North Patagonia & Andean Lakes

Day 1: Arrival in Bariloche – Villa La Angostura
Day 2: Villa La Angostura – Villa Traful, 37 mi (60 km)
Day 3: Villa Traful – Villa Lago Meliquina, 43 mi (70 km)
Day 4: Villa Lago Meliquina – Quila Quina – San Martín de los Andes, 30 mi (48 km)
Day 5: San Martín de los Andes
Day 6: San Martín de los Andes – Pucón, 55 mi (88 km)
Day 7: Pucón – Caburgua Lake Loop, 40 mi (65 km)
Day 8: Pucón – Panguipulli, 39 mi (62 km)
Day 9: Panguipulli – Huilo Huilo, 39 mi (63 km)
Day 10: Huilo Huilo – San Martín de los Andes, 37 mi (60 km)
Day 11: Departure from San Martín de los Andes

Day 1: Arrival in Bariloche – Villa La Angostura
Meet at Bariloche International Airport and transfer to Villa La Angostura, a small mountain town set within Nahuel Huapi National Park, Argentina’s oldest national park. After arrival, meet your guide for a bike fitting and a detailed tour briefing covering routes, logistics, and safety for the days ahead. The remainder of the day is free to relax and enjoy the town’s lakeside setting and Patagonian architecture, influenced by early European settlers. (D)

Sample accommodations: Hostería El Establo (or similar)

Day 2: Villa La Angostura – Villa Traful, 37 mi (60 km). Elevation gain: +3,740 ft
Depart directly from the hotel, riding past the Correntoso River and nearby lakes before joining the iconic Seven Lakes Route. After roughly 12 miles of pavement, turn onto a gravel road that climbs steadily through native lenga and coihue forests to a narrow mountain pass. Beyond the pass, rolling terrain skirts the crystal-clear shoreline of Lake Traful, a glacial lake famous for its deep blue waters, before reaching the secluded village of Villa Traful. (B, L, D)

Route Details: 
Transfer- none
Pavement- 19 mi.
Gravel- 19 mi.

Sample accommodations: Alto Traful (or similar)

Day 3: Villa Traful – Villa Lago Meliquina, 43 mi (70 km). Elevation gain: +3,770 ft
Begin the day following a winding gravel road along Lake Traful toward the confluence of the Traful and Limay Rivers, a key watershed in northern Patagonia. Continue along Paso del Córdoba, a historic route long used by Mapuche communities to cross the region. The terrain alternates between flat stretches and steady climbs to successive mountain passes, followed by a long descent toward the Caleufú River, an ideal spot for a break. The final miles lead into Villa Lago Meliquina, a quiet, low-impact community known for its off-grid, sustainable lifestyle. A partial transfer option is available to shorten the ride if desired. (B, L, D)

Route Details: 
Transfer- 9 mi.
Pavement- none
Gravel- 43 mi.

Sample accommodations: Calma Sur (or similar)

Day 4: Villa Lago Meliquina – Quila Quina – San Martín de los Andes, 30 mi (48 km). Elevation gain: +2,090 ft
Ride along Lake Meliquina before joining the Seven Lakes Route and continuing on scenic stretches of Route 40, one of Argentina’s most legendary highways. Turn toward Quila Quina, following a gravel road with sweeping views of Lake Lácar, a glacial lake that uniquely drains west toward the Pacific Ocean. Upon arrival, enjoy time to relax on the lakeshore before boarding a scenic 40-minute boat crossing to San Martín de los Andes, a town purposefully designed in traditional Patagonian mountain style. (B, L, D)

Route Details: 
Transfer- 40-minute boat crossing
Pavement- 12 mi.
Gravel- 17 mi.

Sample accommodations: Le Village Hotel (or similar)

Day 5: San Martín de los Andes
Enjoy a free day to explore the surroundings at your own pace. San Martín de los Andes sits at the edge of Lanín National Park, home to ancient araucaria forests and volcanic landscapes. Optional activities include kayaking on Lake Lácar, hiking forest trails, or mountain biking near Chapelco. Activities are not included in the program. (B, D)

Sample accommodations: Le Village Hotel (or similar)

Day 6: San Martín de los Andes – Pucón, 55 mi (88 km). Elevation gain: +2,560 ft
Transfer approximately 62 miles to the national park entrance, where today’s ride begins. After a short warm-up, stop for border and migration formalities before entering Chile. From there, enjoy a long paved descent followed by quieter gravel roads winding through increasingly humid and lush landscapes shaped by Pacific weather systems. Approaching Pucón, Villarrica Volcano dominates the skyline, with steam rising from its active crater. (B, L, D)

Route Details: 
Transfer- 62 mi.
Pavement- 31 mi.
Gravel- 24 mi.

Sample accommodations: Aldea Naukana (or similar)

Day 7: Pucón – Caburgua Lake Loop, 40 mi (65 km). Elevation gain: +2,950 ft
Ride a scenic loop through the Caburgua Lake area using quiet backroads and gravel tracks. This region is shaped by ancient lava flows that redirected underground rivers, creating the nearby Ojos del Caburgua waterfalls. The route offers a mix of forest, farmland, and lakeside riding, with the opportunity to visit a thermal park fed by geothermal activity linked to the region’s volcanic origins. (B, L, D)

Route Details: 
Transfer- 12 mi.
Pavement- 22 mi.
Gravel- 17 mi.

Optional Activity: Villarrica Volcano Ascent, 5.5 miles (9 km). Elevation gain: +4593 ft
Today, guests may choose between the scheduled bike ride or an optional guided ascent of Villarrica Volcano. This is a strenuous, guided hike on one of South America’s most active volcanoes. The ascent takes approximately 4–6 hours, with a 1.5–2 hour descent. The route climbs through forest into volcanic terrain, with wide views over the lake district and the active crater near the summit. Certified guides are required and provide essential equipment such as crampons and ice axes, while participants should bring warm, quick-drying layers, water, and snacks

Sample accommodations: Aldea Naukana (or similar)

Day 8: Pucón – Panguipulli, 39 mi (62 km). Elevation gain: +3,280 ft
Begin the day with a 25-mile transfer before starting the ride along paved roads skirting the shores of Lake Calafquén. Continue west through rolling terrain toward Lake Panguipulli, part of Chile’s lesser-known Seven Lakes region. Volcanic soils and abundant rainfall support dense forests and vibrant farmland along the route. The day finishes at a lakeside property with expansive water and mountain views. (B, L, D)

Route Details: 
Transfer- 25 mi.
Pavement- 22 mi.
Gravel- 17 mi.

Sample accommodations: Casa Panguipulli Hotel

Day 9: Panguipulli – Huilo Huilo, 39 mi (63 km). Elevation gain: +3,710 ft
Ride along the shores of Lake Panguipulli in the morning, gradually gaining expansive views of the Mocho–Choshuenco volcanic complex, whose eruptions helped shape the surrounding valleys. In the afternoon, follow a winding road through lush temperate rainforest to the Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve, a private conservation area created to protect native ecosystems after decades of logging. (B, L, D)

Route Details: 
Transfer- none
Pavement- 39 mi.
Gravel- none

Sample accommodations: Nothofagus Hotel, Huilo Huilo

Day 10: Huilo Huilo – San Martín de los Andes, 37 mi (60 km). Elevation gain: +3,740 ft
Start with a short descent to Puerto Fuy, where you board a boat for a two-hour crossing of Lake Pirihueico, one of Chile’s deepest lakes, bordered by steep forested slopes. After disembarking, ride to Chilean and Argentine border controls before continuing along Lake Lácar back into San Martín de los Andes. This historic lake-and-land crossing highlights the dramatic Pacific–Atlantic watershed divide of the Andes. (B, L, D)

Route Details: 
Transfer- 2-hr boat crossing
Pavement- 3 mi.
Gravel- 34 mi.

Sample accommodations: Ayres del Filo Hotel (or similar)

Day 11: Departure from San Martín de los Andes
After breakfast, check out and transfer to the airport for your return flight. (B)

Accommodations on this tour are carefully selected mountain lodges and boutique-style hotels that reflect the character of Northern Patagonia and the Andean Lake District. Most offer 4-star to 4-plus-star comfort, with an emphasis on natural surroundings. Many properties are set on lakeshores or within forested landscapes, offering panoramic views of water, mountains, and volcanoes.

Bicycles

Fantic XF2 120 Trail Electric Bike

• Motor: Brose, 250 W, 90 Nm torque
• Battery: 630 Wh
• Wheels: 29 × 2.25
• Drivetrain: Shimano Deore, 10-speed
• Brakes: Formula Cura 2 hydraulic disc brakes
• Suspension: Marzocchi Bomber Z2, 110 mm travel
• Available Sizes: S / M / L