This is a bucket list trip par excellence: an unparalleled horse riding trek on criollo horses across the Andes from the Chilean part of Patagonia to the Argentinian side. Into the wild, the uninhabited mountainous outback, just with your horse and the majestic peaks of the Andes. Well, maybe a sporadic condor will accompany us.

Experience the ultimate adventure from the back of your loyal four-legged friend.

From January 23 to February 1, 2022
Maximum number of participants: 10
Seats in the saddle available: 2
Overnight: 3 nights in cabins, en route in tents and/or cabins.
Guides: local gauchos and Alain and Jackie as your tripleaders
Price: 3800 euros (based on a shared double bed cabin and tent. Included: Transfers, all overnight stays, all breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Drinks. Transfer back from Argentina to departure point in Chile. Horses, guides.
Not included: Flights to and from Chile (or possibly from Argentina if you wish to travel on from the arrival point), insurance, personal expenses, tips.

Day 1
We depart on our first ride through the Mapuche Indian Community Quelhue and along the rapids of the Trancura River to evaluate your riding experience. This will give you the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the saddle and tack, and determine which horses to take on our amazing adventure. In the evening, we move to our base camp in Laguna Geppinger where we start our ride into the Andes the next morning.

Day 2 - 4
On days 2-4 we drive through virgin rainforests and dense stands of Coighue trees and bamboo, passing crystal clear mountain lakes and gurgling creeks. In the evening we camp next to rivers and lakes; the trails lead through Huerquehue National Park, Villarrica National Forest Reserve, and the Mapuche Indian Communities of Reigolil and Icalma.

Day 5
Today we reach civilisation again and ride through the small Mapuche Indian settlement of Icalma where we spend the night in a beautiful spot on the shore of the lake.

Day 6
Today, after arranging custom formalities with Chilean border control, we head into the mountains to cross the actual border with Argentina. High up in the mountains we say goodbye to our Chilean horses and the guides who led us to this beautiful place. Then we cross the border (10 meters on foot) and greet Hernan and his beautiful Argentinian horses who will take us through the unique world of the Argentinian Andes for the next few days.

Day 7 - 8
On the following days we ride through the valleys and cliffs of Argentina. You will see condors watch us pass by, meet herders with their herds of cattle or goats and enjoy fantastic views over the endless wide open spaces of this uninhabited part of the world. On the evening of the 8th day we reach the outpost where Hernan lives with his horses and which marks the end of our journey. We celebrate the end of the tour with a typical Argentinian BBQ, as we recount our adventures from the past week and share our impressions of this experience of a lifetime.

Day 9
Transfer from Hernan's farm back to Pucón, Chile, where we collect luggage and say goodbye to our guides. If desired, participants can end their trip in Argentina and travel on from Hernan or spend more days in the Argentinian pampas.

 

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