Al and I were recently invited to join friends on a tour in Vietnam.  It didn't appeal to me, but we started discussing supported tours and I said, if I were going to do one, it would have to be in an area we wouldn't be completely comfortable going on our own.  So, South America.  Specifically Peru/Bolivia and Chile/Argentina.

Have any cycleblazers done this?  If so, any suggestions on companies to consider or avoid?  Based on the bit of investigation I've done, Redspokes seems to be a contender.

Jacquie, two friends in Toronto recently did a supported tour in Argentina/Chile (late Canadian winter of 2017-18, if I recall correctly.)  It was a small-group customized undertaking--bespoke, you could say ;)  (Sorry-o!)  They spoke very highly of it.   I could give you their email  addr if you're interested -- if so, send me an email at jsaxbyatbelldotnet.  

Cheers,  John

Jacquie,

I did a tour with Red Spokes this past winter in Chile and Argentina - in the lakes district of Patagonia - which is included in my Patagonia Adventure journal on this site.  That trip had a lot of riding on gravel roads (more than most people liked) and complicated logistics with several border crossings and ferry rides. Overall, they did a good job and I can recommend them. Several people in our group had done multiple trips with Red Spokes in South America, Europe and Asia - many raved about the Colombia trip. I also did the Saigon to Bangkok tour with Spice Roads.  Based on my limited experience of two trips, Red Spokes had a greater emphasis on the biking  aspects of the trip while Spice Roads had more emphasis on touring, giving you more information on the area/people/history.  I'd be happy to give you more details if you want to email me at susanlongcarpenter@gmail.com.