Argentina to Chile ride, Chile

 Wild and Exotic itinerary for the ‘Across the Andes to Chile' ride

This trip is only suitable for experienced riders who are fit enough to canter for extended periods and spend long hours in the saddle. There are 5-8 hours riding a day.

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

Day 2: A full day's ride on Estancia Huechahue 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 to Day 6: Set out from Huechahue for Chile. The next 8 days will be spent crossing from the wide open spaces of Argentine Patagonia over the Andes to the thickly forested steep slopes of Chilean Patagonia.  From Huechahue you will ride for 4 days up into the Andes through the Andean Steppes, you will ford rivers, pass through Indian reservations, ride over ridges from where you think you can see the Atlantic and through magnificent rocky gorges, you will gallop across water meadows and race along sandy tracks. Nights will be spent camping beside rivers under the spectacular stars of the Southern hemisphere.

Day 7: At lunchtime, at the base of Lanin Volcano in a forest of Monkey puzzle trees you will reach the Argentine / Chilean border, where our Chilean partners will be waiting for you. After immigration and customs formalities you will wave goodbye to Argentina and the horse that has carried you to here and you will start down the western slopes of the Andes on your Chilean mount.

Day 8: Continue riding down through the magnificent Southern beech forests, with spectacular views of lakes and volcanoes. The western slopes of the Andes are much steeper, the terrain very different. Reaching the final campsite at picturesque Puente Barras, where Loth and Pamela's families have been farming for generations.

Day 9: There will be time for a final bathe before transferring back to Huechahue by road (about 3 hours).  After a late lunch there will be a ride on the estancia. By now you will have heard of many places and you will be able to choose what you would like to see most.

Day 10: A farewell ride on Huechahue before transferring to the airport.

Notes:

The cost includes all accommodation, food and beverages and transport between Huechahue and San Martin de los Andes (Chapelco airport) and depends on the date of travel.

The cost does not include international flights, travel or medical insurance (guests should ensure that they have adequate insurance), or gratuities (about 7 to 10% is suggested as a fair rate), visas (if applicable) or items of a personal nature.

There is a single supplement charge of 20% of the itinerary cost for those not willing to share accommodation.

What you need to bring: In Argentina the weather is generally hot and dry during the day with a maximum temperature between 22 and 35 deg. C. As we are at 700m and higher, it always cools down at night, generally to between 5 and 10 deg. C, it can be colder. It rarely rains - however it is necessary to be prepared with adequate raingear. In Chile we ride through beautiful rainforest consequently you must be prepared for rain.

The best way to dress is in layers - a T-shirt, shirt, pullover (or fleece which is light and dries quickly), and a jacket to give protection against wind and rain.
Trousers should be comfortable for riding - jodhpurs, jeans etc
Footwear that is SAFE for riding.
Swimwear.
Protection against the sun, which is very strong. Sun block, lip balm and if you do not intend wearing a hard hat, a hat with a wide brim (that stays on your head!) - also good if it happens to rain.

Whilst on the pack trip across the Andes we provide sleeping bags, thermorests and tents.

There is one night when you will not be met by vehicle at the camp site. For this night all camping gear including sleeping bags, tents and food are carried on pack horses. There will be no thermorests this night but you will use your saddle and sheepskin as the gauchos do. Each guest is provided with a set of saddle bags for their personal possessions - change of clothes, toiletries, camera etc. Jackets and pullovers can be tied to the back of the saddle.

On all the other nights there will be a vehicle, however space in the vehicle is limited to one hand luggage size bag per person which we provide. In this bag you will need:

A change of clothes.
A light pair of shoes, eg. plimsolls - for when you want to take your boots off.
A set of thermal underwear - a light way of carrying extra warmth, hopefully unnecessary.
Rain gear - jacket and trousers. Please note that whilst the Argentine side is semi-desert, the Chilean side is rain-forest.
Swimwear.
Wash bag.
Towel
A small torch.

The rest of your luggage will be transferred to Puente Basas to await your arrival, you will meet up with this on the border and have a chance to rearrange things.

If you are returning to Huechahue you may leave luggage at Huechahue.

Neither Wild and Exotic nor the operators or suppliers can accept any responsibility for changes to itineraries or dates that may arise due to weather or unforeseen circumstances such as changes, disruptions or delays to airline flights for whatever reason. This holiday is subject to Wild and Exotic's terms and conditions, a copy of which is enclosed with your booking form.

Wild and Exotic fact sheet for Estancia Huechahue

Estancia Huechahue covers fifteen thousand square acres in the foothills of the Andes- sometimes known as the Patagonian steppes - and lies a thousand miles south of Buenos Aires, forty-five miles east of San Martine de los Andes and one hundred and twenty miles northeast from Bariloche. Huechahue is a privately owned and managed by Jane Williams, who is British and married into an Argentinean family. Activities at Huechahue revolve around horses, and include exploring the vast and exciting landscape, as well as helping the gauchos in their daily work with the property's 350 head of Hereford cattle. The centrepiece of a stay at Huechahue normally involves a camping expedition with packhorses into the dramatic scenery of Lanin National Park. These trips are from 3 - 5 days duration, during which time you are unlike to see another soul except for your companions on the ride. Another popular activity at Huechahue is to assist with taking cattle out to their summer pastures in November, or with bringing them back to the estancia in March, a long trek with the nights spent under canvas. There is also superb fishing for wild brown and rainbow trout on the Alumine River.

Accommodation: At the Estancia this is very comfortable, and comprises three guesthouses, with a total of 8 twin / double bedded rooms with private bathrooms. Guests sleep in two-man tents on camping expeditions, and good quality down sleeping bags are provided. Camp staff arrange all preparation of tents and meals, and also look after the horses. Whilst on pack trips, you stay in two-man tents and good quality down sleeping bags are provided. The camp staff arranges all the setting up of camp, cooking and care of the horses.

Activities: These include horse-riding, bird watching, fishing, river activities (rafting and swimming), walking, tennis (there is a court near the house) and hunting. The estancia lies on the Alumine River, with healthy populations of wild brown and rainbow trout up to about 5lbs in weight. The season extends from November until April. Rods between 8 ft. and 9 ft. 6ins for 5 to 8 lines with sinking, wet or floating tip are recommended, as are chest waders. Flies suitable for fishing in Montana work well, such as woolly worm, woolly bugger, hare's ear, and a selection of nymphs. If you wish to catch supper on the pack trips it is best to take a smuggler type rod, as it is difficult to transport long rods through dense forests without damaging them. There are some rods available for guests to borrow. The fishing is free for guests at Huechahue, but qualified and experienced guides can be organised for an extra charge.  No supplemental stocking of hatchery fish is done. One to three pound trout are common and there are reasonable numbers of three to five pounders.

There is mostly wet, but some dry fly fishing. The fishing is on a catch and release basis. The season runs from mid-November to mid-April. The Estancia is a working cattle ranch, very different from its origins as an Indian battleground - which is the meaning of the Indian word Huechahue. But there is still plenty of evidence of the Indian past to explore on horseback or on foot. As well as enjoying the wealth of visitor activities, guests are always welcome to join in with the everyday ranching if they wish; many guests find the self-sufficiency of the estancia fascinating.

Children: We will accept children on the estancia, but they must be competent riders.  There are no discounts for children.

Clothing list: Best way to dress is in layers; a T-shirt, shirt, pullover (or fleece which is light and dries quickly), and a jacket to give protection against wind and rain. Trousers should be comfortable for riding such as jodhpurs, jeans with chaps etc. Please bring a bathing costume or swimming trunks and footwear that is safe for riding. There are some half-chaps available to borrow, and warm and waterproof ponchos are also provided to all guests. Dress is always casual. There is a free same day laundry service at Huechahue. (Although we ask that you take laundry charges elsewhere into account when you come to tip the staff).

Drinks: All alcohol is included in the price, and we take plentiful supplies of wine on the camping expeditions.

How to get there: There are daily flights to Buenos Aires from London Gatwick with Aerolineas Argentinas, and from there regular flights to Chapelco airport at San Martine de Los Andes which has five flights a week from Buenos Aires (daily flights Dec. to March). Transfer (1/2 hour) to and from Chapelco is included in the daily rate. Alternatively guests can fly to Bariloche, however collection from that airport does incur an extra charge, and the drive is at least two and a half hours long.

Inclusions / exclusions from the rates: The rate includes all accommodation, food, beverages (including wine, beer and spirits) and activities. Transport to and from San Martin de los Andes is included. 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 local rivers there are substantial extra charges. The rate does not include travel or medical insurance (guests should ensure that they have adequate insurance), or gratuities (about 7 to 10% is suggested as a fair rate).

Insurance: Whilst we carry public liability insurance and take all possible care we strongly advise you to have full medical and holiday insurance. Wild & Exotic can arrange this if instructed.

Length of rides: 4 - 6 hours in the saddle.

Meals: Full breakfasts comprising fruit, porridge, bacon, sausages, eggs, tomatoes and fresh bread are served every morning at the estancia. On pack trips staff prepare meals over the campfire, and we normally break for long and delicious lunches. A feature of rides from the estancia is the traditional barbeque lunches we serve, whole sheep or ribs of succulent beef roasted asado style in front of a fire. Dinner at the estancia is three courses of fresh ingredients, all the food and produce is home grown. 

Medical and safety: A medical kit is on hand at the estancia, and also accompanies all pack trip journeys. Guests must protect themselves against the sun, which can be very strong. Sun block, lip balm and if you do not intend wearing a hard hat, a hat with a wide brim (also good if it happens to rain).

Pack trips: These trips are organised inside the boundaries of Lanin National Park in the heart of the Andes and are between three and five days long. A minimum of four riders are needed for a pack-trip to run. You are required to have at least one day's riding on the estancia before leaving on a trek to ensure that you are happy with your horse, comfortable in your saddle and that the planned trek is one that you will enjoy.

You ride through dense beech forests and bamboo thickets. From the tops of the ridges there are breath-taking views, in the valleys there are tumbling streams and undiscovered lakes. You ride through forests of the only indigenous Monkey Puzzle trees of the world and across lunar landscapes of black volcanic ash, a legacy of the recent volcanic activity in the area. The snow-capped volcano "Lanin" dominates the entire area. Nights are spent under canvas in a remote and inaccessible landscape - the only way in and out is on foot, or by horseback, and all the supplies needed for the duration of the trip are carried by the packhorses that accompany the ride, including food, tents, and sleeping bags. Days are spent riding and exploring the sublime landscape.  Guests are provided with saddlebags for their personal possessions, which should include a change of clothing, bathing costume, wash bag (we provide small towels) and a small torch, toiletries, camera etc. Jackets and pullovers can be tied to the back of the saddle.

Riding ability: Riding programmes are suitable for all standards of rider, from expert to novice. For those that wish, there is plenty of opportunity for challenging riding.  You may choose to ride out every day from the Estancia or to co-ordinate your stay with one of the planned pack-trip departures into the fantastic Lanin National Park or to combine both in your stay.

Riding out from the Estancia, you can ride through barren rolling hills and along the narrow rocky gorges of the Andean streams. You can ride 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 Indian drawings can still be seen on the walls.

Or try your hand at working cattle with the gauchos. The amount and type of work with the cattle will depend on the season - in November and December there are the spring round ups and you may help the gauchos move the cattle to their summer grazing and again in April, help bring them home for the winter. You might also ride through the neighbouring Indian reservation, most of the tack is made on the reservations from rawhide produced on the Estancia so there is usually some negotiating to be done.

The riding program is tailored to the needs and abilities of those visiting the Estancia and is suitable for the expert horseman as well as the novice - providing you are reasonably fit and enjoy the outdoor life. There is scope for faster, more challenging riding when based at the Estancia.

Season: The season for riding on the Estancia runs from early October to the end of April. However, groups of a minimum of 4 are also welcome at the Estancia during the months of August to October.

Single supplement: Provided guests are prepared to share a tent on pack treks, there is no single supplement to apply. Otherwise there is a single person supplement of 25%.

Size of the rides: Maximum of 12 guests. Most rides are led by your host and guide, Jane Williams, who is British and married into an Argentine family.

Terrain: The riding at Huechahue is through endless rolling hills - a wide open landscape dissected by steep canyons and river valleys. On pack trips the rides passes through dense beech forests, bamboo thickets, stands of wild monkey puzzle trees and across open grassy plains. At some stage the ride traverses an extraordinary lunar landscapes of black volcanic ash, with stunning views to the snow capped peak of Lanin volcano in the distance. On these rides it may be necessary to tackle steep gradients, ford fast flowing mountain rivers, and cross areas of wet ground.

Type of horses and tack: The horses are criollo crosses, part anglo-normando, about 15.2 hh. They are bred and trained on the estancia, are sure-footed and well schooled, especially responsive to neck reining and Western style riding tactics. The saddles used are "montura de monte", which are similar to old English Army saddles with a sheepskin cover.

Types of ride: Guests can choose from several options whist staying at Huechahue. You can ride out every day from the estancia, and also coincide your visit with one of the planned pack journeys into the beautiful Lanin National Park. When riding from the estancia guests are encouraged to assist the gauchos with their cattle work.

Visas: UK citizens do not require a visa for entry into Argentina.

Weather:  As we are in the southern hemisphere our summers fall during northern hemisphere winters. In the summer months the weather is generally hot and dry during the day, with a maximum temperature between 22 and 35 deg. C. As we are at 700m, and on treks considerably higher, it always cools down at night, generally to between 5 and 10 deg. Celsius. It rarely rains, however it is necessary to be prepared with adequate rain gear just in case.

Weight limit: Maximum weight is 200 lbs for a novice rider and 210 lbs for an advanced rider.

Wildlife: The Estancia supports a healthy population of red deer, wild boar, rhea, guanaco, and armadillos. There is also a huge variety of birdlife, including back-necked swans, buff-chested ibis, plovers, eagles, vultures, burrowing parrots and magnificent Andean condors, which roost on the sheer cliff face thirty minutes ride form the estancia, and are often seen floating high up amongst the thermals. There is stalking for both red deer and wild boar in March and April, by prior arrangement through Wild and Exotic.