If you’re looking for a cycling challenge, it doesn’t come much more exciting than the Trans Andean: a coast to coast cycling journey through South America, from Chile to Argentina.
Far more than your average bike tour of South America, this is a 1,000 mile cycling adventure, riding across an entire continent.
Brainchild of Rat Race, a company that lives and breathes bucket list challenges, this is their flagship trans-continental adventure (Their tag line says it all: “extraordinary global adventures for everyday people”.) In this article, we hear from Abbi Naylor, Rat Race’s Head of Expeditions, who first recced the route and has since led the tour several times, shares the inside story on what to expect.
It sounds absolutely awesome.
If you’ve always fancied cycling in South America, but never quite got around to it, perhaps now is the time?!
Looking for more bucket list bike rides? Don’t miss this article featuring other inspiring Rat Race tours.
Abbi Naylor is Rat Race’s Head of Expeditions. She has more than 10 years of exploring under her belt, including cycling across Africa, South America and being the first woman to have cycled across 'The Empty Quarter' desert on the Arabian Peninsula, on a fat bike. As part of her role at Rat Race, she leads small group trips around the world. Abbi also recced the Trans Andean in 2022 and has been the trip leader on several Trans Andes events since then!
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Table of contents
To make this article more digestible, it is broken up into six parts:
- Part 1: Overview
- Part 2: Itinerary
- Part 3: Why it’s a must-do
- Part 4: How to prepare
- Part 5: Practicalities
- Part 6: How to book
Sponsor Message
Considering cycling in South America?
Rat Race has run bike tours in Chile and Argentina since 2022.
Their Trans Andean adventure offers a coast-to-coast journey fit for your bucket list!
Find out more details, including availability and prices, on the Rat Race website.
Exclusive offer for Epic Road Rides readers: Claim 10% off* this Rat Race adventure when you book any of their Trans Andean, Trans Africa or Tierra del Fuego trips with them directly before 31st December 2026. Discount applies to the entry fee only, not any extras. *T&Cs apply.
Got a question for Rat Race?
Fill out this form and we will pass it to Rat Race who aim to reply (within 24 hours wherever they can!)
Part 1. Tell us about Rat Race’s bike tour in South America. What, where and when?
The Rat Race Trans Andean adventure is a genuine coast to coast journey from the Pacific Ocean in the west to the Atlantic Ocean in the east, cycling the mighty Andes mountain range to link Valparaiso in Chile with Buenos Aires in Argentina.
It’s just over 1,000 miles (1,700 kilometres) of cycling in 10 days through the sensational landscapes this corner of the world has to offer.
How has the route evolved since you first launched it?
Our inaugural tour ran in January 2023 and proved an instant hit; the demand was so strong that we added a second departure in February 2023. The momentum kept going with two sell-out trips in both 2024 and 2025.
Whilst we’ve kept the essence of the route, guest feedback has shaped the details. The big change we’ve introduced is an extra day that breaks up a previously long stage. That tweak spreads the effort, reduces fatigue and means more riders complete the full journey without the need for additional support.
Be aware! We’re pausing this tour in 2026 while we build new adventures elsewhere. But the Trans Andean adventure will return in 2027. Based on the previous interest, spaces won’t hang around, so if it’s on your wishlist, you’ll want to book as soon as possible!
Has this route been tested?
Yes! In January 2022, myself and seven other adventurous cyclists headed out to Chile for a complete recce of the route. We then returned in January and February 2023 with 80 cyclists to roll out the first two ‘proper’ outings of this event, which were a roaring success! A further 80 cyclists took part in 2024 and another 80 in 2025, and we are already 50% full for 2027.
Here at Rat Race, we test pilot all our events to make sure any tweaks or slight changes can be ironed out well in advance of the event. The test pilot was an incredible success and I have written a review of it here, which will be handy for anyone already signed up or thinking of signing up to the trip in 2024 or 2025!
Why are you cycling across South America rather than cycling the length of South America?
Our events are all about inspiring ordinary people to take on extraordinary adventures, and such people have families and job,s which means that our events have to fit within a reasonable time scale, usually a week or a couple of weeks at most.
Biking South America from coast to coast is achievable in two weeks so it meets this criteria. Cycling the length of South America would take around 10 weeks so it doesn’t fit with our aims.
Furthermore, our events need to be safe, enjoyable and fully supported. The route we have chosen allows for all of those things with good accommodation at the right intervals and fabulous scenery. It is also easily accessible from major international airports.
Have Rat Race organised an event in South America before?
South America was a new territory for Rat Race in 2022. But we now offer three events in South America, including the Trans Andean, Tierra Del Fuego and Patagonia Glacier to Glacier.
Cycling is a key part of many of our events, and we are experts in supporting cyclists to take on challenges. We know what a cyclist needs in terms of logistics and mechanical support and a Rat Race Pit Stop is the stuff of legend. Many customers claim to put on weight during our events due to the epic nature of our pit stop spreads!
We test every event ourselves before customers take it on to prove the concept and ensure that it’s achievable by regular people.
We love riding a bike, but none of us are racers by any means. It’s more about fun and adventure than watts for us.
Part 2. Please share an overview of the route
What’s the route profile?
This 1,700 kilometre adventure includes an impressive 8,500 metres of climbing.
However, the route has been designed to be achievable by most.
First two of riding climbing nearly 4,500 metres, but then followed by a very, very long downhill (171.3 kilometres and descent of 2761 metres)
When you look at the route profiles (all available on the website here), you’ll see that the first three riding days are big ones (with nearly 4,500 metres of climbing and distances between 75-190/kilometres/day). However, this is followed by a very, very long downhill of over 171 kilometres. So things get significantly easier after a challenging start, although watch out for more climbing on day 7 when you’ll tackle another 1,591 metres of elevation gain.
The route is predominantly on road, with just a portion of day 2, where the road is unsurfaced (we will change to gravel tyres for this section). So this is definitely a road cycling event.
Below is a map featuring key destinations on the Trans Andean route. Hover over the map pins to see the names of places.
Tell us about cycling in Chile?
There’s only a day and a half of cycling in Chile, but it will leave an indelible mark on the legs and hearts of everyone who takes on this journey. After a 10-kilometre warm-up along the coast, the route turns inland and heads uphill and keeps going uphill all day.
Constantly in sight is the grandeur of the Andes mountains as the riders wind their way through the central valley vineyards. The route is rural and roads are generally in good order and often have good shoulder space for cycling. Cycle lanes are not massively developed in this part of the country.
Cycling in Chile isn’t a national pastime, certainly not at a pro level, but that said, South Americans generally love the sport.
January is a perfect month for cycling in Chile, average temperatures are in the mid 20’s with virtually no rainfall. However, we’re climbing to nearly 4,000 metres and at that altitude, the weather could do anything, so some low temperatures are definitely possible.
The final stretch cycling through the Andes in Chile is an unpaved ‘gravel’ road, which provides a unique experience.
Tell us about cycling in Argentina?
The majority of the journey is in Argentina, with 8.5 days of open road leading from the remotest corner of the country to the heart of the capital. Nearly all of it is downhill!
Good quality roads lead out of the mountains and into the pampas. Argentina’s Pampas is punctuated by small towns with some nice accommodation options. And then there is the food and wine that Argentina is famous for, perfect for feeding tired bodies at the end of each day.
The cycling infrastructure in Argentina is similar to Chile. As the route is rural (other than for the last day), bikes share the roads and none of them are massively busy. Heading into Buenos Aires is like entering any large city and cycle lanes will start to appear.
What’s the breakdown of the itinerary?
Days 1-4
The meeting point for this epic adventure is Santiago International Airport. From here, we transfer by road to the town of Concón, around 90 minutes away. Before your journey begins, you have time to explore this popular coastal town, or hop in a taxi to explore the nearby UNESCO city of Valparaíso.
The first 20 kilometres hug the coast and give us a relatively flat start to this incredible journey. But when we turn away from the sea, it’s up and up and up, through the stunning wine growing region of Chile’s Central Valley.
After a change of tyres, we’re onto dirt roads to reach the statue of Christ the Redeemer of the Andes at 3832 metres. It’s been a symbol of peace between Chile and Argentina for over 100 years, and we reach it via a stunning section of classic mountain pass hairpins. We overnight with views to Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Americas.
Days 5-10
Back on to the road tyres, the efforts of the previous days are met with 164 kilometres of downhill, eventually arriving in the lively city of Mendoza. This vibrant city is famed for great wine and great restaurants and is the hub of the main Argentinian Malbec-producing region.
We leave the mountains behind and cross the vast Argentine Pampas, known for its agriculture and beef cattle – great news for the steak lovers! The steaks in these parts are sensational – and huge. This might also be the time you come face to face with the gauchos of the region as we head eastwards towards the bright lights of Buenos Aires.
Day 11
The culmination of all that riding brings us to Buenos Aires, one of South America’s most cherished cities. It’s a bustling, multi-cultural colossus with 15 million people. Our route keeps us to the north of the main hubbub of the city as we aim for the obligatory dip of a wheel in the Atlantic Ocean; and a chilled beer.
That’s it! You’ll have crossed a continent using just the power of your legs.
More details
You can find the full route overview on Rat Race’s website, here.
Part 3: Why will cyclists love this South America coast to coast adventure?
For me, it was the incredible and wildly varying scenery. I never tired of it. Cycling the high Andes was so surreal and very special.
The route also takes you off the beaten track in places; we rode through some really authentic areas of Argentina and visited spots you just wouldn’t experience if you visited as a usual tourist.
Finally, I couldn’t answer this question without mentioning the food. It’s amazing! If you like steaks, you’ll be in heaven here and the wine is also delicious!
The route
The variety of terrain, landscapes and cultures is huge.
It has an excellent balance of challenging riding and easier terrain. The legs still need to push through 1,000 miles, but climbing to 3,832 metres means there is still an awful lot of downhill to enjoy!
Sights and experiences
The journey has great sights throughout the route: the UNESCO World Heritage site of Valparaiso in Chile, Central Valley vineyards, the statue of Christ The Redeemer of the Andes at 3,832 metres and the peak of Aconcagua on the horizon for days.
The city of Mendoza is famous for Malbec red wine and gorgeous steak, the famous gauchos of the Argentine Pampas and a finish line in one of the world’s great cities, Buenos Aires.
Support
This is a fully supported journey, so cyclists don’t need to worry about anything other than getting across the continent. It’s a fantastic opportunity to do something incredible and enjoy every second of the journey without worrying about logistics.
Cycling through the rural town in San Luis provence (photo credit: Rat Race)
Sponsor Message
Considering cycling in South America?
Rat Race has run bike tours in Chile and Argentina since 2022.
Their Trans Andean adventure offers a coast-to-coast journey fit for your bucket list!
Find out more details, including availability and prices, on the Rat Race website.
Exclusive offer for Epic Road Rides readers: Claim 10% off* this Rat Race adventure when you book any of their Trans Andean, Trans Africa or Tierra del Fuego trips with them directly before 31st December 2026. Discount applies to the entry fee only, not any extras. *T&Cs apply.
Got a question for Rat Race?
Fill out this form and we will pass it to Rat Race who aim to reply (within 24 hours wherever they can!)
Part 4: What are the biggest challenges of the ride?
How can you prepare for the route?
The route goes uphill very quickly, so the speed at which we gain altitude will be the hardest thing to adapt to. Fortunately, it only lasts for 1-2 days before the route starts going downhill again.
Most people with reasonable fitness and a bit of prep should be able to easily cope with a couple of big days of road riding in a row, but 10 days of consecutive 100-mile days will have an attritional impact on the body. This means riders will need to think about recovery and looking after themselves off the bike as much as training their legs for on the bike. More on this below.
Why is bike fit important?
Really nailing a comfortable position on the bicycle will be a big benefit. This will be an advantage of choosing to bring your own bike with you for the event (though rental bikes are also available from us).
What should participants do to recover?
Learning a stretching regime for the evenings will help too; not just for the working muscles of the legs, necks and shoulders can suffer from the riding position over many days.
Sponsor Message
Considering cycling in South America?
Rat Race has run bike tours in Chile and Argentina since 2022.
Their Trans Andean adventure offers a coast-to-coast journey fit for your bucket list!
Find out more details, including availability and prices, on the Rat Race website.
Exclusive offer for Epic Road Rides readers: Claim 10% off* this Rat Race adventure when you book any of their Trans Andean, Trans Africa or Tierra del Fuego trips with them directly before 31st December 2026. Discount applies to the entry fee only, not any extras. *T&Cs apply.
Got a question for Rat Race?
Fill out this form and we will pass it to Rat Race who aim to reply (within 24 hours wherever they can!)
Do riders need to have done much long-distance cycling beforehand?
We do need participants to have been trained and got themselves ready before the event. Training for it will make success more likely and the whole event will be more enjoyable.
What training should participants do before the bike tour?
We suggest that anyone looking to do this should have covered a 100-mile ride at least once before the trip. Ideally, they will have done back-to-back 100 milers over two or three days. To have done this beforehand takes a lot of anxiety away from taking on the challenge.
Do you need to be a confident cyclist to complete the route?
The riding isn’t technical, but good bike handling will make responding to issues on the road and avoiding incidents much easier. There is no substitute for time on the bike to get ready for this.
What sort of speed can you expect?
That said, you don’t need to be a pro racer to take part. Cut-offs are always generous and are mainly driven by daylight hours. Just keeping going in the dark for the sake of it is unnecessarily risky. Schedules can be flexed a bit and getting going very early just as the sun goes up can lengthen days if needed, but rest is also very important and can’t be underestimated as a factor in completing the challenge.
What happens if you encounter mechanical issues?
The ride will be supported by mechanics, but having a basic knowledge of simple tasks will allow riders to keep going if mechanic support is not directly to hand. Fixing punctures quickly and easily will be a key task for riders to be responsible for (time to get watching those YouTube videos and practising at home before you leave!).
Part 5: What will it be like to do this event with Rat Race?
Rat Race looks after everything from the moment you’re picked up at the airport.
What is the accommodation like?
We make sure all accommodation we use is clean, comfortable and fit for purpose, and you’ll certainly experience a mix along the way.
Be aware! This route crosses remote, non-touristy corners of Argentina, including a high mountain pass. In those areas, the choice is extremely limited, and we use the best available. But what the more basic stays lack in luxury, they more than make up for in a sense of adventure! Many guests also say these nights became some of their most memorable experiences of the trip.
Most nights are twin-share. On the mountain, there are a couple of dorm-style overnights; we split by gender and do our best to room friends and couples together where possible.
Later in the trip, particularly after you cross the finish line, a limited number of single supplements may also be available. If that matters to you, let us know and we’ll see what we can do to secure you a space.
Take a look at this video to understand more about the kind of accommodation you can expect:
There's a Youtube video here!
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What sort of support can you expect?
The support will always be there throughout the trip, and there are typically 15 members of staff supporting groups of 40 guests.
This support crew includes UK Rat Race team members, including British doctors, paramedics and bike mechanics. This also includes local Argentinians who drive the support vehicles and sweeper bus. Prior to setting off, there will be a full briefing on how to access support if you need it.
Rat Race tries to get the balance right in terms of being on an adventure and feeling there’s support around, should you need it. This is not a guided cycling trip/cycling tour of South America per se. We take away the difficulties of route choice and booking hotels, etc, but don’t expect a ‘follow the leader’ luxury cycling holiday in South America; this is an adventurous journey!
What sort of food will you eat?
We’ll keep you properly fuelled from first pedal stroke to last. Every day includes a hearty lunch and dinner, which is usually a mix of locally sourced, home-cooked dishes or relaxed sit-down meals in characterful local restaurants.
During the ride, our feed stations offer hot and cold drinks, sweet and savoury snacks, plus wraps or sandwiches at lunchtime. Expect regional favourites too, such as empanadas, which are a staple! We also cater for all dietary requirements (just let us know in advance).
Want a flavour of it all? Hear a past participant talk about the food:
There's a Youtube video here!
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How do riders handle navigation?
Everyone will be given the route GPS files and be expected to have a GPS-enabled device to navigate with. Riders will have the option to rent a device from us. They will navigate the route themselves and be expected to check in at each pit stop. They will all also have a GPS tracking device so we can see where folk are and for supporters back home to track progress.
How many other people will be on the bike tour?
The trip is for a maximum of 40 people and the total crew will number about 15. Bicycles will mostly be housed in hotel rooms for maximum safety, but other options may be available at some hotels.
More details
You can find full information on the trip’s inclusions/exclusions on Rat Race’s website, here.
What tips would you give someone trying to decide whether this South America cycling challenge is for them?
The Rat Race ethos is all about the completion of our epic challenges. We celebrate finish lines, NOT finish times.
A hearty dose of commitment, grit and positive mental attitude is required but pro level fitness is not.
Participants need to be comfortable on a bike for sure but this is doable by regular people who have made a commitment to train and be as ready as they can be.
Crossing a continent is a timeless classic adventure, a proper pub story, and the colour and style of South America makes this one a must-do, once-in-a-lifetime journey.
Climbing a remote gravel road high in the Andes mountains (photo credit: Rat Race)
Part 6: Want to cycle South America with Rat Race?
A huge thanks to Abbi for sharing these detailed insights about the Trans Andean adventure. We certainly feel inspired!
Rat Race would love to have you join them on their journey cycling through South America.
Get all the details at the awesome Rat Race website.
Got a question for Rat Race?
Fill out this form and we will pass it to Rat Race who aim to reply (within 24 hours wherever they can!)
Got a question for Abbi?
Fill out this form and we will send it to Abbi. We aim to get you an answer within 24 hours where possible!Abbi Naylor is Rat Race’s Head of Expeditions. She has more than 10 years of exploring under her belt, including cycling across Africa, South America and being the first woman to have cycled across 'The Empty Quarter' desert on the Arabian Peninsula, on a fat bike. As part of her role at Rat Race, she leads small group trips around the world. Abbi also recced the Trans Andean in 2022 and has been the trip leader on several Trans Andes events since then!
First Published: 13 January 2026
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Sponsor Message
Considering cycling in South America?
Rat Race has run bike tours in Chile and Argentina since 2022.
Their Trans Andean adventure offers a coast-to-coast journey fit for your bucket list!
Find out more details, including availability and prices, on the Rat Race website.
Exclusive offer for Epic Road Rides readers: Claim 10% off* this Rat Race adventure when you book any of their Trans Andean, Trans Africa or Tierra del Fuego trips with them directly before 31st December 2026. Discount applies to the entry fee only, not any extras. *T&Cs apply.
Got a question for Rat Race?
Fill out this form and we will pass it to Rat Race who aim to reply (within 24 hours wherever they can!)
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