Chile Lakes & Volcanoes

After meeting in Temuco, we’ll shuttle 2 hours to the tiny, quaint town of Curacautín, conveniently nestled in the UNESCO Araucarias Biosphere Reserve of Malalcahuello. (Ever wonder where ‘monkey-puzzle trees’ live? You found it!)  Once fitted on our bikes we’ll set out on a 26-mile uphill ride through forests of ancient araucaria trees, with Lonquimay volcano in your sights. Ride to tonight’s lodging at Malalcahuello Hotel and Spa, a beautiful thermal resort. Tonight, enjoy an orientation and briefing session before the official welcome dinner.

Shuttle 30 minutes to the Sierra Nevada Range, passing through the 2.8-mile Tunnel Las Raíces, Chile’s longest. Set off bicycling smooth roads through a flat valley beside the Lonquimay River. This section features Chile’s first UNESCO Geopark, Kütralkura. Bike through the lands of different Pewenche communities as you begin to climb, ascending the international Pino Hachado Pass connecting Chile with Argentina. The second half of the climb offers some serious grades, finishing with a 14-mile climb to the peak altitude of 6,181 feet above sea level. At the summit – the border with Argentina – enjoy the truly breathtaking scenery of the Andes. Rest and refuel a bit, then hop back into the van to return to our hotel. Tonight’s dinner will be at a local restaurant in Malalcahuello.

Ride from your hotel in Pucón toward Curarrehue, a small Mapuche village near the border with Argentina. The route rolls beside the river Trancura with views of three volcanoes: Villarrica, Quetrupillan and Lanin. The first 45 km (30mi) of today’s ride is flat-to-rolling – just enough to get your legs going. Once you’re warmed up, climb a 30 km (20mi) section on brand-new asphalt on the international road that leads into Argentina. Stay on this route all the way through Villarrica National Park until you arrive at the Customs station next to the mighty Lanin volcano, the tallest mountain in the Lake & Volcano District. Cruise the fun downhill all the way back to Currarehue. Enjoy tonight’s dinner hosted by a local Mapuche family.

Each day brings new beauty; today is no exception. Ride one of Chile’s most scenic roads, the Seven Lake Route. Pedal beside the shores of two beautiful lakes – Calafquén and Panguipulli – and cover three-quarters of the way around Villarrica, a majestic, snow-capped active volcano. Today’s ride is smooth and quiet; hardly anyone drives this route. Stop along the way to take in a panorama of five volcanoes. Pedal by the beach of Lake Panguipulli – meaning “land of lions. Continue riding beside the lake to the end of the paved road near Choshuenco village. In the afternoon we continue cycling (last climb is optional) to Hotel Reino Fungi, an architectural wonder designed to blend in with the surrounding forest. Stay here for the next two nights.

Choose from a bevy of options today. Within the park, there are four hiking trails: the Magnetic Stones trail (3-hour hike, medium difficulty); the Truful Route (3½-hour hike, medium); the Truful River Route (6-hour hike, difficult); and Quinchamalí Lookout (3-hour hike, easy). Highlights include botanical forest, clear-water lagoons, mighty waterfalls and amazing views of snow-capped volcanoes. Would you like to learn about the reserve’s plants and wildlife? There are multiple nature walks that focus on botany, birdwatching and geology as well as flora & fauna interpretation. Feeling adventurous? Take the canopy zipline tour for an amazing experience of the rainforest (not included, additional payment locally). A group of platforms between 15 and 25 meters high (50 to 80 feet) are linked to each other by hanging bridges and suspended steel wires. Glide across the cables as though you are flying over the rainforest, rivers and canyons. Visit the Huilo-Huilo waterfall and eat lunch at the local microbrewery.

Today begins with a shuttle (~2hrs) from Huilo Huilo to the village of Nontuela where we begin the ride, pedaling south on smooth pavement towards our lunch stop at Termas de Llifen, and finishing on the lake’s southern shore in the afternoon. After a week traveling in Chile’s Lake & Volcano District, you have probably realized that we are following a Scenic Road called “Red Interlagos”. Bicycle Adventures was the first bike touring company to offer this brand-new section around Lake Ranco when it originated in 2015. This fantastic lake is surrounded by mountains and green fields full of grazing cows. Spend the night in the Futangue Nature Reserve at Casa Exploradores Hotel (standard rooms).

Today we begin with a 50-mile shuttle from Futangue to the village of Purranque to begin cycling. Pass through quaint little villages with a strong German heritage today. The route consists of rolling hills interspersed with flat stretches until we reach the beach at Lake Llanquihue. Here, a unique landscape is waiting for us – the Osorno Volcano with its picture-perfect cone! We’ll enjoy an incredible buffet lunch in a German family-owned restaurant and then shuttle (~20min) to the five-star Wyndham Pettra Hotel Puerto Varas where we spend the next two nights. The evening is yours to explore this nice city and have dinner on your own.

This morning, start bicycling from the hotel beside Lake Llanquihue into the landscape of the perfect-cone Osorno Volcano. The side of the volcano reaches right to the shore of the lake. Pass through the middle of this astounding landscape as you ride to the village of Ensenada. This route is one of the most beautiful rides of the tour. In Ensenada, we regroup for a quick snack and then let you choose between a flatter route ending at Lago Todos Los Santos or tackling the most challenging climb of the trip: the Osorno Volcano. This 7-mile challenge is one of the steepest climbs in South America, if not all of Europe. Either way, it’s a glorious day! Shuttle (~1hr 10min) back to the charming German-style city of Puerto Varas to relax in 5-star luxury, then raise a toast to a fantastic tour at our farewell dinner – “salud!”

Sadly, it’s time to say good-bye to each other and the beautiful Lake & Volcano District of Chile today. After breakfast, you can visit the markets in Puerto Varas for last-minute souvenirs, handcrafts or woolen clothing – a local specialty! Later we’ll shuttle to Puerto Montt Airport to catch your flight home, or wherever your travels may take you next.