Vuelta Sudamericana
Frequently Asked Questions
General Information
What is the Vuelta Sudamericana ?
The 2011 Vuelta will be unlike anything you've ever done before. On this adventure, you and your companions will explore many of the cultural and natural wonders of South America as you bike 6800 km from Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Lima, Peru, through four countries in 80 days.
But be forewarned! This tour is a genuine physical and mental challenge. This is not an event within a controlled environment; it is an expedition where participants will not only test their physical and mental stamina, but their ability to overcome the unexpected surprises that inevitably await us. The organizers have created the framework and support systems, which will sustain the group, but the ultimate responsibility for this endeavor lies with you and your inner resources.
Why not cross the continent from top to bottom like on the Tour d'Afrique?But be forewarned! This tour is a genuine physical and mental challenge. This is not an event within a controlled environment; it is an expedition where participants will not only test their physical and mental stamina, but their ability to overcome the unexpected surprises that inevitably await us. The organizers have created the framework and support systems, which will sustain the group, but the ultimate responsibility for this endeavor lies with you and your inner resources.
The goal of this tour is not to travel the most efficient line between the opposite ends of a continent, but to explore South America by bike. Vuelta Sudamericana will begin in Argentina and continue through Chile, Bolivia, and Peru. Along the way, we visit Mount Aconcagua, the Atacama Desert, Lake Titicaca and Machu Picchu. Leaving from Buenos Aires you will cross the Andes en route to Chile and the Pacific coast. From there the route meanders inland and back to the Pacific across some breath taking landscapes that link a variety of cultural and wilderness destinations. We also believe this is the most logical route both in terms of length and time of the tour, and in terms of allowing us to take advantage of the most favourable patterns of wind, heat, precipitation and daylight.
What should I expect?
We run pioneering cycling races/expeditions in areas that often do not have the infrastructure and standard of living that you may be used to. Furthermore, many of these areas do not adhere to the same safety standards that many of us are accustomed to. The tours often travel through areas where there may be political or economic instability and there are some risks involved. Do not join one of our tours unless you are prepared to accept these risks.
What type of weather and terrain should I expect?
Prepare for anything and everything - sun, snow, rain, heat, cold, mountains, desert, bad roads, busy roads and strong winds. We will likely see all of these conditions on the tour. While most days will be on pavement, up to 1/3 of the route will be on unpaved roads of varying quality.
What is the typical day like?
A typical riding day will begin at 7:30 am. By then, you will have packed your tent and gear, had your breakfast and filled your water bottles ready for the start. Soon enough the bikers break into several groups. Some riders try to complete the stage quickly, some compete against each other and record their times, others are concerned with maintaining EFI status, while others ride at a comfortable pace, hoping not to miss any adventure offered on that day, and stopping to visit shops offering local delicacies and curios.
Just past the halfway mark of most riding days (a riding day varies in length anywhere from 60 km on really bad terrain to more than 180km on good paved roads), the lunch truck will be awaiting your arrival with a sandwich, energy bars, drinks and some words of encouragement. After lunch you are on your way to the campsite, where hot soup will be awaiting you. After the soup, it is time to put up your tent, clean up (assuming there is water) and get ready for dinner and the next day of riding. Of course - depending on how fast you cycle - you will have plenty of opportunities to explore the campsite, the surrounding town or village or nearby lakes and mountains.
Who organizes the Vuelta Sudamericana?Just past the halfway mark of most riding days (a riding day varies in length anywhere from 60 km on really bad terrain to more than 180km on good paved roads), the lunch truck will be awaiting your arrival with a sandwich, energy bars, drinks and some words of encouragement. After lunch you are on your way to the campsite, where hot soup will be awaiting you. After the soup, it is time to put up your tent, clean up (assuming there is water) and get ready for dinner and the next day of riding. Of course - depending on how fast you cycle - you will have plenty of opportunities to explore the campsite, the surrounding town or village or nearby lakes and mountains.
The staff at the Tour d'Afrique Ltd. are avid cyclists, outdoor enthusiasts, travelers, humanitarians and adventurers. We love to design these tours because we think there is nothing else like them in the world. We are very gratified by the unique experiences we create and their effects on promoting sustainable transportation and international tourism.
How is the Vuelta Sudamericana different from the other Tours offered by Tour d'Afrique Ltd.?
Vuelta, Silk Route, and our flagship Tour d'Afrique are similar in terms of daily distances (averaging 110-130 km per day), and the regularity of rest days (generally every sixth or seventh day). The Tour d'Afrique is 100% camping, whereas the Silk Route and Vuelta Sudamericana are about 60 - 70% camping and 30 - 40% basic hotels, haciendas, and guesthouses when camping is not appropriate. The extremes (hot, cold, altitude, terrain) will be particularly challenging on the Vuelta Sudamericana.
Our European Tours - the Orient Express and the Amber Route - as well our new Tour "An Indian Adventure" are done at a more relaxed pace, averaging 80-90 km per day. In Europe we also travel through more urban areas and less "off the beaten track."
How do I transport my bicycle to the starting point and back home after the tour?Our European Tours - the Orient Express and the Amber Route - as well our new Tour "An Indian Adventure" are done at a more relaxed pace, averaging 80-90 km per day. In Europe we also travel through more urban areas and less "off the beaten track."
Most airlines are now charging a fee for bringing your bicycle along on international flights. This fee can range from US$50-150. Most bike stores will be able to give you a cardboard bike box or help you package your bike in a cardboard box for the flight. No hard or soft shell bicycle cases are allowed on the tour, as there is no space on the support vehicles to store these.
For participants leaving the tour before Lima, we generally recycle the boxes of the other participants that are joining the tour along the way. In Lima, cardboard bike boxes will be made available for all participants at a small fee.
Is it a Race or an Expedition?For participants leaving the tour before Lima, we generally recycle the boxes of the other participants that are joining the tour along the way. In Lima, cardboard bike boxes will be made available for all participants at a small fee.
The Vuelta Sudamericana is not a race, rather it is an expedition for individuals whose aims are to tour this fascinating part of the world by bike and to complete as much of the route as possible. Participants are of course also welcome to race themselves over the daily distances, and against any other wannabe racers among the clientele. Whatever your personal motivation, the Vuelta will provide you with the experience and challenge of a lifetime.
What are the costs?
How much does it cost?
The Full Tour entry fee is 5,900€. You can refer to the Vuelta's "In-Depth" page on our website for the prices on each section.
What other expenses will I likely have before and during the Tour?- Registration fee - 100€ paid on our website by clicking the big red button
- Flight
- Your Bike and spare parts
- Equipment: tent, sleeping bag, thermorest or other camping mattress
- Vaccinations
- Visas
- Souvenirs (optional)
- Food on rest days as well as on the nights coming into a rest day
- Gratuities for field staff (optional)
How are the riders daily needs met?
Do you supply maps of the daily route?
No, the Vuelta Sudamericana is a 'self-guided tour with support'. Directions will be given each morning, but the riders are expected to be independent and responsible for their own well being. The expedition is set up in a way that provides reasonable support and safety. This includes a midday check point and the retrieval of all riders one hour before darkness. It is therefore highly recommended that you bring your own regional maps of South America.
What about baggage?
Our support vehicles will carry everything that you don't need for the day. While riding, you only have to carry some basic tools, a spare tube, water/energy fluids, and a snack. Everything else we take for you. We ask that you use some common sense and consideration for the other participants when deciding what to bring on the tour, since space is quite limited on the support vehicles. A baggage inspection is conducted at the beginning of the tour and if necessary repeated at different points along the route, in order to ensure that people are complying with this important consideration. Additional information on baggage restrictions and packing suggestions will be available in the registration kit sent to registered riders.
Will I be able to charge my electronics along the way?
The available power supply will be limited to what is available in the villages and towns we pass through. Though our trucks have some charging capabilities, these are solely to charge tour communication systems and emergency equipment. Power to recharge your electronic gear is generally available on rest days, at internet cafes in the towns we pass through, and in some of the faciliities we stay at. There should also be lots of opportunities to buy batteries in the towns and markets.
Where do we sleep?
On the Vuelta Sudamericana, we will primarily be camping, but will also spent a considerable number of nights in haciendas, hostels, and budget hotels. Camping will be at times in organized campgrounds, but often it will be a make-shift bush or desert camp alongside our route. These camps will likely not have any facilities for washing, and so water will be carefully rationed to riders on those days. The campgrounds will typically be municipal campsites with some water and basic toilet facilites, or traveller's campsites on the outskirts of cities or towns on our route. On rest days we generally have indoor accommodations or a campsite near cities where water, tourist attractions and shops are more readily available.
What will we eat?
On biking days there are four meals a day. You will start with a breakfast of porridge, bread, jams, honey, and fresh fruit when available. Just past the halfway mark of most cycling days, there will be a lunch awaiting you with a sandwich, energy bars, energy drinks, water, and fruit. When you arrive to camp there will be hot soup. Supper is a hearty, nutritious meal usually pasta or rice based. You may go to sleep exhausted, but never hungry. No soup or supper is served on the night coming into a rest day, or on rest days, when riders are expected to savour the local cuisine in shops, restaurants, and markets. For those with dietary restrictions beyond vegetarian diets, please contact our office to discuss whether we can accommodate your dietary needs.
Health and safety
Is it safe to travel by bicycle through all these countries?
We think so. We constantly monitor the current political climate in the countries the tour will be passing through. We also conduct scouting missions to get first hand insight into situations in these countries. We then make educated assessments of relative safety, and make adjustments if necessary - before and during the tour.
Based on our combined international experience, we are confident that there will be no serious safety issues. But as with all travel to unfamiliar territory, the possibility of danger exists and it is important to respect the local culture and people and observe the law. Your greatest hazard is, in fact, motorized vehicles, as it is for cyclists everywhere, so appropriate safety/visibility gear is essential.
Do I need travel medical insurance?Based on our combined international experience, we are confident that there will be no serious safety issues. But as with all travel to unfamiliar territory, the possibility of danger exists and it is important to respect the local culture and people and observe the law. Your greatest hazard is, in fact, motorized vehicles, as it is for cyclists everywhere, so appropriate safety/visibility gear is essential.
Yes, travel medical insurance is required and we will need copies of these documents before the start of the tour. No one will be allowed on the tour without proof of travel medical insurance. This will ensure smooth processing in case of an emergency. You should also consider getting trip cancellation insurance as well, as part of your insurance package, in the event that you have to leave the tour unexpectedly. Further information on insurance can be found in the registration kit.
What about health?
Undoubtedly health is a major concern on an expedition of such length. You will need to check with your doctor or at a local travel medical clinic to determine what vaccinations are recommended for travel in the countries along our route. The most likely problems we will encounter will be dehydration, saddle sores, abrasions, infection, and diarrhea. Additional health information will be available in the registration kit sent to registered riders.
Preparing to ride
Am I fit enough to participate in the tour?
The support we provide is based on the expectation that you will ride your bike everyday - whether it is a full day or half day. You should feel comfortable riding an average of 110 km per day for up to 8 days in a row with a maximum single day distance up to 190 km. Some of the days also involve significant climbs and/or riding at high elevation on the altiplano. The key is to ensure that you are in decent or better shape at the start of your ride. For those of you who need advice in how to train we send a suggested training schedule to registered riders well in advance of the tour.
What kind of training should I undertake?
Basically you should be very familiar with and comfotable on your bike well in advance of this tour. Whether you train on your bike or on a stationary bike in the gym, you should be able to average about 20 kmph or better for several hours a day. The best training method is called "interval training" which increases both your strength and endurance. There is lots of information on "interval training" available on line and in cycling magazines. Beyond that, once you have registered for the tour, you can contact our office for specific training tips. We can also put you in touch with past participants on our tours who can provide you with invaluable first hand insight into what worked for them.
Do I need visas?
Yes, depending on your nationality, you will need visas for most of the countries we pass through. Some of these may need to be arranged before the start of the tour, whereas others can be obtained at the point of entry. Please check with the nearest foreign consulate or embassy in your country for specific requirements. Additional information on visa requirements will be available in the registration kit sent to registered riders.
What kind of bike should I bring?
There is no one style of bike that is perfectly suited to the Vuelta Sudamericana, but there are many that will do the job well. A front suspension mountain bike has proved to be the most reliable and versatile bike for the Tour d'Afrique, and with a lot of unpaved roads on Vuelta, this type of bike is definitely a good option. The other most recommended option is a cyclocross bike that can accomodate both narrow tires for pavement and wide tires for off-road. Frames should ideally be steel, but aluminum or titanium frames are also fine. Carbon frames are not recommended and neither are hydraulic disc brakes.
Sectional riders
Can I just join for part of the tour?
Yes, of course. The Vuelta Sudamericana is broken into five sections varying in length from eight days to three weeks. You can also choose to start and end anywhere along the route that you wish. If there is a specific area you would like to cycle through or specific dates you have available between September 25th and December 13th then please contact our office and we will help you make it work.
I want to ride the whole tour, but I have time constraints. Can I pay the full entry fee, but split the tour over two or three years, riding a section or two per year?
Yes, absolutely. While this Tour may not be offered each year, you do have the opportunity to ride the entire Vuelta Sudamericana, but in manageable sections each time it is offered.
Tourism
What countries does the expedition pass through?
Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, and Peru.
Will I have time to enjoy some of the exotic places along the route?
Absolutely! The tour has been designed with rest days in some of the most fascinating spots in the world, including such famous destinations as the Salar de Atacama, Lake Titicaca, the Nazca Lines, and Machu Picchu. Moreover, since the average biking day will be five to seven hours, you will often have plenty of time on riding days to explore the local environment en route.
