Horseback riding in Lake District, Chile

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- Crossing the Andes from Chile into Argentina
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Horseback riding vacations in Chile, Lake District

Horseback riding tours

Rides in Chile

  Intro to Chile

Trip in Chile

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Equestrian tours in Chile, Lake District
Crossing the Andes from Chile into Argentina


Itinerary for Crossing the Andes from Chile into Argentina




On a typical day, breakfast is served around 9 am and we start riding at 10 am. The lunch break is usually at 1pm and the ride ends at about 6 pm.

Sample Itinerary: 9 day camping ride - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival
Pick up in Pucon in the morning, welcome to the farm. We take an initial ride through the Mapuche Indian Community Quelhue and along the rapids of Trancura River to evaluate your riding experience, get familiar with the saddle and tack, and determine which horses to take on our great adventure. In the evening we move to our base camp at Laguna Geppinger from where we start our ride the following morning.

Day 2 - 5:
On Days 2-5 we ride through virgin rainforests and dense stands of Coighue trees and bamboo, and pass by crystal mountain lakes and gurgling creeks. In the evening we make camp besides rivers and lakes; the trails lead through the National Park Huerquehue, the National Forest Reserve Villarrica and the Mapuche Indian Communities of Reigolil and Icalma.

Day 5:
On the 5th day we return to civilization again and ride through the small Mapuche settlement of Icalma where we stay overnight at a beautiful spot on the lake-shore

Day 6 - 8:
On the 6th day after arranging custom formalities with the Chilean border control we are heading into the mountains to cross the actual border to Argentina. High in the mountains we say goodbye to our Chilean horses and the guides that led us to this magnificent place. Then we cross the border 10 meters on foot, and greet Hernan and his wonderful Argentinean horses which will bring us through the unique world of the Argentinean Andes for the next three days.
On the following days we ride the valleys and cliffs of Argentina, watch condors pass us by, meet shepherds with their herds of cattle or goats and enjoy amazing views over the endless wide open spaces of this uninhabited part of the world.
On the evening of the 8th day we reach the outpost were Hernan lives with his horses and which marks the end of our journey. We celebrate the end of the trek with a typical Argentinean barbecue while recounting our adventures from the past week and sharing our impressions of this experience of a lifetime.

Day 9:
Transfer from Hernan's ranch back to Pucón, Chile were we pick up luggage and say farewell. If desired, travelers may finish their trip in Argentina and travel on directly from Hernan's or spend more days riding in the Argentine pampas.



Sample Itinerary: 11 day cabin & camping ride - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival
Arrival day, pick-up in Temuco airport or hotel in Pucon. Welcome to the ranch and dinner at the ranch house.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Farmhouse in Pucón

Day 2: Ride around Pucón
We'll ride through the Mapuche Indian Community Quelhue and along the rapids of Trancura River to evaluate your riding experience, get familiar with the saddle and tack, and determine which horses to take on our great adventure. In the evening we go to our base camp at Laguna Geppinger from where we start our ride the following morning.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight camping at Laguna Geppinger

Day 3: Laguna Geppinger to Rio Blanco
We cross the first of three mountain ranges on our trail towards Argentina. At night we camp beside the natural hot springs in Rio Blanco Valley.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight camping near Rio Blanco

Day 4: Rio Blanco to Flor de Valle
We ride through virgin rainforests and dense stands of Coighue trees and bamboo crossing the 2nd range. The night we spent at a mountain farm at the Mapuche Indian community “Flor de Valle”
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight camping at Flor de Valle

Day 5: Flor de Valle to Nevados de Sollipulli
We ride along the slopes of Sollipulli volcano, overnight in the mountain lodge “Nevados de Sollipulli”.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Nevados de Sollipulli

Day 6: Volcano Ride
We ride up the volcano, reaching its 2.5 miles wide crater which is filled with a 660 feet deep glacier. We return to “Nevados de Sollipulli” for a second night.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Nevados de Sollipulli

Day 7: Nevados de Sollipulli to Lake Icalma
We cross the last range before Argentina and spend the night in a cabin at the shore of Lake Icalma.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in cabin near Lake Icalma

Day 8: Lake Icalma to Argentina
We ride to the border, after arranging custom formalities with the Chilean border control we cross the border 20 meters on foot, and greet Hernan and his wonderful Argentinean horses which will bring us through the unique world of the Argentinean Andes for the next three days. We ride up to the top of Batea Mahuida Volcano with 6560 feet the highest point on our ride.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight camping

Days 9 and 10: Argentinian Rides
We ride the valleys and cliffs of Argentina, watch condors pass us by and enjoy amazing views over the endless wide open spaces of this uninhabited part of the world. On the evening of the 10th day we reach the outpost were Hernan lives with his horses and which marks the end of our journey. We celebrate the end of the trek with a typical Argentinean BBQ.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight camping (night 9) & at Hernan's Ranch (night 10)

Day 11: Departure
After breakfast we transfer back to Chile. We can bring you to Temuco city (1.00 pm) or Temuco airport (1.30 pm) or Pucon (3.30 pm). If you prefer, you may finish the trip in Argentina, and keep on traveling or riding some more days in the Argentinean pampas, or transfer to your next destination in Argentina (not included).
Meals included: Breakfast



Sample Itinerary: 10 day cabin & camping ride - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival
Arrival day, pick-up in Temuco airport or hotel in Pucon. Welcome to the ranch and dinner at the ranch house.

Day 2: Ride around Pucón
We go for a day ride through the Mapuche Indian Community Quelhue, into the mountains of the Villarrica Forest reserve, and along the rapids of Trancura River to evaluate your riding experience. Get familiar with saddle and tack.
In the evening we enjoy a Chilean BBQ.

Day 3-6:
we ride through virgin rainforests and dense stands of Coighue trees and bamboo, and pass by crystal mountain lakes and gurgling creeks. The trails lead through the National Park Huerquehue, the National Forest Reserve Villarrica and the Mapuche Indian Communities of Reigolil and Icalma.
Overnights at the natural Hot springs of Rio Blanco and on the shore of Icalma Lake.

Day 7-8:
On the seventh day, we return to civilization again and ride through the small Mapuche settlement of Icalma where we arrange custom formalities with the Chilean border control before heading into the mountains to cross the border to Argentina. High in the mountains at the border we say goodbye to our Chilean horses and the guides that led us to this magnificent place. Then we cross the border 10 meters on foot, and greet Hernan and his wonderful Argentinean horses which will bring us through the unique world of the Argentinean Andes for the next two days.
We ride the valleys and cliffs of Argentina, watch condors pass us by, meet shepherds with their herds of cattle or goats and enjoy amazing views over the endless wide open spaces of this uninhabited part of the world. On the evening of the 8th day we reach the outpost were Hernan lives with his horses and which marks the end of our journey. We celebrate the end of the trek with a typical Argentinean barbecue while recounting our adventures from the past week and sharing our impressions of this experience of a lifetime.

Day 9:
We take a farewell ride to the condor nests in the steep rocks north of the camp, and through the high plain pastures where the gauchos graze their herds of sheep and goats in the summer months.

Day 10:
Transfer from Hernan's ranch back to Pucón, Chile were we pick up luggage and say farewell to the horses that carried us in Chile. If desired, travelers may finish their trip in Argentina and travel on directly from Hernan's, or spend more days riding in the Argentine pampas.

Note about resuming your trip from the ranch in Argentina:
There are no bus transportation from the ranch near the border of Chile and Argentina. Clients can take a taxi (Transportes Rincon) from the ranch to the town of Las Lajas, then take a bus from Las Lajas to the airport in Nuequen.
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Crossing the Andes from Chile into Argentina
Tour Code: IT-CHRT04
11 days / 10 nights
Dates : All year round

Trip Rating :
Difficulty : Riding Level
Riding Level Explained
ABeginner
Beginner A rider who has limited experience, is unable to post the trot and does not canter.
BNovice
Novice A rider who is capable of mounting and dismounting unassisted, capable of applying basic aids, comfortable and in control at the walk, moderate length posting trots, and short canters.
CIntermediate
Intermediate A rider who has a firm seat, is confident and in control at all paces (including posting trots, two point canters and gallops), but does not ride regularly.
D Strong Intermediate
Strong Intermediate An intermediate rider who is currently riding regularly and is comfortable in the saddle for at least 6 hours per day.
EAdvanced
All of the above, plus an independent seat, soft hands, and capable of handlinga spirited horse in open country.
Lodging: Standard
Lodging Level Explained
   
= Facilities in lodges, estancias, haciendas, resorts, etc.
   
Basic lodging - some with shared bathroom facilities, usually no AC or room service.
Regular standard room - usually with private bath.
 Accommodations with superior comforts.
   
 = Trips with nights in tent camps. Sometimes the first and last night are in hotels.
   
Basic tent camping - everyone helps out with camp chores.
Regular standard with some camp amenities and camp cook.
Camping facilities with superior comforts like camp shower, bathroom facility..
   
 = Trips that combine nights in hotels and camping.
   
Basic accommodation and basic camping facilities can be expected.
Regular standard with some nicer amenities.
Only assigned to hotel and camping facilities with superior comforts.

Online Reservation

Check here for details and availability
Season Tour Dates  Min / MaxReserve
A 2024 01/14 - 01/24 11d / 10n 11 day Cabin + Camping Ride ... 2 /8 Expired
A 2024 01/21 - 01/31 11d / 10n 11 day Cabin + Camping Ride ... 2 /8 Expired
C 2024 02/05 - 02/13 9d / 8n 9 day Camping Ride 2 /8 Expired
A 2024 02/11 - 02/21 11d / 10n 11 day Cabin + Camping Ride ... 2 /8 Expired
A 2024 02/18 - 02/28 11d / 10n 11 day Cabin + Camping Ride ... 2 /8 Expired
C 2024 03/04 - 03/12 9d / 8n 9 day Camping Ride 2 /8 Expired
A 2024 03/17 - 03/27 11d / 10n 11 day Cabin + Camping Ride ... 2 /8 Expired
C 2024 04/01 - 04/09 9d / 8n 9 day Camping Ride 2 /8 Reserve
B 2024 04/14 - 04/23 10d / 9n 10 day Cabin + Camping Ride 2 /8 Reserve
Introduction
Day to Day Itinerary
Rates | Dates
Accommodation
Tack: Chillean working saddles: Avio Chileno...
Horses: Criollo Chileno
Pace: On mountain trails mostly walking. The...
Walk, Trot, Canter,
Airport: La Araucanía International Airport in Temuco (ZCO)
Location on Google Map
Image Gallery
Image Slide Show
Customer Trip Rating
Climate
What To Bring
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