Your trip starts at a 15,000-acre ranch with 900-head of cattle, located in the Andean foothills, 45 miles from San Martin de los Andes.
The landscape is made up of shrub covered hills, table-tops, craggy rock outcrops, and wide-open water-meadows. The Lanin Volcano (13,000 ft.) and the Andes mountains create a stunning backdrop to this distinct landscape. The riding at the estancia is forward-going and interesting with different sights each day. A 3 day pack trip extension into the Lanin National Park rounds off a great adventure in Argentina.
The riding on the estancia provides glorious views of the vast grasslands. You ride through barren rolling hills and along the narrow rocky gorges of the Andean streams, to the tops of the hills where the mighty Andes rise up behind you and the vastness of Patagonia stretches out before you, whilst eagles and condors fly beside you. You can gallop across the water-meadows sending the Ibis and Plover screeching and visit the burial caves of the Mapuche Indians. You can ford the river and ride up through the neighboring Indian reservation, stopping to share a mate on the way.
The Estancia is a working cattle ranch, and guests can always help the gauchos round up and work the cattle. Often there are short cattle drives moving some of the herd to new pastures. You can also help round up the horses. The riding is forward going at all paces throughout the estancia portion of the trip. If you like a good long canter or gallop, this is the place for you.
Amongst the wildlife to be seen are red deer, wild boar, rhea, guanaco, armadillos, black-necked swans, ibis, plovers, burrowing parrots, eagles, vultures and the Andean condor. The area is also renowned for its trout fishing.

On the slow moving pack trips you ride deep into Lanin National Park in the heart of the Andes. You ride through dense forests of southern beech and bamboo thickets. From the tops of the ridges there are breathtaking views, in the valleys there are tumbling streams and undiscovered lakes. You ride through the world's only indigenous forests of Monkey Puzzle trees, and across lunar landscapes of black ash, a legacy of the recent volcanic activity in the area.
While packing there is no choice but to camp (usually 2 nights). We make this as comfortable as possible with two-man tents. We provide all the equipment necessary, including good quality sleeping bags. The set-up of camp, cooking, and care of the horses are all arranged by the gauchos.

The Estancia is very comfortable, comprised of two guesthouses; two rooms have double beds and the rest are twin beds. All rooms have private bathrooms. There is a hot tub and tennis court near the house.

On camping expeditions, guests sleep in two person tents. Good quality, down sleeping bags are provided. Camp staff arrange all preparation of tents and meals, and also look after the horses.

Meals: All meals at the Estancia are served in the dining room of the main house. Lunch and dinner are large meals in Argentina. Dinner is late (never before 9 pm and sometimes not until 11pm). Argentine beef is justly renowned both for its quality and quantity. The estancia is virtually self -sufficient. Ham and Bacon are cured in the smokehouse, vegetables are grown in the greenhouse, fruit comes from the orchards, eggs from the chicken run, and milk from the dairy cow. Lunch is often an "asado" - the traditional Argentine barbecue. Vegetarians can be catered for with prior notice.

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

Criollo crosses, bred on the Estancia. 15 to 16.5 hands. Broken to neck-rein. They are sure footed and well-mannered.

Day 1: We will meet you at the Chapelco airport- San Martin de Los Andes or Bariloche airport, and drive you to the estancia (approx. 1/2hour, 2 hours respectively). After lunch there will be an afternoon ride giving you a chance to familiarize yourself with the horses, tack, and the local riding style.

Day 2: A full days ride on the estancia with an "asado" lunch. Follow the Huechahue stream through its basalt canyons, riding as fast as you want across the water-meadows sending the plovers and ibis screeching, before returning over the top of Chenque Hill, where the Andes rise up behind you and the vastness of Patagonia stretches out before you.

Day 3: A day spent working cattle with the gauchos. Lunch with the gauchos is strips of beef ribs threaded onto a stick and cooked over the open fire. A siesta in the shade and a chance to separate the cows on horseback or try your hand with a lasso.

Day 4: A full days ride takes us to our destination - the Indian burial caves. The caves were formed when the glaciers carved the valley, creating an opening into the lava flow tunnels which were formed during previous eras of volcanic activity. The Tehuelche Indians laid out their dead, surrounded by their weapons in a place where they could see their enemies coming. They decorated the walls with elaborate designs. The remains have disappeared, but the petroglyphs are still there.

Day 5: A morning's ride to see our stallion with the mares and new foals, and a chance to herd horses. After a late lunch there will be an evening ride to the cliffs where the condors and eagles nest. While we have a cocktail and the sun goes down, the condors return, they soar above and below us before settling for the night - a remarkable site.

Day 6 Estancia Only Trip: A farewell ride on the Estancia before transferring to the airport.

Day 6 to Day 8- Pack Trip: A 3 day pack trip in the Andes Mountains. The exact itinerary will depend on the time of year and weather / snow conditions. (Please note that if there is still a lot of snow in November the pack trips might be 2 day / 1 night camping.) You will go into the mountains by vehicle. Ride through the spectacular scenery of the southern Andes with its snow capped volcanoes, crystal clear lakes and pristine forests. Nights are spent camping in carefully chosen, picturesque campsites by a lake shore or at a stream's edge. These are rides into the wilderness. Everything is carried on pack horses and the camping is simple. The terrain itself generally dictates a slow pace. At the end return transport will be waiting to bring you back to the estnacia for baths, dinner and good beds!

Day 9: A farewell ride before transferring to the airport.

Other Info
Meeting: San Martin de los Andes - Chaleco
Airport: Chapelco airport) San Martin de los Andes
Transfer: Chapelco - San Martin de los Andes airport /Bariloche upon special request

Summer: The weather is generally hot and dry during the day with a maximum temperature between 22 and 35 deg. C. As we are at 700m, and on treks considerably higher, it always cools down at night, generally to between 5 and 10 deg. C., on treks it can be colder. It rarely rains but it is necessary to be prepared with adequate raingear.

Fall: Days are mild-cool and nights are cold. During the day, temperatures may vary between 4ºC and 13ºC. This is the rainiest season and in general, with gentle rains during the night.

Winter: Cold days with snowfalls in the surrounding mountains. During the day, temperatures range between 1ºC and 10ºC.

Spring: Days are still cool and nights cold. Days become longer and longer and temperatures rise gradually during the day, reaching marks between 7ºC and 20ºC by the end of the season.

It rarely rains - however it is necessary to be prepared with adequate raingear.
The best way to dress is in layers - a T-shirt, shirt, pullover (or fleece which is light and dries quickly), and a jacket to give protection against wind and rain.
Footwear that is SAFE for riding.
Protection against the sun, which is very strong. Sun block, lip balm and if you do not intend wearing a hard hat, a hat with a wide brim (also good if it happens to rain).
Dress is always casual. There is a free same day laundry service at Huechahue (although we ask that you take laundry charges elsewhere into account when you come to tip the staff).

Pack Trips: The pack trips are very strenuous for the horses and packing space is limited. All the camping gear including sleeping bags, tents and food are carried on the pack horses. Each guest is provided with a set of saddle bags for their personal possessions - change of clothes, toiletries, camera etc. Jackets and pullovers can be tied to the back of the saddle.

It is suggested that you take a change of clothes in case you get wet.
-A light pair of shoes, e.g. sneakers - for when you want to take your boots off.
- A set of thermal underwear - a light way of carrying extra warmth, hopefully unnecessary.
- Wash bag and small towel
- A small flashlight

Good quality sleeping bags, waterproof over-trousers and ponchos (which are both warm and waterproof) are provided.
A back-up vehicle generally meets up with the trek every couple of days. You can leave everything you want in the back up vehicle that way you only need to take with you on your horse what you need for a couple of days.

Fishing Gear: Four, five weight rods with floating line. Chest waders. A selection of flies suitable for fishing in Montana works well - woolly worm, woolly bugger, pancora, matuka, adams, hare's ear, prince nymphs etc. On pack trips it is best to take a smuggler type rod - it is very difficult to transport long rods through dense forests without damaging them. There are some rods available for borrowing.

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