Wine Roads of the Andes Cycling

Wine Roads of the Andes Cycling Itinerary:

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• Day 1 Arrive in Buenos Aires, Argentina, a tantalizing mix of Italian, German, and Spanish influences.

  Our trip begins in Buenos Aires, Argentina. REI Adventures provides a group transfer from the airport to our hotel. The day is free to explore or rest before meeting our guide this evening. We'll walk to a lovely local restaurant and review the trip itinerary while enjoying dinner and some of Argentina's most distinctive wines. Dinner included.

• Day 2 Explore Buenos Aires by bike. Ride through its diverse "barrios", the arts district of San Telmo, and the bustling waterfront.

  We set out to explore Buenos Aires with a bike tour of the city's diverse "barrios". We'll cycle through the arts district of San Telmo, along the bustling waterfront, and through the Plaza de Mayo. Following lunch, we set out to ride through the exclusive Recoleta neighborhood before ending our day in vibrant Palermo. This evening we explore the celebrated tradition of Tango. Try a few steps yourself during a tango lesson with the locals at an authentic venue. Breakfast and lunch included. Dinner is on your own.
  
  Cycling: 5 hours. Terrain: Flat paved roads and bike paths.

• Day 3 Travel to Mendoza, a gem in Argentina’s wine country. Take a ride through Uco Valley with views of the towering Tupungato Andes.

  An early morning start as we transfer to the airport for a flight to Mendoza, a gem of the Argentine wine country. Upon arrival a short drive brings us to Familia Bonfanit, a small family-owned bodega serving superb wines. We'll enjoy a wine tasting and then transfer to the town of Tupungato in the Uco Valley for lunch. In the afternoon we'll set out on our first bike ride in the wine country to experience breathtaking views of the towering Tupungato section of the Andes. This evening we will meet with a local chef and learn how to prepare a favorite regional treat, delicious empanadas! We spend the two nights at a lovely resort in the Uco Valley. All meals included.
  
  Cycling: 27 miles. Terrain: Flat, on paved roads.

• Day 4 Bike to the Uco Valley’s finest wineries, Clos de los Siete and Monteviejo Winery, in the foothills of the Andes.

  Our morning ride features two of the Uco Valley's finest wineries. We begin with a visit to Clos de los Siete, a joint venture initiated by the world-famous French winemaker Michel Raolland. We then ride along the bodega's inner roads beside the foothills of the Andes to Monteviejo Winery before our lunch stop at a favorite local hotspot, Posada del Jamon. Here, we'll eat a traditional asado lunch (Argentine barbecue) with magnificent views of the Andes. From our lunch stop, we'll stroll a few miles back to our lodging. The afternoon offers leisure time as well as an optional second bike ride at the foothills of the Andes. Breakfast and Lunch included. Dinner on your own.
  
  Cycling: 22-35 miles; Terrain: Mostly flat, paved and unpaved roads.

• Day 5 Ride into the heart of indigenous Mapuche legend to sample wines of Ruca Malen. Mix your own blend!

  A lovely two-hour ride through the Uco Valley, followed by a short van transfer, leads us into the heart of indigenous Mapuche to sample the award-winning wines of Bodega Ruca Malen. We'll also have the opportunity to blend a variety of red grapes to produce our own unique wines – a truly memorable experience! After lunch at the winery, the afternoon is free to relax at our next lodge or you can opt to cycle in the surrounding countryside. Breakfast and lunch included. Dinner on your own.
  
  Cycling: 12-20 miles. Terrain: Mostly flat, paved roads.

• Day 6 En route across the Andes from Mendoza to Santiago, stop for a walk to Lake Horcones with a dramatic view of Aconcagua's South Face.

  We depart Mendoza in our private van, to make the journey across the Andes to Santiago. Our road brings us to the foot of colossal Mt. Aconcagua, the highest peak in the Americas. At Aconcagua Provincial Park we'll stop for a short walk (weather permitting) to Lake Horcones for the dramatic views of Aconcagua's impressive South Face and a delicious picnic lunch. Resuming our journey through the Andes, we'll pass through customs as we cross into Chile and arriving into Santiago in the evening. Breakfast and lunch included. Dinner is on your own.
  
  Van transfer: 3 hours; Walking: 1 hour on easy terrain, at altitude.

• Day 7 Visit Santiago, Chile’s notable historic sites on foot including the Mercado Central where the best Chilean chefs obtain their seafood.

  A walking tour of Chile's vibrant capital city provides a wonderful introduction to Santiago. Among Chile's most precious treasures are its well-known mariscos (seafood), and the best Chilean chefs obtain their seafood from the historic and impressive Mercado Central. We'll enjoy lunch at this site before continuing our walk to visit some of Santiago's notable historic sites. The remainder of the afternoon and evening are free to explore or rest. Breakfast and lunch included. Dinner on your own.
  
  Walking: 2-3 miles, 3 hours. Terrain: paved city sidewalks.

• Day 8 In heart of the Colchagua Valley, explore historical Santa Cruz then ride back roads through Chile’s wine country.

  Some of Chile's favorite wines are produced in the Colchagua Valley south of Santiago. We'll head straight for the heart of the valley to the town of Santa Cruz, where we take time to walk around the historic town before beginning our day's ride. We cycle along back roads from Apalta to the Hotel Vina la Playa, our evening's accommodations. Owned by Vina Sutil Wineries, the hotel produces a range of varietals (wines made primarily by a single named grape variety) and reserves. A wine tasting provides a deeper understanding and appreciation of the country's most emblematic wines. Breakfast and dinner included, lunch on your own.
  
  Cycling: 17 miles. Terrain: Mostly flat, paved and dirt roads.

• Day 9 Cycle through picturesque vineyards and farms to the village of Peralillo and the award winning Montgras winery.

  Setting out from the lodge on our bikes, we head to the village of Peralillo. Biking through picturesque vineyards and farms we arrive at the Montgras winery in the Colchagua Valley. Following a picnic lunch, we return to the Hotel Vina la Playa, with free time to explore in the area before a celebratory dinner together. All meals included.
  
  Cycling: 25 miles. Terrain: Mostly flat, paved and dirt roads.

• Day 10 Take a final spin before visiting the famed Laura Hartwig Winery. Raise a glass of vino and toast to an amazing adventure!

  After an optional early morning ride, we'll visit the Laura Hartwig Winery in the Colchagua Valley. The Hartwig family takes great care to master their terroir - making soil, climate and grape work together in richer harmony. The vineyard's Cabernet Sauvignons are full of lavish spice and berry flavors, with pleasant touches of vanilla and chocolate. From here we will walk the vineyards to the Vino Bello restaurant for our farewell lunch. Our adventure ends this afternoon with a transfer back to Santiago for evening flights connected to the U.S. Breakfast and lunch included.
  
  Van transfer: ~3.5 hours.

Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.

Please check with us before purchasing your airline tickets to ensure your trip has the necessary minimum number of participants required to operate.

We provide 24-speed Zenith hybrid mountain bikes for all cycling days, except in Buenos Aires where we ride urban cruiser-style bikes. The Zenith mountain bikes have unisex-style frames of various sizes, 26 inch wheels, Shimano components, flat pedals, front suspension, a water bottle cage and bottle. You can bring your own shoe and pedal system, or your own pedals with toe baskets/cages/clips attached, and the guides will install them on the Zenith bike.

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; group airport transfers; ground transportation; winery tours, park fees.

Airfare to trip's start in Buenos Aires and from trip's end in Santiago; any additional hotel nights; 2 lunches; 4 dinners; cost of medical immunizations; insurance of any kind; excess baggage charges; airport taxes (if any); alcoholic beverages (not included with meals, but wine tasting is included); Chile's reciprocity fee upon entry ($100 – although not consistently charged); Argentina's reciprocity fee ($140); gratuities and items of a personal nature.

In addition to the $400 deposit required to reserve your space (fully refundable up to 91 days prior to departure), the cost of the internal flight ($299 – Buenos Aires to Mendoza, subject to change) is also due at the time of registration. This payment is due in full and is non-refundable unless REI Adventures cancels your departure for any reason. If you needed to cancel your participation on this trip for a reason covered by your optional Travel Insurance plan, this flight cost would be reimbursable by that plan.

This trip is rated Easy Active [2]. It includes easy walking tours and cycling on both paved and unpaved roads. Everyone must be in fair (or better) physical condition, comfortable on a bike and enjoy the outdoors. Please note that we cover a fair amount of distance on this trip, traveling from Mendoza in Argentina to Santiago in Chile while crossing over the Andes. Some days of the tour involve a van transfer of 3 – 4 hours.

March and April is autumn in Argentina and Chile, so you may be traveling during picking times and when the wines are being made.  Typical fall daytime highs are in the high 60s to low 80s, dropping about 20 degrees at night into the mid-40s to mid-70s. October and November is springtime in Argentina and Chile and by December it is summertime. Expect 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 55 degrees at night. Higher elevations will be slightly cooler with a breeze. 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 at the time of your initial reservation, 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.

The key to staying comfortable while on an active trip is layering. To get maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection. This gear list has been created to help you in choosing your equipment for the trip. Try to bring only what is necessary, as this will help you and the field staff.

Weather

October and November is springtime in Argentina and Chile and by December it is summertime. Expect 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 55 degrees at night. Higher elevations will be slightly cooler with a breeze. Strong westerly winds are common at this time. March and April is autumn in Argentina and Chile, so you may be traveling during picking times and when the wines are being made. Typical fall daytime highs are in the high 60s to low 80s, dropping about 20 degrees at night into the mid-40s to mid-70s.

Gear Checklist

Things to Consider

• Please remember to always pack essential items such as your passport, money, eyewear, a change of clothing (including hiking shoes), and medications in your carry-on baggage, in case your luggage is delayed.
• We recommend bright-colored bicycle clothing for visibility and safety.
• Always test your clothing layers before a trip. Your outer layer should fit easily over the inside ones without binding.
• If you are not bringing a shoe and pedal system (optional), you will need a shoe designed for cycling or cross training to be used with the provided flat pedals. Consider these features: lightweight, closed toe, designed with stiffer soles to provide more efficient energy transfer as you pedal. Stiff soles protect your feet while riding and support the full length of your foot to reduce cramping and fatigue.
• If you bring your own saddle, please bring only the seat and not the seat post. Seat posts are not universal and will likely not fit the bike you’ll be riding. You are welcome to bring a gel seat cover for use on the provided saddle.
• With the exception of the Tango dinner, formal attire is not required at restaurants. Comfortable, casual clothes are appropriate for sit-down meals. We suggest bringing slacks, shorts that are mid-thigh or longer, skirts, or summer dresses in fabrics that are easy to wash and wear.