Day 1: Transfer (2:30 PM) from the colonial city La Serena to the Hacienda. Time for Jacuzzi, sauna, a walk across the 1,000 acres nature reserve. Dinner. Overnight stay in a room with private bath.

Day 2: American breakfast and meeting of the team to go over the tour itinerary. You will get to know your horse and the Chilean riding style (similar to Western). The first ride through the valley Rio Hurtado reaches an idyllic mountain village. Picnic in the garden of the Plaza. Returning to the Hacienda through the Andean landscape. Dinner in front of the fireplace. Overnight stay at the Hacienda.

Day 3: Breakfast. Packing saddle bags. Riding along the gold diggers path through the calmness of the Sierra passing through lonely valleys. It leads us through canyons finally reaching the Andean plateau Oro Blanco - white gold. In the afternoon, we leave the wilderness behind and stay overnight at a hermitage. We camp and have dinner under fig trees. Overnight stay in comfortable Hilleberg tents with inflatable sleeping-mat and warm sleeping bag.

Day 4: Andean breakfast: home-made bread, goats cheese, sausage and fresh eggs. Starting from the oasis, which is at a elevation of  6,000 feet, we ride along the historic mule path of the gold diggers up into the Andes. We are surrounded by a gigantic panorama, tremendous overlook and untouched nature. Lunch break at a spring. The afternoon takes us through a canyon to the Rio Hurtado. In the evening we reach the goatherd village Las Breas where we camp beside the river and enjoy dinner over a camp fire.

Day 5: Breakfast with a local family. After meeting the local people we continue our tour. The track winds through the wide Andean valley passing small, idyllic villages. Picnic in a small village inn. Returning to the Hacienda along shepherds paths. Time for Jacuzzi, a swim in the river or sunbathing under the palm tree. Dinner and overnight stay at the Hacienda.

Day 6 : Big breakfast. Today, we are after another adventure with our horses: the Inca-trail. We cross two passes and visit the cave drawings of the Molle Indians who lived with the Inca. You will have a totally different landscape than before: Wide Andean plateaus, small valleys, natural meadows and animals. Picnic lunch. Passing the colorful Sierra and in the evening we are guests at a 120 years old, simple pioneer farm. Overnight stay in tents beside the mountain stream. Camp fire, meeting people, and stories.

Day 7: We experience the romantic and lonely Andes in the saddle. Along the Inca-trail we cross a pass and come through lonely valleys to the ceremony place Laguna. Glaciers and peaks are the features of this panorama. Picnic. We follow an ancient trading track which still leads to Argentina. Riding across a romantic Western style landscape for hours. Back at the Hacienda it is time for relaxing: sunbathing, swimming in the river, relaxing in the hammock. Dinner and overnight stay at the Hacienda.

Day 8: After breakfast transfer to the airport in La Serena. Certainly, you may stay some more days at the Hacienda and join other activities.

There are 310 sunny days a year. The Hacienda  is situated in the typical dry Andean climate of South America at heights of 1000 metres. As a rule, temperatures at night are around 50°F (10°C) colder than temperatures by day.

• fleece clothes to keep you warm during the cool nights in the Andes
• light and comfortable trekking shoes for hiking and riding (do not worry, there are no poisonous snakes in Chile!)
• a good pair of sunglasses, headgear and sun cream

Haciendas are a type of organisation for country farms of several hundred acres and were introduced by the Spaniards in South America in the 16th century. A lot of workers were needed to tend the livestock, till the ground and bring in the harvest. In the past, the Hacienda was centre of life for the people. Also for us the hacienda is the centre of life surrounded by a marvellous nature. The 1000 acre ranch property reaches from the river to the top of the Cerro Gigante mountain.

What’s included in my trip?
Transfer, in and out of the hacienda from / to La Serena-Airport, Ovalle and Vicuña.
3 overnight stays in comfort tents (Hillerberg)
4 overnight stays at the Hacienda.
All meals
Equipment for riding explorations: comfortable Gaucho-saddle with sheep-fur padding, sleeping bag and clean inlet, thermal mat, tent, personal pannier (cup etc.), ice-box, thermo bottle, by request safety helmet, sombrero head and riding gaiters, first aid kit, saddle bags and finally one of our well trained and calm Chilean mountain horses
Any facilities of the Hacienda such as nature trail and river access (sauna and jacuzzi not included in price). 
Explorations accompanied by English, German and Spanish speaking guides

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

The saddles provided are Chilean type, which are called Avios. Its origin is Spanish and they have been designed specially for long trips. Its wooden mount, reinforced with iron, is cushioned with “chiporro” and protected with leather. The other clothing beneath the saddle is called: batán, pellón and matra, and are normally laid on ground by gauchos to provide a soft and warm bed.

Tack:		Gaucho-saddle with sheep-fur padding
Horses:		Criollos
Pace:		4 - 7 hour/day - Slow paced | Walk | Trot |
Level:		(2 out of 5)    Novice+
Age:		Min 12	Max 70
Weight:		Max 220 lb
Riders:		Min 2 riders	Max 8 riders

The saddles provided are Chilean type, which are called Avios. Its origin is Spanish and they have been designed specially for long trips. Its wooden mount, reinforced with iron, is cushioned with “chiporro” and protected with leather. The other clothing beneath the saddle is called: batán, pellón and matra, and are normally laid on ground by gauchos to provide a soft and warm bed.

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 .