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South American Epic section 8

Summary

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The Lake District This is the 8th section of the South American Epic, Santiago to Puerto Montt Leaving the metropolis of Santiago, you will spin into the Colchagua valley wine growing region, alongside the Rio Mantequito, and then down Chile's rugged Pacific Coast. You will cycle through the spectacular Lake District – an area featuring dozens of lakes, snow capped volcanoes, rushing rivers and tranquil forests. On to the harbor city of Puerto Montt. The Lake District

Recreational, Road bike, Mountain bike
16 days
1520 km / 945 mi
$ 4,450.-

    Price for this tour not available yet

  • Santa Cruz & the renowned Colchaqua Valley wine region
  • Sampling seafood along Chile’s southren Pacific coastline
  • Backroads and river crossings
  • Lakeside views of Osorno and other volcanoes
  • Deposit $170.- pp.

Gallery

Details

Type
Recreational, Road bike, Mountain bike
Duration
16 days
Level
Easy = untrained, normal physical condition
Moderate = regular cyclist, good condition
Challenging = experienced, well trained
Moderate
Support
Guided = with cycling guide(s) - support van
Self Guided = individual - directions+maps
Guided
Daily distance
100-120 km / 62-75 mi
Total distance
1520 km / 945 mi
Lodging
Deluxe = 4-5 star hotel or excellent B&B
Basic = 1-2 star hotel/motel or B&B
Camping = tent, sports hall or campus
Camping, full board
Luggage transport
Daily luggage transfers
Bicycle
Not included
Dates
31 Oct 2024 - 14 Nov 2024
This section is fully booked. Please mail us to be added to our waitlist. Registration for 2026 is now open.
Start
Santiago, Chile
Finish
Puerto Montt, Chile
Airport at start
Santiago SCL
Airport at finish
Puerto Montt, El Tepual PMC

Prices *Please note the prices are subject to change depending availability*

Price per person / please note the prices are subject to change depending availability
The tour price per person
$ 4,450.-

Itinerary

Included / Not included


The Lake District
Spinning out of Santiago, the riders will head into Chile’s agricultural heartland. A Mediterranean climate has resulted in an endless array of orchards and vineyards. The cyclists will quickly find themselves pedalling through the Colchagua Valley, the country’s largest wine region. The area’s loamy soil, abundant sunshine, dry air and cool nights produce some of the world’s best Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Carmenere. After sampling a few of these delicious wines, the riders will head west across the rolling hills towards the Pacific coast.

The next few days see the cyclists heading south while hugging Chile’s rugged western coast. The route takes them through small oceanfront villages where they can stop to enjoy a wide variety of local seafood specialties. The scenery alternates between quiet sandy beaches and wild surf, waves crashing over the jagged rocks. The pace of life is slow here – oxen still pull carts of papayas and potatoes to market. The coastal city of Concepcion was once the Spanish Empire’s southernmost fortified outposts and is the site for the next rest day. Periodically ravaged by earthquakes, this industrial city is home to more than a dozen universities. Interested riders can take a half-day tour out to the nearby Mina Chiflon del Diablo (Devil’s Whistle Mine). Here ex-miners will take them down into a naturally ventilated undersea mine and out to a coalface 50 m under the ocean.

The route now heads back inland over rolling hills bound for the spectacular Lake District – an area featuring dozens of glacial lakes, looming, snow capped volcanoes, rushing rivers, tranquil forests, hidden vineyards, quaint German-style inns and manicured lawns. This region is also home to the Mapuche (People of the Land), Chile’s largest indigenous group. They were the first and only group in South America to have their independence legally recognized. Riders will enjoy a rest day in Villarrica, a quaint town on the shores of Lago Villarrica. Here they will have the opportunity to shop for local handicrafts, visit the tourist destination of Pucon or even mountain bike down foreboding Volcan Villarica.

The last stages of the section take the cyclists south past numerous beautiful lakes, national parks and nature reserves, all framed in the background by the majestic Andes. The route passes through the rustic town of Puerto Octay, perched scenically on the shores of Lago Llanquihue. One of the oldest towns settled by German immigrants, the historic homes are worth exploring. The riders will skirt the shores of the lake, taking in the views across the water of the menacing volcanoes, Osorno and Calbuco, before pulling into the Patagonian gateway town of Puerto Montt.

* This is a general itinerary. Tour itineraries are subject to change based on the group, available accommodations and other unforeseen circumstances such as the weather, local conditions, government intervention, that may affect the quality of the trip and/or safety of the participants. Please view this itinerary as an outline as to what to expect on this tour.

Level: intermediate

Some long and tough days with shorter less challenging days mixed in. Environment (sometimes including wind and heat) and terrain (including some significant climbing) are more of a factor. Some unexpected challenges may creep in from time to time.

Included:

Accommodation the night before first cycling day and the night of last cycling day are included in entry fee.
6 nights hotels, double occupancy rooms on hotel nights, we pair each rider with others of same gender
10 Nights of camping, bring your own camping gear
Most dinners, Most breakfasts, All roadside lunches, Afternoon soup on riding days
Experienced chef
Vehicle to carry your bags
Experienced tour leader
Sweep rider
Security as needed
Bike mechanic
Medic
Local support
Pre-tour information bulletitins
Pre-tour rider discussion forum

Not included:

Bring your own bike, For this section, we recommend a touring bike with 35-40c tires.
Airfare to and from the tour
Gratuity guides

We advise booking at least 1 additional night at tour accommodation before the tour, to be able to attend rider briefing and have assistance from tour bike mechanic in setting up your bike.

Map & Routes

Map
Satellite

Bicycle

For this section, we recommend a touring bike with 35-40c
For more information see PDF file below

Downloads

KM per day section 8 South American Epic
choosing a bicycle
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