Take in the spectacular Patagonia landscape while cycling across the Yelcho suspension bridge

Cycling in remote Patagonia is always an adventure!

Take the adventure of a lifetime while cycling in some of the most remote areas of Patagonia, Chile

Wildflowers in the Lakes district, Patagonia

Trekking in Queulat National Park

Patagonia Cycle - Northern Austral

Cycle Patagonia's Austral Highway

11 Days from

$3590 USD

Trip Code: NAC

View dates to Book Essential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

E-bike upgrade

$340 USD

Single Supplement

$700 USD

Duration

11 Days

Activities

8 days cycling

Accommodation

10 nights hotel/cabin depending on availability

Meals

10 Dinners
9 Lunches
10 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading

6 / 10

Moderate to Challenging

Carbon Footprint

43kg of CO₂-e PP per day

(428kg of CO₂-e PP entire trip)

Trip highlights

Cycle the magnificent northern Carretera Austral
Climb over the legendary Queulat slope made up of 33 curves
Rest your weary limbs with a soak in the hot springs at Puyuhuapi
Visit the fascinating Pumalin Park, a beacon project for community involvement in conservation.
View the majestic Hanging Glacier of Queulat National Park

Overview

Patagonia is one of the most dramatic mountain regions in the world - a rugged land of huge granite peaks soaring above the grasslands and beech forest. Our trip begins in the picturesque Puerto Varas, which is the entrance to route 7, where our cycling takes in some of the most spectacular landscapes of the Northern Austral Road. We will start the journey navigating the Reloncaví Estuary and the Bi-modal Route and pedalling through mountains, lakes, rivers, fjords, glaciers and native forests of the Los Lagos and Aysén Region. Visiting more than 10 locations, among them Hornopirén, Chaitén, Villa Santa Lucía, La Junta, Puyuhuapi, Mañihuales and Coyhaique. Our accommodation and meal choices have been made with the intention of helping you appreciate the traditions, history and culture of this incredible part of the world. Our planned cycle route will encounter a mixture of paved and gravel roads as well as thrilling challenges such as the Moraga and Queulat slope. Come with us to know and enjoy spectacular attractions such as Pumalín Park, Yelcho Glacier, Palena River, Risopatron Lake, the majestic Hanging Glacier of Queulat National Park in the best possible way, on wheels. Do not miss out on this great personal experience, an opportunity to travel sustainably and contribute to local communities whilst immersing yourself in the wildest parts of Patagonia.

Itinerary

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Today our adventure begins! Upon arrival to Puerto Varas we will meet at the hotel at 3pm for a meet and greet. Here the team of guides will introduce themselves and provide general information about the route and services included in the tour including instructions, safety recommendations, equipment review, bicycle mechanics and final prepartions for the tour. If you want to travel light and send luggage to Coyhaique to pick it up the last day of the trip this is the opportunity (charges apply). Overnight: Hotel Germania or similar

Meals: D

Today we will leave Puerto Varas, heading off down the coast in a minivan to approach the Carretera Austral (or Route 7). We will take the ferry across the Reloncavi Estuary to reach Caleta Puelche before continuing to follow the highway down to Contao. After enjoying lunch the ride begins! We leave civilisation behind as we start to cycle through the rural area of Hualaihué. We spend the afternoon cycling through the remote countryside, admiring nature, forests and coastal views until reaching Hornopirén, where we spend the night. Cycle: 45kms (Asphalt) Overnight: Hosteria Catalina Cabins or similar

Meals: B,L,D

Early start this morning, we will embark with our bikes on a fantastic ferry journey along the Bimodal route. The navigation takes 5 hours passing through majestic fjords in Chilean Patagonia with spectacular views of the towering Andes mountain range. After 10 kms riding we will take a second ferry to get to the Douglas Tomkins Pumalin National Park in Caleta Gonzalo, part of the largest donation lands for conservation purpose in the world. Here we will cycle through the middle of evergreen forests, hike the trail of Alerces ancient trees and continue the gravel road next to the beautiful lakes that will guide us to our next accommodation in Chaiten. Cycle: 30kms (Gravel/Asphalt) Overnight: Kahuel Posada de Expediciones or similar

Meals: B,L,D

Our adventure continues along Route 7 following the paved route through the El Amarillo sector of Pumalin Park. We head south to the town of Puerto Cárdenas and the famous Yelcho suspension bridge, here it is possible to admire the mouth of the lake and the glacier of the same name. Tonight our accommodation borders the spectacular Yelcho lake where you can relax for the evening while enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Cycle: 64kms (Asphalt) Overnight: Yelcho en la Patagonia, cabins or similar

Meals: B,L,D

The route begins with beautiful scenery surrounded by native forest and views of the Yelcho glacier. We will challenge the Moraga slope until the pass where, finally we start cyclig back down hill. As we travel today, admire the impressive trace left by the terrible alluvium of \/Ïlla Santa Lucia (2017), an event that radically transformed the landscape of the town and the life of its inhabitants. We will continue along the asphalted road, bordering the Frio & the Palena River, entering the Aysén Region to have a nice picnic in Villa Vanguardia and to finalize this long stretch in La Junta town. Cycle: 89kms (Asphalt) Overnight: Espacio y Tiempo Hotel or similar

Meals: B,L,D

The ride continues towards Puyuhuapi bordering Risopatron river and lake. Immersing ourselves in the beauty of the scenery shaped by the Queulat National Park, to reach the town known for its carpets factory and architecture influenced by German settlers in Puyuhuapi. Today we'll experience a unique culinary experience with a Traditional Patagonian BBQ (options for varied dietary needs available). Cycle: 49kms (Asphalt) Overnight: Posada Queulat or similar

Meals: B,L,D

This will be a multi-adventure day to recover your energy for the next section of our cycling adventure. Today we go off to visit the famous Queulat National Park and it's world famous hanging glacier. Take the opportunity to hike the trail to the main viewpoint of the glacier or navigate on the Tempano Lagoon to get closer to unique picture spots to admire the glacier (weather dependant). At the end of the day there's even the chance to relax in the hot springs in front of Puyuhuapi fjord (extra charge). Cycle: 21kms (Gravel/Asphalt) Overnight: Posada Queulat or similar

Meals: B,L,D

The Queulat slope, one of the main challenges that make legendary the Carretera Austral route, is faced today. In the middle of the evergreen forest with fantastic views of the glaciers and fjords, the gravel road take us to an incredibly beautiful but hard progressive climb of 33 curves where it is possible to appreciate the uniqueness landscape of remote Patagonia. Following down the Queulat pass our asphalted descent starts to guide us next to the Cisnes rivers which we will follow to our accommodation in rural Amengual Village. Cycle: 67kms (Gravel/Asphalt) Overnight: Refugio Río cisnes or similar

Meals: B,L,D

We have an uphill start of the day. To get to Amengual our journey continue throughs the Las Torres National Reserve. Enjoy the ride which takes you through the middle of interesting shapes created from the geological sites and mountains as well as the scenery drawn by the sky, rivers, forests and mountains. Today we will change scenery as the ride transitions to the Patagonian steppe where you can observe agricultural fields, the unique Lagoon Esponja and the Colmillo Mount in the town of Villa Manihuales. After lunch, the minibus will take us to Puerto Aysen the second major city in the region. Cycle: 60kms (Gravel/Asphalt) Overnight: Patagonia Green or similar

Meals: B,L,D

The last day is the most challenging but is a rewarding experience. The ride starts from a river raft that will take us to the best back road of this bike journey. Full of nature and without road congestion the rural road will guide as to our final goal in Coyhaique City passing through overwhelming lakes hidden in the middle of the mountains. Tonight is night is for celebration! Enjoy a farewell dinner together where we embrace the experience lived cycling through some of the most remote areas of Patagonia. Cycle: 80 kms (Gravel/Asphalt) Overnight: Rumbo Sur Apart Hotel or similar

Meals: B,L,D

Today our cycle adventure comes to an end. Please note: We recommend scheduling your flight after 2 pm.

Meals: B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.

Ready to start your adventure?

View dates to Book

What’s included?

Included

10 breakfasts, 9 lunches & 10 dinners including a Traditional Patagonian BBQ
Good quality hotels and cabins throughout (The hotel/cabin accommodation on the trip may involve staying in basic dormitory or multi-person rooms due to the remoteness of the trip)
Mountain bike & front pannier and a cycle helmet
English speaking local guides
Support vehicle while cycling and mechanic

Not included

International airfares and departure taxes
Meals not indicated in the itinerary
Items of a personal nature such as laundry and all beverages
Tips
Travel insurance
Visa costs
Optional: Hot springs entrance fees & boat trip to hanging glacier