Dates: 20th of January to 1st of February 2012

Duration: 14 days (from El Calafate)

Distance: 950 km (420 km gravel road and 530 km de paved road). 130 km riding on a van .

Description: From Glacier Perito Moreno to the southernmost part of the American continent we cross the Magallanes straight and enter the fantastic land of Tierra del Fuego where the famous explorer Darwin marveled at the nature that surrounds what is nowadays the city of Ushuaia . Known as the "city at the end of the world".

Places: El Calafate and the "Los Glaciares"National Park (Glacier Perito Moreno), Torres del Paine and Puerto Natales (Chile). We cycle along the Magallanes strait and cross at "Primera Angostura". Tierra del Fuego: Rio Grande and Tolhuin. Lake Fagnano and Escondido. Ushuaia, Glacier Lemartine, La Pataia Bay.

Difficulty: The 950 km are divided into 9 days of cycling, with 1 day to rest. (The day tours in Ushuaia are not taken into account).Our normal mountain biking rate is about 105 km per day at 20 km/h with short breaks and a long break for lunch . We ride for approximately 5hrs 30m. Almost half of the tour is on paved road. Most of the biking section is with wind from behind which helps while riding. The highest level above sea level is 900 m. The level difference or drop is about 500 meters every 100 km.

Temperature: There is between 5 ºC and 25ºC ( we recommend using a sleeping bag with comfort temperature level below 0ºC”). the weather is usually dry although you may expect rain at the Bariloche and Ushuaia area

Support vehicle: every 2 to 3 hours we stop for a snack where you have beverages (water, coffee, tea and juices) and energy bars and snacks. At noon we make a longer stop for lunch. Dinner, where it is possible, will be served in a restaurant or cook by the group. The support vehicle will be by the mountain biking group available any time when needed.

Group size: minimum 8 people. Registration should be confirmed one month in advance otherwise a 15% will be added to the price.



Program and itinerary:


Day 1 - El Calafate:
Meet the group and guides in El Calafate.
Lodging: hotel or cabins.



Day 2 - El Calafate - Perito Moreno glacier:
We take the excursion by bus to the los Glaciares national park to Moreno glacier returning in the afternoon to El Calafate around 5 o' clock. Dinner on your own.
Lodging: hotel or cabins, same as night before.



Day 3 - Tapi Aike :
We continue bike riding toward West to the surrounding area of Tapi Aike. 13 km before we stop and set up our camping site.
Daily biking ride: 150 km (90 km paved road) approx. 8,5 hours, 1100 meters level difference
Lodging: camping



Day 4 - Cerro Castillo:
We enter Chile in a nearby area to Paine towers National Park called Cancha Carrera Pass.
Daily biking ride: 69 km (40 km paved road) approx. 5 hours, 400 meters level difference
Lodging: camping


Day 5 - Puerto Natales:
We arrive at noon to Puerto Natales in Chile.
Daily biking ride: 65 km (30 km on paved road) approx. 3,5 hours
Lodging: in cabins with privilaged location at sea side, for two nights



Day 6- Puerto Natales:
We take a day off to rest with optional tours on your own: visit Paine towers national park, take a boat to the glaciers or take a horseback ride at nearby area, or a stroll in the town area.



Day 7 - Río Verde (estancia - ranch at sea side):
we start with a mountain biking leg of 100 km, on paved road (with very likely strong wind from the West on our back), the we have a section on our support vehicle ( 50 km), ending mountain biking for about 27 km (gravel road),
Daily biking ride:127 km (paved road with strong wind and gravel road 27 km)
approx. 6 hours
Lodging: cabins



Day 8 - Punta Arenas:
We continue mountain biking for about 47 km on a gravel road by the ocean front side (great landscape), the last leg on paved road heading south to Punta Arenas one of the most important cities in south Chile with important harbor and commercial center.
Daily biking ride: 96 km (49 km on paved road) 4,5 hours approx.
Lodging: hostel in Punta Arenas



Day 9 - Inútil bay (camp site on Magallean strait sea side):
After crossing the Magallanes strait on boat (2h 40m) we arrive to Porvenir town on Tierra del Fuego. We continue mountain biking after noon. We ride along the Magallanes strait with amazing views to Porvenir. We ride on gravel road with strong wind.
Daily biking ride: 85 km gravel road. Approx. 6 hours
Lodging: Camping by sea side



Day 10 - Rio Grande - Argentina:
We cross the boarder into Argentina through the San Sebastian pass. Most of our biking tour in Tierra del Fuego rides close to the river Rio Grande, always with the southern sea next to us probably with wind helping us. After customs we get on the van and drive for 85 km. Dinner on your own.
Daily biking ride: 85 km (gravel road) approx. 6,5 hours.
Lodging: hotel



Day 11 - Tolhuin:
We head South with crossed winds and some parts helping us from behind to lakes Yehuin and Cheepelmuth, near Tolhuin. we set our camp site on the shore of lake Fagnano.
Daily biking ride: 130 km (paved road). approx. 5 hours
Lodging: camping on the Fagnano lake shore


Day 12 - Ushuaia:
Finally we ride up the Garibaldi pass where before we go downhill into Ushuaia, we enjoy the breathtaking view from one of the most beautiful passes.
Farewell dinner
Daily biking ride: 100 km (paved road) approx. 5,5 hours
Lodging: hostel-inn - hosteria



Day 13 - Excursion to Lapataia bay:
We take the day off, but we suggest taking the tour the surrounding areas of Ushuaia, National park Tierra del Fuego and the Lapataia bay area or take a boat to the Beagle channel.
Lodging: hostel-inn - hosteria



Day 14 - Ushuaia:
End of our services after breakfast.




Included services: Assistance provided by experienced guides. Support vehicle with trailer with enough space to carry those who cannot cycle Mechanical service and spare bike. Lodging at hotels, hostels, cabins and hosterias (9 nights). Camping on behalf of our organization. All meals and beverages (4 meals days plus snacks), except the days off and dinners mentioned as free. Boat trip crossing the Magallanes strait.
Not included: entrance fees to the national parks, tips, extras.meals and beverages at days off or leisure days, optional excursions.

Price: € 1.600.-(US$ 2250.-)

Back to Patagonia trips    Next trip itinerary
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.

If this mountain biking trip expedition is not what you expected and you are looking for a different itinerary, activities, length, please contact us about our tailor-made mountain biking trips

Patagonia mountain biking trips | Northwest Argentina mountain biking trips | Bolivia & Peru biking tours | Worldwide biking tours | About our trips | Biking Equipment | Dates and Prices | Contact us | FAQ |
Trip notes- Information | About us | Interesting links | Photo gallery | Home