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Crossing the Andes from Chile into Argentina
Lake District
Chile
The Crossing of the Andes - the great adventure on horseback in the northern Patagonian Andes
Riding amongst the snow capped volcanoes of the Chilean Andes, discover hidden mountain lakes, and meander your way through the Huerquehue National Park. For days you will feel like the only people on earth! Then, crossing at a pass in Icalma, the mountains open into the vast valleys of the Argentinean pampas. The views on the descent from the peaks of the Andes are stunning. Look out through the rugged terrain at the sparkling lakes below, and ahead to the open pampas you will soon be riding through.
From smoking volcanoes and snow capped mountains, to deep blue mountain lakes, this ride is a once in a lifetime experience.
Get the best of two worlds and two great horse cultures. The steep mountains, and endless virgin forests on the Chilean side will give you a new appreciation for the low and sturdy Criollo Chilean horses. You will understand why the Criollo horses have become the prized horse of choice for the Chilean people. You also have the opportunity to observe the unique style of the Argentinean gaucho life, and the open space of the Argentinean pampas where they live and work. Descend along the Argentinean cliffs where we admire the majestic condor and other wildlife unique to the area. There is no better way to experience all of this than on a horsepacking trip.
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Meeting:
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Pucon
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Airport:
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Temuco
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Transfer:
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Pucon
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Riders:
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Min
2 riders
Max
8 riders
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Trip Rating
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Rates and Dates for 2009 | 2010
Rates include:
Seven nights camping, two nights in cabins, 5 days with shower facilities, meals starting with dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 10, 8 riding days, English speaking guide, camping equipment including tent, sleeping mat
| A | 2009 | 10 day camping ride, AP | 10d / 9n | €1550 | $2325 |
| Small group supplement (1 only) | €300 | $450 |
| Sleeping bag rental (on request) | €0 | $0 |
Gratuity:
10 to 15% recommended.
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This trip can be arranged at other dates between Dec 1 and March 30 - with a minimum of 2 riders.
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Rates do not include:
Sleeping bag. Meals on Day 1 and 2 (dinner on Day 2 included)
Weight limit for personal items, excluding sleeping bag, mat and tent: 11 lbs. Extra items may be brought by the supply truck that meets the ride on the 5th day.
Day 1: Afternoon arrival in Pucon or Temuco. Transfer to the farm, where we show you around, so that you get to know the farm, horses, the tack and equipment. Later in the evening we partake in a welcome barbecue, where we discuss the details of the following days.
Day 2: In the morning we ride to the Mapuche Indian Community, Quelhue, and along the rapids of Trancura River to evaluate our riding experience, get familiar with saddle and tack and to determine which horses to take on our great adventure. In the evening we drive to our base camp at laguna Geppinger, from were we start our ride the following day.
Day 3 to 6: We ride through virgin rainforests, rough ranges, passing by crystal clear mountain lakes, along sparkling creeks. The camps we build beside rivers and lakes. These trails lead mostly through the National Park Huerquehue, the National Forest reserve Villarrica and the Mapuche Indian Communities of Reigolil and Icalma.
Day 6: Today we meet with civilization again, riding through the small Mapuche settlement of Icalma, were we arrange custom formalities with the Chilean border control, before heading into the mountains to cross the border to Argentina. Here we say goodbye to our Chilean horses and the guides that lead us to this magnificent place, cross the border 10 meters on foot, and welcome Hernan and his wonderful Argentinean horses. Hernan and his horses will guide us for the next 3 days through the unique part of the world, in the Argentinean Andes.
Day 7 to 9: Today we ride the valleys and cliffs, watch condors pass us by, catch trout out of clear rivers, cross several streams and enjoy amazing views over the endless wide open spaces of this uninhabited part at the end of the world. On the evening of the 8th day we reach the outpost were Hernan lives with his horses, marking the end of our journey. With a typical Argentinean barbecue we let the day end, and reminisce about all the adventures and impressions of this once in a lifetime experience.
Day 10: Transfer from Hernan's place back to Pucòn, Chile were we pick up the luggage we left behind and say farewell to Antilco and the horses that carried us in Chile. If you prefer, you may finish the trip in Argentina, and keep on travelling or riding some more days in the Argentinean pampas.
Meeting:
Pucon
Airport:
Temuco
Transfer:
Pucon
Distance:
75 miles
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Tack:
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Chillean working saddles: Avio Chileno and Corralero Chileno
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Horses:
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Criollo Chileno
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Pace:
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On mountain trails mostly walking. The terrain is the challenge rather than speed. We ride up to 7 hours a day, in difficult passages we may lead our horses walking on foot. Canters are available on some days.
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Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
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Level:
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(2.5
to
4
out of 5) Low Intermediate+
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Age:
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Min
15
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Max
65
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Weight:
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Max
200 lbs
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Riders:
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Min
2 riders
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Max
8 riders
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You should have at least a medium level physical condition and some experience on horseback, but not necessarily a skilled rider.
We ride up to 7 hours a day. In difficult passages we may lead our horses walking on foot.
Some canters are possible along lake shores and so on, but it is mostly a slower paced ride through the mountains.
This is a pack trip, with no accompanying car. We meet a truck that carries supplies on the 6th day.
Passport and Visa Requirements:
PassportsPassport valid for at least six months required by nationals referred to in the chart.Passport NotePassports issued to children must contain a photo and state the nationality.VisasNot require. more
Due to Chile's lengthy land mass you will find many different climatic zones, from subtropical, dry zones down to polar zones.
Climate is formed too by the ocean in the west and Andean mountain ranges in the east. Generally you can say that Northern Chile is warm and dry, Central Chile has mild weather all year round and the southern part gets cold and wet in winter.
Please note that as Chile is in the southern hemisphere, seasons are opposite to the seasons on the northern hemisphere.
- Sleeping bag, suitable for temperatures around 0 degrees Celsius. (Can be rented, please let us know in advance)
- Sun blocker
- Torch, water bottle (we can provide if you let us know), a lighter.
- Hat or cap
- Sun glasses
- Swimming suite, towel
- Rain gear: we suggest you bring waterproof trousers and jacket, we provide additional rain ponchos which are great on horseback, but may not suite you for the time you’re not riding.
- Riding trousers: jeans or trekking trousers are perfect for the kind of riding we do.
- Shoes: Light trekking boots, best if they are high enough to protect your ankles.
- Fleece clothes to keep you warm during the cool nights in the Andes. Best option to take cloths that you can put one on top of the other if it’s getting cold.
- For rides outside main season (which is January, February, March) and in the high Andes we strongly recommend to bring warm underwear.
- We provide half chaps – if you prefer your own gear, you are welcome to bring it.
- We do not provide riding helmets, so if you are used too, please bring your own, as they are not common in Chile it will be hard to find one in any shop around.
Weight limit for personal items: 11 lbs, not including tent, mat and sleeping bag. Additional luggage can be be transported by car to the meeting point on Day 6.
Sorry, no video is currently available for this tour.
*Important Notice: The following ratings have been submitted by guests and do not necessarily represent the views of Hidden Trails, its partners or employees.
Every care is taken to ensure accuracy but Hidden Trails is not liable for any errors or omissions.
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You spend 6 nights in tent camps, 2 nights in rustic cabins and one night at a hotel in Pucon.
First night in Pucon (hotel), second night at the farm and last night at Pino Hachado Camp.
A shower and regular toilet facilities are available on Day 1, 2, 6, 9 and 10.
We provide: All transport from and to Pucòn, all fees, all equipment from spoon to tent and sleeping mats. No sleeping bags, these may be rented, including fresh canvas inlets
Meals: We include complete food and soft drinks from dinner on the second day to the farewell BBQ on the last riding day and breakfast on the 10th day. On the trail we have breakfast, a snack at midday and dinner at the campfire.
This trip includes
some wine with dinner
and can accommodate special dietary requests.
You should have at least a medium level physical condition and some experience on horseback, but not necessarily a skilled rider.
We ride up to 7 hours a day. In difficult passages we may lead our horses walking on foot.
Some canters are possible along lake shores and so on, but it is mostly a slower paced ride through the mountains.
This is a pack trip, with no accompanying car. We meet a truck that carries supplies on the 6th day.
|
Tack:
|
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Chillean working saddles: Avio Chileno and Corralero Chileno
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Horses:
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Criollo Chileno
|
|
Pace:
|
|
On mountain trails mostly walking. The terrain is the challenge rather than speed. We ride up to 7 hours a day, in difficult passages we may lead our horses walking on foot. Canters are available on some days.
|
Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
|
|
Level:
|
|
(2.5
to
4
out of 5) Low Intermediate+
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Age:
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Min
15
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Max
65
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Weight:
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Max
200 lbs
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Riders:
|
|
Min
2 riders
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Max
8 riders
|
|
You should have at least a medium level physical condition and some experience on horseback, but not necessarily a skilled rider.
We ride up to 7 hours a day. In difficult passages we may lead our horses walking on foot.
Some canters are possible along lake shores and so on, but it is mostly a slower paced ride through the mountains.
This is a pack trip, with no accompanying car. We meet a truck that carries supplies on the 6th day.
Passports
Passport valid for at least six months required by nationals referred to in the chart.
Passport Note
Passports issued to children must contain a photo and state the nationality.
Visas
Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days except the following:
(a) 1. nationals of Greece for up to 60 days and nationals of Romania for up to 30 days.
(b) transit passengers continuing their journey on the same or first connecting aircraft provided holding required travel documents for onward destination and not leaving the airport transit lounge.
Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Visa Note
2. Nationals of Australia, Canada and the USA entering Chile for touristic purposes will be charged a processing fee payable on arrival and in cash only. For nationals of Australia, the fee is US$56; for nationals of Canada, the fee is US$132; and for nationals of the USA, the fee is US$100 .
| Passport Required? |
| British |
Yes |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
Yes |
| Visa Required? |
| British |
No |
| Australian |
No/2 |
| Canadian |
No/2 |
| USA |
No/2 |
| Other EU |
No/1 |
| Return Ticket Required? |
| British |
Yes |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
Yes |
This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not
take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult
the embassy or consulate for updated info.
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Crossing the Andes from Chile into Argentina
Tour Code: IT-CHRT04
10 days /
9 nights
~$2,325.00
Difficulty :
Lodging: 
Introduction
Day to Day Itinerary
Rates |
Dates
Accomodation
Tack:
Chillean working saddles: Avio Chileno...
Horses:
Criollo Chileno
Pace:
On mountain trails mostly walking. The...
Walk, Trot, Canter,
Airport:
Temuco
Google Map
Image Gallery
Image Slide Show
Customer Trip Rating
Climate
What To Bring
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