| Distance: |
Map
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| 5.505km |
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| Highlights: |
Cristo
Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) statue, Copacabana
and Ipanema beaches, Pao de Acucar, The colonial
beauty of Paraty, full day yacht cruise, The
thundering roar of Iguaçu falls, including helicopter
flight, Adobe oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama,
Abandoned nitrate mining town of Humberstone,
The raw beauty of Lauca National Park, The wonderful
chaos of La Paz. |
Days
1-2-3-4: No other city has such a vibe, such
a setting and such instantly recognisable sights
as Rio. We spend two nights here before riding out
following the coastline to enjoy one of the most
beautiful rides imaginable, bound for the colonial
town of Paraty. Colourful stone buildings line the
cobbled streets of this beautiful port town, we
spend two nights here. Sail around the islands or
explore the surrounding countryside on bike; the
choice is yours.
Days
5-6: We follow the coast road toward Bertoiga
where we can enjoy an ice cold beer or a refrigerated
coconut or simply idle away the time walking along
the long sandy beaches. Next port of call, literally,
is the wonderful port town of Antonina we can explore
the colonial centre and scenic beach of Baia de
Paranagua.
Days
7-8: We ride into the Vale do Itajai and stop
at the Germanic city of Blumenau. A unique Brazilian
city, Blumenau was settled by German settlers in
the mid 18th century and has retained a strong German
identity; it is an amazing place where you will
think that we have stepped back into the black forest
region of Germany, we spend two nights here.
Days
9-10: From Blumenau we ascend into the Serra
do Rio do Rastro toward Brazil's highest city of
Sao Joaquim sitting at 1355m but not before riding
the amazing mountain road that stretches from Bom
Jardim to Sao Joaquim through araucaria forests.
Continuing east we ride across Brazil before arriving
at one of the worlds greatest sights, Foz do Iguaçu.
Days
11-12-13: With over 275 waterfalls plummeting
over 80m you will hear the roar long before you
see the mighty Iguaçu falls. This is one of the
worlds great sights one that will leave you awestruck.
We spend three nights visiting the falls from both
the Argentinean and Brazilian sides. Included in
the tour price are a host of things to do such as
a jet boat ride up to the falls, a helicopter ride
over the falls and a canoe trip through the backwaters
of the Rio Iguaçu.
Days
14-15-16-17: Riding west we stop at the laid
back village of San Ignacio Mini home to some well
preserved Jesuit Mission ruins. Through the Chaco
region we ride en-route to the wonderful city of
Salta in Northern Argentina where we spend two nights
for the chance to stretch our legs in this beautiful
city, after the long ride across the Chaco.
Days
18-19-20: Climbing into the Andes we cross into
Chile at the remote Paso Sico and onto the wonderful
desert oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama. We have
three nights here for a chance to explore the great
surrounding deserts landscapes and enjoy the adobe
style restaurants under a carpet of stars. We can
guarantee that it won't rain, it hasn't in 400 years.
Days
21-22-23-24:Stopping off at the abandoned nitrate
mining town of Humberstone, a UNESCO world heritage
site, we arrive at the beach side town of Iquique
with South America's largest duty free zone. Leaving
Iquique we climb high into the Andes and onto the
magnificent Lauca National Park. Riding amongst
snow capped volcanoes, herds of Vicuna and flamingo
filled lagoons surely must be one of biking greatest
thrills. We ride down into La Paz settled in a valley
at 3660m for our last ride where we spend two nights
enabling us to enjoy a city tour or ride the nearby
Andes then celebrate the end of an epic ride.
