TRIP OVERVIEW:
On this mountain bike tour we will start on the Argentine border and traverse the entire country of Chile to the seaside village of Chaiten. This spectacular route through the Andes climbs only nine hundred meters above sea level and follows along the spectacular valleys of the Yelcho and Futalefu rivers. The ecosystems that we will cross will be incredibly diverse as the road winds its way from the arid steppes of Argentine Patagonia to the moisture laden Southern Pacific Ocean. We will mountain bike along Chile's famous Carretera Austral as it winds its way through scenic lakes, wild rivers, tumbling alpine streams, old growth forests, past extinct volcanoes, mountain top glaciers and through small inviting Chilean villages. We will find shelter at a local Bed & Breakfast, a spectacularly situated camp ground before and at our lodge in the center of Futaleufu. Keeping an eye on the group we have our BikeMobile with all pieces of gear needed for such a trip, with a total of 150 kms to cover.
Day 1: Friday: Depart Home Town
Day 2: Saturday: Arrival and Introductions
Arrive in Santiago and connect to Puerto Montt. In Puerto Montt you board your 40-minute flight to Chaitén, a flight back in time. We will meet you at the airport where we start our drive across the Andes: volcanoes, fjord-like lakes, hanging glaciers and the turquoise rapids of the Futaleufu river. We arrive in Futaleufu and are taken directly to our cabin near the working ranch. You will be met with wine and cheese to eat around the fireplace before dinner.
Day 3: Sunday: Ride to Devils Throat - (10 miles rt)
You will orient yourselves to our front suspension Specialized bikes. Afterwards we ride up the Rio Espolon we cross small bridges, view turquoise water, sand beaches, fishing and swimming holes. You will cross the Rio Espolon on a wood swinging bridge. Here the climb gets steeper, but shortly you arrive at a tremendous Class 6 waterfall exploding in a white froth out of the upper lake into the valley blow. This is a sight to behold as we eat lunch over looking what is called the Devils throat. Crossing another bridge we get an over look of the Espolon lake. The return ride has one steep pitch downhill and a slight downhill to the lodge.
Day 4: Monday: Ride to the National Reserve of Huemul – (12 miles rt)
Cross the mighty Futaleufú and ride up the river near the Argentinean border into the Patagonia Steppe and explore the pristine Río Chico Valley, a national reserve of the Huemul. This ride takes us upstream to a charming valley that contains the endangered Huemul a small deer like animal that resembles the fictitious jack elope off the American intermountain west. Only this is real. This is a National Reserve for the Animal yet it is completely undeveloped except the sign announcing your entry into the protected area.
Day 5 Tuesday: Back in time to the "Las Escalas" Valley - ( 13 miles rt )
This world class ride takes us along the Inferno gorge, a black rock canyon of the Futaleufu River. Five hundred feet below we view the agitated turquoise water. You will naturally not want to ride to close to the edge. The trail enters the open Las Escalas valley for a trip back in time. We cross the Futaleufu River on a swinging bridge and ride up through an old growth forest of Coyhue trees out of the valley and around a small lake back to the village of Futaleufu.
Day 6 Wednesday: Andes to the Ocean (35 miles)
On day three we first ride along the Lonconao Lake to the community of El Río Azul. Here we will enjoy lunch by the Futaleufu River. We continue riding down the Futaleufu to where we see it enter lago Yelcho. Along this lake we find a simple bed and breakfast.
Day 7 Thursday: Andes to the Ocean (33 miles)
After breakfast we ride up a hill and down into a valley village called Santa Lucia. Here we meet the southern gravel highway called the Southern Highway. This road to the end of the earth. We ride it over the highest elevation that we will encounter on the trip. The forests are of huge Coyhue trees and giant Devil's Club plants. It is downhill till we get to the western end of Lago Yelcho, which offers a spectacular view. Our lodging tonight is simple but the view outrageous as we look across the Rio Yelcho to a spectacular exiting Lake Yelcho.
Day 8 Friday : Andes to the Ocean (22 miles)
We ride down hill towards the hot springs at Termas Amarillo. Here we ride several miles up a hill to actually get to the springs themselves. We stay in a small hosteria and have dinner while we soak away our tired muscles.
Day 9: Saturday: Andes to the Ocean (15 miles)
We ride on 15 miles of paved road into Chaiten for our mid day flight back Puerto Montt.
Day 10: Sunday: Return Home
PRICE: $1795.00 USD
INCLUDES: Round trip airfare between Puerto Montt and Chaiten all transport to and from Futaleufu from Chaiten. All meals, lodging, guides, mountain bikes, gear and equipment while riding with us. See the packing list for specific details. The actual program for your individual trip will vary according to the desires and skill level of your group, the weather, or other factors.
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| Experience Needed: Intermediate Biking |
| Physical Challenge: Medium |
| Cultural Experience: High |
| Lodging: Lodge |
| Comfort Rating: High |
| Days away from home: 10 |
| Days with us: 8 |
Max Trip Size: 14 |
| Price: $1795.00 USD |
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| Region: Futaleufu, Azul, Espolon, and Escalas River Valleys, Patagonia Chile |
| Lakes, Rivers, Sites Visited: Pacific Ocean, Chaiten, Rio Espolon, Futaleufu, Escalas Valley, Futaleufu Village, |
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