Southern Lakes & Volcanoes Bike Expedition

Nestled at the foot of the Lonquimay Volcano, surrounded by ancient forests and Andean landscapes, Malalcahuello is the perfect setting to begin our journey into the heart of southern Chile.

Private transfer from Temuco Airport to your accommodation at Malalcahuello Hotel & Spa (approx. 1 hour and 45 minutes). Upon arrival, you’ll be welcomed by the lead guide and support team for a short orientation, including a briefing on the journey ahead, equipment check, and bike fitting.
You’ll then have free time to go for a light ride around the area or relax at the hotel’s natural hot springs and spa facilities.

In the evening, we’ll gather for a delicious welcome dinner, a perfect opportunity to connect with fellow travelers and enjoy regional flavors in a warm and relaxed atmosphere.

We’ll assist all participants in coordinating flights from Santiago to Temuco to ensure the group travels together. Alternatively, private pick-up on Day 0 is also available from Pucón or Temuco city upon request. Please see the section for flight recommendations. 

📍 Distance: ~55 km
📈 Elevation gain: ~680 m
🛏️ Accommodation: Los Ñirres Campsite
💡 Highlights: Cautín Valley, waterfalls, Araucaria forests, Llaima Volcano

Our cycling journey begins with a gentle descent through the scenic Cautín Valley, following the route of the long-forgotten trans-Andean railway, which has now been adapted into a cycling path. After reaching the town of Melipeuco, we’ll leave behind the traffic and noise to enjoy a peaceful 14-kilometer paved bike trail.

Along this stretch, we’ll visit two beautiful waterfalls: Salto del Indio and Salto de la Princesa, both nestled in lush native forest. From there, we take a lesser-known gravel shortcut that reconnects with the main road, which leads us to the northern entrance of Conguillío National Park.

The final section of the day is the most physically demanding, as we climb approximately 680 meters over 20 kilometers. This challenging ascent brings us deeper into pristine wilderness, where we’ll be surrounded by iconic Andean lagoons, the impressive Llaima Volcano, and ancient Araucaria trees — also known as monkey puzzle trees. These remarkable conifers gave their name to both the Araucanía region and the “Araucanos“, the historical name given by the Spanish to the native Mapuche people of this territory.

We’ll end the day at a well-equipped campground near Lake Conguillío, surrounded by Araucaria and Coigüe trees. This beautiful campsite offers showers, bathrooms, and a food service area — the perfect place to rest, recharge, and enjoy a night immersed in nature.

📍 Distance: ~78 km
📈 Elevation gain: Gentle descent
🛏️ Accommodation: Camping Codihue
💡 Highlights: Arcoíris & Verde Lagoons, lava fields, local lunch

Descend to the town of Melipeuco, then continue through pastoral lands toward the serene Lake Colico.

We begin the day riding along a friendly, mostly flat gravel road surrounded by an extraordinary native forest, one of the oldest and most biodiverse in the region. The trail gradually descends, taking us past picturesque lagoons like Laguna Arcoíris and Laguna Verde, which add color and narrative to this Jurassic landscape.

Soon after, the scenery becomes more dramatic as we enter a lava field set at the base of the imposing Llaima Volcano — a powerful reminder of the volcanic forces that have shaped this territory. From there, we exit the southern gate of Conguillío National Park and transition to smoother riding.

The rest of the route follows quiet paved roads and a flat stretch of highway, with no significant climbs. Around midday, we’ll stop at a local guest house near Melipeuco, where we’ll enjoy a homemade lunch featuring authentic regional cuisine and warm southern hospitality.

In the afternoon, we continued our ride southward until reaching a beautiful campsite on the shoreline of Lake Colico — an ideal spot to unwind, swim, and enjoy a peaceful evening surrounded by native trees and clear waters.

📍 Distance: ~51 km
🛥️ Boat crossing: Lake Caburgua
🛏️ Accommodation: Hotel Boutique or Selina Pucón
💡 Highlights: Rural roads, Ojos del Caburgua, free evening in Pucón

We start the day cycling 28 kilometers along the northern shoreline of Lake Colico, following quiet rural roads that offer beautiful views of the lake and surrounding forest. At the northern dock of Lake Caburgua, we’ll board a boat that will carry us — along with our bicycles — across the entire length of this pristine glacial lake.

Once we reach the southern shore of Lake Caburgua, only 23 kilometers remain to reach the most iconic tourist destination in the region: the town of Pucón.

Before arriving, we’ll have the chance to visit the Ojos del Caburgua — a set of deep-blue natural spring pools surrounded by lush native forest, where underground waters from Lake Caburgua resurface in a stunning cascade display.

Upon arrival in Pucón, the group will have the afternoon free to explore this vibrant mountain town on foot. Dinner is not included, but you’ll have plenty of options to choose from among Pucón’s excellent restaurants and cozy eateries.

📍 Distance: ~52 km
📈 Elevation gain: ~1,000 m
🛏️ Accommodation: Campsite (remote)
💡 Highlights: Waterfalls, wild trail access, Termas Geométricas

This is likely the most challenging day of the expedition, but it comes with an incredibly rewarding ending.

We leave Pucón early and begin a steady ascent through the lush Palguín valley. Over the course of the day, we’ll gain nearly 1,000 meters of elevation as we enter Villarrica National Park via its northern access, a remote trail closed to vehicles but perfect for adventurous cyclists seeking solitude and raw nature.

Along the way, we’ll take time to admire several beautiful waterfalls, including Salto Las Mellizas, Salto Palguín, and Salto La China — each surrounded by vibrant temperate rainforest and fed by crystal-clear mountain waters.

After crossing the park and reaching our remote campsite, we’ll hop into our support van for a short 10-minute transfer to one of Chile’s most iconic hot springs: the Termas Geométricas. Hidden deep within a narrow canyon and surrounded by native forest and waterfalls, this thermal complex offers the perfect restorative soak after a physically demanding ride.

We’ll return to our campsite in the early evening, where our chef will be waiting with a well-deserved dinner to end this unforgettable day.

📍 Distance: ~65 km
📈 Terrain: Mixed gravel/paved
🛏️ Accommodation: Camping Huechulafquén
💡 Highlights: Lake Calafquén, rural landscapes, Andes foothills

We begin the day descending from our campsite along the southern slopes of Villarrica Volcano, following a 20-kilometer gravel road that is both thrilling and scenic. This stretch offers panoramic views of surrounding peaks and valleys, eventually leading us to the small town of Coñaripe, located on the eastern shore of Lake Calafquén.

In the afternoon, we continue pedaling south on a well-maintained paved road, gently rolling through rural landscapes dotted with farms, forests, and traditional wooden houses. As we approach the Huilo Huilo Reserve area, the landscape becomes greener and more dramatic, with glimpses of rivers, lakes, and the surrounding Andes foothills.

Our final destination is Lake Neltume, a quiet and pristine body of water nestled between forests and mountains. Here, we’ll spend the night at Camping Huechulafquén — a peaceful, lakeside site ideal for a refreshing swim, a stroll along the shoreline, and some well-earned rest.

📍 Distance: ~18 km
🛏️ Accommodation: Nothofagus or Montaña Mágica Lodge
💡 Highlights: Short ride, Huilo Huilo River, afternoon free in the reserve

This is the least demanding day of the entire journey, offering a perfect balance between light pedaling and deep immersion in nature.

We start the day cycling along a quiet gravel road that gently follows the shoreline of Lake Neltume for about 6 kilometers, with only mild ups and downs. We then connect to a paved road with a designated bike lane, which guides us uphill alongside the powerful Huilo Huilo River, as we make our way into the Biological Reserve.

The afternoon is free to enjoy the serene natural setting of the reserve. The Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve is a private conservation area located in the heart of the Valdivian temperate rainforest. Known for its breathtaking scenery, rich biodiversity, and unique forest architecture, the reserve offers a peaceful setting to reconnect with nature. Its lush trails, waterfalls, and thermal springs make it a magical stop in the journey — perfect for relaxing and exploring at your own pace.

After several days of intense riding, this is an ideal moment to slow down, reconnect with nature, and recharge for the next stage of the journey.

📍 Distance: ~50 km + 25 km ferry
🛥️ Lake Pirihueico Crossing
🛏️ Accommodation: Boutique hotel in San Martín
💡 Highlights: Andes crossing, Lanín National Park, Lake Lácar

We start the day with a short 3-kilometer ride to Puerto Fuy, where we board a ferry to cross the majestic Lake Pirihueico. This peaceful, hour-long journey through one of the most remote and scenic lakes in southern Chile offers incredible views of dense native forests, snow-capped peaks, and the stillness of untouched nature.

Once we disembark, we resume cycling and begin our crossing of the Andes via the Hua-Hum Pass, one of the lowest and most bike-friendly mountain passes in the region. The surroundings gradually change as we enter Argentina — ¡Bienvenidos! — and continue along a paved road that winds gently through valleys and forested hillsides.

We follow the northern shore of Lake Lácar, riding for approximately 54 kilometers through Lanín National Park, a protected area rich in Patagonian wildlife and dramatic scenery. Keep an eye out for ñires, coihues, and cypress trees, as well as panoramic viewpoints overlooking the shimmering lake.

We finish the day in the charming mountain town of San Martín de los Andes, known for its alpine-style architecture, welcoming atmosphere, and vibrant food scene — the perfect place to relax, recharge, and enjoy a well-earned evening.