Cycle the Lake District of Chile and Argentina

[The operator] did an amazing job in planning and executing this trip, by selecting a team of professionals in Chile who carefully selected the best routes for cycling with different topography, varied landscapes views and minimum traffic. The logistics were flawless with minimum bureaucracy when crossing the border controls. We enjoyed good and well maintained rental mountain bikes, best hotels in each location which were thoughtfully selected along the route usually at the best vantage points which only locals would know about. The guides took us to excellent local restaurants and gave us recommendations for best local dishes of fish/meat and we had the chance to enjoy the best rustic and local cuisines. The only problem is that time flies too fast when you are having the time of your life! We highly recommend this trip, escorted by a great team, with beautiful landscapes, delicious food and lovely people.

This holiday had everything. It was my first visit to South America and I loved every moment. The organization of the trip was excellent, making it easy to relax and enjoy throughout. The guides were simply wonderful, highly professional, engaged well with the group, fun, and extremely knowledgeable about the area. The cycling was superb and the briefings prepared us well for each days cycling (what we would see, and experience , and with very good emphasis on safety advice) The non-cycling day had plenty of options to choose from – I chose the volcano climb which was quite an experience. This is one of the very best [operator] holidays I have experienced.

The route selected for this holiday was really interesting, varied – Chile and Argentina – quite different. So well chosen. The accommodation provided also must be classed as excellent.

Lunches – all prepared by the guides – were simply superb. Lots of variety, all very fresh, and good, nutritious food – absolutely brilliant. We chose to eat dinners with the guides and the rest of the group for all our evening meals. The restaurants chosen by the guides were excellent and gave a good taste of local cuisine, with plenty of variety. On route refreshments were readily available – plenty of fresh water and energy providing foods.

Our tour leaders along with the two support guides made an excellent team. They made sure everything ran smoothly and were highly professional, confident and knowledgeable about the area and culture. They were very friendly and made the holiday fun and exciting. They were well organized, and paced the cycling well for the mixed group. These leaders were amongst the best we have experienced with [operator] holidays. The support vehicle was new, smart, well maintained and very comfortable. Plenty of room, comfortable seats and good air conditioning.

Hire bikes were superb for the terrain we were to ride on. Also very well maintained throughout the trip.

As for the cycling, I loved all of the days. The gravel trails were challenging at times with the loose surface – but I enjoyed the challenge. Tarmac roads were a good smooth surface. The scenery never failed to amaze me with such beauty and vibrant colours – just stunning. Then there were the snow capped volcanoes, clear blue waters of the lakes, the bright blue skies, monkey puzzle forests and of course the single track. Utterly amazing was the Valley of the Monuments – I have never experienced anything like this before!

Chile and Argentina Lake District is an amazing, although somewhat challenging, ride. The scenery is stunning, and the food is amazing. I had no desire to visit these two countries, really don’t know why, but my husband has always wanted to so I gave in. I am glad I did – just to be surrounded by all the volcanoes and lakes while riding is stunning. The scenery was wonderful every day with all these lakes and volcanoes, and changing plant/tree species – really there are no words for this!

[The operator] was very responsive to all the questions we had and provided quick answers. One of the best meals for dinner was when the guides made us a BBQ dinner on New Years Eve – the food was great. The guide team made excellent, wonderful lunches every day. The snacks, mostly chocolate, on the bus were well received by one and all.

Our tour leader was an excellent guide. Very accommodating to desires and wishes of riders, very encouraging, very personable, very knowledgeable. In about 30 years of doing this type of tour, he was one of the best guides we have ever had. His knowledge about the area is amazing and his English is great. He really knew how to “lead” a tour and was always smiling. Our other guide was also excellent. His smiling personality and ability to make any situation funny/fun is amazing. He went out of his way to be helpful to everyone. He and Vicente make a truly great team and really made the ride the fun tough as it was. The driver they had for this ride, was beyond excellent. His driving was amazing, he always kept the bus clean, although his English was minimal we could always make ourselves understood and he always had a smile on his face and kind words for everyone. I think the whole group felt that he was “one of the guides” that is how involved his was with everyone’s comfort.

Hard to pick a favorite day – all were different and fantastic scenery. Think the day going through the “Wild West ” was my favorite. Such great variety of scenery each day – such a well thought-out itinerary. Good van support and transfers. Really lovely accommodation – real variety but superb.

Both Ernesto and Vicentes were great. They enjoyed each other’s company so much their heart-warming laughs were infectious. Great instructions without going overboard on details, but always willing to give answers about geography etc… when asked. Very helpful to me about extra bookings for ongoing travel – just wonderful guys! The training [the operator] gives them really pays off plus their own fun personalities. Compared with any guides I’ve been with since, they are right at the very top.

Our local guide, Ismael, and local driver/cook, Rodrigo, were excellent. They provided us with excellent service every single day and made sure our needs were met. I cannot say enough about how much I appreciated their service. Rodrigo, provided us with excellent, healthy lunches every single day which we thoroughly enjoyed. He also provided healthy snacks whenever we wanted them.

Every day was great and the briefings were excellent. Some of the gravel roads were an adjustment for this road rider. I was impressed with the quality of the paved rides. I had just previously completed a ride through Umbria and La Marche in Italy and commented on the poor quality of the roads in many areas. This was far superior.

Jason and his team were outstanding. Their logistics management, briefings and overall support was exemplary. Jason’s knowledge and briefings about the natural and historical highlights of the region greatly enhanced the overall experience. Most importantly they were a delight to be with and because of their hard work the group dynamic was a joyful experience.

Ismael, Alvaro and Victor are true pros and a great asset to your tour package. They not only provided all the support required but did so with a friendly zeal that really enhanced the overall experience. As a frequent traveler and tourism industry executive (retired) I have always emphasised that beyond the destination itself, the most important ingredient of a successful group tour is the quality of the guides. These guys are winners. And they didn’t even buy me a beer for these accolades.

We loved all the guides – Ernesto and his team were perfect. The driving was fantastic and they were always there to answer any questions we had with a smile. They worked together so well and did everything they could to make us have the best time possible. It was great to see them having fun amongst themselves yet never neglecting their job. It was clear that they loved what they do. The holiday was excellent and it’s difficult to pick a favorite day.

Pleasantly surprised at the wonderful lunches. Our guide excelled not just with the quality of produce but his attention to detail with presentation…5 stars! Hard to choose a favorite day, but probably day 8 – Villa Traful to San Martin. The fantastic scenery, variety of cycling…an 18km decent!! Highlight of the trip was our lunch stop just before the Argentinian border where a group of Gauchos on horseback were herding cattle, the backdrop was a Volcano – could not have planned it better if it was Hollywood! All 4 of our guides were sensational. Nothing was too much trouble….they had just the right combination of organizational skills, technical support, communication and above all a genuine sense of fun…they were a great team and it was obvious they worked well together. We were in good hands.

Guides were just amazing – best in all the various tours I did whilst in South America. Can’t sing their praises enough! The training they get from [the operator] really pays off.

 Seriously great hotels, brilliant restaurants we were taken to, really fabulous lunches, stunning scenery, superb itinerary with heaps of variety, lovely fun group Best organized trip I’ve ever done overseas. They were great fun but very organized and professional when the van broke down, and more than helpful when I requested help re obtaining a bus ticket not even part of their tour. Simply WONDERFUL!!