Peru Tours
Brazil Tours
Argentina Tours
Chile Tours
Ecuador/Galapagos Tours
Venezuela Tours
Bolivia Tours
Costa Rica Tours
Panama Tours
Guatemala Tours
Uruguay Tours
Africa Tours
Australia Tours
New Zealand Tours
Activities in Other Countries

Phone: 800-232-5658 or
1-512-443-5393
email

Blog - Jim's Thoughts

Argentina Tours and Travel

Best of Patagonia / Hiking the Patagonia Classics / More Patagonia Treks / More Patagonia / Firecrowns & Penguins
Buenos Aires / Calafate / Iguazu Falls / Bariloche / Ushuaia / Salta / Mendoza / Ibera / Valdes Peninsula / Hidden Argentina
Antarctic Cruises / Expedition Cruises / Best of Northwest / Bike Tours / Wine Tours / Uruguay Escapes / Tango, Candombe & Samba

Argentina Bike Trips

Cycling Wine Roads of Argentina & Chile

Best of Bariloche MTB

Bariloche MTB Weekend

The Stunning Andean Northwest

Join us to experience the stunning natural beauty of northern Argentina, an evocative landscape of immense geologic variety: dramatic wind-carved rock formations, mountain passes tinted in vibrant rainbow colors, lush cloud forests and green vineyards. Along the way, we pass through adobe villages, visit with local weavers, and discover the wine regions of Salta and Cafayate, long admired by connoisseurs for intense malbec and fruity torrontés. Evenings are spent at one-of-a-kind hotels featuring spas and gourmet cuisine.

• Ride through amazing high-altitude valleys, canyons, subtropical forests and a cactus national park
• Experience gaucho culture, based on horse riding, farming, mate drinking, wine and folklore
• Savor world-renowned wines from the Cafayate region
• Connect to Andean indigenous culture and sample asado,a local specialty
• Remote haciendas that appear like a mirage amid the rugged landscape

Days 1-2 Outskirts of Salta
Meet in Salta. Ride from the Yungas subtropical forest to the agricultural plain of Salta, on both dirt and paved roads. A landscape of tobacco plantations and pine and algarrobo forests changes to subtropical primary forest as you spin past huge trees filled with bromeliads, ferns and serenading birds. Join in learning the chacarera or zapateo folkloric dances of the Salta region. Enjoy the warm and luxurious atmosphere at the House of Jasmine, with a wide selection of spa services.

• Two nights at House of Jasmine. Over 100 years old, this inn is a faithful reflection of the stately Colonial home it once was. Private and impeccable, this hotel is rated one of the "50 most romantic places in the world" by Travel+Leisure.

Day 3 Payogasta/ Day 4 Molinos
Shuttle to 11,000 feet in the altiplano. Ride through Los Cardones National Park, abundant with giant cardón cacti. Keep an eye out for llamas and guanacos. A hilly ride in the countryside offers views of the snowcapped Nevado de Cachi. Explore the quaint town of Payogasta. Visit a master weaver for a treadle-loom and wool-dyeing demonstration. Eat together with a local family near the Seclantas village.

• One night each at Sala de Payogasta & Hacienda de Molinos.

Days 5-6 Colomé
A challenging ride ends at Estancia Colomé, a remote paradise set amid some of the world's highest-altitude vineyards. Explore the extraordinary property (96,000 acres) by mountain bike. Get a massage in your room, relax by the pool or play a game of bochas (bocce ball). Enjoy a tour of Colomé's impressive bodega, followed by a private wine tasting.

• Two nights at Estancia Colomé. This exclusive boutique hotel and wine estate features a contemporary art museum and comes highly recommended by Andrew Harper's Hideaway Report.

Days 7-8 Cafayate
Shuttle from Colomé to the mouth of the Quebrada de las Flechas. Ride along the famed Ruta 40 toward the extensive vineyards of Cafayate. Take time out at Patios de Cafayate's luxurious wine spa or shop for local handicrafts in town. Pedal through the Quebrada de Cafayate, filled with otherworldly landforms called such fantastical names as the Devil's Throat, the Toad and the Obelisk. Return to Salta.

• One night at Patios de Cafayate Hotel & Spa. A former Colonial mansion, surrounded by vineyards and extensive gardens and offering elegant guest rooms, a pool and spa.

Dates: Sep 26-Oct 3, 2010, Oct 17-24, 2010
Length: 8 days/ 7 nights
Cost: $3,998
Single Supplement: $800

trip prices include:
* All lodgings
* all breakfasts, most lunches, including our trademark grand picnics and all dinners except for one, when you’ll have the opportunity to sample local fare on your own
* Snacks and beverages between meals
* Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
* Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
* Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions
* All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
* fully equipped titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
* Baggage transfers and porterage
* water bottle

Not included: airfare, alcoholic beverages (operator provides wine at select events), gratuities for Trip Leaders and personal expenses

Andes Cross"

Location: The starting point is Malargüe, in the Argentine province of Mendoza- the heart of the Andes. The destination is Curicó, Chile where we arrive after crossing the Andes at Vergara Pass (2460 metres/ 8,200 feet above sea level).
Duration: 9 days.
Difficult level: advanced

Trip Profile:
It´s a non technical off road and point to point trip that goes along the Andes, covering 320km in 6 days. To join the Andes cross bikers must have an at least 21 speed mountain bike, a sleeping bag, a helmet, and a minimum fitness (that means to be able to cycle 60 or 70km in flat land, (40/45 miles) in flat land).
Andes Cross is the one of the hardest of our mountain bike trips, even the biker doesn´t have to be an athlete or a pro to be able to do it. Normally we cycle 25km in the morning and another 25 in the afternoon (except two stages that have more than 50km) You can stop whenever you want, it´s not a race, you can take pictures of the magic place you are watching or you can cycle stronger if you want. We are always 5/6 or 7 people depending the size of the group, working for campings and meals, so after a hard day you ´ll find the camp already set up in a breathtaking landscape. In the morning, after the rest, you ´ll be required to help to put tents away for example. This type of mountain bike trip, was created for people who like to do sports and enjoy nature at the same time. Also you ´ll need to have an open mind in the sense of having no toilets during five nights in the middle of the Andes.

Depart: (Friday) Guests starting with us in Buenos Aires will depart in our van on Friday afternoon. Our meeting point is in Buenos Aires (flight to, and accommodations in Buenos Aires are not included in tour price). We recommend flying to the city of San Rafael, in Mendoza Province. If you choose to fly to Mendoza, you must arrive in Malargüe by Friday or Saturday. The nearest airport is San Rafael, which is 180 km from Malargüe. We can arrange for your transfer from San Rafael airport to Malargüe for a cost of us $67.

Saturday Day 1: We'll arrive in Malargüe in the afternoon, giving you free time to stroll the town, visit a museum or rest. Tonight we'll be lodged at a local hotel. Dinner is on your own, so that you can visit the town and choose from the varied regional options. Malargüe is famous for chivito, the local name for goat. Of course, you will also find the famous Argentine grilled meat here.

Sunday Day 2: Malargüe - Bardas Blancas After our detailed welcome and safety talk, we begin biking from the town's central square. The first stage involves leaving Malargüe heading south, over the famous Route 40, which stretches the length of Argentina along the spine of the Andes from the border with Bolivia in the North, to the edge of the continent in Ushuaia, in the South. We'll have the Andes Range in sight on our right, cycling over a paved road to the Chihuido Slope, climbing 550 ms (1804 ft) in the first 42 km (26 miles), and stopping for lunch after accomplishing this first stage. Our support team will prepare lunch and dinner every day we are cycling, welcoming guests at midday with a hearty outdoors lunch, and preparing dinner at our previously organized campsite in the evening.
Today's ride ends by the Rio Grande at Bardas Blancas, a small border settlement where we will spend our last night near civilization. This also marks the end of the pavement - we'll be on a dirt road from here on. During this first stage, the temperature will be around 30º Celsius (86º Fahrenheit) at day, and as low as 0ºC at night (32ºF).
67,5 km (42 miles) - 774 meters (2530 Feet) uphill/740 meters (2420 Feet) downhill

Monday day 3: Bardas blancas - Las Loicas We'll begin cycling at our campsite, our goal being to reach Las Loicas, the last border control in Argentina. The road is still wide and will be paved for the next sixteen kilometers, with a river always snaking alongside it within site. As always, you can choose from cycling hard ahead of the pack, or at a relaxed pace, taking your time to snap pictures and marvel at the landscape. Our support vehicles will be used to move our equipment and baggage ahead as well as to give support to riders. Tonight we'll set camp at a local puesto, basically a hamlet where locals will treat us with the famous chivito of Mendoza.
37,5km (23 miles) - 330 meters (1080 Feet) uphill/160 meters (523 Feet) downhill

Tuesday Day 4: Las Loicas - Río Montañes After leaving Las Loicas, we'll cross the Chico River and start biking along it's left margin, entering the Valle Grande. The scenery is amazing, with vast views of our desert landscape, strange rock formations and high snow-covered peaks all around us. The river is fed by snow-melt, and becomes clearer as we ascend. We will also cross large fields of sand, bike over long straight paths, and hopefully get a glimpse of the majestic Andean Condor, flying high above us near their nesting sites. Tonight we'll camp near the Río Montañés, in this arid, almost surreal mountain setting. We'll savour today's success at our campsite, with a hearty, replenishing group dinner. Temperatures will be near 0ºC (32ºF) tonight, but we'll sleep cozily in our warm sleeping bags.
49 km (31 miles) - 620 meters (2027 Feet) uphill/410 meters (1340 Feet) downhill

Wednesday Day 5: Río Montañes - Termas del Azufre Today's challenging stage will see us begin early, getting us ever closer to our ultimate goal. Our objective will be the wonderful sulphuric hot baths under the Peteroa Volcano, which last blew ashes in the 90´s. We'll see this amazing smoking massif high above us. The ride involves plenty of climbing, getting us into the very heart of the mountains. We'll also see fields of volcanic stone and ash as we reach our campsite, which will be set up under a nearby glacier, with the hot baths at our reach. No better way to celebrate today's accomplishments!
48 km (31 miles) - 1145 meters (3745 Feet) uphill/455 meters (1488 Feet) downhill

Thursday Day 6: Termas del Azufre - Río Teno Emotion and excitement will abound us, as we finish our climbing and we leave Argentina across the border into Chile. This is the start of some amazing downhill riding! After 14 km we'll reach the border control, as well as the tour's maximum elevation of 2,465 ms above sea level (8,070 ft). The zigzag downhill path will get your adrenaline flowing; but be sure to stop for the amazing views. We'll arrive at our campsite near the famous Teno River, where Olympic kayak teams train. One more night to replenish ourselves with a nourishing meal, enjoying the company of our group, which will by now be a unified team!
39.5 km (25 miles) - 420 meters (1374 Feet) uphill/1620 meters (5298 Feet) downhill

Friday Day 7: Río Teno - Curicó More downhill riding on this last stage of our High Andes Crossing. Still, there are plenty of challenges, as we must carefully steer our bikes over the winding dirt road. The temperatures will rise today as we near sea level, so we'll begin early to enjoy the swimming pool at the hotel this afternoon (well worth it!). The landscape will differ drastically, as we experience a change in vegetation in the more humid Chilean region. After crossing the town of Los Queñes, we'll once again cycle over a paved road, with 26 km to go before reaching Curicó. The support team will await at the hotel with lunch prepared, ready to celebrate the success of our tour with champagne! After loading our bikes, you'll have time for a relaxing shower, with a free afternoon to enjoy the pool, followed by a group dinner at our hotel.
68 km (42,5 miles) - 420 meters (1374 Feet) uphill/1420 meters (4644 Feet) downhill

Saturday Day 8: We'll leave Curicó in our minibus, heading towards Santiago, where you can fly home or extend your travels in the amazing country of Chile. From the famous wineries of the Central Valley, to the deserts of the North and the glaciers of the South, Chile offers truly magical destinations. The van will continue from Santiago back to Mendoza, Argentina, travelling 600 km over a paved road, under the Aconcagua massif (the highest mountain in the Americas) and eventually back into the valleys of Mendoza Capital. We'll arrive in the evening, spending the night in cabins.

Sunday Day 9: After an early start in Mendoza, we expect to arrive in Buenos Aires around 10pm, travelling over paved roads throughout the day.

Note: if plane is not required, land transportation is about 16 hours.

Price: US$ 1100 per person Private tent: US$130 Transfer from San Rafael airport to Malargüe: US$67

Dates: Dates 2010: Jan 29 – Feb 07, Feb 12-21, Feb 26 – Mar 07

Services included:
* 13- to 18-person van equipped with tv & video
* Support vehicle equipped with two-way communication radio (everyday, with on-board service, including granola bars, fruits when possible, and other snacks and drinks) & Mountain bike transportation during the extent of the tour
* All meals, at campsites, hotels or restaurants (except meals while on transit, dinner on Day 1 and lunch on Day 8) Complete breakfasts, fruits, granola bars, cold lunchs (salads, meat, rice) barbecues and carbohidrates for dinners
* Medical insurance
Camp, tents (2 and 3 people), dining tents, latrine tent, cooking equipment, tables, banks and dishes
* All accommodations:
While camping, our comfortable 2-person tents (individual tents are available - please inquire), with dining structural tent, latrine tents, and comfortable camping equipment including tables, chairs and dining ware.
Hotel in Malargüe: Triple base
Hotel in Curico: Double base
Mendoza Cabins: 5 people per cabin
Please ask us for single supplement.
* Mechanical assistance and spare bike available (in case your breaks down)
* Support staff in charge of setting up camp and preparing meals every day of the tour
* Bilingual Tour Leaders, equipped with two-way radios, and local guides
* Daily Trip Information Notes, with maps, routes and detail on the region
* Pre-trip information package with details on how to prepare, what to bring, and more detailed information

General information about the Andes Cross

Water is not a problem because there are many rivers formed by the remaining snow from winter.
The maximum height is 2560 metres/8300 feet above sea level.
During the day the temperature may reach 30°, but may fall to almost 0° during the night.

Info for Last Bike Trip

Bike Rental: From 15 to 20u$ dollars a day. The helmet is included in the bike hire.
The bikes are:
a) Giant mountain bikes, aluminium frames, 24 speed and fork. (year 2002) 20u$ /day
b) Zenith Mountain bikes, aluminium frames, 24 speed and fork (year 2002) 15 u$/ day

Hotel Level
Malargüe: 3 stars
Curico: 4 stars
Santiago de Chile: 4 stars

Do I have to be physically fit?
You must have at least a minimum of what is called "sport level fitness". You will be the engine for your trip and, although you don't need to be a mountain bike racer, the better your state of physical fitness, the more you will enjoy your trip. To join any tour you should be able to pedal 50 km a day on flat land. Typical day rides are shorter but you will be cycling along single tracks, up hills with strong head winds and steep descents that are more challenging than flat ground. These trips are designed to be suitable for a wide range of different abilities. A support vehicle will always be available if required. Having prior technical experience will help but, if you do not, your mountain bike leaders will help you to learn basic off-road techniques.

What about the mountain bikes?
You need to bring at least an 18-speed mountain bike (everyone knows how nice is traveling with your own bike). The bike must be in good mechanical condition and gloves and helmet use is obligatory. Normally when you fly, bikes are carried free of charge as part of your luggage allowance. In the event that you don't want to bring your own bike, you may rent one from us. It is not necessary to bring mechanical equipment, as our company will provide it. Additionally, you can always count on an extra bike if yours breaks down. The bikes coming from outside Argentina must be registered at the Argentinean border. We will need in writing the brand, model, color and serial number of your mountain bike.

Who will be your traveling companions?
Who participates in the mountain biking tours? Usually people who join these kind of trips are women and men between the ages of 18 and 48, singles, couples and, sometimes, groups of friends. What they have in common is a love for an experience where bikes and the environment are combined, meeting others with the same interests, cycling as a healthy way to see different and unknown places, keeping both minds and bodies in a healthy state, being able to enjoy the simple things, and participating all the time.

What size will my group be? Normally the average is 14. We can enlarge the number of participants only on long vacation trips, but to no more than 26. This enables us to provide a personalized service for our clients.

Support vehicle
We have some center based tours n addition to point-to-point ones, which is possible because of the flexibility provided by having a support vehicle. This means that you do not have to carrying any bags with you. If you need medical attention, you don't have to wait. We also carry an extra bike and you only cycle in the best areas avoiding cycle less interesting places.

Communication
You'll be assisted at all times by a bilingual guide (Spanish English) who also is a trained specialist in physical fitness and mountain biking touring.

Medical insurance
Mountain biking is not a high-risk sport like flying or scuba diving, but there is an inherent risk involved. For this reason, we take all necessary precautions, which is why a helmet and cycling gloves are essential and mandatory. In addition, we carry a first aid kit, explain preventive measures (i.e. teach participants how to ride with awareness), and everyone is covered by medical insurance in Argentina and in Chile when it is needed.

Accommodation
Accommodation is always included in your tour rate, which is usually at campgrounds or inns depending on the tour. In the Andes Cross you have two hotel nights in Talca and Santiago de Chile. Tents and cooking equipment also included but you have to bring your own sleeping bag and sleeping mat.

Food
Everyone knows that food is our body's fuel for keeping us strong and healthy while we are demanding its best performance on the bike. The food chosen and programmed is common and rich in proteins, calories and carbohydrates for helping the cyclist's performance. During the day, there are cold and quick lunches and during the evening, we have hot and tasty dinners. We don't include meals whilst in transit to and from your point of origin.

What's Not Included?
- Transportation from your city to Argentina
- Airport taxes
- Accommodation in Buenos Aires
- Shuttle from Ezeiza Airport to your hotel
- Tips, soft drinks, alcohol and meals while in transit
- Optional extras