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Land of Fire and Water: Tour Itinerary

Two E-MTB riders crossing a small bridge
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As you venture south through Chile’s Lakes & Volcanoes region on your e-bike, you’ll unlock terrain that would otherwise remain out of reach – remote backcountry routes and high Andean viewpoints will redefine what a day on the bike can be.

With extraordinary experiences and connection to local Mapuche traditions you can expect an adventure that stays with you long after the wheels stop turning as you gain a deeper sense of place, connection and meaning, earned one trail at a time.

Before we kick off our e-mountain bike tour Chile, you should take a day or two to adjust to local time, recover from your travels, and allow for any flight or luggage delays.

You should fly into Temuco airport (ZCO) and we recommend booking your pre-trip stay at Best Western Ferrat Hotel, as this is where your guide will meet you in the morning of Day 1. The hotel is a short 30min shuttle from the airport and it has restaurants nearby.

After meeting you in the morning at the Best Western Ferrat Hotel in Temuco, your guides will help load up luggage and you’ll make the 1hr transfer out of town. Once in Pumalal your guides will go through the pre-trip briefing, help set up bikes and ensure everyone is ready to ride.

Our first ride together in Chile is all about finding flow and getting set-up for the adventures ahead. With around 10km of purpose built descending trails that swoop and flow their way through the dense forest, this is the perfect way to shake off your travel and dial in our bikes.

After around 3hrs of riding, we will transfer further west towards the higher peaks of the Andes and our mountain lodge home for the next three nights. This evening we will gather together for a celebratory welcome meal and have time to slow down and relax.

Accommodation:
Mountain Lodge - Malalcahuello
Meals included:
Lunch & Dinner
25 - 35
kms
3 - 4
hrs
1550
m
1550
m

After breakfast together, we will venture into the heart of the Araucanía mountain range for a day of riding like no other.

We’ll transfer out of town and deep into the araucaria forest where we will meet with a local Mapuche farmer who has a love for e-mountain biking. With our e-bikes opening up the terrain ahead of us, we’ll pedal our way up through dense forest to reach a Ruka (traditional Mapuche dwelling) that the Huenchunao family have used for generations while moving their animals. 

After sampling some local delicacies, we’ll turn our attention towards the real treat of the day – an 11km descent that traverses and carries us down into the neighbouring valley.

We’ll share inevitable high-fives and cheers each other with a beer from the local brewery before making our way back to our lodge accommodation to freshen up. Dinner this evening will be at your guides favourite restaurant in town.

Accommodation:
Mountain Lodge - Malalcahuello
Meals included:
Breakfast & Lunch
???
kms
???
hrs
690
m
???
m

This morning, we’ll make the 1 hour 50 minute drive to Icalma, where the landscape becomes more remote, rugged, and wild.

Batea Mahuida is an extinct volcano surrounded by high-altitude araucaria forest, with a unique network of trails winding through this spectacular landscape. Todays ride will take us from Chile into Argentina where you can expect flowing singletrack, vast open terrain, and incredible views stretching across the Andes. We’ll spend the day exploring different lines and immersing ourselves fully in this remote and inspiring corner of Patagonia.

After a full day on the trails, we’ll finish with a traditional Mapuche-style asado BBQ right on site. It’s the perfect way to relax, share stories from the day, and connect with the local culture before making the drive back to our accommodation for our final night in the area.

Accommodation:
Mountain Lodge - Malalcahuello
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
30 - 35
kms
4 - 5
hrs
950
m
1000
m

Today, we pack up and travel onwards, with the slopes of Volcán Villarrica — one of South America’s most active volcanoes — firmly in our sights.

After breakfast, we’ll load up and set off on the 3hr transfer to Pucón, arriving in time for lunch. Once we’re fuelled up and ready to ride, we’ll jump on our e-bikes and head into the extraordinary landscape.

Here you’ll find a unique riding playground, with sweeping views, flowing trails and a unique landscape. With the help of our e-bikes, we’ll explore a series of trails at the base of Villarrica and complete multiple loops. The trails are moderately challenging, with plenty of opportunities to soak up the incredible scenery along the way while challenging your riding.

After we’ve had our fill of singletrack fun, we’ll head back to our accommodation to shower and freshen up. The evening is then yours to explore Pucón at your own pace and choose one of your guides’ favourite local restaurants for dinner.

Accommodation:
Small hotel Pucón
Meals included:
Breakfast & Lunch
16
kms
3
hrs
690
m
690
m

After breakfast at our hotel, today we’ll have the pleasure of enjoying the hard work of the local mountain bike community and ride some of the trails they’ve built and maintained around Pucón.

The riding starts with a double track climb through local forests until we are high above Pucón with a great view of Villarrica volcano in the distance.

We’ll arrive at el Cerduo Bike Park, where we climb alongside the river to a huge flow of solidified lava, the result of the 2015 eruption of Villarrica, which makes for some very exciting riding.

Get ready for steeper climbs and some more technical descents. These trails are very natural, having been walked and ridden in over time, although the Carrasco family ensures that the best lines are kept clear and well maintained.

After enjoying this amazing ride on Chilean soil, we’ll make our way back to our accommodation and freshen up for a very special cultural experience.

This evening we’ll visit a very interesting Mapuche woman – Mrs. Rosario Colipi. She will take us on a journey through the ancient traditions of her community and family. We will learn about cooking methods on the fire, how to use the local plants for beauty and health products, and much more.

This unforgettable experience will offer another genuine and enriching cultural connection, and will be topped off with a traditional dinner in the Ruka.

Accommodation
Small hotel Pucón
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
???
kms
???
hrs
???
m
???
m

We will drive 15km to Palguín Bajo, where you will start riding the road that leads us up the Palguín valley through the heart of the Villarrica National Park.

The views of scenic waterfalls and majestic snow-capped volcanoes such as Quetrupillan and Rucapillan will ensure that your camera in never away for long.

On this ride the vegetation changes from raulí (Nothofagus alpina) and hualle (Nothofagus oblicua) forests to araucarías as we ascend to Chinay, the highest point of the day at 1,250 metres above sea level. After a morning of mind-blowing vistas and climbing we will arrive at the Pichi Llancahue Glacier trail, where we’ll have lunch amongst the impressive araucaría, which are native to Chile.

After lunch we’ll bike the trail that leads to a phenomenal glacier which is completely covered by the volcanic ash of Villarrica. We’ll then ride a short section of trail made up of ‘aa’ lava, covered in soft green mosses to experience this impressive natural wonder first-hand.

From the head of the glacier we will (depending on snow cover) descend a 10km trail that will lead us directly to the most picturesque geothermic hot springs in Chile.

There are 16 thermal pools, set sympathetically into the natural surroundings of waterfalls, native trees and ferns. The pools are strategically placed to make sure you never feel overcrowded, and you can relax your muscles in blissfully hot water.

After an hour or so of soaking, we’ll have dinner in a local restaurant on the way to our unique hotel set amongst native forest at Huilo Huilo biological reserve, where we’ll enjoy the next two nights.

Accommodation:
Unique forest hotel, Huilo Huilo
Meals included:
Breakfast & Lunch
21
kms
2 - 3
hrs
700
m
500
m

Today promises a big and varied day in the saddle, combining a high-altitude volcanic climb with some of the best hidden trails in the Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve.

We begin with a short shuttle before settling into a steady 7 km double-track climb into the upper reaches of the Mocho-Choshuenco National Reserve. The gradient is consistent, giving you plenty of time to find your rhythm as you steadily gain elevation, climbing towards 1,800 m.

At the top, the effort is rewarded with sweeping views across the Andes. From this spectacular vantage point, you’ll have views of a chain of iconic volcanoes, including Mocho-Choshuenco, Quetrupillán, Lanín and Villarrica.

A long, flowing descent brings us back down before we return to Huilo Huilo for a second session on the bike. This afternoon, we explore some of our guides’ favourite trails around Neltume—quiet, raw and beautifully natural singletrack that sees far fewer riders.

After a short shuttle, we begin the final climb towards the Cerro Fuy area, before dropping into a fun and engaging descent on trails shaped over time by local riders. Expect a mix of double-track climbing and natural singletrack, with some more technical sections that reward confident bike handling and add an extra element of challenge.

If you’d prefer to take the afternoon off, there are plenty of alternative activities to enjoy within Huilo Huilo, including hiking, waterfall visits or simply relaxing and enjoying the hotel.

Accommodation:
Unique forest hotel, Huilo Huilo
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
39
kms
6
hrs
1200
m
2400
m

Sadly, today we must bid our farewells.

We’ll pack up our belongings and transfer you back to Temuco airport for around 11:30am, where you can catch your flight back to Santiago, or continue your travels in Chile.

Meals included:
Breakfast
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