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High Andes Cattle Drive
Central
Chile
For centuries, the beginning of Fall, marks the time when Gauchos ride 700.000 hectares Summer range in the High Andes to round up and drive the cattle back to the Winter range. This tradition is still alive in Chile and ready for enjoyment. A herd of 2000 cows and their calves and 30 gauchos and their dogs drive them down from deep in the Andes to the corrals. Four exhilarating days driving cattle. Then, in the ancient corrals, the task is sorting, branding, doctoring. A lot of work and adrenaline, joy and excitement until every cow is handed out to its owner.
The Criollo horses, the mules and the gauchos belong to our Crossing of the Andes Chilean team ride. We have been working together for many, many years.
This is the perfect program to enjoy horses to its maximum, fully blending with the rider. It is for a small group of experienced riders, willing to experience the authentic, essential and unspoilt life of the gaucho and cattle drives in the High Andes. You will be required to ride your horse off track in steep mountain terrain. I hope you can join us in this unique adventure that runs just once a year.
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Cattle Drive, Round Up
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Meeting:
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Los Patos
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Airport:
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Santiago
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Transfer:
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Santiago de Chile airport
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Riders:
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Min
4 riders
Max
8 riders
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Trip Brochure (PDF) 
Trip Rating
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Rates include:
Accommodations (1 night hotel at Los Andes, Chile– shared rooms, 3 nights camping in the mountains, 2 nights camping in Los Patos (with bathroom). All meals and beverages during the ride. Picnic lunches. English speaking guide, gauchos, horses, pack mules, camping equipment. Cooking equipment and table ware. First aid kits for people and horses. Oxygen bottle. Iridium satellite phone for emergency calls.
| A | 2012 | 7 day trip, AP | 7d / 6n | $1290 |
| Single supplement (to pay locally) | $350 |
Transfer Option:
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2012
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Transfer from Santiago around noon is included on Day 1
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Trasfer from Santiago around noon on Day 1. Drop off Santiago on last day in the afternoon.
Rates do not include:
Last night dinner. Chile entry fee (between $100 to $130 depending on Nationality)
Day 1 – Arrive Santiago de Chile, Chile: Transfer to Los Patos at preset time around noon. Night at base camp. Welcome dinner with your guides and the rest of the group.
Day 2 – Start of cattle drive: We leave early in the morning and up into the High Andes through the Chalaco Pass. We split in groups to round up cattle in an assigned area. At the end of the day, the whole group gathers the cattle at Los Llanos camp where we spend the night, share the stories of the day and perhaps fish some trouts.
Day 3 – Cattle drive (cont.): Breakfast. Early in the morning we start rounding up cattle and branding calves. Each group screens its area and, when the job is done, sends the message to the others through smoke signals. Las Vegas del Negro, Yaretal, Cruzada de la Vaca Blanca, la Vega Redonda, Quebrada de la Zanja take us deep into the Andes mountains, very close to the Argentinean border. Pure adrenaline. Night at camp at Los Llanos.
Day 4 – Cattle drive (cont.): Breakfast. The roundup goes on at 3000 to 3500 meters altitude. Everywhere we can see herds of wild lamas and the condor in the blue sky. Camp at Vega Rajada at 2570 meters altitude and ancient Indian settlement.
Day 5 – Cattle drive (end) and corral work: Cattle gathered in the past 3 days is driven along the Chalaco river to the ancient corrals at Los Patos. They were built in stone over 200 years ago and ever since used by the local community. Lunch and get ready to start sort, brand, doctor, etc. each of the 2000 cows. A lot of work and adrenaline while the local Food and Drug Administration officers check the health of the heard. It is now when gaucho and horse blend together in a reining exhibition that made them world famous. You can just decide to relax and watch or get you and your horse into the corral and join the gauchos! Night in camp at Los Patos.
Day 6 – Corral work (end): The task goes on. Little by little the corrals are getting empty as cattle is shipped by its owners. When the work is over, it is time to celebrate for a job well done with a big barbecue. So big, it will probably be the largest you have and will see in your entire life. Transfer to Los Andes. Night at hotel. Dinner not included.
Day 7 – Los Andes: Breakfast. We will visit a famous traditional Chilean tack shop. Your Chilean experience would not be complete without a visit at a local winery. During this private visit, we will have the chance to taste some of their best wines. Transfer to Santiago de Chile. End of the program.
Note: Whilst we
always endeavor to avoid changes before and during the program and
cancellations, we must reserve the right to do so due to unusual or
unforeseeable circumstances, including acts of man or nature which so
require.
Meeting:
Los Patos
Airport:
Santiago
Transfer:
Santiago de Chile airport
Trasfer from Santiago around noon on Day 1. Drop off Santiago on last day in the afternoon.
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Tack:
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Chilean
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Horses:
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Chilean Criollos
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Pace:
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Only for experienced riders. Must be in good physical condition and able to ride in rough, rugged terrain. Must be capable to walk, trot and canter. 6 to 9 riding hours during rounjd up. 2 days of working in the corral.
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Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
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Level:
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(3
to
4
out of 5) Good Intermediate
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Riders:
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Min
4 riders
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Max
8 riders
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7 days. 4 days cattle drive -- 6-9 hrs /day, 2 days working in the corrals.
Only for experienced riders. Must be in good physical condition and able to ride in rough, rugged terrain. Must be capable to walk, trot and canter.
We travel light and keep camping gear to a minimum.
Passport and Visa Requirements:
PassportsPassport valid for at least six months required by nationals referred to in the chart.Passport NotePassports issued to children must contain a photo and state the nationality.VisasNot require. more
In case you do not have some of the items, we will be happy to help you get them.
During the ride it is much better to keep your personal clothing and items light! Normally, you only use half of what you take along. As these are pack trips we provide saddlebags to place your personal items. You can leave everything you will not need at the starting point and pick it back upon return (except Crossing of the Andes).
Clothing and Luggage
- Sleeping bag: Comfort at 0º C, and -10º C for the Crossing of the Andes ride. We do not provide camping sleeping mats but in Argentina, we normally use the saddle sheepskins which are available. In Chile, due to the type of saddles, you will probably want to use sleeping mats
- Two changes of clothes: loose pants, long sleeve shirts which protect better from the sun than t-shirts. For the cold weather it is better to carry along a few thin warm clothes (t-shirts, undershirts, etc) than only one thick garment. Polar sweaters do well both in summer and winter
- Warm undershirt and underpants
- Waterproof jacket and/or poncho
- Hat (not a cap) and riding helmet
- Neckerchief
- Gloves (optional)
- Swimsuit
- Trekking shoes or riding boots
- Half chaps
- Sneakers (the ones that can get wet)
- Rain cape.
Hygiene
- Personal hygiene items such as soap, shampoo, toothbrush, tooth paste, etc, in small packaging
- Small towel
- Larger towel to leave at the base camp
- Wet tissues (optional)
Health
- No specific vaccine is mandatory in this region but as for any outdoors activity we recommend tetanus vaccine
- Personal medicine
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent (optional)
- Sunglasses
- Prescription glasses or contact lenses
- Water bottle
Accessories
- Small flashlight and batteries
- Binoculars (optional)
- Camera and/or filming machine, batteries and film. There is no chance to recharge batteries during ride
Documentation
- Medical and accident insurance details
- Photocopy of documents. For the Crossing of the Andes: original IDs or passport with corresponding visas.
Others
- We provide all required camping equipment (tents, cookware, first aid kit, eating utensils, etc.).
The luggage weigh limit per person is 10 kilos. Before we start the ride, we will give you saddlebags where you can pack all the clothing you will carry for the ride. In this ride, we start the trip on one location and end it on another in another country. Therefore, as the rest of your luggage has to be carried on mules, please use a flexible bag and not hard cases.
Sorry, no video is currently available for this tour.
*Important Notice: The following ratings have been submitted by guests and do not necessarily represent the views of Hidden Trails, its partners or employees.
Every care is taken to ensure accuracy but Hidden Trails is not liable for any errors or omissions.
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Accommodations (1 night hotel at Los Andes, Chile– shared rooms, 3 nights camping in the mountains, 2 nights camping in Los Patos (with bathroom).
Everyone in the group is asked to help to the extent possible.
All meals and beverages during the ride. Picnic for lunches.
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Tack:
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Chilean
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Horses:
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Chilean Criollos
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Pace:
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Only for experienced riders. Must be in good physical condition and able to ride in rough, rugged terrain. Must be capable to walk, trot and canter. 6 to 9 riding hours during rounjd up. 2 days of working in the corral.
|
Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
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|
Level:
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|
(3
to
4
out of 5) Good Intermediate
|
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Riders:
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Min
4 riders
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Max
8 riders
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7 days. 4 days cattle drive -- 6-9 hrs /day, 2 days working in the corrals.
Only for experienced riders. Must be in good physical condition and able to ride in rough, rugged terrain. Must be capable to walk, trot and canter.
We travel light and keep camping gear to a minimum.
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 .
| Passport Required? |
| British |
Yes |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
Yes |
| Visa Required? |
| British |
No |
| Australian |
No/2 |
| Canadian |
No/2 |
| USA |
No/2 |
| Other EU |
No/1 |
| Return Ticket Required? |
| British |
Yes |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
Yes |
This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not
take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult
the embassy or consulate for updated info.
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High Andes Cattle Drive
Tour Code:
IT-CHCD01
7 days /
6 nights
~$1,290.00
Dates :
Difficulty :
Lodging:
Introduction
Day to Day Itinerary
Rates | Dates
Accomodation
Tack:
Chilean
Horses:
Chilean Criollos
Pace:
Only for experienced riders. Must be i...
Walk,
Trot,
Canter,
Airport:
Santiago
Location on Google Map
Image Gallery
Image Slide Show
Customer Trip Rating
Climate
What To Bring
Download tour PDF
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