Ride with gauchos through the pristine wilderness of incredible Patagonia on criollos or polo ponies. Base camp is 45,000 acre working “estancia” in the Andes, first owned by English pioneers.
This is uninhabited land; summer prairies unique places only reached on horseback and camp by crystal clear rivers full of trout.
Ride past valleys, mountains covered by indigenous sub-Antarctic forests, gigantic monkey puzzle trees all in sight of Chilean border.
Evening stars of the southern hemisphere canopy your peaceful camp. The campfire lightens up the darkness over a great dinner; just like the old time explorers.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: Pick-up at San Martín de los Andes Airport. Meet your guide and transfer to the Estancia (very simple accommodations with bed and blankets, shared rooms). Enjoy a welcome dinner.
Day 2: After breakfast and last minute packing you meet the horses. Say farewell to the last sight of civilization in this working Estancia as you start the ride into remote territories. The group is heading west, to the Andes range. At first the typical dry Patagonian steppe surrounds you but it gradually fades out. You are riding towards one of the largest giant monkey puzzle tree woods in Patagonia. You stop for lunch under the first small group of them, just as you are entering their kingdom. When you reach Puesto Ignacio, the campsite for the night, you leave all heavy items behind and go for a ride into the wood. This is the first chance to feel Patagonian vastness and the immense size of these trees.
Day 3: After breakfast riders leave the campsite. This day you will ride north and then west. After riding through the valley, there will be plenty of chances for cantering and galloping for those interested. The steppes landscape is cut by woods of ńires trees, a typical tree of the region. You enjoy lunch under the shade of huge monkey puzzle trees. The afternoon ride will take you into higher ground, with a chance to see the condors, before you reach a Mapuche Indian reservation territory. The night campsite, Mallín de las Lengas, is at the border of a fairy tale lengas forest, worthy of a Tolkien novel. It is so pristine that the giant trees have piled up over the centuries. They are all there still lying on the ground, offering a moving scene. You will ride into this fairy tale forest, and at night partake in an energizing meal.
Day 4: After breakfast you will be heading to the Picudo Mountain. It is the highest riding point of the trail and offers a spectacular view. The climb and descent are through the lengas wood, an unforgettable ride in the half light of this dense wood. You head west towards the lake where the group will make camp. The monkey puzzle trees will be your hosts for the night as you camp close to the Polcahue Lake.
Day 5: During the morning you will ride straight to the west. This valley has been used over the centuries by the Mapuche Indians to reach the Pacific Ocean, crossing the Andes range. You will stop close to the Chilean border, and ride past the Pulmarí Lake. After a long day, you arrive at sunset at the Estancia, ready to enjoy a few basic privileges of civilization: electricity and hot water. Farewell dinner.
Day 6: After breakfast you are driven to San Martín de los Andes Airport.
2008 Dates: February 17-22, December 14-19 and on request from October to April.
Meeting Point: Buenos Aires city airport pick-up, transfer to domestic airport (domestic flight not included), and pick-up at San Martin de los Andes Airport.
Other Activities: Sight-seeing.
Buenos Aires Pre Tour: 3 days and 2 nights in Buenos Aires. Meals and beverages included where indicated (see the trip itinerary for more details). English-speaking guide.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
$1550 per person, sharing.
Pre Tour Rates:
- Hotel Boutique Complejo Tango - $580 per person sharing. Minimum 2 people. $130 for single supplement or extra night at hotel.
- Hotel Madero Sofitel - $709 per person. $155 single supplement or extra night at hotel. Minimum 2 people.
Price Includes:
- 5 nights camping
- 4 days guided trail riding
- All meals and beverages
- Guide
- Horse
- Tack
- Transfers at pre-set time and tax.
Price Excludes:
- International and domestic flights
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities.
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Argentina
Horse Riding
Camping
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