The Route 2009

Full Tour

On July 26th, 2009, Cyclists participating in the inaugural edition of the Vuelta Sudamericana will depart Rio de Janeiro. Our journey will begin by traveling the Costa Verde, a series of beaches and islands along the southern Brazilian coast. Turning inland, we head for Iguazu Falls. This system of 275 waterfalls marks the borders of Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. From the Paraguayan capital of Asuncion, the route meanders through the agricultural lands of Las Pampas until we arrive in Montevideo.

None of our cycling tours would be complete without a boat ride. So we will sail from the Uruguayan capital to Buenos Aires. This next section crosses Argentina leading us to the Andes and our first true mountain stages. After circumnavigating the 6,960 m peak of Mt. Aconcagua, we descend into Santiago, Chile. At this point, the tour turns north, following the Pacific coast. Here we will enjoy local wines and spectacular sunsets, while camped on endless beaches. In northern Chile, the route crosses the Andes a second time, as we enter the Atacama Desert, famous for its vast white salt plains. This high altitude desert crosses into Bolivia where we head to La Paz. This marks the beginning of the most challenging section of the expedition. From La Paz to Lima, cyclists will traverse mountain passes at 4,200 m where you will encounter steep roads, thin air and extreme temperatures, while at the same time experiencing the unique cultures on the shores of Lake Titicaca, the magnificence of Machu Picchu and the enduring mysteries of the famed Nazca lines. Returning to the Peruvian coast, we pass through Lima, where the Andes appear to rise from the ocean. From northern Peru, we enter Ecuador and cross the Cordillera Central to dip into the Amazon basin. On the morning of the last stage, we will awake under the skyline of Mt. Cotopaxi. After cycling nearly five months and 13,000 km, through eight countries, on Dec 12th, we will ride into Quito for our grand finale and celebrations.

*Please note that all dates, distances and destinations are approximate and subject to change. Please check with the office regularly for updates.

Iguazu

This incredible voyage begins in Rio de Janeiro, the former capital of Brazil and prior to that, the overseas centre of the Portuguese Empire. The city is famous for its amazing beaches and Carnival celebrations. Plan to arrive a couple of days early to enjoy the sites. Departing Rio we will cycle through Costa Verde, a series of lush coastal islands and beach resorts. As the route turns inland, we pass through Curitiba, the political center of Paraná state. The pine forests of the interior plateau quickly give way to the jungles of the Iguazu River basin and one of the world's most spectacular waterfalls. Known as the "Devil's Throat," this extensive system of torrents and cascades can be viewed from three different countries. The second country of this tour is Paraguay and after 2,150 km in 18 days this section will conclude in the capital of Asunción.

Las Pampas

The second section of this journey will depart from the Paraguayan capital of Asunción. The route follows the Rio Paraguay to its confluence with the Rio Paraná at the Argentine city of Corrientes. Historically developed as an inland port, its colourful buildings contrast sharply with the muddy waters. The tour will roll south through the agricultural region to Concordia, where we enter Uruguay. We will continue to cycle through the fertile pasturelands sculpted by numerous river channels until we rejoin the Atlantic in Montevideo. This national capital is the cultural heart for Uruguayan art, music and literature and home to the elegant resorts on the shores of the Punta Del Este. After riding 1,750 km in 14 days, this section will conclude here. Those who are continuing on with the tour will take a boat across the Rio de la Plata to Buenos Aires to begin the next leg of the tour.

Aconcagua Vistas

Buenos Aires has been the gateway to Argentina for centuries, so it is fitting that the tour arrives in "BA" by boat. This city has strong German and Italian influences, hosts a world renowned opera house and is famous for its myriad of architectural genres. The tour follows the Rio Parana to Rosario, where it then turns inland towards the heart of the country, and the city of Córdoba. If there IS a geographical center of Argentina, it's Córdoba. Located at the foot of the Sierra Chicas, the Sequia River divides this city known for its historic colonial buildings. Leaving Cordoba, the majestic Andes will be looming on the horizon. From San Juan we will begin a week-long traverse of the mountain range. Cyclists will ride through tunnels and overpasses above 3,000 m, with peaks including the glaciated 6,960 m Mt. Aconcagua towering over us. Descending from the Andes, we will cross into Chile. This 1,800 km section will conclude in the modern metropolis of Santiago.

Atacama Aventura

With the snowcapped Andes overlooking the cityscape, Santiago is perhaps South America's most modern city. Its diverse ethnic cuisine, museums, and high rises provide a stark contrast to the many historical sites on this tour. As the tour heads north, we pass through a series of beach resort towns and national parks. With the Pacific to the left and the Andes to the right, this region is famous for its vineyards, markets and astronomical observatories. From Antofagasta, the route turns inland again to cross the Andes. The mountains of northern Chile produce a rain-shadow effect to the east that has created one of the most arid places on earth, the Atacama Desert. Cyclists will traverse the "Salares," infinite salt basins and ride past ancient lava flows en route to the Bolivian border. This, the longest section at 2,600 km, will end in the national capital of La Paz at an altitude of 3,640 m.

Inca Highlands

Each section of Vuelta Sudamericana will have hilly days, but the Inca Highlands will be the most challenging and perhaps the most rewarding. It begins in La Paz, Bolivia where, due to higher elevation, the air will be thin and the challenge even greater. If you choose to join the tour here, be sure to plan for a few days of acclimatization before the tour departs. Soon after leaving La Paz, we will cross the border into Peru where the route traces the shorelines of Lake Titicaca -- not only the largest lake on the continent, but the highest lake in the world. The small agricultural communities along its shores have become popular among tourists visiting the colonial churches of Puno and the "Uros" (floating villages built on artificial islands manufactured from reeds). The tour continues to Cuzco, the gateway to Machu Picchu, "the lost city of the Incas" and the most famous monument to their culture. Constructed with traditional dry stone walls in 1450, it was abandoned 100 years later as the empire collapsed as a result of the Spanish conquest. Archaeologists have been examining the ruins for decades, debating whether the site was created as a place of worship, for strategic defense or astronomical study. The mountain roads in this region cross passes at 4,200 m, where - be warned - cyclists will have to endure cold temperatures and oxygen deprivation. As the tour descends towards the Pacific, we will pass the petroglyphs of the Nazca plains, whose origins still baffle modern scientific inquiries. The coastal roads pass through an arid region lined with spectacular beaches as we approach Lima, where this demanding 2,250 km section concludes.

Andes to Amazon

The final section of this epic adventure begins in Lima, the Peruvian capital and one of the driest cities in the world. The city's history predates the arrival of the conquistadors. It has since developed into a centre for education, religion, trade and culture. Following the coast north, the route will turn inland to visit Huaraz, a breath-taking city and a Mecca for the outdoor adventurer. Returning to the coast, we ride to Trujillo. The nearby archaeological sites of the Chimu and Moche civilizations include "Chan Chan," the world's largest adobe city. After stopping to see the numerous museums in Chiclayo, the tour will cross the Ecuadorian border on a 2,100 m mountain pass at Loja before descending into the Amazon basin. Winding through its many river valleys will lead us to Mt. Cotopaxi. This is where we will camp on our final evening together, and enjoy the views of glaciated 6,000 m volcano. The next morning, we will embark on the final stage of the tour into Quito and the grand finale of this incredible race/expedition.