The 7 day cross Andes MTB trip through Vergara Pass, Argentina will take you through the Andes Range from Argentina to Chile for incredible mountain biking
Duration
PriceOn this 7 day cross Andes MTB trip through Vergara Pass, Argentina you will share the road with the dessert wind, condors soaring high above and your fellow cyclists. The tour begins in Malargüe, Argentina, bordering with the Northern edge of Patagonia.
After five days of exhilarating cycling, we’ll arrive in Curico in Chile. The challenging climbing is rewarded by long downhill rides once we enter Chile. At night we will camp under incredibly huge skies! And during the day a magical setting of jagged peaks, snow-capped mountains and desolate desert landscapes will show up.
Our experienced team of tour leaders, support staff and cooks work as an efficient team. They are always a step ahead of our guests’ needs. Whether you prefer cycling strong at the front, or at your own relaxed pace you will have always this freedom.
Our team members will greet you around the next curve with an encouraging word. They will have a friendly smile supporting you every step of the way. We have been successfully running the Andes cross for years, so you can be assured that every detail has been thought of. This will let you concentrate on fully enjoying your journey across the Andes, and to deeply experience our country and culture. Live this once-in-a-lifetime experience with us!
1st day: To start your 7 day cross Andes MTB trip through Vergara Pass, Argentina you'll arrive in Malargüe in the afternoon, giving you free time to stroll the town, visit a museum or rest. Tonight we’ll be lodged at a very nice hotel. Dinner is on your own, so you can visit the town and choose from the varied regional options. Malargüe is famous for chivito, the local name for goat. Of course, you will also find the famous Argentine grilled meat here.
2nd day: After our detailed welcome and safety talk, we begin biking from the town’s central square. The first stage involves leaving Malargüe heading west towards the “Portezuelo del Carqueque”
In the beginning the uphill is quite relax and easy and we always have the “Cerro Torrecillas” 3.770 meters (12.370 feet) on our right. After doing 22km we pass by the “Castillos de Pincheira” some strange geological formations that received the name “Castles of Pincheira”. Our delicious first picnic is ready and we’ll be delighted with our cooks! Our support team will prepare lunch and dinner every day we are cycling,
3rd day: In the first morning in the Andes we wake up surrounded by a dreamlike mountain landscape. After having breakfast and putting the tents down, we start the stage where we’ll arrive to the top of the trip at 2800 meters (9100 feet above the sea level).
In the kilometer 13 we are finally there in the high Andes! As always, you can choose from cycling hard ahead of the pack, or at a relaxed pace, taking your time to snap pictures and marvel at the landscape. Our support vehicles will be used to move our equipment and baggage ahead as well as to give support to riders
4th day: Today’s challenging stage of your 7 day cross Andes MTB trip through Vergara Pass, Argentina will see us begin early, getting us ever closer to our ultimate goal. Our objective will be the wonderful plateaus under the Peteroa Volcano, which last blew ashes in the 90´s. We’ll see this amazing smoking massif high above us. The ride involves plenty of climbing, getting us into the very heart of the mountains. We’ll also see fields of volcanic stone and ash as we reach our campsite, which will be set up under a nearby glacier. No better way to celebrate today’s accomplishments!
5th day: Emotion and excitement will abound us, as we finish our climbing and we leave Argentina across the border into Chile. This is the start of some amazing downhill riding! After 9 km we’ll reach the border control, as well as the tour’s maximum elevation of 2,465 ms above sea level (8,070 ft). The zigzag downhill path will get your adrenaline flowing; but be sure to stop for the amazing views. We’ll arrive to lunch stop just by the Chilean border control. More downhills by the “Río Teno” to arrive at our campsite near by Teno River, where Olympic kayak teams train. One more night to replenish ourselves with a nourishing meal, enjoying the company of our group, which will, by now be a unified team!
6th day: More downhill riding on this last stage of our High Andes Crossing. Still, there are plenty of challenges, as we must carefully steer our bikes over the winding dirt road. The temperatures will rise today as we near sea level, so we’ll begin early to enjoy the swimming pool at the hotel this afternoon (well worth it!). The landscape will differ drastically, as we experience a change in vegetation in the more humid Chilean region. After crossing the town of Los Queñes, we’ll once again cycle over a paved road, with 26 km to go before reaching Curicó.
7th day: We’ll leave Curicó in our minibus, heading towards back to Malargüe, Argentina. You can decide to return to Argentina or to stay in Chile. If willing to go to Santiago de Chile, we will arrange the shuttle to drive you there, where you can fly home or extend your trip in the amazing country of Chile. From the famous wineries of the Central Valley, to the deserts of the North and the glaciers of the South, Chile offers truly magical destinations.
8th day: After an early start in Malargüe, we expect to arrive in Buenos Aires around 10pm, travelling over paved roads throughout the day.
