Transfer and Other Charges:

Sample Itinerary - Subject to changes.

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

Day 2: After breakfast we meet at 9:30 am with the team for a tour briefing. You will meet and get to know your horse and the Chilean riding style (similar to Western style), and of course, our safety precautions. We set off at 10:00 am after having packed all we need for our trip and head into the wilderness towards Hurtado. We will take lunch today under a Algarrobo tree and afterwards make our way along the Ruta Antakari towards vicuña and after a long climb we finally reach the height of 3000 meters. The crystal clear air at this level lets us enjoy the remarkable views over the Rio Hurtado Valley. Tonight we will set up camp at a goat herding station and enjoy our dinner around the campfire.

Day 3: After the first night in wilderness we enjoy the breakfast before packing up and starting the days ride. Today we will make our way through the high plateaus of the Cerro Negro and witness extreme contrasts of nature. Minerals in the rock allow the Sierra to shine in many colors making for a wonderful landscape. We have lunch under an old tree before we start our journey back to the Hacienda. On our way back we will follow the path of a dry riverbed and here we can admire the distinct rock formations created by the water that once ran along here. Once we reach the Hacienda we have time to relax and we can even enjoy a bath in the Rio Hurtado. In the evening we will serve a three course diner in the Haciendas garden.

Day 4: After a rich breakfast at the hacienda we prepare what we will need to reach our next destination of Maitén. We pass through wild plateaus and canyons, ride the endless Sierra and enjoy a picnic lunch and a traditional siesta. In the afternoon, we pass over heights of 2000 meters. Crystal clear air allows magical views down the valleys of the Andes. We camp in an oasis of the Andes called Maiten. In front of a camp fire we serve dinner and enjoy the beautiful colors of the sunset.

Day 5: After spending a calm night next to the camp fire we will have breakfast and start our tour to Las Breas. We continue to climb up the Sierra enjoying the beautiful views over heights of 2800 meters. Perhaps we are lucky to see the snow covered Andean Mountains at the horizon. We have lunch close to a big tree in an old dry river. In Las Breas we overnight at the house of  Fernando-a Chilean friend of the Hacienda. It is up to you to choose if you want to sleep outside in a tent or inside in a bed. Tonight we will have dinner together with a Chilean family and exchange information about our different cultures.

Day 6 : After breakfast we leave to explore the surroundings of Las Breas. We will find some old and original Inca paintings on the rocks. In the afternoon we come back to Fernandos house where we spend another night. You will have time to take a cold, but fresh bath in the River Hurtado. You can also relax, lying in the sun and preparing your energy for your next ride.

Day 7: Today we pack our belongings for the last time and leave the village of Las Breas in order to go back to the hacienda on a ride through valleys, passing small rivers and villages. We cross an old horse racing place where many Chileans have bet and lost their money on a Sunday afternoon. We will arrive at the hacienda around 3 o´clock. Just in time to take a fresh shower end enjoy the rest of the afternoon in our garden, listening to the sound of the river and the birds.

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

The above sample itinerary is subject to changes at the discretion of the tour operator.

Click here for Norte Chico Condor Trail

La Serena area

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

Spring (September to November)
The average temperature by day 68°F (20°C)

Summer (December to March)
The average temperature by day 77°F (25°C), may become even warmer until 86°F (30°C)

Autumn (April to May)
The average temperature by day 68°F (20°C)

Winter (June to August)
The average temperature by day 59/68°F (15/20°C). During winter it might be cloudy and it also might rain for a couple of hours.

Here are some last ideas about what to bring with you in order to be well prepared for the trip:
- Warm clothes/jacket for the nights and also during the day, because especially on the third and fourth day we will reach altitudes about 3.800 meters and it will be windy during the trip (waterproofed and wind proofed clothes are recommendable)
- Cap, a scarf and cloves
- Warm wool socks for the nights in the sleeping bags
- Good trekking shoes
- In case a small pillow for the sleeping bag
- In case a book or e-book
- Camera
- Flash light
- Sun cream with a high protection factor and balm lipstick
- Sunhat or riding helmet (we can also provide it in case that you don´t want to bring your own one)
- Ear tip (crowing roosters, snoring companions)
- Sanitary tampon
- Small towel
- Medication
- In case bathing suite

This is what we provide for the trip:
- Comfortable Gaucho-saddle or trekking saddle “Wintec” with sheep-fur padding
- Sleeping bag and clean inlet
- Thermal self-inflate mat
- Tent (depending on the weather condition)
- Personal pannier (cup etc.), ice-box, thermo bottle
- Safety helmet or sombrero head and riding gaiters
- First aid kit
- Saddle bags
- GPS-Messenger

The hacienda is a gateway to the wilderness of the Andes... Enjoy best local cuisine, selected Chilean wines, traditional architecture and culture.

For our meals we use exclusively local products of traditional cultivation that we obtain directly from the small holding farmers of the Río Hurtado valley. Feel free to visit these friendly and open people in search of delicious fruits, cheese and vegetables and contact to the local folks.

The Hacienda has six comfortable colonial style guest rooms: each with a private bathroom and a garden with a view of the Andes. 310 sunny days per year, an extremely versatile nature and the crystal clear air are an invitation to spend unforgettable days in the Andes. The starry nights and the unspoiled wilderness offer you vacations close to nature and pure relaxation and recreation.

HACIENDA STANDARD Room
Single or Double Beds, private Bathroom with Shower, wardrobe, table and chairs,

HACIENDA SUITE
Double Bed, writing desk with chair, bench, table and chairs, wardrobe, bathtub and shower

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 .