Patagonia by Bicycle: Bariloche to Ushuaia (Argentina & Chile)

Patagonia cycling trip from Bariloche to Ushuaia

Dates: 10th of January to 5th of February 2015 .

Duration: 27 days

Distance: 2.700 km. (735 km gravel road), 650 km on support vehicle.

Description: A trip down Patagonia from Bariloche to Ushuaia. Cycling through the most spectacular landscapes of Patagonia in Argentina and Chile. A great challenge and wonderful cycling traverse. Patagonia cycling tour covers the diverse nature scenarios of one of the most enchanting untamed regions in the world. With you mountain bike the connection with nature is straight forward and the feeling is unique!

Places: Bariloche, Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi y Los Alerces. El Bolson, Futalaufquen lake, Trevelin.
Chile: Futaleufu, Lago Yelcho. Carretera Austral in Chile: P.N. Corcovado, Reserva Nacional Lago Rosselot, PN. Queluat, La Junta, Pacific ocean, Pto Puyuhuapi, “Ventisquero Colgante” (hanging glacier), “Portezuleo Queluat”, Villa Amengual, Lago Torre, Rio Simpson, Coyhaique.
Argentina: Patagonian desert (Route 40) with its incredible steppe. Perito Moreno, estancia Casa de Piedra, Cueva de las Manos, Bajo Caracoles, Lago Cardiel, El Chaltén, Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre, Laguna del Desierto. Lago Viedma, Rio La Leona, Lago Argentino. El Calafate y el Parque Nacional Los Glaciares (Glaciar Perito Moreno). Pto Natales (Chile). Rio Verde. Punta Arenas. Magallanes strait.
Tierra del Fuego: Río Grande, Yehuin, Cheepelmuth. Tolhuin and Fagnano lakes. Garibaldi pass and Ushuaia (Bahía La Pataia-Canal de Beagle).

Physical demand: Approx.. 2050 km of the total 2700 km are on bicycle. Some parts will be done with our support vehicle. The distance has been divided into 21 days of cycling, with 6 days for walks and rest. The daily cycling rate is approx.. 6 hs at an average of 17 km/h. Most of the time we have side wind (it blows from the West), on the section from El Calafate to Ushuaia we have the wind from behind helping us while cycling.

Level difference: the cycling traverse goes on slope terrain. During the whole cycling trip we have 15.750mts of ascents with a daily average of +750mts. The highest point of the whole cycling trip in Patagonia is of 1500 masl.

Temperature: The usual temperature in Patagonia in summer season is between 5 ºC and 25ºC (we recommend a sleeping bag “with comfort bellow 0ºC”). It is dry weather on the Argentine side but usually rains on the Andes area, especially on the Chilean side on Carretera Austral and often in Tolhuin and Ushuaia.

Support logistics: Every 2 or 3 hours we make a stopover where we serve beverages (water, tea, coffee and juices) and energy boosting snacks. At noon we make a longer stopover for lunch. For dinners we usually go to restaurants, when this is not a possible option our support team cooks the meals. The support vehicle is always at hand for whatever you might need during the cycling.

Group size: this is an exclusive cycling trip with a minimum of 5 people and maximum 8. Registration should be confirmed three months in advance otherwise a 15% will be added to the price.

Program and itinerary:

Day 1: Bariloche (780 masl):
We meet for dinner in Bariloche and get ready all our gear and bicycles.
Lodging: hotel

Day 2: Bariloche to Mascardi lake
We go cycling up mountain to Otto hill in Bariloche (1400m) (700 m level difference). From the top of Otto we get a great view of the whole Nahuel Huapí national park. We bike downhill toward Gutiérrez lake then we continue cycling by the lake shore to our first campsite near Mascardi lake.
Daily biking ride: 60 km ( 20 km gravel road). (Level difference: + 900 m - 900m)
Lodging: full service camping with the option to sleep in the hostel dorm room (shared room)

Day 3: El Hoyo de Epuyén (250 masl)
We cycle along lake Guillelmo ascending a low pass about 1200m above sea level, then we have a long downhill section toward El Bolsón (200 m above sea level) continuing to El Hoyo de Epuyen (nice village 'capital of berries').

Daily biking ride: 113 km paved road (level difference: +800 m, -1550 m).
Lodging: camping with the option to sleep in cabins

Day 4 Villa Lago Rivadavia (Cholila):
We cycle along Epuyen and Cholila (village where Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid famous robbers lived for a couple of years). We continue biking along Rivadavia lake , in the Los Alerces national park, where we stay for the night. We cycle through steppe region and also Alerce forest

Daily biking ride:. 70 km (15 km on gravel road). (level difference: 700 mt. approx)
.Lodging: cabins or hosteria (inn)

Day 5: Trevelin
we cycle through the Los Alerces National Park along the Verde lake, Arrayanes river and Futalafquen lake. We end our mountain cycling day at a small town called Trevelin which is an old Welsh colony.

Daily biking ride: 92 km (35 km paved road). (level difference: 800 mt. approx)
Lodging: cabins or hosteria

Day 6: -Cara de Indio (Chile) - 1000 masl:
We cross the border to Chile through the Futaleufu pass, we cycle for about 30 km along the Futaleufu river on a undulate terrain and intense green landscape.

Daily biking ride: 80 km (40km on paved road) (level difference: 600m)
Lodging: cabins at Futaleufú river side

Day 7: - La Junta - 60 masl:
We continue mountain biking along the Yelcho lake shore, then along Frío and Palena rivers. We pass through Corcovado national park forest. .

Daily biking ride: 112 km (30 km on paved road under construction) (level difference: +1000m - 1000m)
Lodging: Cabins.

Day 8: - Villa Amengual - 150 masl:
We cycle through the Rosselot lake natural reserve and Queluat national Park. Passing on our mountain bikes along Puyuhuapi port, at the Pacific ocean shore, cycling along the seaside but with great views of the mountains, leafy thick forests and the famous "Hanging glacier" - “Ventisquero Colgante”. We continue mountain biking uphill to Portezuelo Queluat ending our cycling section at Villa Amengual.

Daily biking ride: 135 km (50 km on paved road). (level difference: +1650m -1500m)
Lodging: Cabins.

Day 9: - Coyhaique:
We cycle through three national natural reserves: Lago Torres, Manuales and Simpson river. then we get to Coyhaique town. There is the option to do part of this cycling section with the support vehicle. Dinner at your own (each one pays its own dinner where each one chooses to have dinner)

Daily biking ride: 145 km on paved road. (level difference: +1100m - 1150m)
Lodging: Hosteria (inn).

Day 10: - Puerto Ibáñez (Gral. Carrera lake - 110 masl:
we cycle along the Simpson river valley, cycling still on the Carretera Austral ('Southern highway' on Chilean side, it is not a real highway, just a two lane paved road) to the Natural reserve Cerro Castillo, from there we detour to Puerto Ibáñez. .

Daily biking ride: 117 km on paved road. (level difference: +1600m, -1650m)
Lodging: hostel/ hosteria (inn).

Day 11: - Estancia Casa de Piedra:
We cross the boarder again back to Argentina. First we take a boat through the General Carreras lake (37 km) to Chile Chico port. We continue cycling along the Gral. Carreras lake, at km 8 we actually cross the border entering to Argentina. Here we begin to discover a new natural environment, the Patagonian steppe, driers and arid, discovering the "other face of the Patagonia" and the desert… From Perito Moreno town (350 masl) we ride on the van, to ranch - Estancia Casa de Piedra, our next lodging spot.

Daily biking ride: 73 km on paved road (level difference: +450m, -280m)
Lodging: Camping at Estancia Casa de Piedra with the option to sleep in bedrooms at an extra cost.

Day 12: - Estancia casa de Piedra - 700 masl:
Leisure day with a trekking option of about 5/6 hours hike (a short uphill hike and short downhill otherwise mostly flat) hiking along Pinturas river canyon, De Las Manos paintings caves. Around Casa de Piedra ranch, there are two smaller volcanoes, if you feel like you may cycle up to the crater.

Lodging: Camping at Estancia Casa de Piedra. with the option to sleep in bedrooms at an extra cost.

Day 13: Estancia La Angostura - 380 masl:
We ride on the support vehicle for 150 km passing through the village of Bajo Caracoles. From there we continue cycling for about 60 km with wind blowing most probably from behind us, helping us while we continue mountain biking. We have a stretch of 30 km cycling on gravel road (starting at km 60).

Daily biking ride: 90 km (30 km on gravel road),(level difference: +150m, -350m)
Lodging: Camping at estancia La Angostura .with the option to sleep in bedrooms at an extra cost.
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Day 14 - Cardiel lake - El Chaltén:
Desert stretch of the Patagonia cycling trip... we continue experiencing the loneliness of the legendary Route 40 while we continue mountain biking through the Patagonia steppe. We will have the opportunity to spot several guanacos along the way. We will cycle along the unique turquoise color lake, Cardiel lake and the Estancia La Siberiana. From a certain point we continue our cycling journey on the support vehicle to our next stopover, El Chaltén.

Daily biking ride: 90km on gravel road (level difference: +600 m, -650 m. approx.)
Lodging: hotel

Day 15: El Chaltén:
Leisure day, with the option to go mountain biking to Laguna del Desierto or to go trekking to base camp of Fitz Roy or Cerro Torre, legendary rock climbing peaks.

Lodging: Hotel.

Day 16 - El Calafate:
We cycle along Lago Viedma, too Río La Leona (mostly with wind behind us) finally arriving to Argentino lake. The last stretch of 35 kms, we ride on our support vehicle in order to avoid a dangerous route with traffic and the wind usually blowing sideways. in El Calafate will join our group those who will do the South Patagonia cycling trip from El Calafate to Ushuaia.

Daily biking ride: 150 km on paved road. (level difference: +500 m, -700 m. approx)
Lodging: hotel Dinner on your own

Day 17 - Perito Moreno glacier - El Calafate:
We take the sightseeing tour to Perito Moreno glacier. We go on a motor boat on Argentino lake. there is an option to take a glacier hike.
Lodging: hotel

Day 18: Cerro Castillo - Chile - 130 masl:
We start cycling through the Patagonian steppe with great views of the mythic mountains of Patagonia. The we continue riding on the support vehicle to the Chilean border. We cross the border to Chile cycling on our bicycles at Cancha Carrera pass.

Daily biking ride: 110 km (40 km on paved road).
Lodging: camping, .with the option to sleep in bedrooms at an extra cost.

Day 19 - Pto. Natales:
We cycle on hills finally arriving to the Pacific ocean at midday to the Puerto Natales town, Chile.

Daily biking ride: 65 km on paved road. (Level difference: 300 m. approx.)
Lodging: cabins on a privileged location near the sea side of the Pacific ocean.

Day 20: Puerto Natales:
leisure day with optional tours on your own. Options: tour to Torres del Paine national park, boat tour to the glaciers, horseback tour or a stroll through the Natales tour.

Lodging: cabins, same as the day before

Day 21 : Río Verde (Estancia at sea shore) :
We continue cycling for a 100 km stretch on paved road, then we drive on the support vehicle for about 50 km, finally we cycle for 22 km (on gravel road). We arrive to one of the most typical estancias (ranch) of the Chilean Patagonia located at the Skryring bay.

Daily biking ride:122 km approx. (or 172 km if you add the km we ride on the support vehicle) (level difference: 600 mt. approx.)
Lodging: estancia - ranch guest house.

Day 22 - Punta Arenas:
Cycling along the Pacific ocean, panoramic views on a gravel road. The second leg of this section we cycle on paved road arriving at Punta Arenas.

Daily biking ride: 94 km (49 km paved road). (Level difference: +340 m, -350m approx. )
Lodging: hostel in Punta Arenas

Day 23 - Inútil bay (campsite at Magellan's strait shore):
After we cross the Magellan's strait on ferry (2h 40m) we arrive to Porvenir on Tierra del Fuego we continue cycling along the strait with spectacular views. We camp by the strait (at open land) or we try to stay for the night at a nearby estancia if the weather is not suitable for camping.

Daily biking ride: 85 km gravel road. approx. (Level difference: +700 m)
Lodging: Camping at open land by the seaside with the option to stay for the night at an Estancia - ranch

Day 24 - Río Grande - Argentina:
A stretch of road with some uphill and downhill sections cycling from the Pacific ocean to the Atlantic ocean. We arrive to Rio Grande town, dinner on your own. There is an option to visit a royal penguins reserves.

Daily biking ride: 80 km (gravel road). From border crossing customs we drive on the support vehicle for 80 km (Level difference: +550 mt. approx.).
Lodging: hotel

Day 25 - Tolhuin ( Fagnano lake):
The first section of this day cycling trip we cycle by the Atlantic ocean, then we take a side road, gravel road cycling to the heart of Tierra de Fuego, to the nothofagus (lenga - kind of beeches trees) forest and beautiful huge lake Fagnano.

Daily biking ride: 114 km (30 km paved road). (Level difference: +600 mt. approx.)
Lodging: camping at Fagnano lake shore with the option to sleep in bedrooms at an extra cost.

Day 26 - Ushuaia :
We cycle uphill to Garibaldi pass from there we have the best view of Tierra del Fuego. Garibaldi pass is one of the most beautiful passes in Patagonia. After a downhill cycling sections and some wavy stretches of the road we arrive to our final destination: Ushuaia. Celebration dinner.

Daily biking ride: 104 km on paved road. (Level difference: +900 m approx.)
Lodging: inn - hosteria

Day 27- Lapataia bay tour:
Leisure day. We advice you to visit Lapataia bay, in the Tierra del Fuego national park or maybe take a sailing tour on the Beagle channel (with birdwatching)
Lodging: inn - hosteria

Day 28 - Ushuaia :
Breakfast. End of our services

Total distance: 2075 km. (735 km on gravel, dirt road) Level difference: +15.750mt
Distance from El Calafate: 735 km (230 km on gravel road). Level difference: +4750mts.

Services included: Permanent 2 expert cycling mountain bike guides assistance, Support vehicle with trailer with enough space to transport the whole group, transfer -boat transfer on general Carreras lake, ferry boat to cross the Magallanes strait, All meals (4 daily plus snacks and beverages), lodging at hotels, hostels, cabins and inns (20 nights),7 days lodging at campsites in tents (6 of this nights there will be an option for an extra cost to sleep in dorms instead of tents at an extra cost with previous reservation) mechanical assistance and spare mountain bike.

Not included: entrance fee to national parks, meals and beverages at days off or leisure days. (those dinners mentioned as on your own), optional excursions and tours.

Price: 3150.- euros
If you prefer to sleep in dorms (hostel type shared bedroom) instead of sleeping in a tent the days mark as camping days in the program there is an extra cost of € 150.- euros

Note: This trip is for a maximum group of 8 people, for larger groups please contact us for alternative dates.

Back to Patagonia trips Next trip itinerary
Check also the shortest version of this trip El Calafate Ushuaia
For dates, prices, booking terms and conditions click here

Equipment:
Mountain bike or hybrid, with gravel and paved road tires and prior mechanical check up
Helmet.
Water bottle or water backpack (Camel).
Sleeping bag and Thermarest
Tent only if you want a single tent
Head lamp or flash light with spare batteries
Sunglasses ,
Personal medication ,
Sunblock lotion and lipbalm ,
No need for saddlebags unless you want to carry your own camera.

Recommended clothing : Bike pants short & long, Running pants, Windbreaker, synthetic long sleeve shirt, T-shirts, Polar fleece jacket, Gloves, Socks synthetic & wool, Rain poncho (optional) , Sandals or spare tennis shoes.