Crossing the Andes from Chile into Argentina Lake District Chile The Crossing of the Andes - the greatest 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 horseback trip.  Camping Ride with vehicle support Camping Ride with pack horses Meeting: Pucon Airport: La Araucanía International Airport in Temuco (ZCO) Transfer: Temuco Airport or Pucón Riders: Min 2 riders Max 8 riders Trip Brochure (PDF) Trip Rating

Packages and Options

Click here for updated current rates.

 

Transfer and Other Charges:

Pick-up included on arrival day at 1:00pm from Pucón or 3.00pm at Temuco Airport. Please note we will not be back at the Temuco airport earlier than 1:30PM on the last day. Do not book a departure flight from Temuco earlier than 3PM!!

 

Sample Itinerary - 10 day cabin & camping ride - Subject to changes

Day 1: Pick up at Temuco airport (03.00 pm) or Pucón (01.00 pm). Time to get to know the horses, tack and equipment, and to get settled. Welcome dinner at the ranch house.

Day 2: We take an initial ride through the Mapuche Indian Community Quelhue and along the rapids of Trancura River to evaluate your riding experience, get familiar with the saddle and tack, and determine which horses to take on our great adventure. In the evening we move to our base camp at Laguna Geppinger from were we start our ride the following morning.

Day 3: We cross the first of three mountain ranges on our trail towards Argentina. At night we stay in double rooms in cabins 5 minutes away from the natural hot springs in Rio Blanco Valley.

 

Day 4: We ride through virgin rainforests and dense stands of Coighue trees and bamboo crossing the 2nd range. The night will be spent in a tent camp at a mountain farm at the Mapuche Indian community “Flor de Valle”

 

Day 5: Today, we ride along the slopes of Sollipulli volcano, overnight in the mountain lodge “Nevados de Sollipulli”.

Day 6:  We cross the last range before Argentina. We return to civilization again and ride through the small Mapuche settlement of Icalma. We spend the night in a cabin at the shore of Lake Icalma.

Day 7:  After arranging custom formalities with the Chilean border control we are heading into the mountains to cross the actual border to Argentina. High in the mountains we say goodbye to our Chilean horses and the guides that led us to this magnificent place. Then we cross the border 20 meters on foot, and greet Hernan and his wonderful Argentinean horses which will bring us through the unique world of the Argentinean Andes for the next three days. We ride up to the top of Batea Mahuida Volcano with 6560 feet the highest point on our ride. Overnight in tent camp.

 

Day 8: We ride the valleys and cliffs of Argentina, watch condors pass us by and enjoy amazing views over the endless wide open spaces of this uninhabited part of the world. On the evening we reach the outpost were Hernan lives with his horses.

 

Day 9: We enjoy a day long farewell ride to cliffs and a viewpoint overlooking the area of our last day’s rides. We celebrate the end of the trek with a typical Argentinean barbeque while recounting our adventures from the past week and sharing our impressions of this experience of a lifetime.

Day 10:  After breakfast we transfer back to Chile. We can bring you to Temuco city (1.00 pm) or Temuco airport (1.30 pm) or Pucon (3.30 pm). If you prefer, you may finish the trip in Argentina, and keep on traveling or riding some more days in the Argentinean pampas.

 

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Sample Itinerary - 10 day camping + cabin ride - Subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival day, pick up at Temuco airport (03.00 pm) or Pucón (01.00 pm). Welcome to the ranch and dinner at the ranch house.

Day 2: We have breakfast and afterwards we take an initial ride through the Mapuche Indian Community Quelhue and along the rapids of Trancura River to evaluate your riding experience, get familiar with the saddle and tack, and determine which horses to take on our great adventure. Lunch at the farm and then, it’s time to pack the saddlebags. In the evening we go to our base camp at Laguna Geppinger from where we start our ride the following morning.

Day 3: We cross the first of three mountain ranges on our trail towards Argentina. At night we camp beside the natural hot springs in Rio Blanco Valley.

Day 4: We ride through virgin rainforests and dense stands of Coighue trees and bamboo crossing the 2nd range. The night we spent at a mountain farm at the Mapuche Indian community “Flor de Valle”

Day 5: We ride along the slopes of Sollipulli volcano, overnight on a clearing in an ancient Aruaucaria forest.

Day 6: We cross the last range before Argentina and spend the night in a cabin at the shore of Lake Icalma.

Day 7: We ride to the border, after arranging custom formalities with the Chilean border control we cross the border 20 meters on foot, and greet Hernan and his wonderful Argentinean horses which will bring us through the unique world of the Argentinean Andes for the next three days. We ride up to the top of Batea Mahuida Volcano with 6560 feet the highest point on our ride. Overnight in tent camp.

Days 8 and 9: We ride the valleys and cliffs of Argentina, watch condors pass us by and enjoy amazing views over the endless wide open spaces of this uninhabited part of the world. On the evening of the 8th day we reach the outpost were Hernan lives with his horses and which marks the end of our journey. We celebrate the end of the trek with a typical Argentinean BBQ.

Day 10: After breakfast we transfer back to Chile. We can bring you to Temuco city (1.00 pm) or Temuco airport (1.30 pm) or Pucon (3.30 pm).

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Sample Itinerary - 11 day camping ride plus Sllipulli - Subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival day, pick up at Temuco airport (03.00 pm) or Pucón (01.00 pm). Welcome to the ranch and dinner at the ranch house.

 

Day 2: We take an initial ride through the Mapuche Indian Community Quelhue and along the rapids of Trancura River to evaluate your riding experience, get familiar with the saddle and tack, and determine which horses to take on our great adventure. In the evening we go to our base camp at Laguna Geppinger from where we start our ride the following morning.

 

Day 3: We cross the first of three mountain ranges on our trail towards Argentina. At night we camp beside the natural hot springs in Rio Blanco Valley.

 

Day 4: We ride through virgin rainforests and dense stands of Coighue trees and bamboo crossing the 2nd range. The night we spent at a mountain farm at the Mapuche Indian community “Flor de Valle”

 

Day 5: We ride along the slopes of Sollipulli volcano, overnight in the mountain lodge “Nevados de Sollipulli”.

 

Day 6: We ride up the volcano, reaching its 2.5 miles wide crater which is filled with a 660 feet deep glacier. We return to “Nevados de Sollipulli” for a second night.

 

Day 7: We cross the last range before Argentina and spend the night in a cabin at the shore of Lake Icalma.

 

Day 8: We ride to the border, after arranging custom formalities with the Chilean border control we cross the border 20 meters on foot, and greet Hernan and his wonderful Argentinean horses which will bring us through the unique world of the Argentinean Andes for the next three days. We ride up to the top of Batea Mahuida Volcano with 6560 feet the highest point on our ride. Overnight in tent camp.

 

Days 9 and 10: We ride the valleys and cliffs of Argentina, watch condors pass us by and enjoy amazing views over the endless wide open spaces of this uninhabited part of the world. On the evening of the 10th day we reach the outpost were Hernan lives with his horses and which marks the end of our journey. We celebrate the end of the trek with a typical Argentinean BBQ.

 

Day 11: After breakfast we transfer back to Chile. We can bring you to Temuco city (1.00 pm) or Temuco airport (1.30 pm) or Pucon (3.30 pm). If you prefer, you may finish the trip in Argentina, and keep on traveling or riding some more days in the Argentinean pampas.

 

Temuco area
 

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High Temperature (°F)	77	78	74	66	59	54	54	57	61	64	68	73
Average Low Temperature (°F)	48	48	46	43	43	41	39	39	40	42	45	47
Average High Temperature (°C)	25	25	23	19	15	12	12	14	16	18	20	23
Average Low Temperature (°C)	9	9	8	6	6	5	4	4	4	6	7	9
Average Precipitation (days of rain)	4	3	5	8	12	15	14	13	10	9	6	5

Source: NOAA

 

Seasons
Temperatures in Chile vary a lot with the height and whether we have sunshine or clouds. As a general rule we have high temperatures only with direct sunshine, as soon as the sun disappears, at night or because it's cloudy, temperatures drop immediately. In Pucón and on the ranch from January to March you can count on 25 degrees Celsius up in the day. At night however, temperatures go down to 10-15 degrees Celsius. On a ride in the heights of National Park Villarrica you may get temperatures near the freezing point at night, even in summer.

The weather is usually fine starting from October, with pleasant temperatures. However, we do not start running this tour before November because snow usually stays until that time, high up in the mountains. The best time of the year to visit weather-wise is probably mid December to March as temperatures are warm and there is a low possibility for rain.

Please note that as Chile is in the southern hemisphere, seasons are opposite to the seasons on the northern hemisphere.

 

Special note - altitude
Pucon is situated on the entrance of a huge valley that reaches right into the center of the Andes at a height of 200meters/660 feet above sea level. The main house is at 350 meters/1150 feet. Behind the paddocks the mountain within 1.5 kilometers/ 0.9 miles rises to 1200 meters/4000 feet. On the trails we cross passes at about 2000 meters/6600 feet but ride into lower regions for the night camps. Generally speaking the Andes in southern Chile are not as high as further north. The highest peaks around are Volcano Villarrica with 2,860 m (9,380 ft) 14 km/8,6 miles away and Lanin with 3,776 m (12,388 ft) 70 km/44 miles away.

Packing list suggestions for trail rides
Some suggestions for your packing list for horse treks  


The luggage you bring on the ride should fit our waterproof packroll of 20x12x12 inches.

• Sun block
• Torch (flashlight), water bottle (we can provide if you let us know).
• Hat or cap, best with wide rim.
• Sun glasses (compulsory on the Chile - Argentina ride) 
•Swimming suit, towel.
• Rain gear: we suggest you bring waterproof trousers and jacket, we provide additional rain ponchos which are great on horseback, but may not be suitable 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. Bringing several layers is the best option so that you can easily adjust to the temperature.
• For rides outside in the main season (which is January, February, March) and in the high Andes we strongly recommend that you bring warm underwear.
• We provide half chaps, though if you prefer your own gear, you are welcome to bring it.
• We do not provide riding helmets. If you are used to wearing one please bring your own, as they are not common in Chile and it will be hard to find one in a shop.

Weight and volume limit for personal items: 

 2 x 5 kilo/11 lbs (not including tent, mat and sleeping bag), one package for the Chilean leg, one for the Argentinean leg of the ride. Before the ride each rider packs 2 bags, one for the Chilean part, a second for the Argentinean part of the trip. On the last night in Chile, the supply truck brings the second bag and returns the first bag to the farm.


If you prefer to bring your own sleeping bag, tent or mattress, the size/weight should not exceed:

Bag: 40 x 20cm( 16x8 inches) and 2kg ( 4.4 lbs )
 Mattress 30 x 15 (12x6 inches) / 1kg ( 2.2 lbs )
 Tent 60x15 (24x6 inches) / 3.3kg (7.3 lbs )

Average ratings from 8 tour feedbacks (see details below) Horses: (5) Excellent (4) Very Good (3) Good (2) Satisfactory (1) Not Satisfactory Saddle/Tack: Accommodations: Meals: Host/Guide: other Riders: Name Date julia anderson 2/25/2018 julia anderson 2/24/2018 sandra kowalski 2/24/2018 maria mikhrina 2/2/2018 ron echlin 12/20/2014 anette ravn 2/26/2014 june como 2/1/2013 phil bethke 5/10/2011

Accommodations
This is a progressive ride where nights are spent either camping or in cabins in different locations. 
There are no laundry services on this trip but facilities to hand wash your cloths are available in some locations. WIFI access is only available in Pucon.

Description
Accommodations are in comfortable tent camps and in cabins during this trip.

9 day Camping & Cabin Ride
Night 1: Camping at Laguna Geppinger (shower & toilet facilities)
Night 2: Camping at Termas Rio Blanco (shower & toilet facilities)
Night 3: Camping at Flor de Valle
Night 4: Camping in Araucaria forest (toilet facilities)
Night 5: Cabin in Icalma (shower & toilet facilities)
Nights 6 & 7: Camping in Argentina
Night 8: Hernan's Ranch (shower & toilet facilities)

10 day Cabin & Camping Ride
Nights 1 & 2: Farmhouse in Pucon (shower & toilet facilities)
Night 3: Guesthouse in Termas Rio Blanco (shower & toilet facilities)
Night 4: Camping at Flor de Valle
Night 5: Lodge Nevados de Sollipulli at Sollipulli Volcano (shower & toilet facilities)
Night 6: Cabin in Icalma (shower & toilet facilities)
Nights 7: Camping in Argentina
Nights 8 & 9: Hernan's Ranch (shower & toilet facilities)

11 day Camping Ride with Sollipulli Volcano
Night 1: Farmhouse in Pucon (shower & toilet facilities)
Night 2: Camping at Laguna Geppinger (shower & toilet facilities)
Night 3: Camping at Termas Rio Blanco (shower & toilet facilities)
Night 4: Camping at Flor de Valle
Nights 5 & 6: Lodge Nevados de Sollipulli at Sollipulli Volcano (shower & toilet facilities)
Night 7: Cabin in Icalma (shower & toilet facilities)
Nights 8 & 9: Camping in Argentina
Night 10: Hernan's Ranch (shower & toilet facilities)

Farmhouse in Pucon
The Guesthouse cabin, is situated beside a small creek and surrounded by fruit and chestnut trees. There are 2 cozy bedrooms (each accommodating two guests), a dining area, cooking facilities and a full bathroom (shared between the 2 rooms). The kitchen area has a gas stove and a refrigerator, and the cabin is heated with a wood-burning stove. A second cabin is located 20 meters away from Liucura River, providing the same facilities.

Guesthouse in Termas de Rio Blanco
Tonight, you sleep in the newly built guesthouse of this beautiful hot spring area. The guesthouse is located just a few minutes’ walk from the natural hot springs. Rooms are basic but comfortable.

Lodge Nevados de Sollipulli at Sollipulli Volcano
This rustic mountain lodge offers cozy accommodations in small huts, just at the foot of the Sollipulli Volcano. The huts come with comfortable beds, heating and a private bathroom. Guests can also relax in the hot tub and sauna.

Lakeside cabin in Icalma
For your last night in Chile, you stay in double rooms in a single standing cabin on the lakeshore about 20 minutes from Icalma village. The cabin is equipped with a wood stove, a spacy dining room and a BBQ area. Bathrooms and washrooms are shared. The view over the lake is great from the cabin.

Hernan’s Ranch
This rustic ranch is set in a remote location, close to the border and surrounded by mountains and unique Araucaria forests. There are 2 cabins with double and triple rooms. Each cabin has a wood burning stove and a small common area. There are bathrooms and washrooms in each cabin but the facilities are shared. The cabins are made of basalt stones and timber, giving them a lot of charm.

Camping
While camping, we provide you with Robens” and “Salewa” dome tents (double or single tents available), which are solid, lightweight and with plenty of room for 2 persons. No need to bring your own mattress or sleeping bag. You will be given a Thermarest mattresses and a "Doite" (Chilean brand) sleeping bag with comfort zone from -7 to 0 degrees Celsius (19 - 32 degrees Fahrenheit).
Washroom facilities depend on the campsite from outhouses to hole in the ground.
Most of the camping nights, guests will have the opportunity to swim in lakes or river and some camps offer shower facilities.

Room Occupancy
Single supplement is not mandatory if we cannot find another rider to share.


Meals
All meals are included in the trip. We serve a mixture of traditional dishes. BBQs are an important part of the diet, especially in Argentina. You will experience and taste the difference between Chilean and Argentinean dishes and of course the Chilean and Argentinean wines. On the trail, we have abundant breakfasts and dinners at camps or cabins and a picnic at lunchtime. Wine is included with dinner.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater for special diet requirements with prior notice.

This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Tack:		Chillean working saddles: Avio Chileno and Corralero Chileno
Horses:		Criollo Chileno
Pace:		On mountain trails mostly walking. The terrain is the challenge rather than speed. We ride 6 to 9 hours a day, in difficult passages we may lead our horses walking on foot. Canters are available on some days - especially in Argentina. | Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(2.5 to 4 out of 5)    Intermediate
Age:		Min 15
Weight:		Max 200 lbs
Riders:		Min 2 riders	Max 8 riders

THE RIDE
You should have at least an intermediate level physical condition and some experience on horseback, but you do not have to be a highly experienced rider.

We ride up to 8 hours a day. In difficult passages we may lead our horses walking on foot.

Some canters and short gallops are possible in flatter parts, especially in Argentina portion, in the mountainous areas the pace is mostly at a walk or trot.

The luggage is carried by pack horses.

THE HORSES
On the home farm we live with 20 horses, all of them Criollo Chileno and cross breeds. Some of them registered, most of them "ordinary" working horses. Our horses are running free on several paddocks, one 12 acre on the riverside, a big 70 acre in the mountain and some smaller 2 acre paddocks beside the house. They range free as a herd all year round, in winter they have an open stable where they can seek shelter and go in and out as they like. In summer they feed mostly on fresh grass and additional grain if they work. In winter due to the slow growth of the grass in this rough mountains we feed additionally hay.

The Criollo Chileno is eldest registered breed in Southern America. They are descended from the Iberian horses the Spaniards brought when they conquered Southern America.

These horses are perfectly adapted to our landscape. Short with a low center of balance they are ideal for climbing the mountains of the Chilean Andes

The word "Criollo" basically means a mixture between Spanish and native - this may be food, customs, horses and even people. Criollo Chileno must not be confused with other Criollo Breeds as e.g. the Criollo Argentino, sounds alike, but they are very different.

They are extremely sure stepping and not nervous at all, no reaction to thunder, dogs or whirring cameras. They have a tendency to search for closeness to their riders. You can notice this many times even on short 3-4 hours, but definitely on every several day ride, when horse and rider have enough time to get to know each other.
   
The Criollo is a sturdy horse, with a big head on a muscle packed neck. Criollo Chilenos are rather small, about 1,38 to 1,48 m. They are of all colours. They have the fame of sturdy working horses, but they can have a great elegance as well.

THE SADDLES
We use the typical Chilean "Avio" working saddle, designed for a long day on horseback. Very comfortable for both rider and horse. The base is a wooden frame, held together by pieces of metal in the front and back part.The seat, a broad band of rawhide is tied in between. It's covered by a wool-filled pad, followed by 2 - 6 Layers of sheep skin and a leather cover.

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.