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Andes Extreme - Chile to Argentina
Northern Chile
Chile
Truly a spectacular horse trek into the wild Andes range from the mountain "Los Patos", on to an extreme journey exploring the Chilean Andes and Argentian Andes borderlands. Following the historic route undertaken by the Army of Liberation, we tread on the 17th Century footsteps of those whom freed Chile of the Spaniards' rule in 1817. Learn about the Chilean "Huasos" and Argentinian "Guachos" and test your zest for adventure as you camp among the rugged and beautiful Andes mountains, your rustic camp framed by stunning glacier capped peaks as you revel in the splendor of the elevations. You will travel in the shadow of Aconcagua, the tallest mountain of all the Americas at an awe-inspiring 7050 meters in height and you will navigate difficult mountain passes such as the Aleton Pass, 300 meters over the bold river below. Even in the extreme elements, an abundance of wildlife will be present for the riders to discover - the furry camel relative Guanacos, chinchilla like Vizcachas and the impressive Condors, the largest flying land birds of the Western Hemisphere with a 10-foot wingspan! The semi-desert and mountain landscapes will keep you involved and alert with numerous fording rivers and streams to cross, rocky summits and mountain passes to challenge, and chance snowfalls on a colorful, isolated setting - perfect for the adventure camping trip of your life! You will be partnered with a mountain veteran - your sturdy Criollo bred horse - and accompanied by a guide and trusty pack mules to carry your camp essentials and belongings as we journey from destination to destination. Come navigate the Andes as you get a little insight into the life and times of the South American cowboy and relive a little bit of history in the steps of the courageous Army of Liberation.
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Meeting:
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Santiago
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Airport:
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Santiago
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Transfer:
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Santiago airport
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Riders:
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Min
6 riders
Max
15 riders
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Trip Rating
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Rates and Dates for 2009 | 2010
Rates include:
Accommodations - 2 nights Santiago hotel, 1 night in Upsallata hotel (Argentina), 7 nights camping, 7 riding days, all transfers, vineyard tour, all meals in camp and welcome dinner in Santiago, full camping gear (except for sleeping bag and mat), guides and camp staff.
| A | 2009 | 11 day camping ride, AP | 11d / 10n | $3200 |
| Single supplement (requested) | $70 |
Gratuity:
4
%
(to be paid locally)
Transfer Option:
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2009
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Transfer from Santiago airport pp (per group)
This is a "Group Rate" - to be paid locally
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$100
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Rates do not include:
Meals in hotels except Day 1. Alcoholic or soft drinks during hotel stays. Sleeping bag and mat. Gratuities - 4% suggested.
2010 ITINERARY
Day 01 - SANTIAGO AIRPORT - HOTEL
Reception at the airport. Transfer to the hotel. Tour on foot through Colonial and Functional Santiago. Visit to the Presidential Palace “La Moneda”. Lunch in a typical seafood restaurant in the Central Market, an old building where you can find the main national fruits in Santiago City. Welcoming Dinner in a restaurant with a folk show and Chilean customs. We can dance at the end of the show. Back to the hotel.
DAY 02 - SANTIAGO-SAN FELIPE-LOS PATOS
We will depart in the afternoon from Santiago to Panquehue, an area with big vineyards in Aconcagua Valley. We will visit the Sanchez de Loria Vineyard that belongs to a traditional family who are of Spanish descent. Then, we will continue our trip to Putaendo where we will have lunch in a typical restaurant. Later, we continue to Los Patos, find a place to camp before starting the
horse riding (1150 high meters) where the Chilean guard and International Police will check documents.
DAY 03 - LOS PATOS - EL CIENAGUITO
Here the Chilean muleteers are waiting for us to load up the animals begin the adventure. We will ascend from the Rocín River to arrive later in Los Cienaguitos (2200 High meters). We will cross the river several times and go through maitenes forests. The most typical aspect of this landscape is the semidesert vegetation - a lot of cacti and scarce vegetation. Camp and dinner around a friendly campfire.
DAY 04 - EL CIENAGUITO - VEGAS DEL CIENAGO
After a strong breakfast, we continue following the course of the Rocin River passing through Aletón pass (2330 high meters). Here we have to get off our horses and walk since the track is located more than 300 meters over the river in a very rocky and slippery place dangerous for the animals. This is one of the most difficult passes of the trip. During the journey, the vegetation is lower and we can appreciate small brush vegetation that is characteristic of the high Andean zone like the Goat Horn, thorny bushes and the showy “ Yareta”. Then we will continued the trip passing through “Las Vegas del Ciénago”. This place is covered with a large expanse of grass contrasting with the mountains and is a beautiful place to camp (2550 high meters). There we will report with the Chilean frontier guards. Camp and dinner in the same place.
DAY 05 - VEGAS DEL CIENAGO - VALLE HERMOSO
Early in the morning we continue following the course of the Rocín River until the Chile - Argentina frontier (3300 high meters). The animals will ascend slowly through narrow paths. Grass and bushes start to run short, but not the small flowers that suddenly emerge and surprise us. We will meet the Argentinean “gauchos” in the boundary. It will be inevitable not to compare the Huasos'
and Gauchos' clothes and also their way of working with the animals. It will be surprising to watch the different styles of loading, riding in the saddles, as we start the descent in Argentinean territory of Valle Hermoso, passing through, Volcanoe River. Camp and dinner - But before we must show the documentation at the Ingeniero Sardinas lodge (2600 high meters).
DAY 06 - VALLE HERMOSO- ING. SARDINAS
Active resting day. Today, we can get up later and have breakfast outdoors. We will walk a lot in order to become acclimatized and have wonderful views of the valley and its surroundings. There are optional trips available of the surrounding area and optional fishing as well. As a way of knowing better the zone, we will make a speech about : map reading, distance calculatión, the use a compass and emergency signals as a part of the essential knowledege for high land survival. Camp and dinner.
DAY 07 - VALLE HERMOSO- RIO LOS PATOS SUR-VEGA LARGA
Very early in the morning we begin the journey again. Here we find ourselves surrounded with grassy fields with puddles and a great variety of birdlife. We will discover intensive subaquatic and aquatic life in this valley which makes a contrast with the imposing mountain range of Cerro La Mesa (6.280 mt). The crossroad continues by the Los Patos River to later approach the last mountain range that is left to rise: The large fertile plain of La Honda Pass. Camp at the base of Vega Larga.
DAY 08 - VEGA LARGA - EL PEÑON
This day, the journey will be very hard for the animals because we must rise to the Espinacito range going through the hillside by La Honda pass at 4500 meters. The ascent is dramatic and we see the big effort the animals must make. We will rest and then continue again the trip to reach the top of the mountain. From this point, we will have a spectacular view of the Andes mountain range. Afterwards, we will start our descent to the Las Leñas River and we reach at last El Peñón, where we will camp.
DAY 09 - EL PEÑON-LAS LEÑAS RIVER-MANANTIALES-HORNILLAS-USPALLATAS
After leaving our camp we will continue along the Las Leñas River arriving in Manantiales. Beautiful fertile plains are found at these altitudes. Here we can see one of the most amazing rock formations in all of the journey. It’s really like quite like being in the far west. Afterwards we will descend to Hornillas, through the black pampa where a vehicle waits to take us to the Barreal Pèqueño
Oasis, a small village at the base of the mountain range. We will continue to the journey by minibus to Uspallata in the county of Mendoza. Arrival to Uspallata and overnight at a hotel.
DAY 10 - USPALLATA-LOS LIBERTADORES-SANTIAGO HOTEL
After breakfast, we shall prepare to return from Uspallata to Santiago, crossing the frontier through the Los Libertadores Pass. This track is a work of art built in the middle of the mountains! In the Argentinian side, it ascends right through, while on the Chilean side there are many big curves on the path to Los Libertadores Customs where we will have to show our passports once more and do the migration procedures. Our descent through the Andes, now on the Chilean side, has more vegetation, but it is at the same time has become much steeper. Arrival in Santiago in the evening. Farewell dinner.
DAY 11 - SANTIAGO HOTEL – AIRPORT
Breakfast and transfer to the Santiago Airport. End of our services.
Meeting:
Santiago
Airport:
Santiago
Transfer:
Santiago airport
Distance:
40 miles
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Tack:
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Chilean working saddle and corralera
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Horses:
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Criollos and Criollo crosses.
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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. Physically demanding trip.
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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
18
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Max
70
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Weight:
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Max
220 lbs
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Riders:
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Min
6 riders
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Max
15 riders
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DIFFICULTY
This type of circuit doesn’t present too many technical difficulties,
nevertheless a good physical condition is required - that means, people
who normally practice some sort of outdoor activities!
The minimum age is 18 years old and the maximum age is dependent on your physical condition or health.
The greatest difficulties faced on the circuit are extreme high altitudes, wind conditions & poor physical condition of your body!
IMPORTANT
For this circuit each participant has to do the necessary arrangements to enter in Argentina or Chile (visa and permits)! See further down for details.
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
The climate in the Andes varies greatly depending on location, altitude, and proximity to the sea. The southern section is rainy and cool, the central Andes are dry. The northern Andes are typically rainy and warm.
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*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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Accommodations - 2 nights Santiago hotel (Chile), 1 night in Upsallata hotel (Argentina), 7 nights camping!
This trip includes
some wine with dinner
and can accommodate special dietary requests.
DIFFICULTY
This type of circuit doesn’t present too many technical difficulties,
nevertheless a good physical condition is required - that means, people
who normally practice some sort of outdoor activities!
The minimum age is 18 years old and the maximum age is dependent on your physical condition or health.
The greatest difficulties faced on the circuit are extreme high altitudes, wind conditions & poor physical condition of your body!
IMPORTANT
For this circuit each participant has to do the necessary arrangements to enter in Argentina or Chile (visa and permits)! See further down for details.
|
Tack:
|
|
Chilean working saddle and corralera
|
|
Horses:
|
|
Criollos and Criollo crosses.
|
|
Pace:
|
|
On mountain trails mostly walking. The terrain is the challenge rather than speed. We ride up to 7 hours a day. Physically demanding trip.
|
Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
|
|
Level:
|
|
(2.5
to
4
out of 5) Low Intermediate+
|
|
Age:
|
|
Min
18
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Max
70
|
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Weight:
|
|
Max
220 lbs
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Riders:
|
|
Min
6 riders
|
Max
15 riders
|
|
DIFFICULTY
This type of circuit doesn’t present too many technical difficulties,
nevertheless a good physical condition is required - that means, people
who normally practice some sort of outdoor activities!
The minimum age is 18 years old and the maximum age is dependent on your physical condition or health.
The greatest difficulties faced on the circuit are extreme high altitudes, wind conditions & poor physical condition of your body!
IMPORTANT
For this circuit each participant has to do the necessary arrangements to enter in Argentina or Chile (visa and permits)! See further down for details.
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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Andes Extreme - Chile to Argentina
Tour Code: IT-CHRT05
11 days /
10 nights
~$3,200.00
Difficulty :
Lodging: 
Introduction
Day to Day Itinerary
Rates |
Dates
Accomodation
Tack:
Chilean working saddle and corralera
Horses:
Criollos and Criollo crosses.
Pace:
On mountain trails mostly walking. The...
Walk, Trot, Canter,
Airport:
Santiago
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Climate
What To Bring
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