Horse riding in the Andes, Patagonia horse trek
| country: | Argentina, Patagonia, Chile |
| location: | Andes |
| departures: | 2010: 28 Feb, 14 Nov |
| price: | £3995 excluding international flights |
| more info: | Price includes meals, accommodation, transport, equipment, guides, entrance fees & Tango show in Buenos Aires. |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Horse riding in the Andes, Patagonia horse trek
Following an exceptionally beautiful river valley in Northern Patagonia, this fabulous Horse riding in the Andes Patagonia horse trek takes you across the mystical Southern Andes from Chile to Argentina in the footsteps of the early pioneers. Starting in the Chilean capital of Santiago, we travel south to the lakeside town of Puerto Varas where we say goodbye to the modern world and step into the wilderness. Here on the edge of civilisation there are no roads, no electricity and no mobile coverage.
Steering our sure-footed steeds along the Puelo Valley we will witness a startling array of scenery: rain forests, alpine gorges and ubiquitous turquoise rivers, framed by the magnificent snow-capped Andes. Travelling with our very own gauchos, staying at private homes and enjoying wonderful barbeques and the fine local wine, this is a trip that blends adventure with comfort and tranquility with jaw-dropping beauty. Finishing in Buenos Aires you can experience one of the most fun-loving cities on earth.
Following an exceptionally beautiful river valley in Northern Patagonia, this fabulous Horse riding in the Andes Patagonia horse trek takes you across the mystical Southern Andes from Chile to Argentina in the footsteps of the early pioneers. Starting in the Chilean capital of Santiago, we travel south to the lakeside town of Puerto Varas where we say goodbye to the modern world and step into the wilderness. Here on the edge of civilisation there are no roads, no electricity and no mobile coverage.
Steering our sure-footed steeds along the Puelo Valley we will witness a startling array of scenery: rain forests, alpine gorges and ubiquitous turquoise rivers, framed by the magnificent snow-capped Andes. Travelling with our very own gauchos, staying at private homes and enjoying wonderful barbeques and the fine local wine, this is a trip that blends adventure with comfort and tranquility with jaw-dropping beauty. Finishing in Buenos Aires you can experience one of the most fun-loving cities on earth.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Santiago (Chile): Meet at the group hotel at midday. This afternoon – after lunch – we will enjoy a sightseeing tour of Santiago, visiting Alameda Bernardo O’Higgins, the Government Palace, the pedestrian streets of Huérfanos and Ahumada, the famous Plaza de Armas, the mansion Palacio Cousiño, the palace Palacio de Bellas Artes and the Pre-Columbian Art Museum. Hotel (L, D) |
| Day 2: | Santiago – Puerto Varas: Today we will be transferred to the airport for our short flight down to Puerto Montt and go to our hotel in nearby Puerto Varas. We will have a free afternoon to prepare for the start of our horse trek, giving time to relax and look around this interesting town. At 17.00 Cathy will give us a briefing on the forthcoming ride. Hotel (B, D) |
| Day 3: | Andes Patagonia horse ride: This morning we travel to the start of our horse trek. Crossing the Valdivian forest along the Reloncavi estuary we will arrive at Lake Tagua and take a picnic lunch before crossing the lake on the ferry. A short drive will bring us to the point where we will meet our horses and ‘huasos’ (local horsemen), and ride to the Puelo River. We cross to the other side of the river in a small motor boat (the horses will swim alongside) to reach our first lodgings. Once settled in we will enjoy a delicious barbeque. Timing: approx 2 hrs horseback. Lodge (L, D) |
| Day 4: | Andes Patagonia horse ride: After breakfast and organizing the pack horses, we will start our day riding out along the Puelo River. Through unspoilt, primary ancient forests on winding trails we will see and experience how the first pioneers were travelling in the area. Enjoying a picnic lunch on the way, in the afternoon, we will arrive at a pioneer’s house where we spend the night. Another very friendly local host will tell us about the beginning of their life in this remote area. Timing: 5hrs horseback riding. Homestay (B, L, D) |
| Day 5: | Andes Patagonia horse ride: Today is a longer day ride, sometimes along difficult terrain, but the horses are sure-footed and ideally suited to the area. This was the only way into this isolated and unique corner of Patagonia – on horseback or hiking. We see hardly any farms and very few people as we traverse this dramatic landscape. In the afternoon we will arrive once again at the shores of the Puelo River, where the water is a beautiful blue colour. A motorboat will come and take us up river to an amazingly located cottage, 30m above the valley floor, where we will lodge for the night. The views from the balcony out over the river are spectacular. Timing: 7hrs horseback riding. Cottage (B, L, D) |
| Day 6: | Andes Patagonia horse ride: Today we will take a short boat trip in order to start our full day horse riding expedition. Some fresh horses will be with us for this part of our trip. Enjoy this fantastic landscape and cross the river again just as the locals do: on a public boat while the horses swim alongside. Ride into the Ventisqueros valley where we will stop on the way for lunch. In the afternoon we arrive at a little wooden house where we spend two nights with a wonderful host family. The farmhouse is one of the very few houses in this isolated valley with the Toros Glacier high above us. Timing: 6 to 7hrs horseback riding. Farmhouse (B, L, D) |
| Day 7: | Andes Patagonia horse ride: After breakfast we embark on a gentle ride, crossing the river once more to join another valley and then approach the glacier. This little valley becomes wilder and more remote, with incredible flora and no houses at all. We will arrive close to the ‘Alerces’ forest and enjoy riding alongside the river. Kingfishers are often sighted darting along above the water. Picnic lunch and ride back to our farmhouse accommodation. Later there is a chance to go for a walk around the area, or simply relax with a glass of wine. Another unforgettable day! Timing: 4 hrs horseback riding. Farmhouse (B, L, D) |
| Day 8: | Andes Patagonia horse ride: Breakfast and then set off on a full day’s ride towards "La Pasarela del Rio Puelo" –a small but important suspension bridge crucial for communication between the local inhabitants and the outside world that we are going to cross. This area is particularly spectacular due to its high waterfalls and rapids on the fast running river. After a picnic lunch near the bridge – and a chance to swim – we ride on, crossing more ancient forest with huge trees before reaching the shores of Lago Las Rocas where we leave the horses and meet the motorboat for a 10-minute boat trip for a unique experience on a private enchanting island for a two night stay. This place really is a highlight. Timing: 6 to 7hrs horseback riding. Guesthouse (B, L, D) |
| Day 9: | Andes Patagonia horse ride: Breakfast and depart by boat to rejoin the horses. This morning we’ll enjoy 2 hours riding visiting the Blue Lake "Lago Azul" with its crystal clear waters and great fishing opportunities. The majestic peaks and stunning landscapes will not escape your attention! Picnic and relax on the shore of the lake. After lunch our ride follows deep and narrow paths into the forest along the mountains and will take us to join the southern part of this lake. We ride through the fascinating typical “cold jungle”, Valdivian-type rainforest with its ancient Alerces trees (Fitzroy Cupresoide) as well as other local "giants" such as the "Coihue" and "Arrayanes" (the cold tree). After leaving the horses we will return by boat to our own island to enjoy the rest of the afternoon there strolling, relaxing on the decks or swimming. Timing: 6hrs horseback riding. Guesthouse (B, L, D) |
| Day 10: | Andes Patagonia horse ride – Bariloche (Argentina): In the morning after breakfast we will take the boat back to where the “Huasos” and the horses will be waiting. Today we will ride until lunchtime. With passports at hand we will reach the Chilean Mountain Police Station, "Retén de Carabineros" on horseback. This leads to the border crossing, close to the edge of the Puelo River, from where there are great views of Lago Inferior. We go through Chilean customs and immigration by horse and, once the paperwork is completed, ride between the two borders – ‘no man’s land’! We will leave the horses on the edge of the lake and take our last boat trip into the Argentine territory. We cross Lago Puelo by boat into the National Park and, arrive at the pier, and after clearing Argentine border formalities, take a vehicle to El Bolsón. Lunch will be at a great local restaurant after which we will travel to San Carlos de Bariloche and say goodbye to our horse riding team. Timing: 4hrs horseback riding. A free evening with dinner at the client’s expense. Hotel (B, L) |
| Day 11: | Bariloche, Buenos Aires: After breakfast we will transfer to the airport for our flight to BA, Argentina’s exciting capital city. After checking into our hotel, located in the very heart of Recoleta – the most elegant neighbourhood in Buenos Aires – there will be time to relax and enjoy this vibrant city. Just steps away we’ll find the Pilar Church, the Recoleta Cemetery – resting place of Eva Peron among others – art galleries and hundreds of lovely restaurants and bars. This afternoon we will have a private tour of Buenos Aires, undoubtedly the Latin American City that best resembles the cosmopolitan and aristocratic atmosphere of the big European capitals. But beyond this Buenos Aires there is another one, holding the small coloured houses of La Boca and the popular Tango streets nearby. At night we will visit a Tango Show at El Viejo Almacen, one of the most traditional venues in town. No stay in Buenos Aires is complete without a night of Tango. We will be picked up from our hotel with a private transfer, enjoy dinner and wine, and then have the best seats in the house to enjoy the show. The Tango experience can be described as love, passion, madness and glamour in a story that ends by transforming itself into a legend. Hotel (B, D) |
| Day 12: | Buenos Aires: Tour finishes after breakfast. (B) |
small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places. how this holiday makes a difference
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Environment
Cathy Barnart (who guides the trip) and her family lives on an eco island in the Rio Puelo where all power is generated by the sun, and which we stay en route. As part of the stay, clients are fully briefed on responsible travel issues and eco-living. Using horses for our transport means this is one of the most environmentally friendly trips we offer. We change horses half way through the trip to ensure that none are over worked. We have a strict environmental policy to make sure that the fragile eco-system of the mountains is not damaged or spoilt in any way by our Horse riding in the Andes holidays. On our horse trek programmes, our guides are trained to uphold this policy and all clients are fully briefed on appropriate/responsible behaviour whilst in wilderness areas. Our “Leave No Trace” ethic is applied to all trips in all regions, and as tour operators is something we are careful to promote. When you book a trip with us, we make a contribution to “Carbon Clear” – an organisation who work with hundreds of organisations to measure their carbon footprint and reduce their carbon emissions. Community The remote route that this Horse riding in the Andes trek follows offers very little in the way of employment opportunities for local people. This trip stays in local homestays, eats with local families and utilises local guides along the route offering a critical source of income for a number of people. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |