The Andes challenge – Domuyo Vulcano

Meet & greet in Chos Malal, left time to prepare the Bikes, walk in town and rest. Hotel Included and dinner not included in the tour price.

After breakfast and after receiving the tour briefing, we make a one-hour transfer until we almost reach Tricao Malal, in the northwest of the Cordillera del Viento (The windy Andes range). That’s where our Challenge begins. Spectacular and difficult route, mostly uphill, we slowly enter in the mountain range, overcoming long slopes and enjoying spectacular descents. Opportunity to see the Domuyo Volcano, which with its 4700 meters above sea level is the highest in Patagonia and it is an icon for trekking expeditions. Distance: 42km Elevation gain: 1500mts.

In the second stage of the challenge, we go uphill from our campsite. Throughout the journey there is a minimum of three support vehicles: a minibus that always goes behind the group with all the personal effects, plus mechanical assistance, a cooler full of water to hydrate. The 4×4 pick-ups go ahead to prepare the camps and meals. The route continues to climb towards the top of the ride: After 17km, the highest point of the traverse is reached at 2650mts. The landscape is dazzling, the gravel road in a semi-desert landscape, which allows us to see the snow-capped hills on the horizon and pass by the southern wall of the Domuyo Volcano… In the afternoon we will have the opportunity to bathe in the Domuyo thermal waters. Distance: 49km Elevation gain: 1.400mts.

Today we have an amazing day! We will accompany the west face of the Domuyo Vulcano, through a spectacular path that is usually closed during the year as a result of successive snowfalls and thaws. For twenty-eight kilometers we pedal over undulating terrain always accompanied by our support vehicles, which carry our luggage, our shelter, tools and food. The most intense ascent will be between kilometers twenty-eight and thirty-four. The scenery is spectacular, rolling through a valley, where local ranchers raise their cattle and take advantage of the tender summer pastures. The camp will be on the shore of the “Varvarco Tapia” Lagoon, a celestial mirror facing the north face of Domuyo. Enjoying the sunset reflected in the snowy north face of the Domuyo Volcano is a worthwhile spectacle. Distance: 40km Elevation gain: 805mts.

We depart from Laguna Varvarco Tapia after breakfast towards Puesto Valdez. The route mainly takes us downhill, although there will be some isolated ascents that will demand the most of us. At the Valdez Post we will have lunch. In the afternoon we will leave the bikes and will drive to visit a unique natural scenery in Argentina: After a short walk we will arrive at “Los Tachos”, two geysers that have a maximum height of two meters. At sunset we will have the second opportunity in the journey to use the thermal water of the Domuyo! Distance: 40km Elevation gain: 550mts.

We leave the Puesto Valdez after breakfast and continue pedaling south, following the Neuquén River. The landscape continues to be very attractive between mountains and pine forests forested. The path is mostly downhill, although we will have to struggle against the Cajones del Arroyo Covunco and the Atreuco, two very impressive places due to their rock formations. After passing through the Atreuco, the path gently accompanies the Varvarco River in descent. Shortly before entering Varvarco we will see a remarkable spectacle: the Neuquén River, with clear water, and the Varvarco River, with muddy sedimented water, come together and travel several hundred meters without mixing, giving the river a very curious appearance. At kilometer fifty we will finish a phenomenal descent passing through Butalón Norte, to then resume the upward trend. At kilometer fifty-nine we finished the stage. Load of the bikes in the trailer to cover the remaining 24km by vehicle until reaching Huinganco. Distance: 64km Elevation gain: 1207mts.

Last stage of the journey! We leave from Huinganco ascending to overcome a slope of 500 meters elevation gain in almost six kilometers. The path plunges into a spectacular pine forest. Once we reach the asphalt, we will alternate between ascents and descents until beginning at kilometer twenty-two a downward trend almost without interruptions to Chos Malal. Next to the Curi Leuvú river we will make our picnic and celebrate the end of the challenge. Accommodation in Chos Malal and free afternoon. Distance: 61km Elevation gain: 918mts.

Once the tour is over, we leave towards Neuquén in the morning. We can leave you at Neuquen’s airport if you prefer to fly from Neuquén to Buenos Aires. After passing the city we continue to Buenos Aires. Arrival in Buenos Aires at dawn on Sunday the 9th, at the same place where the departure was made.