Argentina Road Cycling Tour 13 Days

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1 Argentina Road Cycling Tour 13 Days Come and discover the magic of North Patagonia on a 13 Day Argentina Road Cycling tour. This tour offers many highlights including: The magical island of Chiloe: on the Pacific Ocean, Chiloe has a unique culture, great sights, including the ocean, countryside, and quaint towns with a unique architechture; as well as excellent roads with varied terrain, including long flats, rolling hills and steep climbs. The Chilean Lakes District: Lake Llanquihue, the Volcanoes, Frutillar and the German towns, farms and green, rolling countryside Puyehue Thermal Baths and Hotel: a highlight in itself, the hotel and its surroundings are a landmark in the Chilean Lakes region. The Crossing of the Andes over the Cardenal Samore Pass: a challenging ride with Global Adventure Guide - Unit 3, 14 Kennaway Road - Christchurch, New Zealand - res@globaladventureguide.com US Freephone: UK Freephone: AUST Freephone: NZ Freephone: NZ Tel: NZ Fax:

2 incredible scenery, crossing the lush Valdivian Rainforest in Chile and the high Andean Forests of Argentina. The Seven Lakes Route and San Martin de los Andes: this famous route crosses the heart of the Nahuel Huapi and Lanín National Parks in Argentina; San Martin is a chic, elegant mountain town, a wonderful and exclusive place to spend one night. The transition from the Patagonian Steppe to the Andes: the ride from San Martin to Confluencia will take us through an incredible transition in ecosystems and scenery, riding through the magnificent Steppe, including the "Enchanted Valley", where the Patagonian desert begins. A catamaran trip around the beautiful Arrayanes Peninsula, and across the Nahuel Huapi Lake. Incredible cycling on the edge of the Andes, between Bariloche and El Bolson, through the "Andean Shire": beautiful nature, the quaint hippy town of El Bolson. Esquel: this a great place to end the trip in that the region offers many awesome options for further travel - Los Alerces National Park lies just outside town, maybe the most striking national park in Patagonia; Trevelin, a town founded by the Welsh, is approx 30 kms away, as well as the incredible region of Futaleufu, in Chile. Day 1 Arrival Puerto Montt Arrive today to the port city of Puerto Montt in Southern Chile. Puerto Montt is well serviced by a good airport where guests can fly into via Santiago. It is the fastest-growing city in southern Chile, due to the explosive growth of salmon culture. Puerto Montt is also the gateway to Chiloe Island and the many other smaller islands in Chile's inland sea. Day 2 Puerto Montt Quellon Today we transfer by mini van to Quellon in Chiloe, we enjoy lunch along the way. Chiloe has developed a unique culture within Southern Chile which is still very evident today. Weʼll cross through small, quaint fishing villages and experience its wonderfully fresh seafood.

3 Day 3 Quellon to Castro We have a wonderful day of road cycling ahead of us today as we cross the southern half of Chiloe Island. Weʼll have plenty of rolling hills to ride over, through very pretty countryside with incredible views of the Pacific Ocean, and with a bit of luck weʼll see the Andes Range off in the distance. Weʼll pedal into our hotel in Castro, the capital of Chiloe which still preserves its wooden houses on stilts over the water (the famous palafitos). This evening we can stroll trhough Castroʼs central plaza and the waterfront, visit the fish market, or enjoy the picturesque cafes and old pubs where plenty of Chilote hospitality is served. (Cycling, 90km), (B). Day 4 Castro to Ancud Today we have more wonderful roads to cycle including some rolling hills with a few steep climbs. Weʼll cross the northern half of the Island, and ride into the northern shores of the Pacific Ocean. We make our way to Ancud which was the last stronghold of the Spanish in the Americas, and a stone fortress with Spanish canyons is still testament to this. Ancud is a great place to watch the sunset from over the craggy hills falling into the Ocean. (Cycling, 118km), (B). Day 5 Ancud to Frutillar Today we cycle out of Ancud in time to catch a ferry ride joining the island with the mainland. We ride through scenic farmland, ever nearer the volcanoes and the Andes Range. Weʼll enter the Chilean Lakes Region which was colonized and developed by German pioneers in the 19 th century. There is still evidence of this everywhere. We spend the night in Frutillar on the shores of picturesque Lake Llanquihue. (Cycling, 113km), (B) Day 6 Rest Day in Frutillar Frutillar is a small, pretty town founded by the Germans. There are many activities available here today including excursions to Osorno Volcano, rafting, mountain biking or kayaking, spending the day on a farm or just resting in Frutillar. (B). Day 7 Frutillar to Termas de Puyehue Back on our bikes today, we ride through farmland and huge eucalyptus tree groves before eventually reaching the Panamerican Road (International highway system connecting North and South America). We head straight for the Andes Range, over the shores of Lake Puyehue. On the way weʼll have plenty of views of the volcanoes (the Osorno, Puntiagudo, Casablanca, and others), and some great hills to ride over as we near the foothills of the Andes. (Cycling, 165km), (B).

4 Day 8 Termas de Puyehue to San Martin de Andes Today is the day weʼve been waiting for the day we take a challenging ride across the Andes from approximately 400m to 1300m at the top of the Cardenal Samore Pass, crossing the lush, green Valdivian Rainforest in Chile. Our reward is the incredible descent into the Lakes of the Nahuel Huapi National Park in the Argentine provence of Neuqun. After a picnic lunch on the volcanic beaches of the amazing Lago Espejo (Mirror Lake), we transfer over the famous Seven Lakes Route, a truly magnificent ride, taking about two hours, into San Matin de los Andes. This is a very chique and exclusive mountain town deep in the heart of the Angentinian Andes. (Cycling, 80km), (B). Day 9 San Martin de los Andes to Confluencia This morning we ride out of San Martin leaving the forests behind. We enter the Patagonian Steepe (the dry, almost desert-like ecosystem that covers most of Patagonia in Argentina). The scenery is magnificient, and weʼll have plenty of chances to sight the Andean Condor, Guanacos (a cousing of the Llama), and Red Deer. Weʼll find a scenic spot for a picnic lunch, eventually arriving in Confluencia, a tiny settlement over the Limay River. There is a small lodge here where weʼll set in for a cozy night. (Cycling, 164km), (B) Day 10 Rest Day - Bariloche Today weʼll shuttle out of Confluencia, crossing the amazing Valle Encantado (Enchanted Valley), which gets its name from the incredible shapes that the wind and water has given to the mountains and rocks surrounding the valley of the Limay River. We'll drive over the shores of the Limay until entering the central sector of Nahuel Huapi National Park, and head towards beautiful Villa La Angostura, a pretty mountain town on the shores of the lake. At La Angostura, you'll have some time to stroll around we'll suggest a few great places for lunch on your own. In the early afternoon, we'll head to the famous Peninsula of Arrayanes, which holds a unique myrtlewood forest, which we will hike through (13 kms), and after which we will board a modern, comfortable catamaran boat crossing us over the Nahuel Huapi lake, to its southern shore. We'll drive into central Bariloche, giving us a chance to see its beautiful surroundings. Bariloche is a great city for a rest night, with many options for entertainment and relaxation, as well as all city amenities (such as laundry, telephone and internet, banks, etc). (B) Day 11 Bariloche to El Bolson We ride the famous Route 40 which stretches the entire length of Argentina, (from the border of Bolivia down to Tierra del Fuego). Weʼll ride along the eastern edge of the Nahuel Huapi National Park, crossing the incredibly beautiful scenery and nature, into the Andean Shire of El Bolson. There are great options for stopping for lunch here, either in restaurants or for picnics. El Bolson is an old pioneer town that eventually turned into an

5 important crafts and agriculture center. Weʼll enjoy the summer weather strolling through its central plaza, visiting brewery where the beer is made with famous local hops, or just relaxing in our lodge, after watching the sunset behind the Andes. (Cycling, 115km), (B). Day 12 El Bolson to Esquel Riding over the mythical Route 40, weʼll cross some remote farmlands and settlements, sometimes right under the jagged peaks of the Andes. Weʼll eventually near the edge of the Patagonian desert again, until we head into the valley of Esquel, another pioneer town in a beautiful setting. (Cycling, 185), (B). Day 13 Departure Day We transfer to Esquel airport or an option is to travel back to Bariloche in the tour bus. Total Cycling Distance Approximately 1135km of cycling with options for more. Included: Hotel: 12 nights, 3*** and 4**** accommodation Minivan Tour guides Breakfast daily 1 x lunch 3 dinners including welcome and goodbye dinners, drinks not included Tips at restaurants and hotels that are part of the tour Grade: 3 Challenging: Challenging tours are designed for the more experienced participant wishing to push themselves and experience new highs of achievement. Routes will include longer climbs and more technical skills but will fall short of masochistic. Fitness Required: A good level of fitness is required, exercising three-four times a week before the tour. Global Adventure Guide - Unit 3, 14 Kennaway Road - Christchurch, New Zealand - res@globaladventureguide.com US Freephone: UK Freephone: AUST Freephone: NZ Freephone: NZ Tel: NZ Fax: