Transfer Option:

A SAMPLE WEEK OF RIDING AT THE ESTANCIA...

Day 1 : You will be met by your host at the Chapelco airport, San Martin de los Andes and driven to the Estancia (approx. 30 min..). After lunch there will be an afternoon ride. A chance to familiarize yourself with the horses and tack and the way we ride. 

Day 2 : A full days ride 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 : You will spend the day with the gauchos rounding up cattle into the corrals. Lunch with the gauchos is strips of beef ribs threaded onto a stick and cooked over the open fire. You cut off the chunk and eat it sandwich style. Meat, bread and mate - the gaucho diet. After a siesta in the shade you will get the chance to separate the cows on horseback or try your hand with a lasso.

Day 4 : A full days ride on the estancia to visit the Indian burial caves. The caves were formed when the glaciers carved the valley opening an entrance to the lava flow tunnels formed during previous eras of volcanic activity. The Tehuelche Indians laid out their dead, surrounded by their weapons and always somewhere where they could see their enemies coming. They decorated the walls with designs. The remains have disappeared, but the petroglyphs and the view 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.

Day 6 : A days ride through the neighboring Indian reservation. Our saddle rugs and saddle bags are woven by some of the Indian women and the skins from the cows we butcher are worked into rawhide and then bridles and halters by the men. We will pass by to see what progress is being made and to share a "mate" on our way through.

Day 7 : A farewell ride on the Estancia before transferring to the airport.

Pack Trip Option:
A 3 day pack trip into the Andes mountains. The exact itinerary will depend on the time of year and weather / snow conditions. You may depart from the estancia itself or you may go into the mountains by vehicle. You will 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 estancia for baths, dinner and good beds!

2011 Pack Dates:

26, 27, 28 December, 2011

On the 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.

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

Tack:		Chilean-type saddle with a sheepskin on top
Horses:		Criollo crosses, bred on the Estancia. 15 to 16.5 hands. Broken to the neck-reining method. They are sure footed and well-mannered.
Pace:		Moderate, trots, canters and gallops. 6 hours a day
Level:		(3 to 4 out of 5)    Intermediate+
Age:		Min 8
Weight:		Max 220 lbs
Riders:		Min 2 riders	Max 12 riders

Huechahue is home to about 80 horses and with 15,000 acres, as much as is possible they live as 'wild' horses. Our prize-winning Criollo 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 1/2 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 cinched using leatherhide, 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.

Suited for the rider with riding experience only ...  Non riders have excellent opportunities for fishing in rivers and lakes. All the fishing on the estancia is included, however, if guests want the services of a professional guide or wish to fish some of the other nearby local rivers there are substantial extra charges.

Explore the Region!

You can 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; Watch condors and eagles as they float high above you. Gallop across water meadows or visit the Indian burial caves where ancient drawings can still be seen on the walls. You might also ride through the neighboring Indian reservation, help the gauchos work the cattle or have a game of polo-crosse.

Working cattle on horseback is challenging and fun and brings out the gaucho spirit lurking in all of us!

Huechahue is not a dude ranch - it is the real thing! When working cattle we start early in the mornings and days can be long, every animal must be found, every canyon and hilltop scouted, behind bushes or down creeks - but there is tremendous satisfaction when the job is done. The time of year determines what needs to be done but it can include round-ups, vaccinating, separating, branding, moving cattle and horses to new pastures. Herding horses at speed is magic! There are opportunities for lassoing enthusiasts and everyone is welcome to get involved with gaucho life.

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.