Horseback riding in Salta, Argentina

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- Inca Trails Cattle Drive
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Horseback riding vacations in Argentina, Salta

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Equestrian tours in Argentina, Salta
Inca Trails Cattle Drive


Itinerary for Inca Trails Cattle Drive




Sample itinerary - subject to changes

Day 1 (Saturday): Arrival
Plan to arrive at Salta airport any time before 4 PM. Pick up at local airport. We will visit the MAAM (Museum of High Altitude Archaeology). Recently opened to show the items found at an Inca human sacrifice site on top of the Llullaillaco volcano (6730 mts - 18000 ft. high). It holds the best preserved mummies worldwide. Check in at boutique hotel. Enjoy a welcome dinner with your guide.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Hotel in Salta


Day 2 (Sunday): Cattle round up and horseback ride
After breakfast, we will drive to meet our horses. The drive takes us along the Cuesta del Obispo and its breathtaking views and the Cardones National Park where you can usually spot guanacos (Andean camelidae). This is a program on its own. We reach Peñas Blancas (2750 meters high) where we meet the horses and gauchos. Lunch. In the afternoon we ride the lifeline this valley has had for centuries while we start looking for the cattle spread all over. On our way we can see, here and there, the small houses made with mud and archeological remains of ancient settlements. We stop to see the ancient pictographs painted by local Indians centuries ago. We will visit Isonza which is a working ranch with its ancient way of life still intact and Leuca Burgos who makes goat cheese. The way they milk the goats, make cheese, grow their crops is centuries old and inherited from Inca times. On the way there are herds of wild donkeys set free by the Spanish Conquistadors. 
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Peñas Blancas (rooms with beds, no bathroom)


Day 3 (Monday): Cattle round up
After breakfast we get ready to ride. The whole day will be dedicated to screen the area and round up cattle. The ride takes us West at the beginning until we reach the very steep Chilo slopes which divide two valleys. The view is magnificent and makes us feel the power of nature. Lunch on the way. By sunset we should be able to arrive to the corrals with not one cow left behind.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Peñas Blancas (rooms with beds, no bathroom)


Day 4 (Tuesday): Cattle work
The corrals we will be working in were built in mud over 200 years ago and ever since used. Get ready to start sort, brand, doctor, etc. each of the cows and calfs. A lot of work and adrenaline while the local Food and Drug Administration officers check the health of the heard. It is now when gaucho and horse blend together in a reining exhibition that made them world famous. You can just decide to relax and watch or get into the corral and join the gauchos!
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Peñas Blancas (rooms with beds, no bathroom)


Day 5 (Wednesday): Cattle work
After breakfast we will finish whatever work is left from the day before. After that, we ride back to Peñas Blancas to spend the night.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Peñas Blancas (rooms with beds, no bathroom)


Day 6 (Thursday): Ride to Amblayo 
Today, we drive the cattle South to Amblayo. We will go past Yaslaguala. The giant cactii are all over and set the stage. After lunch, we ride to Amblayo town (2400 meters high) where we will spend the night. It has only 150 dwellers and its main means of transportation is on horseback. It is renowned for its goat cheese. Sense the feeling of arriving on horseback to this tiny town with almost no cars! An unforgettable experience. To get there we will ride first through archaeological areas where you can see pieces of painted pottery scattered around. We have a look with agreement not to remove any of the findings.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in Amblayo (rooms with beds, bathroom with hot water)


Day 7 (Friday): Ride through Sierra Pelada
After breakfast enjoy this picturesque town. Visit its ancient chapel and its 17th century paintings brought from Peru, have a chat with its neighbors. After lunch we ride to the foothills of the Sierra Pelada. These multicoloured hills are unique. We will also ride the Río Salado which is a great place for cantering! Traditional goat barbecue at dinner.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in Amblayo (rooms with beds, bathroom with hot water)


Day 8 (Saturday): High Altitude Wineries
After breakfast, drive to Cachi. This area is known for high altitude vineyards (most 2000 to 2500 meters high). It has just 1% of all vineyards in Argentina but gets 10% of total investments. This means just one thing: high quality. Some of Argentinas best wines are made here. So your Argentinean experience would not be complete without a private visit to a local winery and taste some of their best wines. Lunch and 3 hours transfer to Salta city. Check in at boutique hotel. Dinner not included.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Overnight at Hotel in Salta


Day 9 (Sunday): Departure
Breakfast. Transfer to airport. End of program.
Meals included: Breakfast



EXTRA DAYS:

Salta city tour:
We walk and drive the city with a guide. Its colony time buildings bring to life the way the city was at the time of the Spanish Conquistadors.

Quebrada de Humahuaca:
Trip to Humahuaca Creek. Walk the ancient indian fortress in Tilcara. We reach Purmamarca and the 7 Colors Hill. Lunch. See a few of the small and picturesque towns along the creek.

Cafayate and its wineries:
The road to Cafayate shows us very curious rock shapes (the amphitheater, the toad, the Titanic, etc.). In Cafayate we will visit the world renowned vineyards and wineries for wine tasting. The Torrontés variety is regarded as best in class and exported all over.
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Inca Trails Cattle Drive
Tour Code: IT-CHCD02
9 days / 8 nights
Dates : May & Oct

Difficulty : Riding Level
Riding Level Explained
ABeginner
Beginner A rider who has limited experience, is unable to post the trot and does not canter.
BNovice
Novice A rider who is capable of mounting and dismounting unassisted, capable of applying basic aids, comfortable and in control at the walk, moderate length posting trots, and short canters.
CIntermediate
Intermediate A rider who has a firm seat, is confident and in control at all paces (including posting trots, two point canters and gallops), but does not ride regularly.
D Strong Intermediate
Strong Intermediate An intermediate rider who is currently riding regularly and is comfortable in the saddle for at least 6 hours per day.
EAdvanced
All of the above, plus an independent seat, soft hands, and capable of handlinga spirited horse in open country.
Lodging: Basic
Lodging Level Explained
   
= Facilities in lodges, estancias, haciendas, resorts, etc.
   
Basic lodging - some with shared bathroom facilities, usually no AC or room service.
Regular standard room - usually with private bath.
 Accommodations with superior comforts.
   
 = Trips with nights in tent camps. Sometimes the first and last night are in hotels.
   
Basic tent camping - everyone helps out with camp chores.
Regular standard with some camp amenities and camp cook.
Camping facilities with superior comforts like camp shower, bathroom facility..
   
 = Trips that combine nights in hotels and camping.
   
Basic accommodation and basic camping facilities can be expected.
Regular standard with some nicer amenities.
Only assigned to hotel and camping facilities with superior comforts.

Online Reservation

Check here for details and availability
Season Tour Dates  Min / MaxReserve
A 2024 05/05 - 05/13 9d / 8n 9 day trip 6 /10 Reserve
A 2024 09/28 - 10/06 9d / 8n 9 day trip 6 /10 Reserve
Introduction
Day to Day Itinerary
Rates | Dates
Accommodation
Tack: South American Recado saddles. They ar...
Horses: Criollo and Peruvian Paso cross, cattl...
Pace: Only for experienced riders. Must be i...
Walk, Trot, Canter,
Airport: Martín Miguel de Güemes International Airport
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What To Bring
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