Chilean Volcano Biking Adventure

Day 1: Bike to Conguillío National Park; La Baita Ecolodge

Upon your arrival at Temuco Airport at around 9:30am, our local team will meet you to start our adventure. You'll drive eastwards and after a while we'll stop to bike-up. Before we start riding, your guides will check your bike and conduct a short briefing session with a safety talk. Today's introductory ride will vary in length depending on your desires.

This is a very well-supported bike ride, with a 'sag-wagon' following the group for assistance at all times. We'll ride through old-fashioned little towns like Cunco and Melipeuco until we get to Conguillío National Park, one of the most outstanding parks in the Chilean Lake District. This protected area is also part of Kütralkura, the first UNESCO Geopark in Chile. 

During the ride, we'll see how the Llaima Volcano has permanently shaped the landscape of the area with its eruptions, and we'll have the fantastic opportunity to walk on the lava flows. Later we’ll also visit the Truful-Truful Canyon and its waterfalls. This is the most important geosite in the geopark, where we can see 13,000 years of the Llaima volcano's activity.

We'll cycle all the way to La Baita Ecolodge, the first eco-friendly lodge in Chile. In the evening, we'll enjoy a delicious Pisco Sour (traditional Chilean drink) as our local guide introduces us to the next few days of adventure.

Length of ride: 2hrs approximately

Total driving time: 1.5hrs, 110km; Shuttle from Temuco Airport to Conguillío National Park

Meals: Box lunch, dinner

Accommodation: La Baita Ecolodge, Conguillío National Park

Day 2: Ride the Seven Lakes Circuit; Hotel 381, Panguipulli

Today we'll ride one of Chile's most scenic roads: the Seven Lakes Circuit. We'll pedal along the shores of two beautiful lakes, Calafquén and Panguipulli, and travel three-quarters of the way around Villarrica, a majestic, snow-capped active volcano. This road is smooth and with little traffic, with one climb at the beginning of the route. At one point we should be able to see five volcanoes: Villarrica, Quetrupillan, Lanín, Mocho and Choshuenco. 

Our first stop is at Lican Ray, at km 28. It's a summer beach town located next to Lake Calafquen. Here we can stop for snacks and refill our water bottles. When we resume cycling the quiet lakeside road passes through green prairies, fruit farms and native forests. 

We'll stop for lunch stop at a special place called Foye Mapu at km 51. Here a Mapuche family will welcome us at their home and we can share a traditional meal. They'll also share some of their ancestral culture and we can learn how to make merkén – a delicious smoked chilli powder. 

After lunch there will be just 11km to cover before we arrive at the town of Panguipulli – meaning 'land of lions'. It's only a short ride further on to the beach at Lake Panguipulli where we can soak up views of Chile's southern volcanoes. Just a few more blocks of pedalling brings us to our boutique accommodation, Hotel 381, where we'll have a delicious dinner together and enjoy a relaxing evening.

Length of ride: 3-4hrs, 62km; Villarrica – Lican Ray – Panguipulli

Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Hotel 381, Panguipulli

Day 3: Ride the German Settlers’ Circuit; Las Cascadas Lodge

Today we'll start early with a transfer from our hotel in Panguipulli, along part of the Panamerican Highway to Cancura village where we'll begin cycling. The route begins by passing through quaint little villages with strong German heritage, such as Puerto Octay and Puerto Clocker. We'll be passing over rolling hills with long flat stretches until we reach the beach at Lake Llanquihue where a unique sight is waiting for us: the perfect cone of the Osorno Volcano.

In Puerto Octay, at km 27, we'll stop for lunch and try local beers, eat in a German style restaurant and then explore the village on our bikes.

The last 40km of today's ride is dominated by the Osorno Volcano, surrounded by vibrant green fields and cows roaming freely. We can choose between a fully paved road or a gravel road that travels alongside the lake. We’ll arrive by bike to our lakefront home, Las Cascadas Lodge, and if you are feeling brave you can dive in to the cold waters of Chile’s second largest lake, Llanquihue. Alternatively, take a plunge in the outdoor hot tub or the indoor swimming pool.

Length of ride: 4-5hrs, 67km; Cancura – Puerto Octay – Las Cascadas

Duration of transfer: 2.5hrs; 162km shuttle from Panguipulli to Cancura

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Las Cascadas Lodge, Las Cascadas

Day 4: Ride the Llanquihue Lake Circuit; Hotel Cumbres

After breakfast, we leave the lodge on our bikes, riding alongside Lake Llanquihue and through Vicente Perez Rosales National Park. The unique landscape is stunning, with Calbuco, Puntiagudo and Osorno volcanoes in sight. The road is very quiet and even has a bike lane and several roadside viewpoints. The base of Osorno Volcano reaches the lakeshore and we’ll cycle through the middle of this stunning landscape as we pass through the villages of Ensenada and Petrohué. This 35km northeast section of the Llanquihue Lake Circuit is one of the most beautiful of the trip.

We'll end our last ride at Lake Todos Los Santos in Petrohué – a turquoise lake in the Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park. We'll have a picnic lunch together and then pack the bikes for transportation and storage before saying goodbye to our crew of local guides.

The final part of this adventure is an adrenaline-fuelled rafting experience in the class 4 rapids of the River Petrohué. We'll spend the next two hours on the water, navigating one of the most scenic and pristine rivers of north Patagonia.

After a thrilling time in the white water we'll drive to the charming town of Puerto Varas for a well-deserved dinner and an overnight stay at Hotel Cumbres, a small family place with a homely feel. Dinner will be served to our group in a private dining room.

Length of ride: 2hrs, 35km; Las Cascadas – Ensenada – Petrohué

Length of rafting: 2hrs

Total driving time: 45mins

Meals: Breakfast, box lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Cumbres (or equivalent), Puerto Varas

Day 5: Transfer to Temuco Airport or Puerto Montt Airport

After breakfast at the hotel, you'll take a transfer to Temuco Airport (4hrs), or Puerto Montt Airport (20mins), depending on your flight arrangements.

Meals: Breakfast