Depart from home for Chile, arriving the following day. Most travellers will be flying via Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport Santiago (SCL).

After your arrival in Santiago, Chile, you will need to clear customs and immigration before heading to the domestic terminal (just upstairs) in order to catch your internal Chilean flight to the capital of the Chilean Lake District, Puerto Montt (PMC), where you are met by your Saddle Skedaddle guides.

Following arrival, we transfer you to your hotel in Puerto Varas. Situated around 20kms from Puerto Montt it occupies a lovely position on the shores of one of the largest natural lakes in South America Lake Llanquihue. From here the perfect cone of Osorno Volcano and the snowcapped peaks of Calbuco volcano and Mt. Tronador are clearly visible from the lakefront.

It’s a great place to take things easy after long flight(s) and with this in mind, the day is spent resting-up from your travels and preparing the bikes for the journey ahead.

Our evening meal is taken in one of the great restaurants that exist in Puerto Varas. At a convenient point during the meal we’ll discuss the programme for the tour in a little more detail and be happy to answer any questions you may have.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch

After breakfast we load up the support vehicles for a transfer to Parque Futangue, which takes around 2 hours. Located on the shores of Lago Ranco, Parque Futangue is a private reserve full of a variety of trail options including the Sendero del Cielo, the fantastic ‘Sky Trail’ singletrack.

Above a sea of clouds, we’ll climb 800m (2500feet) up a mountain trail to Altas Cumbres – the highest viewing point in the park at an altitude of more than 1,200 m (4000feet). Passing Pitreño Lagoon we head on to a wonderful path which crosses beautiful Lenga forests with stunning views of Lake Ranco, Cordón del Caulle and many of the different volcanoes in northern Patagonia. This isolated part of the Park is a refuge to animals such as puma, vizcacha and condors.

We will stay overnight at the Futangue Lodge, a beautiful hotel with expansive views of the mountains.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch

We transfer again today, this time to another spectacular private park; the biological reserve of Parque Huilo-Huilo. Here too we have access to an incredible network of singletrack and trails exploring the temerate forests that fill the park.

Most likely we will tackle a complete loop starting on the north side of the park next to Volcán Mocho Choshuencaround, tackling the most rewarding trails in the park, full of pure adrenaline and stunning mountain views.

Is a very technical day whtricky descents in the rain forest and some very steep climbing sections.

We stay overnight in the accommodation in the reserve.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Today we make the journey into Argentina by way of a 2 hour ferry across Lago Pirihueico and a vehicle transfer.

We start cycling on 10 km (6 miles) of gravel roads before reaching the highlight of the day, the well-known ‘Sendero la Tucumana‘. This is a treat of a trail that winds through forests and across dramatic bridges, generally descending towards San Martin. Build by local riders it has fast descents, bends and amazing views before we get to La Islita, a native reserve that takes care of the local trails.

Nestled by Lago Lacar and surrounded by mountains San Martin is a real treat.

As we pull into San Martin we are further enthralled by its prettiness. We take our lodgings at a nice hotel in town and suitably refreshed set off to explore the streets.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch

This morning we have the thrill of exploring San Martin’s very own Cerro Chapelco Bike Park. With trails to suit all riders, from beginner to expert, the park offers a thrilling singletrack extravaganza and a chance to explore the purpose built trails enjoyed by local Argentinian riders.

Leter in the day we have a short transfer before riding a good earth and gravel road towards Villa Traful. We roll and wind through woods, past beautiful lakes with snow dusted mountains in the distance, arrival finnally on the shores of Lago Traful and our lovely hotel.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch

We have a short morning transfer before we set of on a great ride known as the Villa Llanquin Loop. Heading for a genuine condor nesting area or “Condoreras” we have the around 1,000m (3200 feet) of climbing to tick off. While mainly dirt roads and jeep track surfaces the route is incredibly scenic through beautiful rolling hills and following sparkling rivers. It is remote area where only a few locals go and the rock formations and views are the some of the best on the trip. The last 4kms of descent are so very fast.

Finishing the ride we hop aboard our support vehicle for the 40 minute transfer to the bustling provincial city of Bariloche. With its Swiss style architecture and chocolates, it is known as the St. Moritz of South America and we have set aside the rest of the afternoon to explore this lovely place.

There is perhaps only one way to end the day such a day – a juicy Argentinean steak and majestic Malbec, followed by some tasty chocolate treats.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Today is a flexible day with many options to suit the appetite of the group. The morning will likely be spend exploring the Cerro Otto trails, perhaps including a climb up to the summit of Cerro Otto itself. The trail network has something for everyone including flow trails and technical singletrack.

After a fun morning the afternoon can be taken at leisure in Bariloche itself, or those with the energy can spend the afternoon in Bariloche’s Bike Park tackling the many green. blue, red and black graded trails.

Hungry and thirsty riders are well catered for in Bariloche’s many fantastic bars and restaurants.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Today we will be returning to Chile by a mix of bike and boat! We will be riding on remote dirt and gravel roads and completing a number of Andean Lake crossings, taking the the only crossing through the Andes that allows you to make the connection between each lake and the next by bike, sailing across three lakes; Todos los Santos, Frías and Nahuel Huapi. There is a short climb from Argentina side before border formalities will be completed. Once in Chile it is pure fun coming descending down a gravel road without any traffic. Tonight we are blessed with another spectacular lakefront accommodation at Hotel Petrohue.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch

An incredible day taking on the impressive sounding Paso Desolación, a mountain pass climbing the flanks of Volcán Osorno through Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park. We’ll be climbing for about 20kms (12 miles) on dirt roads and singletrack then the payoff begins. Paso Desolación is a long 14km (10 mile) downhill section with the most amazing views of the area. We’ll take our time and make sure we savour the last sections of singletrack before arriving at another gem of a hotel located lakeside in Puerto Varas.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch

One last chance to sample the great trails of Chile! Cerro Phillipi is a smaller but great fun new Bike Park located right in Puerto Varas. It is an ideal finish of the trip with a few technical sections to enjoy! The afternoon is free to explore Puerto Varas on foot or by bike before packing up your bikes and preparing for your journey home. A last dinner will be enjoyed and perhaps a farewell drink in Puerto Varas’s delightful bars.

• Meals: Breakfast

Having rested at our lodgings and had a final glimpse of the mountains and volcanoes we make our way to Puerto Montt airport (PMC) to catch a flight to Santiago’s Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport (SCL), from where we catch our international flights home, arriving the following day.