Mountain Biking in the southern Lake Region

Day 1 – Puerto Montt – Puerto Varas
Your arrival at Puerto Montt airport is followed by your transfer to Puerto Varas, where you can use the remainder of the day to familiarise yourself with one of the mountain bikes and take a first look at your surroundings. The evening is set aside for a welcome cocktail followed by a delicious evening meal, during which the forthcoming adventure will be discussed. Accommodation is in Puerto Varas.

Cycling: between 10km/6.25 and 30km/19mi, depending on participants’ wishes; easy.

Day 2 – Puerto Varas – lakeside cycling
Swing onto your seat and leave Puerto Varas following the lakeside road beside the vast Llanquihue Lake. The route is a gently undulating country road that offers superb views towards the many snow-covered volcanoes, the Andes, and over the lake. A hearty picnic can be enjoyed by the lakeside, and those who want to, can also take a dip in the wonderfully blue water. Afterwards, the tour continues to Ensenada. Those who want to take it easy, can transfer to our accompanying vehicle at any time. You will reach the Yan Kee Way Lodge, set right by the lakeshore, in the afternoon, where you will find comfortable bungalows. An excellent evening meal with panoramic views over the lake is planned for the evening.

Cycling: between 20km/12mi and 45km/28mi

Day 3 – Osorno volcano
This morning you are spoilt for choice: either take the comfortable bus up the Osorno volcano, or set off to surmount the 1300m/4,265ft of elevation by mountain bike – a genuine challenge only really fit cyclists should attempt! The road ends at the Osorno cabin, where you can enjoy views of the mighty heights of the volcano itself (2,660m/8,727ft at the summit), as well as of the neighbouring volcanoes of Calbuco, Antillanca and Tronador, and of Lake Llanqhihue.
A picnic is followed by everyone mounting their bikes for the 15km/9mi descent. The route crosses lava fields and small secondary craters, and you will also get to know the various vegetation zones that thrive in the vicinity of an active volcano. You will reach your lodge by early afternoon, when you have the choice of either relaxing on the beach, or setting off for another short tour into the appealing landscape of the temperate rainforest growing by the lake.

Cycling:between 15km/9mi and 30km/19mi; medium challenge, with an accompanying bus always on stand-by. Optionally you can go on an easy bike tour in the afternoon.

Day 4 – Reloncaví Fjord – Puerto Varas
The morning is spent cycling south along an idyllic scenic road to the Reloncaví fjord. As the route is paved and almost all downhill as far as the fjord, the cycling is very pleasant. Cows graze along the flat shoreline of the fjord, birds cruise overhead in the blue sky, and the painted wooden houses of the little hamlet of Ralún make for splashes of colour in this green landscape. The cycle tour continues alongside the fjord, as far as the fishing village of Cochamó, whose small church built from alerce wood in 1900, is a veritable jewel in this memorable fjord landscape. Time seems to stand still in this lonely region of the Andean foothills, and life has a leisurely pace. The most common form of transport is still the horse – or mountain bikes, such as yours. The return journey to Puerto Varas is by bus, where you will also stay the night.

Cycling:between 20km/12mi and 50km/31mi; easy.

Day 5 – Puerto Varas – Frutillar – Puerto Octay
Today, you will follow in the footsteps of the original settlers of this region, cycling north, along the Llanquihue Lake, as far as Frutillar. The little road along the shore winds its way through undulating countryside and offers irresistible views of the various volcanoes. Small sandy beaches make tempting spots for rest stops and swimming breaks along the way. In Frutillar, you can visit an interesting open-air museum containing restored settler homes and furniture dating from the earliest era of German colonisation, as well as a fully functional smithy. A beach picnic is followed by more cycling along the lake shore to Puerto Octay, whose idyllic harbour is set on the most beautiful bay of this great lake. The return journey to Puerto Varas is by bus, in the late afternoon. Accommodation is in Puerto Varas.

Cycling: between 25km/16mi and 40km/25mi; easy.

Day 6 – Puerto Varas – Puerto Montt
Transfer to the airport at Puerto Montt.

Bikes and luggage transport are provided.
Please bring you ownbiking gear.