PATAGONIA BIKEPACKING

07-23 December 2021

OVERVIEW

On this bikepacking expedition we will discover the southern region of Patagonia, between Chile and Argentina.

Patagonia … just the name makes us daydreaming. For those who love adventure is THE PLACE for excellence, to visit at least once in their lifetime. By the legendary tales of Italian mountaineers that, in the golden years of climbing, flew out here to try to break mythical peaks like Cerro Torre and Fitz Roy, to the most recent years, when it became the mecca of all bikepackers of the world.

We will land in El Calafate, where we will have the chance to enjoy the majesty of the Perito Moreno Glacier.

Then our cycling adventure will begin: we will ride 3 days into the Torres de Paine National Park.

We will then continue south, to meet the Pacific Ocean in Puerto Natales. From here a fast transfer to Punta Arenas, where after crossing the Strait of Magellan we will start the second half of our adventure: 6 stages through the Isla Grande of the Tierra del Fuego to finally reach the southern city in the world: Ushauia.

There will be a rough time schedule. It will not always be possible to respect it, because of contingencies that we will meet along the way (mechanical problems, bad weather, etc.). We will decide from time to time whether to force to reach the scheduled end of the stage, or to set up the camp and sleep elsewhere. We definitely expect long days in the saddle; we will not always have the chance to wash ourself or take a hearty breakfast in the morning, but this is all part of the idea behind this trip: the ability to adapt to situations that we will encounter kilometer after kilometer.

Please read carefully.

For everything to go according to plan it is very important that a great team spirit is established among all participants. No one will be left alone or in situations that involve danger. The responsibility to solve the problems that arise during the trip is not restricted only to the guides, but we expect each participant to be involved in solving them. It will be an unforgettable trip and a great opportunity to work in a group and to learn to share, whether it be fun, effort, planning, organization, coordination, defeats and successes. And success is not just getting to our final destination, it is starting the journey and doing our best to get there together.

Before the departure date we will organize a virtual meeting where we will explain the trip and what kind of equipment our guides will take.

If for logistical reasons you cannot make it to the meeting, we will contact you via e-mail and you can ask us any questions you may have. A selection will be made among all the people who want to participate, in order to form as homogeneous a group as possible. If you are not selected for this edition, we will let you know when a group with the same characteristics is being formed. To help us make this selection we have prepared a form that you can find at the end of the trip’s technical sheet. Fill it out and send it to us before you register.

Cancellation policy

Refund and cancellation
Where, for whatever reason, one person is obliged to withdraw, the person must give written notice to Projecting Adventure Cyclism.
Refund will be calculated with this penalty:

Within 45 days from date of departure the penalty fare is 10% of the total cost of the trip. -
Within 30 days from departure the penalty fare is 30% of the total cost of the trip. -
Within 21 days from departure the penalty fare is 60% of the total cost of the trip. -
Within 14 days from departure the penalty fare is 75 % of the total cost of the trip. -
After this date no refund will be given.

No refunds for those who will not show at the start or withdraw during the course of the tour. No refunds for those who could not make the tour due to lack or inaccuracy of the personal travel documents (i.e Visa or Passport).

Traveler understands that some destinations pose more risk than other destinations due to weather conditions, political conditions and the geography of the region. Traveler acknowledges that factors such as, but not limited to, weather conditions, landslides, floods, flight cancelations or delays, strikes, labor troubles, failure of power, restrictive governmental laws or regulations, riots, insurrection, war or other reason of a like nature not the fault of Projecting Adventure Cyclism (hereinafter “Force Majeure Event”) can hinder, delay or even prevent the Traveler’s ability to make or complete the trip. Traveler acknowledges that the Projecting Adventure Cyclism shall not be liable to Traveler for any delay or cancelation of the trip due to a Force Majeure Event. Traveler shall not be entitled to a refund or any other payment for damages from the Projecting Adventure Cyclism in the event that the trip is cancelled or delayed due to a Force Majeure Event. Please note that we are never responsible for any airfare ticket expenses.

Included + Not Included

THE PRICE INCLUDE

Two PA-Cyclism guides riding with the group.
2 Overnight in Hostel in El Calafate (Breakfast included)
Entrance and guided visit to Perito Moreno Glacier
Entrance to Torres del Paine National Park.
Bus transfer from Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas
Ferry crossing Punta Arenas – Porvenir
1 overnight in Hostel in Punta Arenas, Rio Grande and Ushuaia.
Group travel insurance.
Arrival airport transfer in El Calafate on February 14, 2020
Departure airport transfer in Ushuaia on February 28, 2020

THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

Flight ticket and overbaggage.
Lunch and dinner in El Calafate and Ushuaia.
Lodging and food during the bike tour.
Extra services and activities.
Extra cost in case of logistic changes (bus transfer, extra hotel nights)
Everything not present in “The price include”

THE TRACK

THE STAGES

DAY 01

Arrival in El Calafate must be whitin 2.00 p.m. on this day. We will organize your hotel/airport transfer. Bike need to be set up. In the late afternoon we will have a briefing to introduce the staff and all the participants.

DAY 02

Guided visit at Perito Moreno Glacier. Last resupply before departure.

DAY 03 – STAGE 01

EL CALAFATE-1ST CAMP – 127 km | 1.000 m
We begin our adventure, leaving behind El Calafate and pedaling on the legendary Ruta 40. A long and steady climb will take us up to the Cuesta de Miguez, a beautiful balcony where you can admire the valley of the Lago Argentino and with some luck, the massive of Fitz Roy. The second part of the stage will be fast, to the junction with a dirt track, where we will enter in the Patagonian pampas to reach our camp.

DAY 04 – STAGE 02

1ST CAMP-CERRO CASTILLO – 86 km | 500 m
First part of the day on a dirt track with views over the pampas. After reaching the asphalt path and ride on it for about ten kilometers we begin to glimpse the first strongholds of the Torres del Paine, that we will reach only the next day. After crossing the border with Chile we will finish our day in the small town of Cerro Castillo.

DAY 05 – STAGE 03

CERRO CASTILLO-CAMPING PEHOE – 83 km | 950 m
We leave Cerro Castillo to enter the Torres del Paine National Park. It will be a spectacular day with continuous views of the Paine Mountains. After the entrance of the park we will face the hardest climb of the whole trip. Unforgettable last day of the year in one of our favorite camp, on the Pehoe Lake.

DAY 06 – STAGE 04

CAMPING PEHOE-CAMPING SERRANO – 51 km | 500 m
Relatively short stage but that includes the wind pitfall that we will face to reach the Grey Lake, a duty that need to be paid to enjoy the show. Here short trek on the shore of the lake, to admire the blue iceberg, before continuing to our camp.

DAY 07 – STAGE 05

CAMPING SERRANO-PUERTO NATALES-PUNTA ARENAS – 86 km | 1.100 m
We leave the Torres del Paine behind and continue south towards Puerto Natales. Very spectacular stages, with ups and downs and a stunning view of Lake Toro. Near Puerto Natales we overlook the Pacific Ocean. Once in the city, transfer to Punta Arenas, where we will spend the night.

DAY 08 – STAGE 06

PUNTA ARENAS-BAHÍA INUTÍL – 70 km | 1.000 m
We cross by ferry the Strait of Magellan to reach Porvenir. From here begins a beautiful unpaved road along the ocean that we will follow throughout the day until we reach our camp.

DAY 09 – STAGE 07

BAHÍA INUTÍL-CAMERON – 86 km | 600 m
We continue on our path to bypass the last part of Bahia Inútil. The change of direction will lead us almost certainly to pedal against the strong Patagonian wind, right duty to be paid for anyone wishing to visit this area. We end our day in the idyllic Cameron, a small town of fishermen and shepherds tucked away in a wind-protected bay.

DAY 10 – STAGE 08

CAMERON-DESTACAMENTO BELLAVISTA – 100 km | 900 m
We begin the crossing that will take us, in the space of two days, to lean out over the Atlantic Ocean. We will ride all day to the east, on dirt tracks where the encounter with other people is a very rare event. Towards the end of the stage we get closer to Bellavista Pass, not before going through some beautiful forests.

DAY 11 – STAGE 09

DESTACAMENTO BELLAVISTA-RÍO GRANDE – 88 km | 750 m
We leave our camp and we continue on our dirt road to the east with ups and downs. Last kilometers on asphalt to reach the town of Rio Grande.

DAY 12 – STAGE 10

RÍO GRANDE-LAGO CHEPELMUT – 108 km | 1.000 m
Another beautiful stage in the Isla Grande of Tierra del Fuego. After covering a small section of National Route 3, we will enter a track that will lead us up to the vicinity of Lake Chepelmut, where we will camp.

DAY 13 – STAGE 11

LAGO CHEPELMUT-LAGO ESCONDIDO – 94 km | 850 m
We begin now to savor our final goal. There are still a few kilometers of dirt road before we enter definitely on Route 3 that will lead us directly to Ushuaia. Obligatory stop at the legendary Panaderia (Bakery) in Tolhuin and then camp on Lake Escondido.

DAY 14 – STAGE 12

LAGO ESCONDIDO-USHUAIA – 57 km | 750 m

Last day on the bike. Before arriving at our destination we will face the legendary Garibaldi Pass, the door to Ushuaia. The arrival in Ushuaia is scheduled in the morning of January 9. In the afternoon we will have time to prepare the bikes and do the last shopping.

DAY 15
In the morning airport transfer. End of services

YOUR GUIDE

Willy Mulonia

Founder & President

Willy Mulonia, expert lonely traveler and cyclist for more than 30 years. He made several solo expeditions, but the most important is without a doubt the 28,640 bike trip from Ushuaia (Patagonia) to Prudhoe Bay (Alaska). He raced in the Crocodile Trophy (Australia) in ’98 and the famous IditaBike (Alaska) in 1999, 2000, 2018, 2019 & 2020 as well as many other mountain bike stage races all over the world. In 2003 he founded the bike travel agency Progetto Avventura, now renamed Project Adventure Cycling. In 2010, with the help of all the team of PA-Cycling he created the Mongolia Bike Challenge, one of the most important MTB stage race in the world. Today you can find him guiding most the tour offered by Project Adventure Cycling.