PATAGONIA BIKEPACKING

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02-18 December 2022| 13-29 January 2023

 

BIKEPACKING PATAGONIA

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

Patagonia…the name alone makes us daydream. For those who love adventure, Patagonia is the place every bike traveler must visit at least once in their lifetime. From the legendary tales of Italian mountaineers who, during the golden years of climbing, ventured there to challenge mythical peaks like Cerro Torre and Fitz Roy, to recent years as Patagonia has become a mecca for bikepackers the world over, there’s always been something alluring about this rugged adventure capital.

Flying into El Calafate, our trip opens with the opportunity to enjoy the majesty of the Perito Moreno Glacier. Then our cycling adventure begins with a three-day ride into the Torres de Paine National Park.

Then, we will continue south to meet the Pacific Ocean in Puerto Natales. From here, we’ll catch a fast transfer to Punta Arenas where, after crossing the Strait of Magellan, we will start the second half of our adventure: six stages through the Isla Grande of the Tierra del Fuego to finally reach the southernmost city on Earth: Ushauia.

We will follow a rough time itinerary, but Patagonia is unpredictable, and 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 push 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 bathe or enjoy a hearty breakfast in the morning, but this is all part of the trip: the ability to adapt to situations as we encounter them, kilometer after kilometer.

Please read carefully

Of course, for this expedition to be truly successful, it is absolutely necessary to create a strong team spirit amongst all our travelers. No rider will ever be left alone or find themselves individually facing difficulty for any reason. It will be the responsibility not only of the guides, but also of the individual participants to help problem solve throughout the duration of the trip, working together to make the most of our adventure as a team. It will be an unforgettable cycling experience and journey, but also a unique opportunity to educate ourselves on group consciousness and the ability to share—be it joy, fatigue, planning, organization, coordination, defeat or success.

And in this case, success will not be defined as arriving at the final destination but setting off and doing our best to arrive all 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 rider list will be made from 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 notify you when a group with similar characteristics is being formed.

To help us make this selection, we have prepared a short questionnaire, located at the end of this trip’s technical sheet. Fill it out and send it to us before you register.

Refund and cancellation

Where, for whatever reason, one person is obliged to withdraw, the person must give written notice to Project Adventure Cycling.

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 50% 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.

There will be no refunds for those who do not show up at the start of the trip or withdraw during the course of the tour.
There will be no refunds for those who are unable to start or complete the tour due to a lack or inaccuracy of personal travel documents (i.e Visa or Passport).

The traveller understands that some destinations pose more of a risk than other destinations due to weather conditions, socio-political situations and the geography of the region. The traveller acknowledges that factors such as, but not limited to, weather conditions, landslides, floods, flight cancellations or delays, strikes, labour issues, power failures, restrictive governmental laws or regulations, riots, insurrection, war or other (hereinafter called “Force Majeure Event”) are not the fault of Project Adventure Cycling and may hinder, delay or even prevent the Traveller’s ability to make or complete the trip. The traveller acknowledges that the Project Adventure Cycling shall not be liable to the traveller for any delay or cancellation of the trip due to a Force Majeure Event. The traveler is neither entitled to a refund nor any other payment for damages from the Project Adventure Cycling 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.

 

COVID 19

In the event that you are unable to fly due to COVID 19 restrictions because of a declared state of emergency, PA Cycling, SL, guarantees:

RETURN OF QUOTE* (Except for expenses incurred up to the time of cancellation of the trip)

QUOTA FREEZE UNTIL NEXT DEPARTURE*.

FEE FREEZE UNTIL THE DEPARTURE OF ANY OTHER TRIP ORGANISED BY PA-CYCLING, SL*.

* The above conditions ARE NOT VALID in the case of a positive individual.

THE PRICE INCLUDE

  • Two PA-Cycling guides riding with the group
  • 2 nights in a hostel in El Calafate (Breakfast included)
  • Entrance and guided visit to Perito Moreno Glacier
  • Entrance to Torres del Paine National Park
  • Overnight stay in Estancia 2.
  • Overnight stays in campsites 3 – 4 – 7
  • Bus transfer from Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas
  • Ferry crossing from Punta Arenas to Porvenir
  • 1 night in a hostel in Punta Arenas, Rio Grande, and Ushuaia
  • Group travel insurance
  • Trip Gadget
  • Arrival airport transfer in El Calafate
  • Departure airport transfer in Ushuaia

THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

  • Airfare and baggage fees, bike equipment
  • Lunch and dinner in El Calafate and Ushuaia.
  • Food during the bike tour
  • Extra services and activities
  • Additional costs in case of logistic modification (transfers and extra nights, etc.)
  • Anything not included in “the price includes” section
  • Dates
    02-18 December 2022 | 13-29 January 2023
  • Duration
    16 days
  • Stages
    12
  • Length
    1.000 km
  • Elevation
    10.000 m
  • Difficulty
    Hard
  • Price
    1.950 €

THE TRACK

THE STAGES

DAY 01

Arrival in El Calafate must be before 2:00 p.m. We will organize your hotel/airport transfer. Bikes need to be set up. In the late afternoon, we will have a briefing to introduce the staff and meet the riders.

DAY 02

Enjoy a guided visit of the Perito Moreno Glacier. Last resupply before departure.

DAY 03 – STAGE 01

EL CALAFATE-1ST CAMP – 127 km | 1.000 m

Today, we begin our bikepacking adventure, leaving behind El Calafate and pedaling on the legendary Ruta 40. A long and steady climb will take us up to Cuesta de Miguez, a beautiful natural balcony where you can admire the valley of Lago Argentino, and with any luck, the massive Mt. Fitz Roy. The second part of this stage will be fast, cycling towards our junction where we head off road and enter the Patagonian pampas to reach our camp.

DAY 04 – STAGE 02

1ST CAMP-CERRO CASTILLO – 86 km | 500 m

The first part of the day will be spent cycling on a dirt track with views over the pampas. After reaching asphalt and riding for about ten kilometers, we’ll begin to glimpse the first strongholds of the Torres del Paine—but we won’t actually reach it till 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 and enter the Torres del Paine National Park. It will be a spectacular day with continuous views of the Paine Mountains. After entering the park, we will face the hardest climb of the whole trip. It will be an unforgettable day that ends at one of our favorite camps on Pehoe Lake.

DAY 06 – STAGE 04

CAMPING PEHOE-CAMPING SERRANO – 51 km | 500 m

A relatively short stage, but it includes fierce winds that we will face to reach Grey Lake—a duty that needs to be paid to enjoy the stunning view. Here, we’ll take a short trek on the shore of the lake to admire the blue icebergs 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 cycling south towards Puerto Natales. This promises to be a spectacular stage, with ups and downs and a stunning view of Lake Toro. Near Puerto Natales, we’ll be able to overlook the Pacific Ocean. Once in the city, we’ll transfer to Punta Arenas, where we will spend the night.

DAY 08 – STAGE 06

PUNTA ARENAS-BAHÍA INUTÍL – 70 km | 1.000 m

First, we’ll cross the Strait of Magellan by ferry to reach Porvenir. From here, a beautiful unpaved road takes us along the ocean that we will follow throughout the entire day until we reach our camp.

DAY 09 – STAGE 07

BAHÍA INUTÍL-CAMERON – 86 km | 600 m

Continuing on our path to bypass the last part of Bahia Inútil, the change of direction will almost certainly leave us pedaling against the strong Patagonian wind. We’ll 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’ll begin our crossing that for two days will take us along the Atlantic Ocean. We will ride all day east on dirt tracks so remote that encountering other people is a very rare event. Towards the end of this stage, we’ll approach Bellavista Pass, but not before passing through some beautiful forests.

DAY 11 – STAGE 09

DESTACAMENTO BELLAVISTA-RÍO GRANDE – 88 km | 750 m

We leave our camp and continue on our dirt road to the east with a series of rolling ups and downs. Our last kilometers will be on asphalt as we reach the town of Rio Grande.

DAY 12 – STAGE 10

RÍO GRANDE-LAGO CHEPELMUT – 108 km | 1.000 m

Another beautiful cycling stage in the Isla Grande of Tierra del Fuego. After covering a small section of National Route 3, we will enter a gravel road that leads us up and into the vicinity of Lake Chepelmut, where we will camp.

DAY 13 – STAGE 11

LAGO CHEPELMUT-LAGO ESCONDIDO – 94 km | 850 m

We can now begin to taste our final goal. There are still a few kilometers of dirt road riding before we reach Route 3 that leads directly to Ushuaia. After an obligatory stop at the legendary Panaderia (Bakery) in Tolhuin, we’ll camp on Lake Escondido.

DAY 14 – STAGE 12

LAGO ESCONDIDO-USHUAIA – 57 km | 750 m

Our last day on the bike. Before arriving at our destination, we will face the legendary Garibaldi Pass, the door to Ushuaia. Our arrival in Ushuaia is scheduled for the morning. During the afternoon, we will have time to pack our bikes and buy any last-minute souvenirs.

DAY 15

In the morning, we’ll say goodbye and transfer to the airport. End of trip.

YOUR GUIDE

Willy Mulonia

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.

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