Patagonia Pedal and Paddle

Dec - April

9 Days

Skill

Fitness

Ride Highlights

CAD

$2295

Our gorgeous eco lodge in the Andes
Spectacular Andes mountains and clear blue rivers
Riding on handbuilt singletrack surrounding our lodge
Whitewater rafting and kayaking on 3 local rivers
An overnight excursion on the Manso River
Volunteering with local community projects

The end of the Earth.

The word Patagonia conjures up images of brave adventurers and remote landscapes in a hidden corner of the world. For centuries the world's bravest have tested themselves in these lands - often with disastrous results.

These days, Patagonia still offers up plenty of adventure, but without the heaping servings of hardship. On our Pedal and Paddle trip, in Argentinian Patagonia, you too can play Magellan and unleash your inner explorer, but with a nice side dish of comfort at our spectacular backcountry ecolodge. Had those early explorers had their own wood-fired hot tub overlooking the Andes, they may have stayed a while longer. And if they'd known about the network of beautiful rides surrounding our lodge, well they just may have given up the exploring life all together and settled down in this little corner of paradise.

To ramp up the adventure factor just a little more (and take advantage of 3 world-class whitewater rivers nearby), we're throwing in a few afternoons of whitewater rafting and/or kayaking, optional daily yoga sessions, volunteering with a local project, and an overnight excursion to a beautiful riverside cabin. About the only thing we left out to make this the most adventurous adventure ever are the scurvy, and rickety boat to get you home...

Is This Ride For You?

You crave real adventure and are willing to go far to get it. You love mountain biking but don't mind mixing it up with some other activities. You know how to swim and are willing to try some whitewater rafting (or you're already experienced and are ready to tackle the river in a kayak).

"I just wanted to quickly say how great the trip to Argentina was. The area was amazing, mountain biking challenging as anything (I grew new legs) and the paddling was a ton of fun.

I especially want to let you know how amazing the hosts at the lodge were. They went above and beyond in all regards and did a great job. "

Jon Thorpe, Canada
"The lodge was awesome as were the staff and local guides!"

Robert Buchan, USA
"I've done a lot of trips around the world but this was by far the most magical. The location, the lodge, the guides, the scenery... everything was simply amazing. I have amazing memories of this trip that I'll treasure forever. Wish I could go back today!"

Joanne Hirani, CAN
"Everything was local. Off-grid lodge... local bartering.. organic homegrown foods!"

Jon Thorpe, Canada

Day 1. Arrive Bariloche, transfer to lodge

We'll meet you at the Bariloche airport and escort you to our spectacular eco-lodge tucked away in the Patagonian Andes, at the confluence of two rivers. Along the way we'll check out some jaw-dropping scenery in Nahuel Huapi National Park within the Rio Azul Wilderness Area. We'll check in to the lodge and get to know each other over a delicious dinner and talk about the epic trip ahead!

Day 2. Warmup Rides behind the lodge

After morning yoga and breakfast, we'll take a tour of the facilities and build our bikes for the 1st ride, a great warmup ride behind the lodge. After lunch at the lodge, we'll head out for more, ending the day with yoga on the lodge deck overlooking the river, then enjoy a delicious dinner and bonfire under the stars.

Day 3. Loma Hills Ride, Kayaking Lessons

We'll start off with the beautiful Loma Hills ride about a 15 minute shuttle from the lodge. This cross-country ride is about 20 kms in length and offers great views of the surrounding mountains. After returning to the lodge, we'll eat lunch then get ready for an afternoon of kayaking practive in the practice pool on the spectacular Azul (Blue) River. Never kayaked before? Not to worry - our instructors will walk you through all the steps and teach you everything you need to know for safe and exciting kayaking. You'll learn wet exits, Eskimo rolls and paddle techniques during this first session. There's an evening yoga session by the river, then dinner at an old log cabin by the river.

Day 4. Cajon Trail Loop

The Cajon Trail Loop offers moderately strenuous XC riding with several challenging climbs, along with some semi-technical, fast flowy descents mixed with rolling forest paths, and 2 precarious suspension bridges. We'll eat lunch picnic-style at backcountry trekking huts where we have lunch. After lunch we'll visit an absolutely unique geologic feature: the Azul river has carved a rock canyon some 125 ft (40 m) deep, 20 ft wide at the bottom where the river passes thru, yet barely 3 ft wide at the top where one can stand straddling the river with one foot on each side of the gorge.

Days 5&6. Manso Valley Overnight Trip

Today we head to the stunning Rio Manso valley for an overnight trip. We'll transfer by van to the Lago Steffen trailhead, then spend the morning riding 20km (12mi) of beautiful singletrack, starting with a moderate 8km (5mi) climb followed by a thrilling 12km (7mi) descent. At Lago Steffen we'll stop for a gourmet lunch. After lunch, we'll hop in kayaks, rafts or duckys for a fun and exciting paddle to our cabin on the river, where we'll spend the night. Our lodge chef will accompany us and prepare a delicious dinner for us at our riverside cabin. After dinner, a bonfire by the river will cap off another perfect day in paradise.

We'll start the next morning with yoga by the river and a gourmet breakfast, then leave the cabin by bike for a rolling 20-km (12mi) ride through the national park. This is a true adventure ride, with lots of stream crossings and 3 suspension bridges. We'll end the ride at on old farmstead, stop for lunch, then paddle the lower Manso river to the Chilean border. The van will be waiting for us at the take-out for the 90-minute drive back to our lodge, just in time for another delicious dinner.

Day 7. Volunteer Day

Today is our day to give back to the wonderful community that has embraced us and provided us with some great adventures. We'll pedal singletrack out to Tia (Aunt) Nellie's farm and spend the day re-covering her greenhouse and building compost piles. We'll pedal back to the lodge in mid-afternoon and then do a few shuttle runs on the trails surrounding the lodge.

Day 8. Shuttle Runs at Mount Piltri

Mount Piltri offers some fantastic downhill mountain biking: fast, flowy trails that are suitable for cross-country bikes. We'll spend the day getting our fill of the amazing scenery and great riding, then head to the nearby town of El Bolson for an arts and crafts fair and soak in a bit of Patagonian culture.

Day 9. Return to Bariloche

After a last breakfast and hugs with our hosts, we'll head to Bariloche airport, arriving at noon.

Arrival and Departure Airport

You should fly into and out of Bariloche Airport (BRC) in Argentina. Most flights will route through Buenos Aires. Please see the schedule page for the exact arrival and departure dates for your particular trip. You can, if necessary, arrive earlier and spend a few days in Bariloche - more information is available below.

Please note: we do not book international flights for our clients. One of the best online resources for searching flights is igougo.com. Type in your departure city, enter BRC as the arrival airport, enter the dates, and then check off all of the websites listed - this will search multiple flight websites for the best possible price.

Pickup and Dropoff

We will be offering pickup and transfer to our lodge from 2 locations in Bariloche on the 1st day of the trip (see the schedule page for the exact arrival and departure dates for your particular trip). The 1st pickup will be at Bariloche airport at 5pm and then proceeding to our partner hotel in Bariloche to pick up any Riders who arrived early and spent the night. This pickup will be at approximately 6pm. From there we proceed to our lodge in the mountains, arriving in time for dinner.

Please book flights arriving no later than 3pm, to allow a cushion for delays and luggage pickup. Should you be unable to find a suitable flight arriving that day, we suggest you arrive the day before, stay at our partner hotel in Bariloche, and spend the next day exploring town. We'll pick you up at the hotel the next day.

On the last day of the trip, we will be leaving for Bariloche shortly after breakfast, arriving by noon at the latest. Please book flights leaving no earlier than 2pm to allow time for checkin.

Extending your trip

If you want to extend your trip by arriving early or staying on after your trip, there are a few options:

We have some excellent trip extension options should you want to stay in Patagonia after your trip. Please contact our office for more information.
If you want to book extra nights in Bariloche before or after the trip, we recommend the Hosteria Las Marianas. Please click here for their website and make your booking directly with the hotel.

Travelling with your bike

If you've never traveled with your bike, don't worry - it's much easier than you think! If you don't have a case for your bike, then you can pick up a cardboard travel box for your bike at your local store. Some stores will also pack your bike up for you for a fee.

Alternately, if you are planning on traveling with your bike more than just this one time, we sell travel bags for bikes, handmade by Pikapackworks. These travel bags are specially made for bikes and can often go on flights without having to pay the extra charges incurred by cardboard boxes or hard cases. The bags cost $395, including shipping withing North America. Click here for more information on our bags.

Bike Rentals

We have Santa Cruz Superlight D bikes available for rental. The price is $400 for the duration of the trip - this can be added to your reservation when booking online or over the phone.

Ideal Bike for This Trip

We get asked this question a lot. Of course, there is no perfect bike (unless you've found a 20-lb, 9" travel bike that climbs like a mountain goat), but if you have a few bikes in your garage to choose from, we recommend a light all-mountain or beefy cross-country bike with 4-5" travel, under 30 lbs. There are some challenging climbs on this trip so you don't want something that's a bitch to pedal uphill; likewise, you don't want a 20-lb. cross-country race machine with 2" travel that will get thrashed on the more technical stuff. Lean towards the lighter side of things and you'll do fine.

Spare Parts for your Bike and other gear to bring

Although there are some parts available locally, we recommend you bring the following parts and gear with you to avoid problems in case of breakdown or broken parts:

rear derailleur hanger (at least 1, preferably 2)
extra set of front and rear brake pads
extra chain if your chain is more than 6 months old
minimum 4 tubes
4 extra spokes
shock pump for full-suspension bikes
chain lube
multipurpose tool for trailside repair (including chain break)

Kayaking

If you've never kayaked before, not to worry. The kayaking is suitable for beginners (although experienced whitewater enthusiasts can definitely find some more technical stuff to play on). Our experienced instructors will show you the ropes, demonstrating skills such as wet exits, rolls, paddling techniques and more. By the end of the week, you'll be a whitewater pro!

Should you not feel comfortable in a kayak, we also have rafts and duckys available, which are easier to handle and learn on.

Please note: kayak rentals are included in the price of the trip. You do not need to bring your own equipment.

Clothing and Packing List

The weather in Patagonia is quite warm during the summer months (Dec. - Mar.), but can get chilly at night in the mountains. Bring warm clothes that you can wear at night (long pants, long-sleeve jacket), and a light insuating layer that you can wear while riding at higher altitudes. Bring

comfortable clothes for riding, such as biking jerseys (ideally short and long-sleeved) and padded shorts. 3 or more sets are ideal, 2 are a must, unless you feel like doing laundry every day or grossing out your fellow Riders)
lightweight, weather-resistant outerwear for riding in inclement weather
warm clothing such as sweaters and fleece jackets and pants for nighttime.
swimwear and towels
sport sandals (e.g. Tevas) or some sort of footwear that can get wet (for kayaking)
sunglasses or some sort of eye protection for sunny and/or muddy days.
helmet and some sort of hydration system (bottles and/or Camelbak)
toiletries i.e. toothbrush, shampoo, soap
camera
flashlight
sunscreen and insect repellant

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance, including emergency evacuation coverage, is compulsory for all our tours. We recommend that you purchase travel insurance that includes cancellation protection so that you will be covered in the event that you are unable to attend our tour (due to injury, illness or other unforeseen circumstances) or in the unlikely event that our tour must be cancelled.

You can purchase discounted comprehensive insurance from World Nomads directly via our site at our insurance page.

Passports & Visas

All travelers require a valid passport (with a minimum of 6 months validity). Citizens of some countries will also require a visa. For more information, visit the World Travel Guide website.

Emergency Contact

If you need to contact us in an emergency, you can reach us during office hours at the following numbers:

Dialing within North America: 1 (888) 423-7849
Dialing outside of North America: +1 (647) 999-7955
If you do not receive an immediate answer when calling the above numbers, please leave us a detailed message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

If you need to give your family/friends back home a number to reach you at in Argentina, you can provide them with our lodge's phone number: +54 2944 498329

Food

Argentina is one of South America's most developed, cleanest country. There is little risk in Argentinian restaurants beyond what you would encounter in an North American restaurant.

Vaccination Requirements

Vaccinations are not required for the areas we are visiting in Argentina.

Fitness Requirements

You should have a reasonable level of fitness and be able to bike at a moderate pace for up to five hours a day in order to fully enjoy the spectacular scenery and riding on this trip. There will also be plenty of time for relaxation at our lodges or exploring the local shopping at a leisurely pace.

We recommend you train in advance of this trip, in order to get the most out of this trip. We have partnered with Fit for Trips to develop customized training programs for you in advance of your trip. We recommend beginning your training at least 2 months prior to your trip. For more information, please visit the Sacred Rides page at Fit for Trips.

Safety & Security

Argentina is a safe country, particularly in the area around the lodge, however certain precautions should be followed, as with all foreign travel. To maximize your safety during our tours you should exercise common sense and caution at all times. We recommend that you always stick to set travel arrangements, and avoid unknown areas. We also recommend that you wear minimal jewelry and that you keep valuable items safely stored. Always keep a copy of your passport, airline tickets, travelers checks and credit card numbers separate from where you keep the originals.

Currency exchange

The Argentinian currency is the Argentinian Peso (ARS). For the latest currency exchange information use the Yahoo! Currency Exchange Calculator

How to access money

The easiest way to access spending money is via an ATM/bank machine; ATMs are widely available in most of the areas we visit and will dispense local currency. In rare situations, we have had customers' whose cards have been declined, so you may want to consider bringing some US dollars with you.

Meals

On this trip, all meals are included in the trip price, with the exception of two dinners.

Other expenses

Aside from meals and baggage charges on the internal flights, there are no required additional expenses for this trip, but you might like to take spending money for such things as souvenir shopping, alcoholic drinks, and nightlife.

Tipping

Gratuities of 5-10% are common in Argentina. We encourage you to tip your guides if you feel you have received excellent service and have had an enjoyable trip. A typical gratuity is $20 - $100 USD per guide.

Internet and Wi-fi

There is wi-fi service at La Confluencia Lodge; however, there is no internet service during the overnight at the Rio Manso.

Useful Links

For additional information about travelling in Patagonia, visit
Patagonia Argentina Tourism website

Our Guarantee

We're so sure you'll have an amazing time on this trip that we're offering satisfaction guarantee. View more information about our guarantee.

Johanna Weintrager

Lead Guide and Lead Instructor.

Johanna is our lead guide and coach for B.C, Utah, Mexico and Patagonia. After learning to ride on the North Shore of Vancouver and in Whistler in early 2000, she has been coaching since 2003 after racing elite DH and XC and guiding since 2007. Living in Fernie for the last 5 years, she's blessed with amazing local trails as well as traveling and riding all over North America. Johanna is Certified by CMIC, Endless Biking, NCCP, Yoga Alliance, Sports Nutrition, Advanced Wilderness First Aid, she also teaches yoga and surfing in Mexico and Patagonia as well as Essential Yoga Studio in Fernie.