Patagonia Cycle - Southern Austral

Today the adventure begins. Upon arrival to Coyhaique we will meet at the hotel at 3pm for a meet and greet. This is where the team of guides will introduce themselves and provide general information about the route and services included in the tour, instructions, safety recommendations, equipment review, bicycle mechanics and final details of preparation for the tour will be adjusted. If you want to store some luggage in Coyhaique or send it to a southern town to continue your travel along Patagonia to El Chaltén or Torres del Paine National Park this is the opportunity. (charges apply). Cycle: 50kms (Asphalt) Overnight: Entre Cumbres Hotel or similar

Meals:  D

Our first stretch will be a paved road of the Southern Way; riding along what is called the Chinese wall where the countryside of Coyhaique emerges passing through El Blanco town accompanied by a spectacular landscape of Patagonian steppe and rock formations. After the conjunction between Route 7 and Balmaceda, the road slightly starts to go up until Laguna Chiguay, perfect place for picnic lunch. We continue the ride along the dramatic Cerro Castillo National Park to reach its pass as the highest point of the Carretera Austral. The "devil's slope" downhill starts passing from the viewpoints of Ibañez River and we end our day when we arrive at Cerro Castillo Village. Overnight: Refugio Cerro Castillo or similar Cycle: 93 kms (Asphalt)

Meals:  B,L,D

15 km from Villa Cerro Castilo the asphalt ends, and we start on a road of high difficulty with loose gravel and corrugated surface. We can observe various attractions on the route, such as the Green Lagoon and the Dead Forest in the Ibañez River, a landscape moulded by the ashes coming from the Hudson Volcano eruption in 1991. The ride is supported with the minibus to approach Murta valley and ride next to the turquoise water of the second biggest lake in South America, the General Carrera Lake. The day finishes at the cozy Puerto Tranquilo town. Overnight: El Puesto/Valle Exploradores or similiar Cycle: 83 kms (Gravel/Asphalt)

Meals:  B,L,D

We start the ride bordering General Carrera Lake, also known as Chelenko Lake in Indigenous dialect. From a distance we can admire valleys and glaciers that descend from Campos de Hielo Norte ("the Northern Ice Field"), and we will arrive at the General Carrera hanging bridge, where the Bertrand Lake and then the famous Baker River is formed. The road gets to the conjunction between Puerto Guadal and Chile Chico to continue the Carretera Austral in a section of permanent climbs and slopes to reach the beautiful townscape of Puerto Bertrand. Overnight: Cabanas Konaiken Cycle: 73 kms (Asphalt)

Meals:  B,L,D

We continue along the Southern Way, following the Baker River in the middle of a Patagonian steppe landscape where the trees begin to disappear, and the grasslands take over the landscape amidst winding mountains. We will stop for a hike at the “confluence between the Baker and Nef rivers”. Admiring the impressive flow which descends from the depths of the Northern Ice Field. The journey continues passing next to the Patagonia National Park founded by The North Face owner’s Mr. Douglas Tomkins that made the largest donation of conservation lands in the world to the Chilean Government. In this spot, wildlife observation of Guanacos (Camelidae family) and other native species may be possible until we reach Cochrane. Overnight: Cabañas Choike Huapi or similar Cycle: 51 kms

Meals:  B,L,D

The initial ride starts with a paved road and then continues to a gravel surface while enjoying the view from the Emerald, Juncal and Chacabuco lakes in the middle of Patagonian steppe fields. It will be also possible to admire the view of Mount San Lorenzo. We then continue in the middle of native forests landscape until descending the Los Ñadis hill, going into one of the best kept secrets of Patagonia. In the middle of a unique scenery of this valley, handworker's pioneers who will hosting and preparing a unique Patagonian BBQ with a lamb on the sword with vegetables. Cycle: 50kms (Asphalt) Overnight: Cabañas Choike Huapi

Meals:  B,L,D

By minibus, this first section will be shortened to get our bikes at Los Ñadis. We will continue through native forest, wetlands and peatlands. Did you know that a recent study from the National Geographics and Rewilding Chile showed that Patagonian Forest can store three times more CO2 per hectare than those in the Amazon? From this area, the transition of the Patagonian steppe to the evergreen forest emerges until we reach the picturesque townscape of Caleta Tortel certificated as one of the Best Tourism Village by the UNWTO. Famous for its footbridges of Guaitecas's cypress trees, which connect the houses with the civic center and the public services of the town. Admire this unique village as we will be hiking around to finalizing the cycle portion of our experience to start the return towards Coyhaique. *You can connect this route with the ferry to Puerto Natales to hike Torres del Paine W or continue to Argentina El Chaltén via Laguna del Desierto Crossing Overight: Natureza or similar Cycle: 83km (Gravel/Asphalt)

Meals:  B,L,D

On this day, setting the bike and luggage on the minibus, we will start our way back towards Bahia Catalina (295 kms) to stay in wonderful accommodation on the Lake. By the General Carretera Lake, we will be able to appreciate the nature of the Patagonia through sightseeing and entertainment and educational interpretations moments with the group to finalize the day with a nice dinner with a unique view. Overnight: Pared Sur or similar

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning, we continue the return towards Villa Cerro Castillo (170 kms), but not without leaving Patagonia with the some more memorable adventures (optional activities). Such as hiking up the Lagoon in front of the Castle Mountain in the National Park or ride the Las Ardillas backroad admiring waterfalls and gravel roads in a Patagonian Landscape. ! Enjoy a farewell dinner together where we embrace the experience lived cycling through some of the most remote areas of Patagonia. Overnight: Ruta 7 Cabins Distance: return by minibus and possible to ride 50 km

Meals:  B,L,D

The tour finalizes going back towards Coyhaique and leaving participants at the Balmaceda Airport. We recommend scheduling your flight after 2 pm. Is also possible to come back to Coyhaique (This accommodation is not included).

Meals:  B