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ARGENTINA HIGHLIGHTS - ARGENTINAmore photos | enquiry | availability check We start in the far northwest of Argentina with a 6 day trek along ancient Inca Trails many only accessible on horseback. The impressive landscapes and diversity of climates include the tropical forests and crystal clear streams of the Lerma Valley, the Calchaquí desert with its multicoloured mountains and the Cafayate Creek with its red hills, a breathtaking contrast. Accommodation is in mountain refuges and simple guest houses, riding on criollo horses. Next we transfer to an Estancia on the Pampas for a few days of cattle work. Ride with the legendry gauchos. This is followed by a visit to La Macarena Polo Club in Buenos Aires for some instruction and a game of polo. Lastly we see some of the highlights of the city of Buenos Aires.
SAMPLE ITINERARY - ARGENTINA HIGHLIGHTSDay 1 – Arrive Buenos Aires: Pick up at Buenos Aires International airport. Transfer to domestic airport. Flight to Salta. Check in at boutique hotel. Enjoy a gourmet welcome dinner at Jose Balcarce Restaurant. This award winning restaurant specializes in Andean cooking brought to date. Day 2 – Horseback ride: Leave for La Viña (2hrs). Your horse riding holiday really begins today as you meet the horses then do any last minute packing before riding into the mountainous forest of Valle de Lerma along the course of the Las Pircas stream. At sunset, arrive at El Churqui mountain camp where we will be awaited with an energizing homemade meal.
Day 3 – Horseback ride: The dense forest gradually gives way to grasslands. This is the land of the wild horses. Once we reach approx. 3000 mts. and have the chance to see some condors, we descend into the desertic Calchaquí Valley. We head towards the town of Amblayo where we will spend the night. It has only 150 dwellers. Sense the feeling of arriving on horseback to this tiny town with no cars! An unforgettable experience. It is renowned for its goat cheese. Traditional lamb barbecue at dinner.
Day 4 – Horseback ride: During this morning just relax and enjoy this picturesque town. Visit its ancient chapel, have a chat with its neighbors. In the afternoon we ride the surroundings, visit the area where “the ancient ones” lived in prehispanic times.
Day 5 – Horseback ride: We leave Amblayo riding well into the Calchaquí Valleys towards our next stop. The multicolored hills are remarkable and the icon of the region. Night in camp at Isonza.
Day 6 – Horseback ride: Isonza is a working ranch. This morning we will join in with the everyday life of the ranch and its ancient way of life still intact. The way they milk the goats, make cheese, grow their crops is centuries old. After lunch we ride and hike to visit archaeological pictographs. The ride takes us West at the beginning until we reach the incredible very steep Chilo slopes which divides two valleys. The view is magnificent and makes us feel the power of nature. Overnight at Isonza.
Day 7 – Salta city/Buenos Aires/Estancia: Transfer to Salta City through the Cuesta del Obispo and the Cardones National Park. On the way there are herds of wild donkeys set free by the Spanish Conquistadors. If time available before flight departure, we will visit the MAAM (Museum of High Altitude Archaeology). Recently opened to show the items brought from an Inca human sacrifice site found on top of the Llullaillaco volcano (18000 ft. high). It holds the best preserved mummies worldwide. Transfer to Salta city airport. Arrive in Buenos Aires. Transfer to Estancia in the Pampas.
Day 8 and 9 - Estancia Estancia Santa María is a true working ranch in the Argentine Pampas. It is a 2 000 hectares Estancia, located 250 kms away from Buenos Aires city. The Estancia is dedicated to livestock production and criollo horse stud, corral work is a daily activity. A herd of 1500 cows in full production and 100 criollo horses. The Estancia crew will be devoted to your stay. The gauchos, with whom you will share the time outdoors, are all horse loving people and very proud of their way of life and cattle raising skills. They are all willing to let you know their “secrets”. Feel at ease to run horses all day long and help the gauchos in their everyday work. This is one of these places where you can still feel the spirit of freedom. Accommodations are simple as life is in this places but friendliness overcomes lack of luxury. Get ready to enjoy great horse riding or just relax and traditional Argentine barbecues….. Day 10 We leave the Estancia after breakfast and head to La Macarena Polo Club. Eduardo Padilla, who has played polo in Argentina and abroad, will be our instructor for the day. Barbecue lunch at the club house. Transfer to Reconquista hotel. Day 11 Transfer to Ezeiza International Airport. Flight back home. NOTES - ARGENTINA HIGHLIGHTSA small group supplement is applied if the total number of bookings (including yours) is The weight limit for this ride is 15 st/209 lb/95 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
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