What’s This All About?

This 8-day epic runs from November 2025 to March 2026, when Patagonia’s summer keeps the trails (mostly) rideable and the days long enough to soak it all in. You’re looking at 60-100 km per day, with plenty of elevation to keep your legs honest—think 800-1,500 meters of climbing on the big days. The guided tour costs $3,200, which hooks you up with a badass guide, a support van for emergencies, and all the logistics handled. Want to go full adventurer? The self-guided option is $2,300, with GPS routes, maps, and a detailed itinerary to keep you from getting lost in the wilderness. Either way, this is a trip for serious cyclists who don’t mind getting a bit dirty.

The Landscape

Patagonia’s like nowhere else on Earth. You’ll be pedaling through rugged mountains that look like they’ve been chiseled by giants, with jagged peaks and glaciers peeking out around every corner. The trails are a mix of gravel paths, rocky singletrack, and smooth lakefront trails that hug turquoise waters so clear you’ll wanna dive in (but don’t—it’s freezing). Expect wide-open steppes, dense forests, and wind-swept plains where the only traffic is the occasional condor overhead. The terrain’s tough, with loose gravel and steep climbs, but the views—think snow-capped Andes and sparkling lakes—are worth every drop of sweat.

How’s the Ride?

This tour’s rated advanced for a reason. You’ll need strong legs, solid bike-handling skills, and a good dose of grit to tackle the climbs and technical sections. The gravel paths can be unforgiving, and Patagonia’s infamous winds might have you leaning into them like you’re in a cartoon. But oh man, the payoffs are huge—coasting down a mountain pass with a glacial lake stretching out below you feels like you’ve cracked the code to life. Guided tours come with a support van stocked with water, snacks, and spare parts, plus a guide who knows the trails like their own backyard. Self-guided riders get a beefy route packet with GPS tracks and tips, but you’ll need to be comfy navigating remote areas on your own.

Local Tips to Keep You Going

Layer up: Patagonia’s weather is a rollercoaster—sunny and warm one minute, rainy and windy the next. Bring layered clothing like a waterproof jacket, fleece, and breathable base layers. You’ll thank me when the wind kicks up.

Empanada pit stops: Small villages along the way serve killer empanadas—grab some beef or veggie ones for a quick, tasty refuel. Look for tiny bakeries in places like El Chaltén or Puerto Natales.

Tire check: Gravel trails eat tires for breakfast. Make sure your bike’s got sturdy, puncture-resistant tires, and carry a patch kit for emergencies.

Respect the wind: Patagonia’s winds are no joke—sometimes you’ll feel like you’re pedaling in place. Plan your rides for early mornings when it’s calmer, and keep your head down.

A Glimpse at the Itinerary

You’ll kick things off in Bariloche, Argentina, with a scenic ride along Lago Nahuel Huapi to warm up your legs. Days 2-3 take you deeper into the Andes, with big climbs and jaw-dropping views of Cerro Tronador. Midweek, you’ll cross into Chile, pedaling past Lago Todos los Santos and through lush rainforests. Days 5-6 are all about remote trails in Torres del Paine territory, where you’ll dodge guanacos and marvel at glacier-carved valleys. The final stretch brings you to Puerto Natales, with a celebratory feast of Patagonian lamb and local craft beer. Guided tours include luggage transfers and nightly route breakdowns; self-guided riders get a detailed guidebook to keep you on track.