Mountain Biking on the Altiplano

Amazon Adventures

Chile

Classic Chile / Santiago area / Patagonia / Lake District
Easter Island / Biking / Atacama Desert / Expedition Cruises
Fiord Cruises / Treks / Multisport / Sea Kayaking / Hacienda Life

MOUNTAIN BIKE ON THE ALTIPLANO

Mountain biking is more and more popular all around the world. In this program we invite you to live an unforgettable experience enjoying the pleasures of mountainbiking in the beautiful landscapes of the Andes Mountain Range. Adapted for everybody, this expedition combines cycling, trekking and overland in the nicest national parks of the high plateau. The quiet rhythm of mountain biking, allows us to enjoy the landscapes, the fauna, the flora and the dozens of Aymara villages all along the journey. Chile offers many other alternatives for mountain bike lovers. Thanks to its logistics and its operation bases located all over the country, we can provide the right trip in the place for you. Just bike, we do the rest!!

DAY 1: (SANTIAGO) - IQUIQUE - VALLE ESCONDIDO
Reception at Iquique airport. Transfer to Valle Escondido. Visit of Humberstone Ghost town (former mine) and excursion to the Gigante de Atacama (geoglyphs). Arrival at Valle Escondido and overnight close to the thermal baths. Camp. (L,D)

DAY 2: VALLE ESCONDIDO - COLCHANE - ENQUELGA
We drive up the altiplano. A succession of colored mountains receive us, before reaching Colchane, Isluga, on the Bolivian border and in the Isluga National Park. A variety of species live in this area. We set our camp at Enquelga thermal baths (3800m) at the base of Isluga Volcano (5530m). Preparation for the expedition. (CB,L,D)

DAY 3: ENQUELGA - AGUAS CALIENTES (26 km)
Beginning of the ride. We take our mountainbikes and leave Enquelga to reach Aguas Calientes thermal baths, crossing Isluga National Park from South to North. We set our camp near the thermal baths and relax in the warm water (3800m). (CB,L,D)

DAY 4: AGUAS CALIENTES - SURIRE SALT LAKE (35 km)
Ride to reach Surire National Park. We follow the Bolivian border straight to the North and finally reach the marvellous Surire Salt Lake. We set our camp near the thermal baths (4100m). (CB,L,D)

DAY 5: SURIRE SALT LAKE - PAQUISA (45 km)
We continue north towards Paquisa, a small village located half way between Surire and Guallatire. We set the camp. (CB,L,D)

DAY 6: PAQUISA - GUALLATIRE (35 km)
The ride continues along the river in the Vicuña National Park. We cross the river several times before arriving in Guallatire, a village located at the feet of Gallatire volcano. Camp (4200m). (CB,L,D)

DAY 7: GUALLATIRE - CHURIGUAYA (35 km)
We leave Guallatire and enter one of the nicest national parks in Chile: Lauca National Park, that has been classified as a world biosphere reserve by UNESCO. We set our camp in Churiguaya. (CB,L,D)

DAY 8: CHURIGUAYA - LAKE CHUNGARA - COTACOTANI (40 km)
The ride continues to Lake Chungará, surely one of the most beautiful regions of Chile. Arrival at Lake Chungara, the highest one in the world. The deep blue lake offers a fantastic view on Parinacota (6342m) and Sajama (6520m) volcanoes. Then we ride along Cotacotani Lagoon. Camp at Cotacotani. (CB,L,D)

DAY 9: COTACOTANI - ARICA
Transfer by vehicle to Arica. We cross Lauca National Park from East to West and visit the villages of Parinacota, Putre and the Copaquilla Fortress. We see the strange candelabrus cactus and the geoglyphs of the Lluta Valley. Arrival at Arica. Transfer to the hotel. (part of this road may be done on the bike). (CB,L)

DAY 10: ARICA - (SANTIAGO)
Transfer to Arica airport. Flight back to Santiago. (CB)

OTHER INFORMATION:
A logistic team carries the equipment and luggage.
Bike is not included.

Fixed Departure Dates: 2006-2007 - July 12, Aug. 9, Sept. 27, Oct .25, Nov. 29, Dec. 20, Jan. 17, Feb. 19, March 21, April 11, May 23, June 13

Fixed Departure Prices: US$2370 each for 2, US$2010 each for 3-5, US$1770 each for 6-12. Single supplement is $70.

Private departures are available