Across the Andes to Chile - Argentina

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.

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.

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.

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, after a 4km drive you will start down the western slopes of the Andes on your Chilean mount.

The next 3 days will be spent riding down through magnificent Southern beech forests, with spectacular views of lakes and volcanoes. The western slopes of the Andes are much steeper, the terrain very different. You will be able to swim in lagoons and bathe in hot springs. Your hosts will be the gentle Chilean Huasos rather than the flamboyant Argentine gauchos, the tack is different, the horses as well. On the last evening you will reach the Huife Hot springs Hotel, where comfortable beds, thermal pools, Jacuzzis and massages will be waiting for you.

There will be time for a final bathe before transferring back to Huechahue by road (about 4 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.

A farewell ride on Huechahue before transferring to the airport