Northwest Argentina Bike Tour

Day 1: Canada – Buenos Aires
Arrival in Buenos Aires. Meeting at Ezeiza International Airport and transfer to your hotel.

PM - Paris of South America / Private - 3 hours
Walking tour of Retiro, the neighborhood that better shows the Parisian patterns adopted by Buenos
Aires at the turn of the 20th century. We will walk along buildings and parks, San Martin Square and its
residential palaces, Carlos Pellegrini Square, Alvear Avenue and Recoleta neighborhood. This
aristocratic area includes La Recoleta cemetery with its austere mausoleums hosting former
presidents, élite families, important writers and Evita Perón. Lunch is on your own, an opportunity to try
one of the local restaurants or have a light lunch at bar La Biela, watching people go by.

Welcome dinner at a quaint restaurant downtown.

Hotel: Park Hyatt Palacio Duhau
Included meals: Welcome Dinner

Day 2: Buenos Aires
AM - Images of Buenos Aires" City Tour / Private - 4 hours
Buenos Aires is the Latin American city that best resembles the cosmopolitan and aristocratic
atmosphere of big European capitals. But beyond this Buenos Aires there is another one, holding the
small colored houses of La Boca and the popular Tango dance that lives in San Telmo streets, a mix
that makes Buenos Aires an original and irresistible metropolis. The tour shows the city's highlights,
looking through its history and culture, immigration process, architectural heritage and passions such
as soccer, Tango music and dancing.

PM - In the afternoon free time to explore the city, relax or shop.
Dinner & Tango Show

Hotel: Park Hyatt Palacio Duhau
Included meals: Breakfast / Dinner

Day 3: Buenos Aires
Free time to explore the city or for optional activities.
Suggested activities:

Option A: Full Day Estancia La Candelaria del Monte (www.candelariadelmonte.com.ar)
Estancia Candelaria de Monte is a working ranch located on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, where
guests can enjoy the ambience and activities of the Argentine Pampas, in the company of its
owners, Sebastian and Inés. La Candelaria del Monte is a sophisticated and elegant country house
surrounded by a beautiful park. It's an ideal place to relax by the swimming pool, enjoy nature, practice
sports, walk, swim, go horseback riding or play gaucho and participate in farm tasks. Polo clinics are
available on request.

Option B: Full day Visit to Colonia de Sacramento
Located on the banks of the Rio de la Plata in Uruguay and across from Buenos Aires, the small city of
Colonia de Sacramento has been declared World cultural heritage by UNESCO. In this tour you will
get to know its charming cobbled streets and flowery balconies.

Guided bike tour of Colonia -
Begins at the Puerta de Campo, or Country Door, located opposite the Main Square.
Next, Calle de los Suspiros, or Sighs Street, a narrow cobbled street surrounded by
18th century buildings. The street's main attraction is the combination of old houses, the
colors and the view of the nearby river. We continue pedaling towards Saint Francis Convent, one of
the oldest buildings in Colonia. Next to it is the Old Lighthouse that lights the whole bay at night.
Visit Main Church, the oldest in town that shows the footprints of many historical
events of the last centuries. This church was demolished and rebuilt many times since
1680, but nevertheless it's always been there. Next, we visit two Portuguese-style houses: Nacarello
House and the Viceroy's House, whose name surprises because there were never any
viceroys in Colonia. Return to Buenos Aires by late afternoon.

Hotel: Park Hyatt Palacio Duhau
Included meals: Breakfast

Day 4: Buenos Aires – Bariloche
AM- Transfer to the Airport for our flight to Bariloche, gateway to Northern Patagonia

We arrive in Bariloche and are met at the airport for our transfer to the hotel. Afternoon meeting for a group
briefing, bike fitting and test ride. A welcome cocktail in the evening is followed by a traditional Argentine
dinner at the popular Parrilla de Alberto (Alberto's Barbeque)

Hotel: Edelweiss
Included meals: Breakfast / Dinner

Day 5: Bariloche

Our journey begins with a short shuttle ride out of Bariloche to the mouth of the Limay River. Fed by
the snow melted waters of Nahuel Huapi Lake, the river is a beauty – its turquoise waters wind their
way under eroded rocks and jagged peaks, poplar and other native trees hugging its banks. Biking on
a small country road through farmland and ranches, there will be opportunities for meeting local
farmers. Upon arrival at Villa Llanquin, a small town over the river's edge, we sit down for a true feast –
Patagonian lamb grilled over an open fire, prepared using traditional methods.

After lunch, we continue on a raft down Limay River, enjoying different views. Magnificent Valle
Encantado (Enchanted Valley) awaits us – its name comes from the countless volcanic rock
formations and hills eroded by thousands of years of Patagonian wind and rain. Possible views of
impressive local fauna, such as the mythical Andean condor soaring the skies; the guanaco, a cousin
of the llama, its elegant silhouette off in the distance; or even the wild rhea, or choique, as it is called
locally. Mid-afternoon stop is for tea and exquisite pastries, taking in the magnificent sights of the
Valley and accompanied by a local group of Argentine folk musicians – a real treat!

Evening is at leisure with dinner on your own. Try the hotel spa or experience one of the excellent
gastronomical options of Bariloche.

Hotel: Edelweiss
Included meals: Breakfast / Lunch

Day 6: Bariloche – Puerto Pañuelo - Nahuel Huapi Lake- Petrohué (CHILE)
After breakfast, we board a catamaran just across Llao Llao Hotel, in Port Pañuelo. The modern
catamaran will take us over the western edge of Nahuel Huapi Lake, Lake Frias, and Lago Todos los
Santos (All Saints' Lake). A dramatic transition in vegetation takes place entering the Valdivian Forest,
a sub-Arctic rain forest that covers the Chilean side of the Andes. Crossing through the heart of
Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park in Chile, feel the presence of beautiful Chilean forests like in no
other place, shimmering over the crystalline lakes and always under towering snowcapped mountains.
We arrive in Petrohué, a charming mountain village on the western edge of Todos Los Santos Lake.
Interestingly, this lake was called Emerald Lake by native Mapuches because of is radiant emerald
colors. The lake was later renamed by the Jesuits, who were the first Europeans to colonize the
region, and who first arrived here on All Saints Day. The small settlement in Petrohue still emanates
that pioneer feel. The forests around Hotel Petrohué give plenty of options for afternoon activities,
including hiking through millenary forests under the foot of Osorno Volcano or trying optional activities
such as kayaking or fly-fishing for trout, accompanied by a local guide. Tonight, dinner together to
celebrate the day's accomplishments.

Hotel: Petrohué
Included meals: Breakfast / Box Lunch / Dinner

Day 7: Lake Llanquihue and surrounding volcanoes
We begin our journey cycling around the great Lake Llanquihue, viewing the impressive Petrohué
Waterfalls. Thousands of volcanic rocks strewn across Petrohué River shape beautiful falls under
verdant mountains and ridges. The ride takes us across the splendorous Osorno Volcano, a perfect
cone-shaped massive mountain, its peak always dressed in white. Seeing Osorno Volcano reflected
over the waters of the lake is one our highlights today. For lunch we stop at Club Alemán (German
Club); a restaurant owned by the descendants of German settlers and located on the family's farm.
The old watermill is still running, creating a picture-perfect scene. We'll be pampered by the
restaurant's owners, after which we continue on our bikes to Puerto Varas, a vibrant tourist town where
there are a number of options for an entertaining evening – shop for old German antiques, be tempted
by beautiful Mapuche weavings and crafts, or try our luck at the local casino.

Dinner is on your own tonight – but you might not want to leave the hotel – the Puelche is another
jewel in our tour and its restaurant is known for innovative meals based on local recipes. Relax by
the hotel's terrace as you watch the sunset over the lake, viewing the volcanoes in the background
while sipping a pisco sour, a local Chilean drink.

Hotel: Puelche
Included meals: Breakfast / Lunch

Day 8: Puerto Varas to Puerto Octay, along Lake Llanquihue
The arrival of the railway lines was perhaps the most important event in the development of this far
removed region. We will briefly re-live this event as we catch the train for the short ride between
Puerto Varas and the town of Llanquihue, where we will get on our bikes once again. Riding by
dairy plants, we soon reach a rolling farmland – magnificent green valleys where the settlers' original
Gothic and Victorian mansions still stand. Volcanoes provide a magical backdrop, then we stop at
Frutillar for lunch. The town is an important cultural center, holding a unique classical music
festival every year. After another opportunity for savoring the region's culinary delights, we'll be on
our bicycles again for a ride over pavement through farmland and along the shores of Lake
Llanquihue to arrive at Puerto Octay, another small German settlement on the northwest edge of
the lake.

Our hotel is just outside town, on Centinela Peninsula, offering more magnificent views of Osorno
Volcano. This evening, enjoy the company of a local expert and learn about the fascinating story of

the meeting of native Mapuche with European pioneers. A wonderful meal is assured at
Centinela.Hotel. You might try the local salmon, always fresh and superbly prepared here. We will end
our meal enjoying Chilean folk musicians proudly playing local Andean instruments.

Hotel: Centinela
Included meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 9: Puerto Octay - Puyehue

After pedaling out of the picturesque Puerto Octay on a paved road, we will be on a gravel road,
through green farmland, huge groves of eucalyptus trees and more German homes and
churches, all adding to the wonderfully pretty landscape. We will be awaited at a local fundo for lunch.
This is a working ranch and dairy farm and the owners will give us a warm welcome before we start
our hearty and delicious outdoor picnic.

On our bikes once again, we will finish crossing Lake Rupanco and eventually reach the beautiful Lake
Puyehue. The green foothills of Puyehue Volcano offers views of numerous waterfalls. If you prefer to
relax, you can take the shuttle from the picnic spot to the Hotel to enjoy its extravagant thermal baths,
a massage or a mud bath at the hotel spa.

Hotel: Puyehue Termas
Included meals: Breakfast / Lunch

Day 10: Cardenal Samore pass – our second crossing over the Andes to Argentina

For many visitors, this is the most exhilarating day of the journey! After our buffet breakfast at
Hotel Puyehue, we shuttle up to the highest point (1240 meters / 4060 feet), which marks the
border between Chile and Argentina. The scenery here is magnificent – lush, green forests, waterfalls
and extinct volcanoes, among mountains as far as the eye can see. We will get on our bicycles for a
wonderful descent over pavement down to Lake Espejo (Mirror Lake), where our Argentine chefs will
await us with an outdoor picnic by the sandy shores of the lake. The lake's name is fitting, as the
Andes Range is reflected over its tranquil waters. The ride into Villa La Angostura, a quaint mountain
town, deep in Nahuel Huapi National Park, will provide us with more superb sights – this is part of the
scenic Seven Lakes Route. Tonight we'll be lodged at the historic and charming Hotel Correntoso, a
perfect setting for our farewell dinner together.

Hotel: Correntoso
Included meals: Breakfast / Box Lunch / Dinner

Day 11: Bariloche – Buenos Aires
After breakfast at Hotel Correntoso, we drive back to Bariloche airport to board the flight to Buenos Aires.

Arrive at Buenos Aires. Reception at the domestic airport and transfer to the international airport for
your homebound flight.

Included meals: Breakfast