Horseback riding in Northern Chile, Chile

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- Norte Chico Condor Trail
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Equestrian tours in Chile, Northern Chile
Norte Chico Condor Trail


Norte Chico Condor Trail
Northern Chile Chile

This is an expedition where you ride “to the roof of the Andes”, to heights of 3800m, where you can see condors flying below. You'll spend 5 days and up to 11 hours per day in the saddle. You will explore the wild Sierra, the huge Andes and experience the romantic and pure nature.

Planes from Santiago land in La Serena (health and seaside resort at the Pacific) three times every day, yet visitors from distant countries hardly know this region. Nevertheless, well known is the term "Pisco" which is a colorless and natural brandy extracted from the grapes of the local sunny vineyards. When autumn and winter starts on the Northern hemisphere, holiday season, which is from October to April, begins here in this mild and dry climate. The big, blue Pacific with its hidden fishing villages on the coast and the quaint mountain villages of the wild Andes are part of this region, as well as the lonely valleys, endless mountain trails, and the peace and quiet of the majestic Andes over which  the condors fly. A well-known holiday resort  of the region is Pisco de Elqui, its home in the valley of the same name. The Rio Hurtado valley is situated nearby, only 10 miles as the crow flies, to the west; and that is where the Hacienda is. One of northern Chile's Indian ceremony places in the best condition is situated in this green valley only 45 minutes ride from the hacienda.

More than forty rock paintings are the last traces of the ancient Indian culture of the Diaguitas. They owned gold mines which attracted the Inca to the Hurtado valley some time later. They introduced the irrigation system which is a labyrinth of channels and which was used by the Spaniards too from the 16th century on, and still the farmers today profit from it. The Spaniards followed the old trade trail of the Inca, known as Inca trail, upstream the Rio Hurtado and further over the Andes.

They gave this pass its name "Linia Santa Rosa" and still today thousands of animals with their herdsmen follow this trail from Chile to the summer pastures in Argentina, like some hundreds years ago. The Hurtado district has only about 160 miles of roads which can be traveled by car, and thousands of miles of cattle trails which are traveled by the people (and by our guests) on horseback. Naturally, small changes to traditional life have brought small hospitals, schools, parish halls, restored villages and democratic developments to the area.

Visitors to this region will find a mixture of the old Chilean culture and the achievements of the new century. The hospitable people who can be met here are small farmers, herdsmen, workmen and cattle breeders. They live in small villages surrounded by huge and colorful mountain massifs, semi-desert landscapes, steppes, and a wide Sierra.

Camping Ride with vehicle support
Camping Ride with pack horses

Meeting: Ovalle or Vicuna/Rio Hutado
Airport: La Serena
Transfer: La Serena or Orvalle
Riders: Min 1 riders
Max 6 riders
(per riding group)

Max Capacity 12

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    Norte Chico Condor Trail
    Tour Code: IT-CHRT14C
    7 days / 6 nights
    Dates : All year round

    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


    Season Seasons  Min / MaxReserve
    A 2024 01/01 - 04/30 7d / 6n 7 days trip 1 /6 Reserve
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    Rates | Dates
    Accommodation
    Tack: Gaucho-saddle with sheep-fur padding o...
    Horses: Criollos
    Pace: As we ride about 6 to 11 hours a day a...
    Walk,
    Airport: La Serena
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