ANDES MOUNTAIN CROSSING - ARGENTINA

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Crossing the Andean Cordillera from Agentina to Chile is said to be one of the most spectacular horse-riding experiences in the world. It brings back the same odyssey that the Spanish conquistadors carried out almost 500 years ago. This adventurous trip starts on Estancia Huechahue in Argentina, a vast working cattle ranch set on the remote edge of Patagonia. From here we head off into the snow capped Andes passes. Once over the Andes we descend into the lush temperate climate of the Chilean lake district, descending the steep slopes until we reach our end destination.

Trip length 10 days/9 nights Ride only price 2008 dates: £2,365; New Year Programme: £2,599 2009 dates: £2,569 Departure dates 2008: 27 Nov; 6 & 12 Dec; New Year 27 Dec 2008 2009: 8 & 20 Jan: 1, 13 & 23 Feb Approximate riding time per day 5 to 8 hours per day Riding ability required This ride is for experienced and fit riders only. Min age 12. Group size Max 12 Meeting point (getting there) San Martin de Los Andes, Argentina Transfer Included from meeting point Flight guide London - San Martin de Los Andes return £550 - £850. See below for flight info. Single supplement none if willing to share, otherwise 20%

SAMPLE ITINERARY - ANDES MOUNTAIN CROSSING

Day 1 : You will be met at Chapelco airport, San Martin de los Andes and driven to Estancia Huechahue (approx. 30 mins.). After a late lunch there will be an afternoon ride.  A chance to familiarize yourself with the horses, the tack and the way we ride.

Day 2 : A full day’s ride on Estancia Huechahue with an "asado" lunch. Follow the Huechahue stream through its basalt canyons, riding as fast as you want across the water-meadows sending the plovers and ibis screeching, before returning over the top of Chenque Hill, where the Andes rise up behind you and the vastness of Patagonia stretches out before you.

Day 3 to Day 6  : Set out from Huechahue for Chile. The next 8 days will be spent crossing from the wide open spaces of Argentine Patagonia over the Andes to the thickly forested steep slopes of Chilean Patagonia.  From  Huechahue you will ride for 4 days up into the Andes through the Andean  Steppes, you will ford rivers, pass through Indian reservations, ride over ridges from where you think you can see the Atlantic and through magnificent rocky gorges, you will gallop across water meadows and race along sandy tracks. Nights will be spent camping by streams and rivers under the spectacular stars of the Southern hemisphere.

Day 7 : At lunchtime, at the base of Lanin Volcano in a forest of Monkey puzzle trees you will reach the Argentine / Chilean border, where our Chilean partners will be waiting for you. After immigration and customs formalities you will wave goodbye to Argentina and the horse that has carried you to here and start down the slopes of the Andes on your Chilean mount.

Days 8 : Continue riding down through the magnificent Southern beech forests, with spectacular views of lakes and volcanoes. The western slopes of the Andes are much steeper, the terrain very different. Reaching the final campsite at picturesque Puente Barras, where Loth and Pamela’s families have been farming for generations.
Your hosts will be the gentle Chilean Huasos rather than the flamboyant Argentine gauchos, the tack is different, the horses as well.

Day 9 : Transfer back to Huechahue by road (about 3 hours). After a late lunch there will be a ride on the estancia. By now you will have heard of many places and you will be able to choose what you would like to see most..

Day 10 : A farewell ride on Huechahue before transferring to the airport

NOTES - ANDES MOUNTAIN CROSSING

Note:  It is also possible to cross the Andes Mountain range from Chile to Argentina further north, from Santiago in Chile to Mendoza in Argentina. See our rides under Chile/Chile to Argentina - Across the Andes. This is a very historical route and over much higher passes.

The weight limit for this ride is 14 st/198 lb/90 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

WHAT IS INCLUDED
The trip price includes all meals, drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), accommodations, horses, tack, guides, riding activities and transfers to and from Chapelco Airport, San Martin de los Andes. At Panqui hotsprings accommodation and access to all the pools, breakfast and dinner (with ½ bottle of wine) are included.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Not included are items of a personal nature such as telephone calls and gratuities (7-10% is suggested), travel or medical insurance, flights to and from Argentina and any other transfers.

FURTHER DETAILS
As we are specialists in our field we have extensive knowledge of all our products from details of accommodation and meals to number/size/type of horses to pace of riding ... and much more.

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