
Highlights
- Tasting a wide range of the best New World wines
- Chilean cowboys and their rural lifestyle
- Cycling through the valleys of central Chile
- Delicious seafood and sunsets over the Pacific Ocean
- The Andes as the backdrop to your cycling holiday
- Superb accommodation and cheery Chilean hospitality
Itinerary
Depart from home. Most guests will travel overnight, arriving in Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport Santiago (SCL) the following day.
- Meals: Dinner
Following your arrival into Santiago de Chile we transfer you our friendly boutique hotel the Aubrey (www.theaubrey.com) Built originally as a family mansion in 1927, the hotel has been lovingly and painstakingly restored and is conveniently situated in bohemian Bellavista, next to the Park Metropolitano and close-by to several gastronomic delights and cultural hotspots. With its patio area it makes for a peaceful place to unwind after what may have been long flights. Our evening meal is taken close to the accommodation at a great restaurant where we’ll be able to sample some great wines before and during our meal.

- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
After breakfast we leave Santiago for a 30 minute transfer to Lolenco, where we start riding. We’ll follow the Cordillera de la Costa mountain range for about 50 kms (30 Miles), passing the small settlement of Lagunillas on our way to Viña Matetic (the Matatic Vineyard) located at Valle del Rosario near the Pacific Ocean. This family run winery focuses on sustainable, organic and biodynamic farming, and is well know for its cool-climate Syrah. A chance for our first real wine tasting of the trip! We stay overnight in Matetic’s own boutique hotel located in a 1900s colonial property. Wine tasting included.

- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
We leave the valleys near San Antonio in our support vehicle, heading toward Lago Rapel. From San Pedro we and start cycling for 75 kms on the bike, passing the tranquil Embalse Rapel (Rapel Lake), the largest artificial reservoir in Chile. Our destination for today is Hacienda Histórica de Marchigue, a fabulous country house from the beginning of the 18th century, surrounded by vineyards and lush forests. Wine tasting included.

- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
From Marchihue we head west to the coast with the first section flat with some down hills before we climb the coast’s mountain range to get to the Pacific Ocean. Our final destination tonight is Pichilemu, a small coastal resort famous for its dark sand beaches and as one of the best surfing locations in South America.
From Marchihue, we cycle all the way to Pichilemu and the Pacific Ocean. The first section is flat with some down hills before we climb the coastal mountain range which affords great views of the Andes mountain range to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west at the same time.
Pichilemu is a small coastal resort famous for its dark sand beaches and is one of the best spots in the world for surf. Our accommodation at the ultra-cool Hotel Alaia is located in Punta de Lobos, the best spot for surfing in Chile. It’s a really relaxed place to stay and there is a great restaurant and more of the finest new world wines.
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Today we head southwards on a lovely roller-coaster of a ride by the coast accompanied by superb views of the Andes range and the Pacific Ocean and our goal the small town of Boyeruca. The town is famed for its cultivation of oysters as well as its salt flats and we’ll spend a little time here learning from the locals about how the sea salt is collected.
It’s from here we load up the bikes for the transfer to Llico, a little further southwards, and our hotel. With its beach-front location the modern Hotel Puerto Viejo has superb views of the Pacific Ocean and is renowned for its gastronomy.

- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
We leave the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean behind and make our way inland once more. It’s a lovely rolling ride as we make our way to the beating heart of Chile’s wine country.
During the ride we’ll visit the cosy town of Lolol – The Land of Crabs and Holes. Lolol is the centre of the ancient Huasco culture and the home of the Diaguita people and is known as ‘Tierra Huasa’ (Country Land). Traditional events such as rodeos regularly take place here and it has been declared a Chilean National Monument due to the conservation of its colonial structures, culture and traditions.
Our accommodation is at the superb Noi Blend which offers peaceful ambiance and is surrounded by the breathtaking scenery of the Colchagua countryside and its world-class vineyards. Originally constructed as a wine cellar in 1875 it has been beautifully restored while preserving much of its traditional architecture. The property also boasts a lovely outdoor pool and Jacuzzi. Wine tasting included.
With some great local restaurants close-by we’ll head out to a particular favourite for our evening meal.
- Meals: Breakfast
Located on the southern shore of the Tinguiririca River, Santa Cruz has very well-preserved colonial architecture, much of which is situated in its Plaza de Armas. It’s a great place to take a wander and highlights include the Inglesia Santa Cruz and the Carillon Clock. Also worthy of a seeing is the Museo Colchagua which showcases artefacts from across Chile & South America.
Following lunch we transfer to the Alpalta Valley which is considered to be the premium wine growing area in the Colchagua Valley. Once at the prestigious Casa Lapostolle it’s time to sample some of the world’s finest wines. Wine tasting included.
Tonight our evening meal is taken at the hotel’s excellent restaurant or we’ll venture out into Santa Cruz. Either way a delicious evening meal will round-off the day in style.

- Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Leaving Santa Cruz we make our way by bike to Chimbarongo – famous for its handcraft market and mimbre (wicker). It’s a lovely easy paced day which sees us passing by the small towns of Chépica and Auquinco. Our day ends in San Fernando. Surrounded by low, rippling hills it is a lovely bustling little farming town.
Another great hotel tonight at Casa Silva as we round-off the trip in style with some wine tasting before our final meal and chance to enjoy superb wines. Wine tasting included.

- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
We leave San Fernando on the way to our final vineyard for the trip. Mid way we pass through San Vicente de Tagua Tagua, a small place of around 2000 inhabitants which is known as being one of the most cycle friendly communities in Chile.
We finish our ride at the incredible Viña Vik where we stay for the night. Located in the hills of the western Cachapoal wine valley, on the border with Colchagua it is one of the most ambitious wine projects in South America and produces a Bordeaux-style blend that is elegant, silky and balanced. Prior to a gorgeous dinner here we’ll visit the winery for a spot of wine tasting in this most unique of places. Wine tasting included.
- Meals: Breakfast
Sadly our journey though the Chilean Wine Region has come to an end and after a transfer (2.5hrs) along Ruta 5 we’ll be back once again at Santiago airport for onward connections.
Gallery
The Cycling
Terrain
This part of Chile is characterised by rolling hills and large valleys. Our cycling will take us along quiet lanes and rural roads, with occasional unpaved sections.
Surfaces are generally hard-packed and easy going. Inevitably there will be some climbs and gentle descents, though there are no major elevation changes.

Cycling Adventures Grade
Aspects of both our grade 2 and 3 holidays
Suitable for those looking for some cycle friendly routes
Some modest climbs and possibly sections of varying terrain (eg. forest tracks, gravel paths etc).
Our grading guidelines have been carefully created based on our many years of cycling experience, as well as customer feedback from our trips. Of course, if you're still struggling to figure out where you fit on the scale, do feel free to give us a quick call and we'll be more than happy to help!
For more information about our grading system click here.
Is this suitable for you?
Holidays that are graded as a 2-3, will have aspects of both our grade 2 and 3 holidays. These tours are still suitable for those perhaps who have recently got into cycling, and offer an array of accessible, cycle friendly routes, cycle paths and quiet roads, however there will be some days / sections where you may have to tackle some ups and downs, the occasional steeper climb and perhaps some varying terrain (forest tracks, gravel paths etc). Suitable for those with a decent level of physical fitness, looking for some leisurely rides with occasional (achievable!) challenges along the way.
Dates & Prices

Private Departures
Are you keen to only travel with your family or friends? Struggling to find the right date? Well, we can organise a private departure for this tour and tailor aspects to suit your group's specific needs. Contact our friendly team and we'll help you turn your dream into reality.
Whats Included 
A) Accommodation (shared twin rooms).
B) Meals as per itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner).
C) Full tour service including guides, support vehicles etc.
D) At least one leader qualified in First Aid.
E) Airport collections / drop-offs on scheduled arrival and departure days.
F) 7 Wine tastings as per itinerary. Day 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10
What's not Included 
A) Personal clothing and equipment.
B) Travel insurance
C) Bar bills, telephone calls, souvenirs, etc.
D) Bike hire (available if required)
E) Flights & charges for travelling with your bike (if applicable).
F) Single room option (available on request)
The Essentials
News, Reviews & Stories
Our travel guide to 2021
Travel with the seasons! We highlight some of the incredible experiences we can’t wait to share with you...
Meet the guides: Ernesto, Chile
Meet our Chilean head honcho, who ensures you all enjoy the best possible cycling across the pond.
Reviews
'30 of the best cycling holidays', Sunday Telegraph (2017)As seen in the press...With a relaxed cycling regime of 18 miles a day, frequent tasting visits and overnight stays in upscale winery hotels, this is a comfortable way for New World wine enthusiasts to enjoy Central Chile’s Colchugua Valley – “the new Napa” – between the coastal range and the foothills of the Andes.
Alastair, Edinburgh, UKThe hotels were great!The hotels made this trip a memorable experience from the expensive vineyards with 5 star chefs to the local hacienda.
The Telegraph (December 2015)As seen in the press...There’s nothing more exhilarating than a cycling holiday. It’s just you, your bike and the glorious landscape ahead… Saddle Skedaddle’s new 10-day Chile Wine Country tour cycles through the country’s wide-producing regions, with stays at selected vineyard-hotels.