ESSENTIALS AND INDISPENSABLE: that should be your main concern.

Bicycle touring Carretera Austral is a rewarding and challenging trip, it offers incredible scenery and a thrilling feeling of being in the middle of nowhere. If you want to discover new places, go hiking, kayaking, fishing and meeting wonderful people, this is your bucket list dream.

OUR MAIN ADVISE:

Pack light, the road is rarely either flat or straight, as the topography only allows for up or down while weaving left or right.

Weight can be a great disadvantage on hilly terrains, and gravel floors. Learn about climate, as is very important, Patagonian weather is very unpredictable:

In spring and fall, temperatures can drop to between – 5°C and 15°C, with lots of rainfall and wind. In summer, you can expect temperatures that hover between 10°C and 24°C 

We have divided your packing list in 8 different categories:

1. FOOD:

Remember that food and water are heavy.

• You only need to take the food and water you’ll use between each re-stocking point, but in Carretera Austral, you might have places where there are no supplies for the next 100 km, so be prepared with supplies for 2 days ahead.
• Eat big in towns and snack in between.
• Dehydrated foods are obviously a real winner, buy pasta, rice, oats, lentils, canned tuna and dried fruit.
• High-calorie foods go a long way too.
• Pack enough water. 

2. BIKE AND ACCESORIES:

We will provide you with the basic elements:

• Bike – Merida MTB, rim 29
• Pedals – Flat, but you can bring your own Shimano’s SPD pedals.
• Saddle – We have also the saddle gel cover
• Topeak back rack
• Fenders
• Ortlieb Panniers
• Handlebar bag
• Hand-pump
• Helmet
• Tire lever
• Multitool
• 2 Spare tubes
• Patch Kits
• Lube
• Lock
• Reflective vest
• Lights
• Saddle pads
• Water cage

You will need to bring:

• Water bottles
• Gloves

3.  TOOLS AND ELECTRONICS:

• • Pocket knife
  • Duct tape
  • Zip ties – Can be very useful for securing anything that is falling apart.
  • Tarp – very useful while cooking and helps to protect the bike from rain.
  • Phone – You can use your phone as your GPS.
  • Laptop ?
  • Camera – If you love to document your journey
  • Chargers
  • Converter – Chilean outlets are wide double pronged C-plug.

  •              4. CAMPING AND COOKING: 

• • Tent –lightweight with appropriate material for mid and low temperatures
  • Sleeping bag – Check warmth and weight.
  • Sleeping mat
  • Headlamp
  • Stove
  • Gas for the stove
  • Cooking pots
  • Small bag or daypack ideal for day hikes.
  • Mixing bowl
  • Food Storage – Something to keep leftovers
  • Ziploc bags
  • Light bowls – colapsable
  • Mug
  • Wood mixing spoon
  • Matches or lighter
  • Spork
  • Cork screw and can opener
  • Knife, fork and spoon
  • Rope

    5.  ESSENTIAL:

• Sunglasses
• Sunblock SPF 50 sunscreen (the sun can be harsh at southerly latitudes due to the ozone layer being thinner down here).
• Passport – Keep a photo of your passport just in case it goes missing along the way.
• Cash money
• Bug spray to kill the “annoying tábanos” a chilean fly if January
• Cleansing wipes
• Small scissors and nail cutter.