Chile’s infamous Ruta 7 or, as it’s more commonly known, the Carretera Austral, has been described by the BBC as a road “so remote and challenging that riding it feels like a journey to the edge of civilisation.” Undoubtedly an intimidating description, but riding bikes through an untamed wilderness is exactly the kind of adventure that draws me like a moth to the flame.

The Carretera Austral is a challenging 1200km ride where weather and terrain have an outsized influence on the journey, but what you invest in grit and endurance will be compensated a hundredfold in the experience of riding through ancient forests of alerce trees, along dramatic Chilean fjords, under the snow-capped Andes and past turquoise-blue lakes fed by glaciers. It’s said that upon completing the journey: “Every rider arrives in Villa O’Higgins carrying less certainty and more perspective.”

Our 16-day itinerary, starting in Puerto Montt and finishing in Villa O’Higgins, follows Ruta 7 in its entirety. Instead of the traditional means of bike-packing and camping along the route, we’ve carefully selected the finest lodges available, meaning that you can look forward to warm showers and clean linens at the end of each day. Add to this a support vehicle that transports our luggage (and tired riders) between stages, and you have the making of the most comfortable cycling epic that you can dream of!

Further details are forthcoming, but if you’re interested in joining this grand adventure, please drop us a line!