Your tips for cycling from Santiago (Chile) to Mendoza (Argentina) in November

Hi everyone,

I’m heading to Chile this coming November and I’d love to spend a few days cycling from Santiago (Chile) to Mendoza (Argentina).

Has anyone done this route before? If so, do you have any tips (stages, gear, accommodation spots, etc.)?

Also, to avoid carrying too much stuff, I’d like to rent a bike in Santiago. Any recommendations for a good rental shop?

Thanks so much in advance for your help :)

Clément

Hi there,

I did the round trip from Santiago to Aconcagua Park, 15 km past the natural border (the border post is just after Aconcagua Park), by car. The road on the Chilean side is quite steep up to the Portillo ski resort at 2,900 m. Then, at 3,200 m, there’s a tunnel to cross, and I’m not sure if you can access it by bike. Otherwise, there’s a dirt road that goes over the top of the mountain with a pass at 3,900 m. So, you’ll need to be in good shape. For accommodation, there’s the Portillo resort on the Chilean side. I spent a night in a refuge on the Argentine side, in the small hamlet of Las Cuevas, just after the tunnel. After Aconcagua Park, I don’t know—I headed back to Santiago.

Fred

True, I’m not sure if the tunnel is bike-accessible, but I’ve been on the Argentine side and saw bikes equipped for the slopes descending into Uspallata. So if you get confirmation, go for it—it’s stunning over there.

Hi, I did it the other way around in 5 days. The last 92 km between Los Andes and Santiago, I took the highway—didn’t find any other road, and it wasn’t very bike-friendly. The tunnel wasn’t a problem; a company vehicle takes you through for free. From Chile to Argentina, it’s a 100 km climb, but the Andes aren’t like the Alps. You should find solid lodging everywhere, with lots of trucks around. For safety, a small tent is a good idea since distances between towns can be long. Watch the weather—even in November, which is the dry season. Mendoza to Santiago took me 5 days. From Mendoza, I took a small track over a 3,200m pass that joins the border road on the third day—highly recommend that route. This Mendoza-Santiago leg was the final stage of my Atacama crossing, from the Peruvian border to Santiago.

Hi there,

Thanks for your helpful replies—they’ll really help me prepare for this trip!

Does anyone happen to know where I can rent a bike in Santiago? Also, do the buses that run from Mendoza to Santiago allow bikes?

Have a great evening and a lovely summer! :)

Clément

Hi Clément. For taking a bike on the bus, it should work the same as everywhere if the bike is protected by a cover, tarp, or box. I don’t know about rentals in Santiago. I found a box there to put my bike on the plane.