Where is Expediciones Chile located?
We have a year round office in the United States based out of Sun Valley, Idaho. From December to April we have a seasonal office based in Futaleufu, Chile.

How long has Expediciones Chile been in business?
We have been running trips in Chile since 1985.

How can I find out more about one of your mountain biking trips?
For more information about our treks, please contact our office using our contact form or call us at 1.888.488.9082.

How do you pronounce Expediciones Chile?
The correct pronunciation is: "Ex-ped-ish-she-oh-nays" Chile

What type of roads or trails will we be on?
Almost all the roads in our area of Patagonia, Chile are unpaved. The trails vary from seldom used roads and byways to challenging single track that may require some hiking.

Do you run your own tours or subcontract?
Expediciones Chile does all of its own tours.

How big are the mountain bike groups?
No more than ten persons. We like to keep our groups on the small side.

How challenging are the rides? How far will we be cycling?
The skill level of our mountain bike trips ranges from novice to advanced in difficulty. We typically ride 4 to 6 hours a day. Daily distances vary according to the tour you take but off-road tours are usually between 15-30 miles (50 kms) Our support vehicle is there for those wanting to take things more easily and there are always options for those who would like to do more. Call our office if you are unsure about your skill level and trip difficulty.

What kind of bikes does Expediciones Chile have?
We use Specialized Rockhoppers on all of our trips. We advise you to use one of ours, saving you work, time and money for bringing your own. All of our bikes are regularly maintained and serviced.

Do you rent bikes?
Unfortunately getting bicycles and spare parts to Patagonia, Chile is very difficult. We reserve our mountain bikes for guests going on trips with us.

Can I bring my own mountain bike to Chile?
Bring your own mountain bike to Patagonia, Chile is possible but we don't recommend it because of all of the travel connections and transport issues involved. For those who want to bring their own mountain bike it will be easier to do through Argentina as the planes from Puerto Montt to Chaiten are too small. You will be responsible for providing the maintenance to your bike and any spare parts that may be used during the trip as we won't have access to spare parts in Patagonia. You are also responsible for assembling your bike upon arrival and disassembling it upon departure. Please feel free to contact at Expediciones Chile if you have any questions about bringing your own bike.

Are there showers in Patagonia, Chile?
Our lodge comes equipped with private bathrooms. When camping we utilize "sun showers". On these trips you can take a sponge bath each or use unscented baby wipes to clean up after the day's ride.

What kind of food should we expect during the mountain bike tour?
Expediciones Chile takes the handling and preparation of food very seriously. We have an internationally trained gourmet chef working out of our lodge in Futaleufu and we serve fresh produce directly our of our company greenhouse. We serve vegetarian and non vegetarian dishes and can accommodate many kinds of special diets. However, when we are away from Futaleufu the menu will vary depending on the mountain bike ride and location. Many of the lodges and inns offer a menu consisting of a wide range of food items especially popular in the areas we will cycle in. Guests should take the normal travel precautions when in these areas.

What do I need to carry while mountain biking?
Our support bus carries all of your personal and camping gear. You will want a small daypack with ample space for water, extra clothes like a rain top etc. We recommend that all guests come to Patagonia with a camelbak.

Who are the guides on the tours? Do they speak English?
We usually have a combination of Chilean and American guides on our trips to accommodate all of our guests and to help provide a genuine cultural experience. While scouting routes and preparing tours we establish good relations with local inhabitants, being able to then show you what is worth seeing in a natural and interesting way.

What if I am traveling with a non mountain biking partner?
The fact that you are on vacation together does not mean you have to do the same activities. From our lodge non-bikers will have the opportunity to horseback ride, whitewater raft or kayak, sea kayak, fly fish, trek or go canyoning. Our vacations are flexible and designed to suit different capabilities and interests among the group.

What will the weather be like in Patagonia, Chile?
We try to schedule our major tours during the best weather of the season. However, in our area of Patagonia the weather is never predictable. The Futaleufu area is at about the same latitude as British Columbia in the Northern Hemisphere so our weather tends to be like that of BC. read more

Do people come on their own to ride with you?
A large proportion of our guests, both men and women, come on their own. Biking together quickly breaks the ice and you’ll soon find yourself amongst like-minded friends.

Downloadable pdf: Mountain Biking Vacation