Biking Chilean Lake & Volcano District

Discover the stunning Lake District on bike! Cycle along back roads and through national parks and small towns, with views of clear lakes, active volcanoes, and rolling meadows.

Trip Length: 9 Days
Destination: Lakes District, Chile
Lodging: Comfortable & sustainable 3-star, 4-star, and 5-star lodges
Activities: Road biking, hot springs

WHY THIS TRIP

Discover the stunning Lake District on bike! Cycle along back roads and through national parks and small towns, with views of clear lakes, active volcanoes, and rolling meadows.

TRIP DIFFICULTY: Intermediate

You’re active on your days off, and recreational biking may even be your weekend sport of choice. You love to ride, and it shows in your endurance and strength. Our intermediate bike tours offer a steady but active pace, with opportunities to push yourself. Expect some challenging climbs, with great descents over rolling terrain. Average distance per day: 40-50 miles / 65-80 km.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

Explore UNESCO Geopark Kütralkura, Lonquimay Volcano, and Malalcahuello National Reserve
Bike the Andes Mountains at Alto Biobio National Reserve
Meet the indigenous Mapuche people and learn about their ancestral culture
Savor Chilean cuisine, and taste the best wines and local microbrews
Experience Pucon city and Villarrica Volcano
Road cycling the Seven Lakes Route
Explore Huilo-Huilo Biological Reserve
See Puerto Varas city, Llanquihue Lake, Petrohue Waterfalls and Osorno Volcano

LOCAL OPERATOR: Amity Tours

Founded in 2003, Amity Tours is a family-owned and operated company that was created in response to the immense opportunities for diverse and attractive programs that can be offered in Chile. We started up our operations in The Lake & Volcano District (Chile and Argentina) and now we also cover the Atacama Desert and Patagonia.

Adventure: We are an adventure travel company and we understand “adventure” as an experience where culture and nature are the main pillars. We specialized in sport activities such as biking, hiking, and skiing, but we also understand that that comes with excellent service, comfortable hotels and great local food, wine and beer.

People: You’ll find a true friend in our experienced and professional team of guides and drivers. They will show you the best of Chile and Argentina. You’ll get to know our country and meet local people at every destination.

Nature: This is the best part, we are blessed with a country with amazing nature. We’ll make sure you see the best of it and discover the hidden corners that will make you hold your breath in awe.

Responsible Tourism: Our commitment as a company is to contribute to the sustainable development of our region through the practice of Responsible Tourism. This commitment implies giving a high degree of importance to the values of local people, local traditions, which is reflected in the use of local guides, the selection of lodgings in locally-owned accommodations and the carrying out of our activities in wild protected areas. This is one of our most important values.

All our efforts aim to help the protection of our very fragile environment and to maintain the larger amount of income generated by tourist activities in the local area. Both of these factors are of great importance for our communities and for the people that visit us.

Itinerary

Click the Abbreviated Itinerary to see the Detailed Itinerary

Itinerary

DAY 1: Arrive in Temuco & Free Afternoon (hotel)
DAY 2: Bike Fitting & Warm Up Ride in Malalcahuello National Reserve (hotel)
DAY 3: Katralkura Geopark and The Andes Climb (hotel)
DAY 4: Rolling Green Hills (hotel)
DAY 5: Pucon Hot Springs Loop (hotel)
DAY 6: Chile's 7 Lake Route (hotel)
DAY 7: The German Settlers Route (hotel)
DAY 8: Vicente Perez Rosales National Park Ride (hotel)
DAY 9: Depart from Puerto Montt

DAY 1: Arrive in Temuco & Free Afternoon

Fly from Santiago de Chile to Temuco (flights not included, but can be booked through our partners at Exito Travel or arranged on your own).

Before we kick off our hike tour in Chile’s Lake and Volcano District, you should take a day or two to adjust to local time and recover from your travels, and allow for any flight or luggage delays.

An arrival transfer is not included in the trip pricing, but is very easy to do when you arrive. The official shuttle company at Temuco’s Airport is called TransAraucania.

They are the only authorized shuttle company at the airport, and their staff wears a blue and green uniform. By contract with the airport, they must have available transport based in the domestic flights arriving every day.

They have a counter at the airport, right next to the automatic doors (from the baggage carrousel). They offer group and private shuttles to Temuco at $30,000 Chilean pesos (about USD $40 per vehicle).

You don’t need reservations and you can pay in Credit Card or Cash. The ATM is located on second floor of the airport.

All their shuttle services will drop you off at the hotel where you are staying in Temuco. You’ll need to have the name of your hotel and the hotel address on hand. Driving time is approximately 35 minutes.

Accommodations: Dreams Araucania Hotel or similar
Meals Included: None

DAY 2: Bike Fitting & Warm Up Ride in Malalcahuello National Reserve

Our local staff will meet you at Dreams Araucania Hotel in Temuco, and transfer you to a small quaint mountain village called Malalcahuello, where a soothing thermal bath awaits us at our hotel.

Your guides will assist you to assemble and fit your bike and then take a short warm-up ride. In the evening, we’ll have an orientation and briefing session before our Welcome Dinner together.

Time Riding: about 2 hours
Biking Distance: 26 miles / 42 km
Starting Elevation: 4,764 ft / 1,452 m
Ending Elevation: 1,743 ft / 531 m
Elevation Gain: 3,097 ft / 944 m
Elevation Loss: 860 ft / 262 m

Overnight: Corralco Hotel & Spa or similar
Meals Included: Dinner

DAY 3: Katralkura Geopark and The Andes Climb

Today the van will take us to the Sierra Nevada Range right through the tunnel Las Raíces, the longest tunnel in Chile (4,5 km or 2,8 miles). Here we’ll set off on our second ride, traveling alongside the Lonquimay River by an almost flat valley; this section features the Kutralkura Geopark and one of the smoothest roads.

We’ll bike the Geopark territory through the lands of different Pewenches communities, ascending the international path Pino Achado until reaching the Customs. The road is quite rolling with several flat sections and a few small climbs.

If you want to pedal up some serious grades, it is possible to extend the route on 22 km (13.6 miles) more, until the peak altitude of 1,884 meters (6,181 feet above sea level). Once you reach the border line with Argentina you can enjoy breathtaking scenery of the Andes. Later we’ll get in the van and drive back to our hotel.

Time Riding: about 5 hours
Biking Distance: 51 mi / 82 km
Starting Elevation: 2,985 ft / 910 m
Ending Elevation: 6,181 ft / 1,884 m
Elevation Gain: 4,505 ft / 1,373 m
Elevation Loss: 2,083 ft / 635 m

Overnight: Corralco Hotel & Spa or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4: Rolling Green Hills

Ride down the valley from the village of Malalcahuello – We’ll ride alongside the Cautín River as the valley opens after each meter we descent the foothills of the mountain range. We’ll enjoy a beautiful view to the volcanoes Llaima, Lonquimay and Tolhuaca.

This ride gets you to an extensive green valley, passing through the middle of seeded fields on smooth hills. Upon completing today’s ride we get in the vans and start traveling to Pucón (2 hour drive), the main adventure tourism destination in the Lake & Volcano District. Enjoy the Villarrica Volcano views and pool at your hotel.

Evening at leisure. Ask our guides if you need some local knowledge about dining and good shopping.

Time Riding: about 4 hours
Biking Distance: 50 mi / 80 km
Starting Elevation: 3,140 ft / 957 m
Ending Elevation: 709 ft / 216 m
Elevation Gain: 1,873 ft / 571 m
Elevation Loss: 4,336 ft / 1,288 m

Overnight: Hotel Casa Solaria or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 5: Pucon Hot Springs Loop

We’ll cycle from our hotel to Lake Caburgua and then towards Pucon’s famous Hot Springs. The ride today is a combination of rolling hills with several short climbs at the second half of the road. Throughout today’s ride our guide will help us identify several species of birds
and trees as we cycle next to beautiful farms and enjoy views of the Villarrica volcano. With a little good luck, we will see smoke coming out of this active volcano.

After cycling the rolling and sometimes hilly road to the hot springs, we will enjoy lunch and then a soothing soak in a hot mineral bath. Later we’ll take a short ride in the vans back to our hotel in Pucón, or you can ride in your bike if you want. Evening at leisure, dinner not included.

Time Riding: about 4 hours
Biking Distance: 34 mi / 54 km
Starting Elevation: 715 ft / 218 m
Ending Elevation: 1,985 ft / 605 m
Elevation Gain: 2,736 ft / 834 m
Elevation Loss: 1,739 ft / 530 m

Optional ride back to Pucon: +22 mi / +35 km

Overnight: Hotel Casa Solaria or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 6: Chile’s 7 Lake Route

Each day brings new beauty on this tour, and today is no exception. Today we will ride one of Chile’s most scenic roads, The 7-Lake Route. We’ll pedal alongside the shores of two beautiful lakes, Calafquén and Panguipulli, and cover three-quarters of the way around
Villarrica, a majestic, snow-capped active volcano. This road is smooth and quiet as almost no vehicles drive here.

At one point we should be able to see five volcanoes. We’ll have a picnic lunch by the beach of Lake Panguipulli – meaning “land of lions” – while enjoying the views of Chile’s southern volcanoes.

From here we continue riding alongside Lake Panguipulli until the end of the paved road near Choshuenco village. From this point will drive half hour to the Natural Reserve Huilo Huilo, where we’ll eat dinner and stay overnight at the incredible Nothofagus Hotel & Spa.

Time Riding: 5 to 6 hours
Biking Distance: 51 mi / 82 km
Starting Elevation: 925 ft / 282 m
Ending Elevation: 4,36 ft / 133 m
Elevation Gain: 2,904 ft / 885 m
Elevation Loss: 3,028 ft / 923 m

Overnight: Nothofagus Hotel & Spa or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7: The German Settlers Route

Today we’ll ride in the vans 84 miles until we reach the city of Osorno, where we will begin cycling. From this point we’ll start our ride towards quaint little villages with a strong German heritage.

The route consists of rolling hills with flat stretches until we end the ride by the beach of Lake Llanquihue, where a unique landscape is waiting for us, the Osorno Volcano with its perfect cone.

We’ll enjoy an incredible buffet lunch in a German family-owned restaurant and then drive in the vans 35 minutes to Puerto Varas. Evening at leisure.

Time Biking: 6 hours
Biking Distance: 51 mi / 82 km
Starting Elevation: 125 ft / 38 m
Ending Elevation: 623 ft / 190 m
Elevation Gain: 2,044 ft / 623 m
Elevation Loss: 1,886 ft / 575 m

Overnight: Cumbres Patagonicas Hotel & Spa or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 8: Vicente Perez Rosales National Park Ride

This trip of a lifetime is about to end. In the morning, we start riding from the hotel, alongside Lake Llanquihue, where a unique landscape is waiting for us – the Osorno Volcano with its perfect cone.

The side of the Volcano reaches the shore of the lake and we’ll pass through the middle of this astounding landscape as we travel to the village of Ensenada. We will start pedaling from Puerto Varas to Petrohue, attacking 34 miles in one of the most beautiful routes of the tour.

Upon completing the ride we’ll head back with the vans to the charming germanstyle city of Puerto Varas, our last destination, and let ourselves to relax and enjoy a farewell dinner at a seafood restaurant.

Time Biking: 3 to 4 hours
Biking Distance: 35 mi / 56 km
Starting Elevation: 161 ft / 49 m
Ending Elevation: 485 ft / 148 m
Elevation Gain: 1,591 ft / 482 m
Elevation Loss: 1,339 ft / 408 m

Overnight: Cumbres Patagonicas Hotel & Spa or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 9: Depart from Puerto Montt

Sadly, it’s time to say good-bye to the beautiful Lake & Volcano District of Chile. After breakfast, we’ll visit Puerto Varas downtown looking for that special souvenirs to bring home. Ask our guides about the local Markets with the best souvenirs, handcrafts and woolen clothing.

Later we’ll ride in vans and head to the Puerto Montt Airport to catch your flight home or wherever your travels take you next (flights not included, but can be booked through our partners at Exito Travel or arranged on your own). It’s been a trip you will always remember!

Meals Included: Breakfast

ITINERARY NOTES:

Itinerary Changes: Slight itinerary modifications might occur due to weather and or road conditions, or force majeure.

Road Safety: Besides your own on-road safety gear (helmet, rearview mirrors, bright colored jerseys and gloves) we provide a support vehicle that drives at the rear of the group with a road-sign that alert other drivers the presence of bike riders on the road. Drivers in Chile are used to bicycles on the road, so they shouldn’t bother you while riding. All our staff communicates by radio at all times.

Riding Wait Policy: In order to ensure that the timing and logistics of the rides and tour go more smoothly, please be informed that from the time that it takes for the first rider to complete a ride, the transportation vehicles will wait a maximum of 90 minutes for the remaining cyclists to finish riding. After this point, the riders yet to reach the finish line will have to get into the vans and be transported in the vehicles to reunite with the group.

travel logistics

Getting To and From the Trip:

You will fly from your home to Santiago, Chile. Most international flights arrive early in the morning into Santiago, and you can immediately catch your domestic flight from Santiago to Temuco. Or if you prefer, you can spend a day or two exploring Santiago, which is a really fun city!

You will need to plan to arrive in Temuco, Chile any time on Day 1.

This trip ends with with your departure from the Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) on Day 9. We recommend LATAM 296 departing at 9:40am or LATMA 260 departing at 1:00pm. You will be dropped off at the airport in time for your flight.

You can fly from Puerto Montt to Santiago, and catch your international departure flight that night.

If you want to explore more parts of Chile – Santiago, the Wine Region, Patagonia, the Atacama Desert, or more – please let us know!

Trip Start: Temuco, Chile

Trip End: Puerto Montt, Chile

Complete Your Trip

This is a complete trip for exploring the Lake District of Chile. If you want to travel to other parts of Chile, such as Patagonia, the Atacama Desert, the Wine Region, Santiago, or elsewhere, we would be happy to help you plan the rest of your trip!

Prices & Dates

2023 PRICES:

Pricing is per person and based on double occupancy.

Group Departures available October – April

Private Departures October – April

Group of 2 to 3 travelers
Group of 4 to 5 travelers
Group of 6 to 7 travelers
Group of 8 to 9 travelers
Group of 10 to 12 travelers
Single Supplement

2024 PRICES:

What's Included / Not Included

INCLUDED:

Small groups with a up to 12 travelers maximum
Accommodations as indicated in the itinerary (8 nights)
Expert English-speaking guide (1 guide per 9 travelers)
Private transportation with trailer and bike rack
Meals as indicated in the itinerary (7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 4 dinners)
First class of Chilean wine, local beer, or soft drink during group dinners
Zero waste on-route snacks included: drinking water, local beer, isotonic drinks, trail mix, fresh fruit, and home made energy bars
Gratuities at restaurants and hotels
Accident insurance
Cycling jersey
Basic bicycle replacement parts: cable housing, tubes, tires, & spokes
Helmets and clip in pedals available upon request *
Refillable water bottles available upon request
Entrance fees to national parks and hot springs
All activities as described in the itinerary: road cycling and one hike (slight itinerary modifications might occur due to weather, road conditions, or force majeure)
All bike routes can be extended up to an extra 20 miles

* Helmets & Pedals: Most riders choose to bring their own helmets, but if you prefer, we have a small number of helmets available on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. Please let us know in advance if you’d like to use one. All our bikes are equipped with Wellgo pedals and toeclips. We will be happy to substitute any pedals you choose to bring. Amity Tours also has a small number of Shimano SPD and SPD-SL pedals, available on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. Please let us know in advance if you prefer to use them.

NOT INCLUDED:

International and domestic Chile flights (can be booked on your own, or with our flight partners at Exito Travel – for a quote, please let me know your home airport)
Arrival transfer Temuco Airport – hotel: $40 total (see Day 1 itinerary for details)
Bikes (you can bring your own, or you can rent a bike for $250 per person for the length of the trip) *
Bike shorts, bike gloves, other jerseys, etc.
Other replacement bicycle parts: derailleur, crankset, fork, etc. (Note: If your wheel size on your bike is different than 700c, you MUST bring your own replacement parts. Likewise, if your wheels have any special features make sure you bring your own special replacement parts.)
Travel and health insurance (highly recommended)
Gratuity for guide and support team. At the end of the trip, gratuity for the crew for a job well done is highly appreciated. We encourage you to use your discretion and tip according to the caliber of service you receive. As a guideline, the industry standard is $120 dollars per person, per guide
Extra alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
Accommodations and services in Santiago (can be quoted for and added upon request)
Visa or reciprocity fees (if applicable)
Meals not indicated
Laundry and spa services
Personal or medical expenses

* Bike Rental Options: $250.00 per person for the length of the trip, your choice of Cannondale CAAD8 105 or Kona Dew Hybrid Bike. More about the bikes here:

Cannondale CAAD8 105