MOUNTAIN BIKING IN THE ANDES

The Andes provide multiple options for mountain bike lovers. Paved roads, tracks and dirt paths into the woods lure bikers visiting the region.


San Martin de los Andes, located southwest at the Neuquén province and set deep into the Andes on the coast of lake Lacar, offers exceptional biking circuits, both traditional and adventurous.

From the center of Lanín National Park, many roads or tracks spread with different difficulty levels, lengths and slopes. Riding on them you can enjoy the diverse regional flora, lush woods or Patagonian steppe areas, crystal clear rivers, streams and lakes, bird watching…a full contact with nature only a pedal away.

On a half day excursion we immerse ourselves into this beautiful scenery in San Martin. We start after getting our bikes in the town, jumping on a vehicle that takes us and the bikes through the first ascending kilometres.

Once at the top, depending on the riders preferences and characteristics, the guide will recommend the path to follow with our bikes. After the choice is made, we begin to ride following the guide into the Andean Patagonian forest, observing huge trees along the way and feeling the typical freshness of such environment.

Descending carefully through the selected path, we will stop by a few lookouts with views to the valley, rivers, lake beaches and lagoons. All picture perfect spots!

After 3 hours riding, we go back to town.

Pedaling through the winding tracks into the patagonian nature is definitely rewarding: breathing fresh air, riding at your own pace, hearing the sounds of this magical place and stopping by to appreciate the overwhelming vastness of the Andes scenery. Tired? Yes, but yet so happy and relaxed.

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Service available year round except on July and August, due to snow.
  • Feasible any day of the week upon reservation. Time may vary depending on weather conditions. In summer it is recommended at 9 am or from 5 to 8 pm. On colder months, we recommend at 10 or 11 am.  
  • Included: mountain bike guide (authorized by the National Park), transfer in vehicle from the starting point to the beginning of the track, bikes with frontal suspension and helmet, first aid kit, intercom and bike repair kit.
  • Previous experience in mountain biking is not mandatory but it is required to know how to ride a bike and have a good balance.
  • Circuits may be modified to make them more accessible to people with less abilities, such as the case with 14-15 year old children.

Bike Tour & Kayak in Tigre

An adventure day: riding a train, biking and kayaking in Tigre and the Delta.


32 kilometers to the northwest of Buenos Aires we find Tigre town and the Delta of the Paraná river, a special place where nature invites to a unique experience. A cycling tour of Tigre and kayak rowing into the Delta offer a wide range of possibilities to combine both sport and culture in a beautiful setting.

You can pick the kind of bike and maybe choose a bamboo one!

This tour starts at the meeting point at the Botanic Garden in Palermo, where after picking up our bikes and helmets from the shop we have a technical and safety briefing. Then we start pedaling towards the green parks of Palermo until Lisandro de la Torre train station. Here we take the public train and soon we are out of the city of Buenos Aires and into the northern suburbs. The change of scenery is very noticeable along the way!

We get off in La Lucila and ride our bikes to Tigre. On the way we make a few stops to learn about the surroundings such as San Isidro, San Fernando and the Río de la Plata itself.

According to tradition, a jaguar (yaguareté, popularly called tigre) used to live nearby a stream, which later was named Tigre after the local people killed the animal to preserve their homes and lives. This zone used to be inhabited by jaguars but with the forward move of human population they became extinct. Nowadays just a few remain only in the Misiones’ jungle.

The Tigre Delta is one of the largest in the world and also one that doesn’t flows into the ocean but into the Río de la Plata, which separates Argentina and Uruguay. With its islands and canals, Tigre is usually called the “Venice of South America”. Also, during colonial times, this area was used as a smuggling port, where the portuguese passed through their merchandise.

Going over Tigre town, we pass by two classic spots. First, the Puerto de Frutos, which used to be a fruit market in the old days but nowadays is a place where the traditional values and new design concept coexist. This is one of the main attractions in Tigre and can be visited every day. An open air colorful market and shopping mall with diverse and eclectic shops such as antiques, furniture and decoration, artisanal products in leather and wicker, candles, garden centers, fruit shops, pickles and cold cuts.

Then we ride along the Paseo Victorica, a picturesque short street along the edge of the Luján river that provides different gastronomic options, museums and rowing clubs. At one of these clubs we leave our bikes and get into the kayaks for the paddling adventure. After a short briefing and instructions, we get into the Delta waters and row slowly, enjoying the drift, towards an island.

At the island, a tasty asado is waiting for us. We share this Argentine ritual by excellence within a natural environment, at a table by the river. We try different meat cuts, have a drink, relax and enjoy the quietness of the Delta while we rest for a while.

Before getting too comfy, we grab our oars again and return to the kayaks to row back to the club where we left our bikes. With the sun going down, we ride again towards the Tigre train station, where we take the train again towards Lisandro de la Torre station. The bike tour is not over yet! We have a last stretch back to the meeting point in Palermo.

Biking and kayaking are two sporting activities that complement each other perfectly for an active tourism trip. The town of Tigre and the islands of the Paraná river are an oasis of natural landscapes and beautiful scenery unparalleled by other Buenos Aires sightseeing tours.


GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Full day regular excursion (9 hs).
  • Departs Monday to Friday at 9 am from meeting point in Palermo.
  • Roundtrip Transfers to/from the meeting point not included.
  • Difficulty: Low / Medium, but the activities are done at a peaceful and relaxing pace.
  • Total biking time: 2-3 hs
  • Total paddling time: 1.5 hs
  • Private service available upon request.
  • Weather: Only in the event of pouring rain will biking trips be cancelled or delayed
  • Minimum Age Requirement: 12 years and older. Ages 18 and under accompanied by an adult.

INCLUDES

  • Bike, helmet & Kayak.
  • Mate and snacks.
  • Lunch in Tigre (asado).
  • Bottle of water.
  • Roundtrip train tickets.
  • Insurance.
  • English speaking guide (ask for other languages).

 

Self Bike through the Vineyards in Mendoza

Ride a bike and wander on your own through the vineyards in Mendoza. Enjoy the scenery & taste the secrets of our wines.


This wine journey takes you to Mendoza, where you will ride in the vineyards of renown wineries and learn about what makes this region so special for this industry. The idea is to enjoy the landscape, the excellent wines and also to learn their secrets.

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The meeting point is in Chacras de Coria town (16 km far from Mendoza), where the bikes are delivered. After an introductory briefing and suggestions about the wineries available in the surroundings, you can select the ones you want to visit according to your interests. The guide will make the reservations at the chosen wineries before you start biking. Then, start cycling!

You will make three stops according to the grapevine produced in this region: Chardonnay, Syrah and Malbec. At every stop there’s a wine tasting and an expert leads you through the different varieties, irrigation systems, and the benefits of different vine training systems. Each tasting is paired with a regional cheese and cold cuts platter so the flavours of the different grape vines are accentuated.

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The last winery to visit usually also has a restaurant, so you may have a regional or gourmet tasting lunch (depending on the place), also paired with the most excellent local wines.

You must be back at Chacras de Coria’s meeting point by 4 pm to return the bikes, so after lunch there’s still some time left to visit a couple of wineries more to complete the vineyards experience.

Bikes are sustainable vehicles and in combination with a must-see landscape this becomes a very entertaining outdoors activity. Travelers are more and more focused on experiencing and not collecting destinations, therefore this bike tour offers a fun option and the certainty of a unique experience in its style, in contact with nature and good wine, so typical of this region.

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GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Departure time: 9.30 am
  • Estimated arrival time: 4.00 pm
  • Days of operation: Mondays through Saturdays.
  • Includes: bike with helmet, map and a bottle of water.
  • Not included: roundtrip transfers to the meeting point, entrance fees to the wineries, meals, tips, extras.
  • Some of the suggested wineries for visiting are Clos de Chacras, Nieto Senetiner, Alta Vista, Vistalba, Lagarde, Kaiken, Carmelo Patti.