Amazon Adventures

Chile Tours and Travel Packages

Multiple Destinations / Santiago area / Patagonia / Lake District
Easter Island / Atacama Desert / Expedition Cruises / Fiord Cruises
Biking / Treks / Multisport / Sea Kayaking / Wine Tours

Bike The Chilean Lake District

We feel sporting activities help a traveler get closer to the essence of a country and its people, but mountain biking specifically we think has a special affinity with Chile. We have tried to pace many of the days in these adventures with Lake Country Geography and the human will to discover in mind very specifically. Have you ever looked out on a horizon and seen a tremendous volcano in the distance, and then taken the afternoon to approach it? -in all its majesty, seemingly from every angle? Have you stood half way up it and looked back to where you've come, and seen the ocean just past there in the distance? And then had the satisfaction of bombing down it! You will.
Perhaps all of this sounds like a LOT of peddling, but this needn't be. We have been refining these trips for years and we have learned how to pace them for a variety of riders. At the end of the day our travelers are hedonists at heart,so you can be too. It is just that much more satisfying enjoying a stew of southern Curanto with a local fisherman who grins with few teeth,simply amazed that you have ridden into his village on a bicycle. Besides a tremendous adventure you can have seconds without guilt! Enjoy!

HIGHLIGHTS:

Biking amidst the Lakes
Biking along shoreline of Lago Llanquihue
Downhiller on Osorno Volcano
Biking along the Reloncavi Fiord
Hiking in Valdivian Rain Forest
Combined bike and hike trip to ancient Alerce Forest
Carefully selected overnights ranging from cozy mountain refugios to family operated middle range hotels

Daily distances: between 20 and 70 kms depending on your own personal wishes
Tour level: daily bike rides moderate to challenging for advanced cyclists and ambitious beginners. In the majority we will cycle along gravel roads and country lanes for which our quality mountain bikes are the perfect match. During two days we will ride tarmac roads. There is very little car traffic on any of the roads.

Day 1 - Reception at the airport in Puerto Montt, then back to Puerto Varas where our adventure is set to begin. We shall provide you with a mountain bike to limber up for the coming days so you might begin to discover something of your new surroundings whilst others in the group might still be arriving. In the evening we'll gather the group to discuss our coming adventure over a complimentary welcome cocktail at the local Merlin Restaurant. Overnight in the Hosteria Outsider.

Day 2 - We start our day driving through the local capital of the region Puerto Montt. From there we head south along the Carretera Austral next the ocean. Today we shall hike in National Park Alerce Andino. The park consists of almost 40,000 hectares or (97.000 acres). It is the largest surviving Valdivian Rainforest. Many of the trees are native Alerce. a giant coniferous tree distantly related to the Redwoods of California. Standing amidst these tremendous trees. with the sun streaming through from so high above, is like standing in a cathedral beyond all proportion. Though it may seem like a strange juxtaposition, in point of fact. if one were to count the rings. one would find many of these trees to be much older than the Christian religion itself. The vegetation today will be surprisingly dense and varied. The walking on this excursion will not be excessive so that everyone can limber up for the coming days. We shall return to Puerto Varas in the evening. hiking aprox. 12 km. (B,L)

Day 3- This morning we shall depart from Puerto Varas by mountain bike for a ride along the shore of Lago Llanquihue. The snowcapped volcanoes of the Andes will grow steadily larger as we ride along the lake toward them. After a picnic lunch you may chose to ride uphill 19 kms to the mountain refuge of Volcano Osorno or enjoy a relaxing drive up by bus. Our slack van will pick up any tired stragglers. Up top you can enjoy a hike on the surface of the Volcano's lava and snowfields. We shall spend overnight here at 1300 meters above sea level in a cozy mountain refuge. With a bit of luck we'll enjoy a colorful sunset over Lake Llanquihue and the Volcan Calbuco. Biking distance between 45 and 65 kms. (B,L)

Day 4 - After a short hike on the volcano for those who did not get enough last evening you should prepare for one of the highlights of our trip: the exhilarating downhiller on Volcan Osorno. After the excitment of the descent we shall continue our ride along the shore of the Lake (Llanquihue) to the sleepy landing of Las Cascadas or, the falls. Here we shall stop for a delicious picnic on the lake's shore. After lunch we shall hike into a spectacular canyon to the waterfall or "Las Cascadas" itself. Here a river thunders down a cliff and the moisture in the air has turned the narrow and steep end of this magical valley. Return to Ensenada and overnight in a deluxe cabin right on the lakeshore. Biking distance 35 kms Hiking distance 3 kms. (B,L)

Day 5 - In the morning we shall cycle south to the Reloncavi Fjord on the Pacific Ocean. Riding along the high meadows, we can see the ocean from a long way off. Often times we see dolphins and other sea-life on this part of the trip. During the afternoon we shall stop at the hotsprings in Balun and take a relaxing soak to end an adventurous day of cycling. Overnight in cabin in Ensenada. Biking distance 45 kms. (B,L)

Day 6 - Today we shall be picked up from the cabin for our rafting trip on the Petrohue river. After spending the morning on the water we shall enjoy a picnic on the beach. Return by vehicle to Puerto Varas in the late afternoon. Overnight Outsider. (B,L)

Day 7 - Today we shall follow in the footsteps of the German settlers along the shores of Lago Llanquihue on route to Frutillar. The small lakeshore road winds along the hilly landscape offering fascinating views of different volcanoes. Small sandy beaches invite us for a rest. Our first destination Frutillar is beautifully located at the lakeside. After having wandered through the pretty village we pay a visit to a open air museum covering the history of the German immigration of the 1850s in Southern Chile. After a hearty picnic we continue our trip along the shores of the lake to Puerto Octay. There we marvel at the most beautiful natural bay with an idyllic little harbour. Return to Puerto Varas in the late afternoon by bus. (B,L) Biking distance between 35 and 60 kms

Day 8 - Transfer to the Puerto Montt airport, Flight to Santiago or Punta Arenas (not included).

Departures:Start: Saturday in Puerto Montt, End: Saturday in Puerto Montt

Price:: check with us for current price
Bike Rental: included!
Mimimum: 2 persons. Can start on any date with minimum of 2 people.

Note: Single room only in Puerto Varas and Ensenada, at the Osorne Mountain Lodge triple or quadruple rooms (if clients insists on a single room we can confirm this only at time of the reservation).
Airfare is not included in the rates.