mountain bike tour chile
Quick summary: guided mtb tour in patagonia south america
Tour runs from Sunday to Saturday with one distinct single-track ride Monday - Friday (Nov - late March)
Five distinct single-track rides
ride down an active volcano
bike through a biological reserve with the smallest deer in the word….slightly bigger than a bunny
MTB in the southernmost rainforest in the world with the 2nd oldest tree species known as the Patagonia Cypress
Desolation trail in the 1st national park
Ride down a twin peak volcano close to the Chile/Argentina border
Tour includes the use of the Giant Trance 2 (27.5) full suspension bike
Strong intermediate level of MTB skill, along with having an above-average level of fitness (slightly above) is needed for this guided singletrack tour
This tour is ONLY offered ONCE per year
is this tour for me?
This MTB tour is for people that want to maximize their time in northern Patagonia. The route features 5 single-track rides and 6 different lodging locations in 7 days. We only operate this specific route ONCE per year. This MTB-vacation also packs in 2-3 hot springs, 2 Chilean BBQs, including one in Puerto Octay. Read the full itinerary below for full details.
Chilean drinks
Chilean wine - Taste that volcanic soil
Craft beer- Ingredients from the Patagonia
Terremoto drink - Holiday cocktail that seams to be served year-round….Or is it???
Carmenere - Grape variety that only grows in Chile
Piscola - Equal parts pisco and cola
day one: arrive in Valdivia
Today you will arrive in Valdivia, Chile. We will pick you up from the airport, and drop you off at the most luxurious hotel in the city, located right in the heart of Valdivia. After you have a chance to get settled in, we will stroll through Valdivia for some local food and go to one of the best microbreweries in all of Chile.
After, feel free to relax, saunter through the botanical garden or just unwind on a beautiful beach, while watching the sunset.
day two: ride down an active volcano and bike to a hot spring
For the first ride of the trip, we begin by riding down one of the most active volcanoes on the planet, located within Villarrica National Park. After, we will bike down to the most picturesque hot springs in all of South America.
After relaxing in the hot springs we will shuttle to our lodging for the evening, and enjoy a wonderful Chilean BBQ. Your night-time accommodation will be close to Calafquén Lake, which is known to have the nicest beach of all the lakes in northern Patagonia.
High points
MTB down Rucapillán, which is an active volcano near Pucón. The last major eruption occurred March 3rd, 2015.
Soaking and relaxing in the Termas Geométricas. Seventeen slate pools carved into an Andean canyon that fills up with natural hot spring water through 60+ thermal fountains. Technically speaking, 18 pools exist here, but one is hidden and will remain a mystery to the majority.
today’s agenda
Lodging location: Coñaripe: Interesting fact: Coñaripe was destroyed in 1964 when the volcano erupted
Main meal: Classic Chilean asado
Daily distance: 15 miles total with only 3 miles of climbing
day three: Single-track through a biological reserve
Today we will ride arguably the greatest singletrack in all of Chile. This track overlooks four volcanoes, is in the heart of the Andes mountain range, and on a clear day, we can peer into Argentina.
This trail is located in the Huilo- Huilo Biological Reserve. Huilo Huilo is 150,000 acres of pure ecotourism paradise, consisting of fairytale style hotels, abundant wildlife including pumas, numerous waterfalls, and is surrounded by mountains and volcanoes.
After one of the best rides of your life, it’s time to transport yourself into your Lord of the Rings-style lodging and enjoy being in the Huilo-Huilo Biological Reserve, right in the Andes mountain range! To top off the evening, this reserve even has its own microbrewery…..Cheers!
High points
Petermann Brewery located within the reserve
Fairytale lodging
Smallest deer in the world (barely bigger than a bunny)
today’s agenda
Loding location: Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve
Main meal: Dinner and beers from the Cervecería Petermann (first drink on us)
Daily distance: 15 miles total with 4 miles of climbing
DAY FOUR: RIDE DOWN A TWIN PEAK VOLCANO WHILE CROSSING THROUGH TWO NATURAL RESERVES
This route is a classic and complete single-track XC ride. We will begin the day by shuttling as high up the Mocho-Choshuenco Volcano as we can and finish in the town of Neltume. This trail crosses through two natural reserves! After, it’s time to drive even deeper into Patagonia.
high points
Single-tracking down a twin-peaked volcano near the Argentinian and Chilean border
Relaxing on Lake Llanquihue to finish the day. This lake is close to Volcano Osorno, which is known as the Mount Fuji of South America. Volcán Osorno is a massive conical strato-volcano but hasn’t erupted since 1869
today’s agenda
Lodging location: Puerto Octay. This town is located right on Llanquihue Lago
Main meal: El Espantapajaros. This restaurant offers amazing views of the 2nd largest lake in Chile, along with the largest volcano. This restaurant is known for its succulent jabalí (wild boar) cooked on 12-foot spits
Daily distance: 15 miles total with 6 miles of climbing
Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park
The Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park was the first National Park of Chile and was established on August 17th, 1926.
This ~ 630,000-acre park is packed with wildlife.
Among the mammals, this park is known for pudus, pumas, winks, and the river otter
Two notable species of marsupials are found here. The trompuda and the mountain monkey. Both of these animals are only native to southwestern South America.
This park is home to numerous species of birds, including the Correntine duck, black carpenter, Chilean woodstar (small green-backed hummingbird), the eagle and the ringed kingfisher
DAY FIVE: DESOLATION TRAIL IN VICENTE PÉREZ ROSALES NATIONAL PARK
Today’s ride takes place in the Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park, which is the oldest national park in all of Chile. The park features the Saltos de Petrohué waterfall and 3 volcanoes (Osorno, Puntiagudo & Tronador), all while being in the Andes mountain range. This park is also known for its abundance of wildlife, including pumas, pudú, opossum, parakeets, eagles, and condors.
Today’s ride starts on an old logging road and finishes with quite possibly the best section of singletrack of the whole trip. Many people describe it as “volcano surfing on a bike”.
high points
The Saltos de Petrohué waterfall
Sleeping at a hotel with hot springs in a National Park
today’s agenda
Lodging location: Puyehue area
Main meal: Buffet at the hotel
Daily distance: 16 miles total with 6 miles of climbing
DAY SIX: BIKE THROUGH THE SOUTHERNMOST RAINFOREST IN THE WORLD
For our final ride together we will bike the best sections of the Torrencial Valdivia Trail. This trail is a 39 mile-long trail that consists of both single track and double track. The Torrencial Valdivia Trail winds through the untamed nature of four separate wilderness areas: the Pilunkura Reserve, Oncol Park, Quitaqui Park, and Corcovado Park, all located within the Valdivia Coastal Range. These protected areas are home to the rare Darwin’s frog, the puma, and the white-throated hawk.
Once again we will let the shuttle do the brunt of the uphill climbing, which brings us to the highest point of the entire range. Enjoy the views and the descent all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
After, we will drive to Niebla, and check out a Spanish fort from the 17th century, and walk to our beachside lodging. Plentiful seafood options and local food are to be found in this non-touristy Pacific side town.
high points
Boat ride through the Valdivia River and Cruces River to the trailhead in Punucapa
One of the best breweries in all of Chile. The Cerveceria Selva Fría offers international award-winning beer. This micro-cerverceria is a 40-minute boat ride from downtown-Valdivia
Swimming in the Pacific Ocean after biking the Torrencial Valdivia Trail
Fresh seafood
today’s agenda
Lodging location: Niebla (an oceanside town about 10 miles from Valdivia)
Main meal: Numerous fresh and local seafood options
Daily distance: 15 miles total with about 3 miles of climbing
DAY SEVEN (SATURDAY) : DEPARTURE DAY FROM VALDIVIA
Today we will drop you off at the airport and say a heartfelt goodbye. You will be flying out of the airport located 40-minutes outside of Valdivia, Chile.