up at one of the Scottish sea-lochs for a trip out to the Western Isles. Once we disembark, we let our support vehicles take the strain, as we climb to cross the Hua Hum Pass (659m) into Argentina, a distance of around 30 kilometres. Depending on the time, we should then have the option of cycling the last 20 kilometres to San Martin de los Andes, where we check in at our newly-built lodge accommodation a few kilometres outside this beautiful lakeside town. DESCENT 600M ASCENT 600M TIME 4 HRS CYCLING HOURS DISTANCE 40KM MEALS BD Day 11: A morning of trail riding through native forest and via Laguna Rosales. Afternoon free and overnight in San Martin. Spectacularly located at the eastern end of Lago Lacar, the quiet and attractive town of San Martin de los Andes is a focal point for outdoor activities in this part of the Andes. Argentina's famous north to south highway, the 'Ruta 40', passes through the town. There is a wealth of great mountain bike trails for us to explore, including the Huella Andina singletrack and there is the option for our locally based guide to show us some of the best trails on a morning ride. Biking through native forest by way of Laguna Rosales, with great views down to San Martin, the riding is mostly on singletrack, but nothing too technical. The afternoon is free for independent exploration, discovering the town's Swiss wooden architecture and boutique chocolate shops. We will return to our lodge accommodation on time for dinner and overnight. DESCENT 900M ASCENT 900M TIME 4 HRS CYCLING HOURS DISTANCE 30KM MEALS BD Day 12: A second day of trail riding on the slopes of Cerro Chapelco above San Martin After breakfast at the lodge, we cycle down into the centre of San Martin, a distance of around 8 kilometres. Today's cycling will be based around the 'Chapelco MTB Park' on the slopes of the mountain of the same name. These scenic, forested slopes are home to ski runs in the winter and some great mountain bike trails during the summer months. We will take a packed lunch with us and our guide will take us on some of his favourite runs. Again, nothing too technical - just a lot of fun. If the gondolas are running we may be able to get some assistance on the uplift for just a few pesos. We return to town and transfer up to the lodge. After showering, we will return to town and find a traditional restaurant where you will have the option of typical Patagonian food - such as lamb, trout or wild pig. DESCENT 1000M ASCENT 1000M TIME 4-5 HRS CYCLING HOURS DISTANCE 35KM MEALS BL Day 13: Transfer to the Chilean border at Tromen. Cycle to Curarrehue, then drive to overnight at Pucon.

7 PAGE 7 Today, we drive northwards (initially on Ruta 40) to reach the Chilean border at Tromen (1200m). The drive takes around two and a half hours and passes close to the striking, snow-clad Volcan Lanin (3747m). Beyond the customs post, we unload our bikes and saddle up for the final time on this holiday. We are faced with a long descent, mostly on tarmac, to Curarrehue Village (400m), with a couple of stop-offs en route to see impressive waterfalls. After lunch in Curarrehue at a local restaurant, we board the support vehicle and drive (45 mins) to our accommodation at Pucon. There is the option to visit the Mapuchean handicraft market, before our celebratory final evening meal. HOTEL DISTANCE 40KM MEALS BD DESCENT 800M TIME 2-3 HRS CYCLING HOURS Day 14: Departure day. A single transfer to Temuco Airport is provided. KE Land Only package services end after breakfast with a single group transfer to Temuco Airport. For anyone choosing to extend their holiday in Chile, Pucon is a great place to spend a few extra days. MEALS B Extend Your Holiday Extensions When booking your holiday, you will be able to 'add an extension option'. Once we have received your booking we will contact you to discuss additional services required for the extension and to take any additional deposit. Ultimate Fitz Roy And Cerro Torro As one of the most spectacular regions on the planet the UNESCO Los Glaciares National Park is home to a jaw dropping landscape that takes everyone's breath away - stunning mountains, crystal clear lakes, exciting bird and wildlife plus enormous glaciers. On this relaxing extension you re centre-based in the charming village of El Chalten and will enjoy a rich variety of walks including beautiful views of the magnificent Cerro Torro peak. You ll also visit the larger than life Perito Moreno Glacier and hike to Camp Poincenot for breath-taking views of Mount Fitz Roy, named after Captain Fitzroy of Darwin s HMS Beagle. This extension fits in perfectly with KE s Patagonia Paine Circuit and is a wonderful way to see the very best of this magnificent area. (This add on isn't run as a KE group trip but is put together as a relaxing pre/post group holiday addition which adds to the overall experience and offers good value for money. Each day is led by a local leader and you may be sharing your days with other international travellers and a mixed ability of walkers).

8 PAGE 8 Ultimate Fitz Roy and Cerro Torro 6 days From 2065 per person "Land Of Fire" - Tierra Del Fuego The "Land of Fire" or Tierra del Fuego is a breath taking island divided between Argentina and Chile and a must see destination for anyone travelling to Patagonia. It contains one of the most famous stretches of water in the world - The Beagle Channel. KE's excellent extension explores this beautiful part of the world with inflatable canoes, boat and on foot. As the most relaxing way to travel you'll motor and paddle down wonderful waterways, hike secret trails, visit the famed Gable Island with its beaver dams, look for exciting birdlife including seals and meet the penguins on Martillo Island! Staying where the Andes meet the ocean, Ushuaia is the world's most southern town in the world and the perfect place to enjoy a pre or post trekking. (Tierra del Fuego isn t run as a KE group trip but is a relaxing pre/post group holiday add on which adds to the overall experience and offers good value for money. Each day will be led by a local leader and includes a mix of international travellers. Canoe sections are in large inflatable canoes with 6 to 8 people and all equipment is provided, plus you don't need to have any previous paddling experience.) "Land of Fire" - Tierra Del Fuego 4 days From 1225 per person "Rapa Nui" - The Best Of Easter Island As one of the most isolated places on Earth, "Rapa Nui" - Easter Island is a magical speck of land with a mysterious atmosphere and a magnetic quality. Compact and a true cultural experience, the Island is all about eco-tourism and this excellent extension offers the perfect balance of exploring and relaxing. From our comfortable hotel base in Hanga Roa we cover the main highlights of the island plus a lot more! From the gigantic Moai dominating the island to volcanoes hiding unfinished statues and secret lakes, from UNESCO ceremonial villages to breath-taking beaches, Easter Island offers a magical and mystical world where time stands still. (Centre-based in a hotel near the capital, this extension is put together as a relaxing pre/post group holiday add on, which we feel adds to the overall experience and offers good value for money. Each day will be led by a local guide / expert and may include international travellers.) Flights to Easter Island are very limited so we recommend early booking of this extension.

9 PAGE 9 "Rapa Nui" - The Best of Easter Island 5 days From 1375 per person Holiday Information What's Included A local English-speaking cycling guide Group transfers from and back to Temuco Airport on Day 1 and Day 14 All land transfers required by the itinerary Ferry transport on Day 11 One or more support vehicles All accommodation as detailed Meals as detailed in the Meal Plan What's Not Included Travel insurance Tips for support staff Airport transfers (other than as stated) Some meals as detailed in the Meal Plan Miscellaneous personal expenses - drinks and souvenirs etc Bike Carriage on the flights - please check with your carrier for charges Meal Plan Most meals are included. You will pay directly for 5 lunches and 2 dinners. Please see the detailed itinerary for details of which meals are included. You should allow $10 - $15 dollars per lunch and $20 - $25 per dinner. Food Breakfasts are taken at our overnight accommodation and are generally 'continental' in style, with coffee, bread, honey, jam etc, with lots of fresh fruit. Lunches can be a picnic of fruit, bread, cold meats and cheeses. Or, we may take lunch in a wayside cafe or other eatery. Dinners are usually taken in small local restaurants where the regional specialities include seafood, freshwater fish, sausage and, of course, steak. Vegetarians can be catered for. Joining Arrangements & Transfers The group will rendezvous at Temuco Airport on Day 1 of the Land Only itinerary. A single transfer to the group hotel in Villarrica is provided, timed to meet the arrival of the LAN flight from Santiago. This transfer will leave the airport in the evening. If your flight schedule does not allow you to meet this transfer, you should make your own arrangements to reach the group hotel no later than the evening of Day 1 of the Land Only itinerary. TransferTemuco operate a shuttle service which costs around $15 one-way. Hotel contact details and an emergency number will be provided with your booking confirmation.

10 PAGE 10 Accommodation Throughout the holiday, we use a mix of simple hotel, hosteria and tourist park cabin accommodation. Accommodation is generally twin-share with en-suite facilities, although some of the cabins may have a number of twin rooms with shared facilities. If you are travelling by yourself you will be paired up with another single client of the same sex. Single room occupancy can be booked at additional cost. Group Leader & Support Staff There will be an experienced English-speaking biking guide. There will also be one or more support vehicles and drivers. Altitude This holiday does not involve any significant ascent to altitude and we would not expect any altitude issues with this trip. Spending Money We estimate that $300 will be sufficient to cover your requirements including the 6 non-included meals and incidental expenses such as bar bills and tips for the local guide and driver(s). The Chilean currency is the Chilean peso which you can pick up on arrival at Temuco Airport or from ATM s in most towns. You will be able to withdraw a small quantity of Argentinean pesos in San Martin de los Andes for the time you spend there. If you are travelling with cash, we recommend you take US dollars. This is easiest to exchange and in emergency can even be used to purchase goods. Credit cards can be used to purchase goods and to pay for meals in the larger towns. Guidance On Tipping Tips are the accepted way of saying thank you to your local guide and driver(s). They do not form part of their wages. KE always pays local staff the best rates of pay, no matter what country they are in and any tips they receive are seen as a personal thank you from group members. The group should decide on the appropriate level of tipping. Whether you tip and how much should reflect how you feel about the level of service. Your Bike If you are taking your own bike, we suggest that a hardtail mountain bike with front suspension is appropriate for this holiday. It should have a good range of gears and we recommend you fit fast-rolling all-rounder or semi-slick tyres which work well on the surfaced roads and non-technical trails typically found on our Adventure Cycling holidays. Since you are depending on your bike to transport you throughout your holiday, it s important to ensure it is in good working order. If you are not mechanically minded, get your local bicycle dealer to service it for you. Please contact us if you are unsure about the suitability of your bike. Bike Hire Good quality hire bikes are available locally for this trip. Our ground agent in Argentina can provide Cannondale Trail 29 6 (2014) hardtail bikes, equipped with Tektro disc brakes and 80 mm Suntour forks. Alternatively, he can supply Santa Cruz Tallboy 29 full suspension bikes, which have a mix of Sram and Shimano components and 120 mm forks. The cost of hiring these bikes for the duration of the trip is US$ 220 for the Cannondale US$ 385 for the

11 PAGE 11 Sant Cruz (March subject to change) and this must be paid directly to the tour leader on arrival in Villarrica in US dollars cash. Please note, if you rent a bike you will be liable in the case of it being lost or damaged. If you wish to hire a bike, please contact the KE office and we can reserve one on your behalf. We must stress that your hire contract will be with our local agent and that KE cannot be held responsible for any issues arising from bike hire. If you hire a bike, we recommend that you take your own shoes, pedals and possibly even your saddle, which will go a long way towards making it feel like your own bike. You will also need to take your own helmet, which must be worn at all times when riding. The hire bikes are fitted with flat pedals and regular knobbly tyres. Travelling With Your Bike Airlines require that you pack your bike properly for travel and for this holiday we recommend that you use either soft bike bag or a purpose-made bike box or case. Whether you are using a bag or a case, you will need to partially dismantle your bike to pack it. Please note that bike bags or boxes will be placed in secure storage and will not travel with us during the course of the trip. Please contact us if you have any questions about travelling with your bike. Vehicle Support For most of this holiday (around 90% of the route) we have the back up of one or more support vehicles. Each morning when moving to different overnight accommodation, our main baggage will be loaded onto the support vehicle which will follow the group on the day's ride. We want everyone to enjoy their cycling experience on this trip and we recognise the importance of group members being allowed to cycle at their own pace. Although it is quite usual for the group to be strung out, with a fair distance between the front and rear cyclists, we will have regular stops to allow the group to reform. The support vehicle will pick up any group members who wish to take a break from cycling at any time. Free KE Gift We give you a free gift as a way to thank all our clients who book a KE holiday. Choose from KE T-shirts, buffs, KE trek bags* (where applicable) plus many more. Alternatively you can choose to make a 10 donation to the Juniper Trust Charity. You can make your selection in your My KE account after booking. * A free KE trek bag is available on this holiday. Delivery outside of the UK will be charged. Baggage Allowance Apart from your bike in its bag or box (if you are taking your own bike), you should travel with one main item of luggage, such as a KE Trek Bag or similar holdall, as well as a small day pack or mountain bike-specific hydration pack. The day pack can be used to carry valuable items such as cameras and GPS devices whilst travelling and will also carry your day-ride essentials during the rides. Your baggage allowance on the flights will depend on your airline. When choosing your flights, whether booking them directly or through KE, you will need to consider the cost of carrying your bike. These costs are your responsibility. Group Size & Holiday Status For each holiday there is a minimum number of participants required to enable it to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to run'. You can check the trip status for each departure in Dates and Prices table. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not cancel a trip

12 PAGE 12 once it has achieved this guaranteed to run status and so you are free to proceed with your international flight booking and other travel arrangements. General Information Passport & Visas A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required for visits to countries outside the EU. The information that we provide is for UK passport holders. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for other nationalities. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice. If you are travelling outside the EU you should have at least 2 blank pages in your passport for each country that you visit. Visa Argentina UK passport holders do not require a visa for short stays. For USA passport holders there is presently no fee to enter Argentina land, sea or plane. However there are different entry rules for official, diplomatic and dual nationality passport holders. For further details please visit The US Department of State website. Visa Chile UK and USA passport holders do not require a visa for short stays. USA passport holders will be issued with a tourist card on arrival. Health & Vaccinations You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you require any specific vaccinations or other preventive measures. You should be up to date with routine courses and boosters as recommended in the UK e.g. diphtheria-tetanus-polio and measles-mumps-rubella, along with hepatitis A and typhoid. A good online resource is Travel Health Pro. Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes, like malaria. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Currency The unit of currency in Chile is the Peso. The unit of currency in Argentina is the Peso. Electricity Supply & Plug We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:

13 PAGE 13 Preparing For Your Holiday The better conditioned you are the more you will enjoy your trip. We suggest that you adopt a sensible weekly exercise regime, gradually increasing your distances and/or terrain difficulty as you get nearer to departure. We also recommend you make time to fit in a number of long rides in hilly country to ensure you are physically capable of taking part in this holiday. This will also provide you with an opportunity to make sure all your riding kit is tried and tested before you travel. Cycling is obviously the best activity to prepare for this trip, but running, squash and swimming are also good for developing aerobic fitness and stamina. Travel Aware As a reputable tour operator, KE supports the British Foreign & Commonwealth Offices' Travel Aware campaign to enable British citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas. The 'Travel Aware' website provides a single, authoritative source of advice for all kinds of travellers and we recommend that prior to travel, all KE clients visit the official UK Government website at travelaware.campaign.gov.uk and read the FCO Travel Advice for their chosen destination. North Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website: for essential travel advice and tips. KE treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe. Should the FCO advise against travel for any reason, we will contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation. We receive regular updates direct from the FCO and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground. If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office. Climate This itinerary takes place at relatively low level and the daytime temperatures we will encounter during the southern hemisphere summer season will typically average degrees centigrade. From November to April is the dry season in northern Patagonia, but rain can occur at any time of year in the Lake District. Books Chile. Lonely Planet Argentina. Lonely Planet Land & Wildlife of South America. Marston Bates Travels in a Thin Country. Sarah Wheeler Maps Chile Compass Editorial 400K Regional Maps Sheet 6. Villarrica etc.. Chile on nine indexed and GPS compatible regional maps at 1:400,000 from Compass Editorial, printed on light, waterproof and tear-resistant synthetic paper. The maps provide an excellent representation of the topography and show many more locations than general maps of the whole country.

14 PAGE 14 Flight Information Flight Inclusive Or Land Only? On our website we display a UK Flight inclusive package price and Land only package price for the majority of our holidays. Flight Inclusive Notes The FLIGHT INCLUSIVE dates and prices are based on UK flights from London (Heathrow) to Temuco with LATAM Outbound flights will depart from the UK in the evening, arriving in the early evening of the following day (Day 1 of the Land Only itinerary). The return flight departs from Temuco early afternoon on Day 14 of the Land Only itinerary, arriving in the UK in the afternoon of the following day. Regional departures and/or alternative carriers are available on request. Please note that 2 sets of tickets will be issued for you. Please be aware that there are often only a limited number of seats available at the advertised price. To avoid paying flight supplements, we recommend that you book as early as possible, especially during peak times. If we are unable to secure seats at the price shown, or you have requested regional departures, we will contact you with an alternative quote. Please note that you may be asked to pay for your flights in advance of your final holiday balance. Note that if you book a package including flights with KE you will benefit from full financial protection. Land Only Notes The LAND ONLY dates and prices are for the itinerary joining in Villarrica. For clients making their own flight arrangements, Temuco Airport is the most convenient for connections to Villarrica. Please refer to the Joining Arrangements and Transfers for further details. Flights SHOULD NOT be booked until you have received your booking confirmation and the departure is shown as 'Guaranteed to run' or 'Limited'. Why Choose KE Adventure Travel? Why Choose KE Adventure Travel? Experience KE has 34 years experience of adventure travel worldwide. All of our holidays are accompanied by an experienced leader, some of whom have worked with KE groups for many years. Many are professional guides and instructors with an unrivalled knowledge of the areas in which they work. In many parts of the world, we recruit local guides with appropriate training and experience. In addition to having the technical skills to ensure your safety, KE expects its leaders to be active members of the group. A leader should be fun to travel with and ready to share with you their enthusiasm for adventure travel and their knowledge of the area. Alongside the group leader, there will be a local support crew, which could be just a driver, or a complete team of guides, drivers, porters, muleherders and cooks. The hard work of our support crews, along with the fascinating insight they can offer into their local culture, is integral to providing you with the very best adventure travel experience. The team of KE office staff is amongst the most experienced in the business, with the proven ability to set up and operate a worldwide programme of adventures. Every one has adventure travel at heart and joins at least one trip a year. It is this depth of experience that makes KE stand out from other adventure travel operators. When you contact KE, by phone or , or visit our office, you will find the help and advice you need, from someone who

15 PAGE 15 has actually done the trip and can give you the benefit of their first-hand experience. KE can guarantee the very best in trek support, excellent food, a good standard of hotel and camp accommodation, plus the back up of one of the most respected companies in the business. Client satisfaction is at the top of our agenda and almost 50% of our bookings each year come from repeat business. If you are looking for adventure then look no further than KE. RESPONSIBLE TOURISM AND AWARDS Responsible Tourism has always fitted naturally with KEs travel ethic. It is important to us that our clients are not the only beneficiaries of the travel experience, but that we share a two-way relationship with the areas that we visit. We make sure that our local staff are well treated and well paid, we respect indigenous cultures, take care to protect the environment and make the most of every opportunity to make a positive contribution wherever we travel. In addition to holding an AITO 5-star Sustainable Tourism rating, we are recipients of AITO s Achievement in Sustainable Tourism Award in recognition of the work carried out over the past 20 years, giving back to the communities and areas we visit. We have been awarded Highly Commended status in the Best Tour Operator category of the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards, and were named Best Trekking Operator on Earth by National Geographic Magazine, whose criteria included commitment to responsible tourism. We continue to travel responsibly, and more information on our policy, practice, and specific projects can be found at and on the website of our partner charity the Juniper Trust: KEs Mountain Code is issued to our staff, trek leaders and overseas agents, and we recommend it to our clients, too! Your Complete Financial Protection KE Adventure Travel is a fully licensed and bonded tour operator. We are a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO), bonded with the CAA (ATOL 2808) and ABTA licensed (W4341). You can book your trip with KE Adventure Travel in complete confidence that all monies you pay for a trip are fully protected. BOOKING YOUR HOLIDAY Making a Booking The easiest way to make your booking is online. You will need to pay a deposit at the time of booking. This is normally 200 but for some holidays with special permit fees or internal flights, this may be more. The amount of deposit required for an individual holiday is given on the dates and prices page of the holiday. Late bookings will require full payment. We cannot confirm any booking until we receive your fully completed booking form. Adventure Travel Insurance IMPORTANT - It is a condition of joining any of our trips that you are insured against medical and personal accident risks (to include repatriation costs, air ambulance and helicopter rescue services). We also strongly recommend that you take out holiday cancellation insurance, as all deposits paid are non-refundable. Please ensure that your insurer is aware of your KE Adventure itinerary and can agree to cover the activities being undertaken. You will then need to advise us of your policy details and complete an Insurance Declaration Form. CAMPBELL IRVINE DIRECT travel insurance is available to EU residents and will cover the majority of KE Adventure holidays. It has been designed to provide cover for activities normally excluded by other insurers such as trekking, mountain biking and climbing. Please note that certain activities may attract a higher premium. In

16 PAGE 16 addition Campbell Irvine Direct cannot provide cover for KE climbing trips above 6000m. Cover for these can be obtained through either the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) or Snowcard. TRAVELEX is a USA based insurer offering travel insurance, which can be used by US citizens and US residents only. KE recommends the "Travelex Select" package for our holidays. If your holiday involves using mountaineering equipment (ropes, harness or crampons), for climbing or glacial travel, you should consider the "Adventure Plus Pak" optional upgrade on the Travelex Select Plan. Please refer to the 'Description of Coverage' for a summary of the terms, conditions, exclusions and limitations of the applicable Protection Plan. This policy will also cover KE climbing trips above 6000m. We hope that this trip notes has answered most of your questions. Please feel free to contact us and speak to one of our experts.

17 PAGE 17 Equipment List For this holiday you will need your usual cycling clothing, including shoes, cycling gloves and helmet (which must be worn at all times when cycling). Whether you are hiring a bike or taking your own, we recommend that you take the usual day-ride essentials of: mobile phone, multi-tool, mini-pump, tyre levers, spare tubes and puncture repair kit. Bike Wear Cycling helmet Cycling shoes Daypack or mountain bike-specific hydration pack (e.g. Camelbak) Water bladder - min. 2 litres water capacity Padded (baggy) cycling shorts Long leg cycling trousers or leg warmers Base-layer short sleeve cycling tops Mid-layer - long sleeved cycling tops Fleece jacket or jumper Lightweight windproof top Lightweight waterproof jacket Regular biking gloves Long-fingered biking gloved Warm hat that fits under your helmet Buff Sunglasses Sun cream (inc. total bloc for lips/nose) Camera Other Stuff Travel and off-the-bike clothing and footwear Wash bag, towel, toiletries, including anti-bacterial handwash Headtorch and spare batteries Swimwear Basic First Aid kit and personal medication Chamois cream (e.g. Assos/Ozone) Sheet sleeping bag liner (silk liners are lightest) Spares If you are hiring a bike you do not need to bring any spares. The hire bikes are provided in good condition and a supply of spares is carried. You may be asked to pay directly for any spares used, especially in the case of crash damage or damage by mis-use. If you are taking your own bike, you should consider taking a minimum of spares,

18 PAGE 18 including a couple of spare spokes (for each wheel if they are different), spare brake blocks (or brake disc pads), chain links/chain connector, rear derailleur hanger and any non-standard parts specific to your bike. Repairs Whilst not essential, it is a good idea that you familiarise yourself with how to carry out at least some basic repairs to your bike e.g. changing an inner tube and fixing a puncture. Your bike guide will be happy to help with repairs and general maintenance, but being able to carry out a simple repair yourself could save the inconvenience of having to wait for assistance. Hydration And Energy Snacks You should take suitable water bottle(s) or a hydration pack and you should also consider taking a small supply of the gels, power bars or sports drink mix that you would normally use on a ride at home. Please contact us if you have any questions about your equipment. Please note: This document was downloaded on 10 Apr 2018, and the trip is subject to change.