Moderate
to strenuous horseback riding
An extraordinary journey right out of the history books, we follow
to the footsteps of the Army of Liberation that freed Chile from Spanish
crown in 1817. During this fantastic seven-day expedition over the
roof of America, we glimpse the life-styles of "huasos"
(Chilean cowboys) and "gauchos" (Argentinean cowboys).
We travel in the shadow of glacier-capped Andean peaks -such as Mercenario
hill (6.770 Mts.) and Aconcagua (7.050 Mts.), the Western Hemisphere's
highest mountain- fording rivers that rush through the arid lower
ranges after tumbling off rocky summits frozen in eternal snows. In
the midst of wind and cold to temper our spirits, we are amazed by
the variety of wildlife native to these heights, such as guanacos,
vizcachas and condors keeping watch on their lofty domains.
|
|
| Day 1
SANTIAGO - SAN FELIPE - LOS PATOS |
| At 3 p.m.
we will depart from your hotel to San Felipe and Los Patos area (1150
m) where the Chilean guard and International Police will check documents.
Here we will set up our camp and dinner around a friendly campfire. |
| Day 2
LOS PATOS - LAS TEJAS |
| After a
strong breakfast our Chilean muleteers will be ready to load up the
animals beginning this adventure. We will ascend from the Rocín
following a mine old trail to arrive later in Las Tejas (2200 m).
Camp and dinner. |
| Day 3
LAS TEJAS - LAS CIENAGAS |
| After our
breakfast, we continue very early following the course of the Rocin
river passing through Aletón Pass (2330 m). During the journey,
the vegetation is lower and we can appreciate small bushes which are
characteristic of the high Andean zone like the goat horn, thorny
bushes and the showy "yareta". We will arrive in Las Cienagas
area (2550 m), where we will report with the Chilean frontier guards.
Camp and dinner. |
| Day 4
LAS CIENAGAS - VALLE HERMOSO |
| After breakfast
we continue following the course of the Rocín river passing
Los Tambillos area until the Chile-Argentina frontier (3300 m). We
will meet the Argentinean "gauchos" in the boundary and
then change the loading and riding animals to start the descent in
Argentinean territory until Valle Hermoso, passing through, Volcano
River. Camp and dinner. |
| Day 5
VALLE HERMOSO |
| Active
resting day. Hikes in the surrounding areas and optional fishing.
As a way of knowing better the zone, we will make a practice and explicative
speech, about: map reading, distance calculation, the use of a compass
and emergency signals as a part of the essential knowledge for the
highland survival. Camp and dinner. |
| Day 6
VALLE HERMOSO - LOS PATOS RIVER - VEGA LARGA |
| Very early
in the morning we begin the crossroad again. Here, the herb's green
will admire us with grass fields surrounded with puddles and a great
variety of birds. We will discover an intensive subaquatic and aquatic
life in this valley which makes contrast with the imposing mountain
range of Cerro La Mesa (6.080 m). The crossroad continues rising by
Los Patos river to later arrive to Los Patillos river, which will
approach us to the last mountain range that is left to rise: The large
fertile plain of La Honda pass, but before we must show documentation
in "Ingeniero Sardinas" lodge. Camp at the base of "Vega
Larga". |
| Day 7
LA VEGA LARGA - EL PEÑON |
| This day,
the journey will be very hard, because we must raise Espinacito range
going through sinuous hillsides by la Honda pass, at 4.500 Mts. From
this point, we will have a spectacular view of the Andes mountain
range. Afterwards, we will start to descend until Las Leñas
river and reach at last El Peñón, where we will camp
and dinner. |
| Day 8
EL PEÑON - LAS LEÑAS RIVER - MANANTIALES - HORNILLAS
- USPALLATA |
| Today will
be the last journey in terrain. After leaving our camp we will continue
by Las Leñas river arriving in Manantiales. Beautiful fertile
plains are placed at this altitude. Afterwards we will descend to
Hornillas, where a vehicle waits to take us to Barreal continuing
the journey by minibus to Uspallata in the county of Mendoza. Arrival
to Uspallata hotel. Farewell dinner and nigh in conformable rooms. |
| Day 9
USPALLATA-LOS LIBERTADORES-SANTIAGO |
| After breakfast,
we prepared ourselves to return from Uspallata to Santiago, crossing
the frontier through Los Libertadores Pass. Arriving in Santiago at
the evening. |
| |
|
|
|
December 28
|
January 7 & 21
|
|
February 4
|
March unscheduled
|
|
| |
| Important:
dates are subject to changes due to the snow over 4.200 Mt. |
| |
| Other
dates can be requested from October to April; even from December to
March is better season. |
|
|
|
|
|
5 - 8 persons
|
US$ 1.450
|
|
9 - 12 persons
|
US$ 1.350
|
|
| |
|
INCLUDED :
- Land transportation
- All accommodations quoted per person based on sharing a double
room or tent
- All meals in camp from dinner day 1 to breakfast day 9 (including
Chilean wines and juices) non-alcoholic drinks and snacks
- Full first aid kit
- Communications equipment
- Survival equipment
- Guides and camp staff
- Full camping gear, except for personal sleeping bag and pad
- Packhorses
- Crossing permits & Immigration forms filing.
|
|
NOT INCLUDED :
- Alcoholic or soft drinks and/or special foods
- Laundry
- Extras in hotels
- Other items of personal nature
- Additional expenses of a trip due to the weather, sickness,
failure of transportation or other causes beyond our reasonable
control
- Any type of insurance and medical costs
- Personal clothing and equipment.
|
|
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT:
- Sleeping gear: (baggage tags and identification inside each
piece) -
- Conformable sleeping bag to use in freezing conditions, foam
pad or air mattress (we recommend "Therma Rest" - Bag
or back pack to carry clothing & Small daypack - Flashlight
or head lamp and extra batteries - Camping knife - Whistle - Plastic
mug - Wind breaker and polar - Warm over coat clothes (raincoat
or poncho), thermic underwear, wool gloves - Light clothes, jeans,
shorts, T shirts, long sleeve - Shirts, sun hat, wool cap, bandana
- Sun glasses with retaining stap and sun lotion (lips and face)
- Water bottle, two quart
- 2 pairs of shoes. Trekking shoes and/or high snickers
- ID, passport, and other required documents (legalized parental
authorization for expedition members under 21)
|
DIFFICULTY:
This type of circuit doesn't present technical difficulties, nevertheless
a good physical condition is required, that means, people who normally
practice some outdoor activities - The minimum age is 18 years and
the maximum age will depend on your physical condition or health -
The altitude, the wind and your bad physical condition, are the principal
difficulties you can find. |
| |
IMPORTANT:
For this circuit each participant has to do the necessary arrangements
to enter in Argentina or Chile (visa and permits). |
| |
| Day 1 |
| Transfer
from Mendoza's airport to the hotel. City tour. Checking of the equipment
with the assistance of the guides. Welcome dinner. |
| Day 2
|
| Transfer
to Barreal in San Juan province. Immigration forms filing. Arrival
at Las Hornillas. Camp and dinner. |
| Day 3
|
| Breakfast.
Saddle and load up of mules. First ride (approximately 6 hours). Arrival
at El Peñón (3,200 meters above sea level -10,560 ft-).
Set up tents. Dinner around campfire. Through the duration of the
trip, all expedition members will be required to help loading the
mules, setting up tents, etc. Power breakfasts will be served. Lunch
will be light and dinners will be warm and abundant. |
| Day 4
|
| Breakfast.
This will be the most trying day in the journey. Going up Cordón
del Espinacito to 4,500 meters above sea level (14,850 ft). Arrival
at camping spot by dawn. Setting tents. Dinner by campfire. |
| Day 5 |
| Breakfast.
Ride to Valle de los Patos. Setting up tents by the Los Patos river
in the afternoon, near the National Guard's "Ingeniero Sardinas"
shelter. Dinner by campfire. |
| Day 6 |
| Day off.
Trekking around the river. Discussions on some survival skills. Dinner
by campfire. |
| Day 7 |
| Breakfast
and departure. Arrival at international border. Ride along the Rocin
river to the nearest office of Chile's police department. Immigration
procedures. Ride to camp site. Set up tents. Welcome dinner displaying
local dishes. |
| Day 8 |
| Breakfast.
Ride along the Rocin river. Arrival at El Fraile, last campsite. Dinner
by campfire. |
| Day
9 |
| Breakfast.
Ride to Resguardo de los Patos. Meet a company minivan. Transfer to
Los Andes or San Felipe. Dinner. |
| Day 10 |
| Breakfast.
Departure to Mendoza or Santiago by minivan. Arrival. |
| |
|
Services included:
- Mendoza/Alvarez Condarco transfer in a company minivan.
- Immigration forms filing.
- Meals, non-alcoholic drinks and snacks.
- Full camping gear.
- Full first aid kit.
- Communications equipment.
- Survival equipment.
- Tents.
- Horses and guides.
- Crossing permits.
- One night stay at 3 star hotel in Chile.
- Farewell dinner.
- Chile/Mendoza transfer in a company minivan.
|
| |
|
|
|
December, 26
|
January, 5 & 19
|
|
February, 2
|
-------------
|
|
| |
| Note:
If you are traveling by Argentina you may join us in Mendoza or
if your dates don't work with ours from Chile it can be requested
from Argentina to Chile and you have only to add the air tickets Santiago-Mendoza.
Please check with us economy class rate. |
|
