Argentina and Chile: Northern Patagonia Multisport

Argentina and Chile: Northern Patagonia Multisport Itinerary:

• Day 1

  Your trip begins today in Bariloche, Argentina.  Arrive by late afternoon (your exact air itinerary can be worked out with a member of the REI Adventures air department).  From the airport, there is one group transfer to our lodge for an orientation with our guides.  Bariloche is a Swiss-styled resort town with a mix of Italian and Argentine influences.  We enjoy a delicious welcome dinner at a traditional Argentinean restaurant.  Dinner included.

• Day 2

  We start the day with a splendid morning drive and then a chairlift ride to the top of Mt. Campanario for a "knock-your-socks-off" view of northern Patagonia and the Lake District including the famous Cathedral Hill.  Countless lakes surrounded by the impressive mountains of the Andes kick start our adventure! Jumping on our bikes, we set out from Laguna el Trebol, warming up on rolling hills while making our way to an idyllic creekside picnic spot for lunch.  After lunch, a slightly more challenging climb followed by a fun descent on gravel roads leads back to our lodge on the shores of Gutierrez Lake.  Relax or take a swim before dinner at an outstanding and unique local brewpub. All meals included.
  
  Cycling: 3.5 hours.  Terrain: Rolling hills on gravel roads.

• Day 3

  This morning is a scenic drive (2 hours) along the shore of Gutierrez and Mascardi Lakes to Pampa Linda at the foot of Mt. Tronador.  Our lodge is at the end of the road in a lovely mountain setting; the location is perfect for today and tomorrow's adventures. After lunch, we saddle up for an afternoon horseback ride to the moraine of the Ventisquero Negro, the black glacier. We enjoy great views of Tronador's upper and lower glaciers. All meals included.
  
  Horseback riding: easy, 4 hours, 12 miles.

• Day 4

  This is a challenging and rewarding day. Setting out on foot from our front door, our trail ascends steeply alongside a forest of cohihues trees, hundred of years old.  We follow Morenkoff Ridge, each step upward opening to more impressive views of Mt. Tronador (11,632'). Our destination is Morenkoff Point, with fantastic views of the Tronador peaks, hanging glaciers and surging waterfalls. It is not uncommon to see magnificent condors soaring above with their 10' wing spans. Then it's back to the lodge for a relaxing evening. All meals included.
  
  Hiking: 12 miles, 8 hours; Elevation gain:  2,780 ft; Terrain: steep switchbacks followed by ridge walk. 

• Day 5

  We drive 3 hours to Villa La Angostura, a small artesian village on the shore of the largest lake of the region, the Nahuel Huapi.  After lunch in the village we load our bikes onto the ferry for a short boat ride to the Quetrihue Peninsula.  From here we cycle through the cinnamon-colored Arrayanes National Forest, a nature preserve with a diverse array of flora and fauna. This is true mountain biking today; most of the ride is single track with a few technical maneuvers (it's no problem to get off your bike at these points and walk the short distance to the next easier stretch). Tonight we encourage everyone to sample the local fare for dinner.  Delicious empanadas (meat pies) and excellent Argentinean wines (Malbecs and Cabernets) are favorites.  We stay at a local hotel tonight. Breakfast included, lunch and dinner on your own.
  
  Cycling: 7 miles, 3 hours.  Terrain:  Forested single track trails with a few steep sections. 

• Day 6

  Our morning drive puts us on the scenic Seven Lakes Road.  In the late morning, we crest Cordoba Pass (3,000'), seizing the perfect opportunity to hop on our bikes and descend the winding road that leads through this dramatic desert landscape.  This is very unlike other Andean landscapes with its wild rock formations and having a very "American southwest" feel.  We're met at the end of our descent with another perfect picnic lunch, resting in the shade creekside before our support vehicle transfers us to another lovely section of this quiet road for several more miles of cycling.  Spectacular views unfold before us as we glide into to the lovely town of San Martin de los Andes. Tonight we enjoy a pre-dinner wine tasting at a local hot spot and wine bar.  All meals included.
  
  Cycling: 13-14 miles, 2.5 hours; Terrain: Mostly long descent on hard pack gravel. 

• Day 7

  This morning we leave early for our drive over the Andes (4 hours) to Chile. We pass through an entire forest of araucaria or 'monkey-puzzle' trees and stop for a picnic lunch en route.  Welcoming us to Chile are three volcanic sentinels:  Lanin (12,386'), Villarrica (9,309') and Mocho (7,890').  We enjoy superb road cycling through pastoral countryside and small villages until we arrive in the lively Chilean resort town of Pucon.  This city is an adventure traveler's mecca. With its wooden architecture and colorful markets and shops, Pucon possesses the typical flavor of Chile's southern towns. After settling in at our new accommodations, we head into Pucon to be fitted for gear and to quickly shop for lunch foods that we'll need on tomorrow's adventure.  Afterward, choose from a variety of lively local restaurants for our first night of dining in Chile.  We'll spend the next three nights here.  Breakfast and lunch included, dinner is on your own.
  
  Cycling: 25 miles, 3 hours: Terrain: mostly level two-lane paved country road. 

• Day 8

  A new adventure today and it's sure to be a highlight…a climb of Villarrica Volcano! This classic snowcapped volcano is the prominent feature on the Pucon horizon and one of the Andes' many volcanoes. We're outfitted with mountaineering boots, an ice axe, helmet and a substantial windbreaker outfit.  We meet our specialized guides at the foot of the mountain where we begin a non-technical climb to reach Villarrica Volcano's steaming summit.  The ascent takes about 5 hours with the majority of the time spent on permanent snowfields (no crevasses).  And then – the summit (9300')!  Take in huge views of the Andes in all directions as well as the impressive crater with its boiling lava inside.  Our descent is much quicker as an exhilarating glissade speeds our return (think: human bob-sled… controlled, of course).  Anyone opting not to climb can choose to do another local hike (suggestions offered by our guide).  Once back at the hotel, enjoy a celebratory dinner with your fellow climbers followed by a good night's sleep. Breakfast and dinner included, lunch is on your own.
  
  Hiking: 7 miles, 3,000-4,500' elevation gain depending upon starting point, 7-8 hours;  Terrain: Gradual, continuous uphill with some steep sections, climb is almost entirely on snowfields.

• Day 9

  Take it easy this morning, sleep late or explore the charming town and artesian markets of Pucon.  You’ll have the opportunity to enjoy local lunchtime cuisine on your own in one of Pucon’s many delicious cafes.  This afternoon hold on tight as we raft the thrilling, rock-and-roll Class III Trancura River.  The landscape and geology of the area is impressive as we float the rapids downstream.  Tonight is our farewell dinner – we celebrate our accomplishments and bid farewell to our guides. Breakfast and dinner included.
  
  Rafting: 1.5 - 3 hours;  River conditions: Class II /III rapids.

• Day 10

  After breakfast there is a group transfer to Temuco Airport (2 hour drive) for connecting flights home via Santiago. Or, extend your stay to explore on your own. Breakfast included.

Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control including weather and terrain conditions.

If you are traveling alone and specifically request single accommodations, you will be asked to pay the full single supplement noted above. If you wish to share accommodations, we will assign a roommate if one is available. If a roommate cannot be found, you will be asked to pay a reduced single fee, which is one-half of the full single supplement. Please be advised that there are a limited number of single rooms available.

Meals as noted in the daily itinerary; hotel accommodations; guide leadership; bicycles (hybrid bike with suspension); whitewater rafting; climbing gear as needed for Villarica; group airport transfers; ground transportation; ferry boat ride; park fees.

Airfare to trip's start in Bariloche and from trip's end in Temuco; any additional hotel nights; 3 lunches; 2 dinners; cost of medical immunizations; insurance of any kind; excess baggage charges; airport taxes (if any); alcoholic beverages or soft drinks; Argentina's reciprocity fee upon entry (approximately USD $131); Chile's reciprocity fee upon entry (USD $100 – although not consistently charged); gratuities and items of a personal nature.

This trip is rated Moderate [3]. It contains a variety of activities including moderate to moderate plus hikes, mountain biking, horseback riding and whitewater rafting. The climb of Villarica Volcano is not technical however it is primarily on permanent snowfields and includes an elevation gain between 3000' - 4500' and is a very long (yet wonderful) day of hiking. Participants should have hiking and cycling experience. Everyone must be in good physical shape, comfortable on a bike and in a raft, know how to swim and enjoy the outdoors. Please note that we cover a fair amount of distance on this trip, traveling from Mt. Tronador in Argentina to Pucon in Chile while crossing over the Andes. Several days involve a van transfer of 3 - 4 hours; please refer to the itinerary for activity times.

The February, early March and late December departures take place in the summer. Summer offers warm, sunny days, cool nights and typically very little rainfall. Daylight lasts from 6 a.m. to nearly 10 p.m. Typically temperatures are in the 70s and 80s, dropping to about 65 degrees at night. Higher elevations will be slightly cooler with a breeze. The November departure takes place in the spring. Temperatures during the day are in the 70s, dropping into the 50s at night. Strong westerly winds are common at this time.

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased within 21 days of your initial trip deposit, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

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