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Patagonia Ride & Hike – Interest List
Spend eight days cycling and hiking through this incredible South American landscape
About the Ride
Hike and Ride in one of the most iconic wildernesses
Join the interest list for next time!
Puerto Montt, Chile
This multisport event begins with two days of cycling in Chile’s stunning Lake District, where quiet towns are ringed by soaring snow-capped volcanic cones and iconic Andean lakesThen we continue south to Patagonia to Torres del Paine National Park for three days of the most spectacular hiking in the world. This is the ultimate journey to explore Chile’s diverse ecosystems and unparalleled natural beauty.
Event Details
Positive Planet Impact
Full Event Story
This unique itinerary combines a cycling adventure and a hiking adventure through one of the most magnificent landscapes in the world. We begin in Chile’s Lake District, a spectacular area, with a vibrant heritage of indigenous cultures and European influences in the Andean Mountain range between Chile and Argentina.
The ever-changing scenery has been shaped by millions of years of volcanic activity. Volcanic cones dominate the skyline alongside snow-capped mountains. Bike alongside ancient rainforests, emerald lakes, and a lush landscape that coexist so beautifully in the Andes. What better way to see this region than by bicycle?
From here, the event only gets better – we make our way to Chile’s Patagonia, a land shaped by eons of ice, water, wind, and tectonic forces. Be awed by the spectacular granite peaks of Torres del Paine, come face to face with the immensity of the Grey Glacier, hike the forests of the French Valley, and encounter unique wildlife while on a nature walk. At the near tip of the South American continent, you will find swirling skies, vast glaciers, and jagged peaks that have inspired and challenged adventurers for ages.
This is a special Climate Ride Funders Trip and the proceeds directly support Climate Ride’s work (no beneficiary selection for this event). Your fundraising will benefit the programs and efforts of Climate Ride including our community scholarships for young sustainability leaders. You are helping us grow the organization to become an advocacy powerhouse that engages people in the world of active environmental philanthropy and sustainable solutions. All donations are tax-deductible.
We have daily cycling and hiking mileage to suit all types of adventurers. This is a fully-supported event which means you can focus on the pedaling, hiking and making connections with your new friends while we take care of everything from overnight details, meals, snacks, luggage transport, and more.
Photo Gallery
Itinerary Overview
Itinerary subject to change, your Ride Guide will include full details.
Arrival
Today we meet you at the airport in Puerto Montt and then transfer to Puerto Varas. We’ll check out our bikes, visit the town, and then gather for a welcome dinner in the evening.
Bike 77 km | Elevation Gain: 760 m
In the morning, we’ll start cycling from our hotel exploring the shores of beautiful Lake Llanquihue where we will approach the Osorno Volcano with its perfect cone. As we cycle along the lake, the snow-capped volcano appears to rise directly out of the water and we will have wonderful views of it during much of the day. We’ll pass through the village of Ensenada, and enjoy a delicious lunch, cycling our first 40 km of the day along a new bike lane. Our last 30 km will be done towards Ralún town, following a beautiful rolling hill road. Our ride will end at Ralún town where we’ll shuttle 45 minutes to back to our hotel.
Bike 66 km or 122 km | Elevation Gain: 530 m
In the morning, we drive out of Puerto Varas and start riding from Puerto Octay, alongside Lake Llanquihue, where a unique landscape is awaiting us. The side of the Osorno Volcano reaches the shore of the lake and we’ll pass through the middle of this astounding landscape as we travel to the villages of Las Cascadas and Ensenada. This 66 km northeast section of the Llanquihue Lake Route is one of the most beautiful routes in the Lakes District. We’ll then bike 12 km on to the Vicente Perez Rosales National Park and hike a short distance to the dramatic Petrohue Falls. If you want to do the 122 km option, you will begin in Llanquihue and ride to Puerto Octay in the morning, then meet the group!
Transfer to Torres del Paine
Today is a full travel day as we make our way to Punta Arenas in Chile’s Patagonia. From there we transfer to Puerto Natales and then to the EcoCamp in Torres del Paine National Park.
Hike 12 miles | Elevation Gain: 3,000 ft
After a hearty breakfast, we set off from Ecocamp towards Hostería Las Torres and join the uphill path to Ascencio Valley on the Tower’s eastern face. Dry mountain spots, beech forests and small rivers line the scenic walk towards the valley. Our big challenge comes as we climb the steep moraine, a mass of boulders leading us towards one of the world’s most famous views overlooking the Towers. The famous Torres del Paine (2,850 m/ 9,350 ft) consists of three gigantic granite monoliths, the remains of a great cirque sheared away by the forces of glacial ice. After an uphill slog, the Towers eventually come into full view, rising majestically before us, with the glacial lake visible below. Is there any better place in the world to have lunch? After feasting on the view and our picnic, we backtrack along the same trail through Ascencio Valley and return to EcoCamp.
Walk: Less than 5 miles walking
We start off driving across the park, admiring the view of Paine Grande and its snowy peaks, and Los Cuernos with its black, granite horn-like spires. We stop at Pudeto Dock to leave travelers doing Grey Trek and some viewpoints on the way observing and photographing herds of guanacos, Andean condors, and interesting flora. As we walk along the shores of the stunning Lake Pehoe, we will see the furious Salto Grande waterfalls where the water from Lake Nordenskjold cascades down into Pehoe. From here, we drive up to Grey Lake and wander along the beach. Here we enjoy a tasty box lunch by the lake before embarking on a boat ride across the icy waters to the towering blue walls of Glacier Grey. After this incredible up-close look at the glacier, we drive back to EcoCamp.
Hike: 11.5 miles | Elevation Gain: 1,800 ft
After breakfast, we will be driven to Pudeto dock, located on the shores of Pehoe Lake. We will board the catamaran that will take us to the north-western sector of the Lake where we will begin the challenging trek to Valle Frances (French Valley) along a steep trail that leads to the very heart of the Paine Massif. How far in we go depends on our group’s trekking rhythm. A faster pace will take us to the hanging bridge over the French River, located at the foot of the southeast face of the Massif, where we will be treated to fantastic views of the valley. We will then continue to ascend towards the upper section of the valley where we will be able to marvel at the extensive mass of the valley’s geological formations: Hoja (Blade), Máscara (Mask), Espada (Sword), Catedral (Cathedral), Aleta de Tiburón (Shark’s Fin) and the magnificent Fortaleza (Fortress). After our upward trek, we will pause for a picnic and relax a while. This day’s adventure will end as we descend through an undulating terrain of mixed grassland and light forest which will take us to Refugio Paine Grande, located on the peaceful shores of Lake Pehoe. From here, we will board the catamaran which will take us back to Pudeto, where we will be collected and transported back to EcoCamp.
Departure
After breakfast, we transfer to the airport in Punta Arenas. We highly recommend that you extend your stay. You could visit Ushuaia at the tip of Patagonia, travel to the Argentine side of Patagonia, or return to Santiago and visit other parts of Chile or South America. If you wish to stay in Torres del Paine longer, you absolutely must book accommodations immediately as most hotels and camps are booked up to one year in advance.
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FAQs and More Info
Arriving & Departing (Important Information)
Travel information will be provided in the Ride Guide made available to all participants. You will want to read this closely before booking your travel!
Accommodations, Single Supplement Fee, and Meals
All rooms are double occupancy. If you can, please sign up with a friend, partner, or family member. If you sign up as a solo traveler, we will try to pair you with another participant. If we cannot, we do have limited single supplements available and the single supplement fee for the entire event is ~$1,560.
During the cycling part of the trip, we will stay at one hotel in Puerto Varas. In Torres del Paine, we’ll stay at the EcoCamp, the world’s first geodesic hotel rooms situated right in the park.
All meals and snacks are included once we arrive, excluding alcohol and incidentals.
What is included? Not included?
Included:
Accommodations and meals.
Expert guides and route support.
Not Included:
All air tickets with airport taxes to/from Chile.
Please start researching your plans if you want to extend your trip. If you are extending your stay, you will want to book a flight that arrives in Puerto Montt and then returns from Punta Arenas to Santiago where you can connect to other destinations in South America. If you need assistance booking other flights, we can offer suggestions.
Bicycle: You can rent road bikes from our local outfitter. There are e-bikes available. And, hybrid bikes with flat handlebars and 3-chainrings are available as well.
What are the travel documents/passports required for traveling to Chile?
You will need a valid U.S. or E.U.passport (valid at least 3 months or you can be denied entry). If you are a passport holder from another country please check your country’s regulations.
U.S. citizens entering Chile must have a valid passport. U.S. citizens traveling to Chile for recreation, tourism, business, or academic conferences do not need to obtain a visa prior to their arrival in Chile. A Tourist Card will be issued for a stay of up to 90 days.
Is my U.S. medical insurance valid while traveling outside the U.S.? Can I get travel insurance?
Many domestic health insurance companies do not provide coverage outside of the United States, and, before leaving for the event travelers should speak with their healthcare providers to determine if they will be covered. Several private insurance companies offer short-term travel medical insurance. Check out Allianz Travel Insurance or other comparable companies.
Can I use my U.S. debit or credit card?
Yes, credit cards and debit cards are accepted. There are ATM machines in the cities.
Fundraising Beneficiaries
This is a special Climate Ride Funders Trip and the proceeds directly support Climate Ride’s work. Your fundraising will benefit the programs and efforts of Climate Ride including our community scholarships for young climate leaders. You are helping us grow the organization to become an advocacy powerhouse that engages people in the world of active environmental philanthropy and sustainable solutions. Because of this, you cannot change your beneficiary selection after registering. All donations are tax-deductible.
Fundraising and Transfer Deadlines | Important Dates
Fundraising Deadlines: TBD
Transfer Deadline: There are no transfers for this event. Donations are non-refundable.
Note: If you’d like to register after or near a fundraising deadline, don’t worry, we’re here to help you get up to speed!
More Questions?
Be sure to review our general FAQ and policies or contact us!
