Transfer Option:

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.

Riding helmets are not a legal requirement in Argentina, but this is no reason for not wearing one. We have a few to lend but recommend, for a safer, better fit, that you bring your own. If you do not intend wearing a hard hat which is also fine, it is useful to have a hat with a wide brim (also good if it happens to rain).

Dress is always casual. There is a laundry service at Huechahue (extra cost).

While on the pack trip across the Andes we provide sleeping bags, thermo rests (in Chile inflatable mattresses) and tents.
There is one night when you will not be met by vehicle at the camp site. For this night all camping gear including sleeping bags, tents and food are carried on  pack horses. There will be no thermo rests this night but you will use your saddle and sheepskin as the gauchos do. 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.
On all the other nights there will be a vehicle, however space in the vehicle is limited to one hand luggage size bag per person which we provide.

In this bag you will need:
A change of clothes
A light pair of shoes, e.g. plimsolls - for when you want to take your boots off
A set of thermal underwear - a light way of carrying extra warmth, hopefully unnecessary
Rain gear – jacket and trousers. Please note that whilst the Argentine side is semi-desert, the Chilean side is rain-forest.
Swimwear.
Wash bag.
Towel
A small torch.

The rest of your luggage will be transferred to Panqui to await your arrival, you will meet up with this on the border and have a chance to rearrange things.
If you are returning to Huechahue you may leave luggage at Huechahue.

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.

The trip starts at the estancia. There are three guest lodges just a stroll across the lawn from the main farmhouse. We have eight twin/double rooms, all with bathroom en-suite and there are communal sitting room areas in each cabin.
On the camping expedition, guests will sleep in two person tents. Good quality, down sleeping bags are provided. Camp staff provide the preparation of tents and meals, and also look after the horses. One night of the camping portion does not have any vehicle support. That day all camping gear etc is transported on pack horses. Consequently, that night camping is a bit more rustic than the other nights!

Meals at the estancia are served in the dinning room of the main house and guests gather for drinks in front of the fire in the living room. Alternatively we make use of the 'quincho', our function room, with an open fire pit perfect for 'asados' and dancing if the occasion arises! During the camping trip, meals are prepares by the staff and are usually "Asado Style" - grilled over the open fire.
Lunch and dinner are large meals in Argentina. Ham and bacon from our pigs are cured in the smoke-house, eggs come from the chicken run; milk and home made yogurt from the dairy cow and of course our own beef, venison and wild boar. With our large orchards, fruit is in abundance and all the preserves, bottle fruit, even the apple juice are homemade! There is a large vegetable garden and bread is freshly baked on a daily basis!
Argentine wines are finally achieving international recognition and we like to serve wines from the province. The beers and spirits are good too - we always have a siesta!
We can cater for different dietary requirements - but please give us prior notice.

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

Tack:		Chilean type saddle with a sheepskin on top
Horses:		Criollos
Pace:		5 to 8 hours riding a day - must be fit enough to ride extended periods at the canter. Slower pace on the Chilean side. | Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(3 to 4 out of 5)    Good Intermediate
Age:		Min 12	Max 70
Weight:		Max 250 lbs
Riders:		Min 6 riders	Max 14 riders

An Adventure on Horseback from Argentina to Chile - this is a wild and rugged ride across one of the world's largest mountain chains dividing two countries which may speak the same language but couldn't be more different!

Moderate with trots and good canters, slower riding on the Chilean side due to the terrain. Some long days in the saddle.

It is a fairly challenging ride and therefore it is essential that all riders are physically fit.

The estancia is home to about 80 horses and with 15,000 acres, as much as is possible they live as 'wild' horses. Our prize-winning Crillo stallion, a beautiful 'lobuno' colour can be seen taking care of his mares and foals. Our riding horses are criollo crosses, part anglo-normando, of about 15.5 hh. They are bred and trained on the Estancia and are sure- footed and well behaved. As much as possible we like to have them out enjoying the freedom of the water meadows which makes for an exciting ride rounding them up! We ask arriving guests to provide us with an insight into their riding experience and history so we can try and get a feel for the type of horse would be a good match. We have an eclectic selection of horses allowing us to cater to all riding abilities and confidence levels. They are neck-reined and the riding is similar to Western style. The saddles used are "montura de monte" which are similar to old English army saddles with a sheepskin on top. Following traditional gaucho methods, you will find only the stirrups have buckles on our saddles. The saddles are sinched using leather hide, a custom not forgotten from the days when gauchos, like the American cowboy, would ride into the wilderness unable to replace a broken buckle. Our gauchos continue to practice this and you will see them fully equipped with their lassos, gaucho knives and boleros.

Passports
Valid passport required by all nationals referred to in chart. The minimum passport validity is equivalent to the time granted by the immigration authorities.

Visas
Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for either business or tourism for stays of up to 90 days (extensions for a further 90 days are possible for some nationals; contact the consulate for details). \
Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements.
Visa Note
Argentine minors traveling to or from Argentina, if unaccompanied by their parents or traveling with a single parent, must carry their parents’ or legal guardian’s authorisation to travel, which must be certified by an Argentine Consul if issued abroad. Fines will be levied if passengers do not comply with immigration requirements and passengers will be deported.