In the
saddle through the Andes along Inca-trails and gold diggers paths.
For Non-Riders and riders.
Norte Chico is located only 500 kilometers north of Santiago. Our
meeting point is La Serena (health and seaside resort at the Pacific).
Even visitors from distant countries hardly know this region, probably
"pisco" is well known 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 blue Pacific with its hidden fishing villages and little villages
in the wild Andes is part of this region as well as lonely valleys,
endless mountain trails, and the peace and quiet of the Andes over
which condors fly. A well-known holiday resort is Pisco de Elqui in
the valley of the same name. The Rio Hurtado valley is situated nearby,
only 15 kilometers 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 120 minutes
ride from the Hacienda Los Andes.
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.
|
|
| Riding
the paths of the Inca and gold diggers. Right through the Andes off
civilization. This adventure will explore the wild Sierra, the huge
Andes and experience a romantic and pure nature. |
| Day 1
LA SERENA - HACIENDA LOS ANDES |
| Transfer
(14:30) from the colonial city La Serena to the Hacienda. Time for
Jakuzzi, sauna, a walk across the 1000 acres nature reserve. Dinner.
Overnight stay / room with private bath. |
| Day 2
HACIENDA LOS ANDES - RIO HURTADO VALLEY |
| American
breakfast and meeting of the team. Discussing the tour. You will get
to know your horse and the Chilean riding style (similar to Western
style). Riding tour through the valley Rio Hurtado finally reaching
an idyllic mountain village. Picnic in the garden of the Plaza. Returning
to the Hacienda through the Andean landscape. Dinner in front of the
fireplace. Overnight stay at the Hacienda. |
| Day 3
RIDING SIERRA AND VALLEYS |
| Breakfast.
Packing saddle bags. Riding along the old digger's path through the
calmness of the Sierra and passing through lonely valleys. It leads
us through canyons finally reaching the Andean plateau Oro Blanco,
- white gold. In the afternoon, we leave the wilderness behind and
stay overnight at a hermitage. We camp and have dinner under fig trees.
Overnight stay in comfortable Hilleberg tents with inflatable sleeping-mat
and warm sleeping bag. |
| Day 4
RIDING RIO HURTADO CANYON |
| Andean
breakfast: selfmade bread, goats cheese, sausage and fresh eggs. Starting
from the oasis which is at a hight of 2000 metres, we ride along the
historic mule path of the gold diggers up to the Andes. We are surrounded
by a gigantic panorama, tremendous overlook and untouched nature.
Lunchbreak at a spring. In the afternoon it takes us through a canyon
to the Rio Hurtado. In the evening we reach the goatherd village Las
Breas where we camp beside the river and have a camp fire. |
| Day 5
RIDING THE ANDEAN VALLEY - HACIENDA LOS ANDES |
| Breakfast
with a family. After meeting the local people we continue our tour.
The track winds through the wide Andean valley passing small, idyllic
villages. Picnic in a small village inn. Returning to the Hacienda
along shepherds paths. Time for Jacuzzi, a swim in the river or sunbathing
under the palm tree. Dinner and overnight stay at the Hacienda. |
| Day 6
RIDING ALONG INCA TRAILS |
| Big breakfast.
Today, we are after another adventure with our horses: the Inca-trail.
We cross two passes and visit the cave drawings of the Molle Indians
who lived with the Inca. You will have a totally different landscape
than before: Wide Andean plateaus, small valleys, natural meadows
and animals. Picnic lunch. Passing the colourful Sierra and in the
evening we are guests at a 120 years old, plain pioneer farm. Overnight
stay in tents beside the mountain stream. Camp fire, meeting people,
and stories. |
| Day 7
RIDING ALONG INCA TRAILS - HACIENDA LOS ANDES |
| We experience
the romantic and lonely Andes in the saddle. Along the Inca-trail
we cross a pass and come through lonely valleys to the ceremony place
Laguna. Glaciers and peaks are the features of this panorama. Picnic.
We follow an ancient trading track which still leads to Argentina.
Riding across a romantic Western style landscape for hours. Back at
the Hacienda it is time for relaxing: sunbathing, swimming in the
river, relaxing in the hammock. Dinner and overnight stay at the Hacienda. |
| Day 8
HACIENDA LOS ANDES - LA SERENA |
| At 8 a.m.
Transfer to the airport in La Serena. |
| |
| Note:
Private Tour (other dates) on inquiry |
| |
| CAPACITY:
Minimum 2, Maximum 8 |
| |
|
|
|
Regular tour
|
US$ 1.573
|
|
Private tour (unscheduled dates)
|
US$ 1.808
|
|
| |
|
INCLUDED :
- Transfer, in and out Hacienda Los Andes from / to La Serena-Airport,
Ovalle and Vicuña
- All night accomodations: 3 overnight stays in comfort tents
(Hillerberg) and 4 overnight stays at the Hacienda
- All Meals
- Complete equipment for riding explorations: comfortable Gaucho-saddle
with sheep-fur padding, sleeping bag and clean inlet, thermal
mat, tent, personal pannier (cup etc.), ice-box, thermo bottle,
by request safety helmet, sombrero head and riding gaiters, first
aid kit, saddle bags
- Well trained and calm Chilean mountain horses
- Any facilities of the Hacienda such as sauna, Jacuzzi, nature
trail and river access
- Explorations accompanied by English, German and Spanish speaking
guides
|
|
NOT INCLUDED :
- Local airfares from/to Santiago
- Extra meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
- Tips and extra expenses as laundry
- Medical Expenses.
|
|
DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY AND PHYSICAL CONDITIONING :
The trip is not especially rigorous. The terrain is not difficult.
The daily trekking or horse ridings don't last longer than 5/6 hours
a day. The days are intensive and one has to be a good walker in
order to enjoy this exercise. You must be in reasonably good physical
condition and a positive attitude towards open-air activities is
very important. This is a trip for the person who enjoys participative
tourism in a natural setting.
|
| |
|
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT SUGGESTED :
- Fleece clothes to keep you warm during the cool nights in the
Andes
- light and comfortable trekking shoes for hiking and riding
- a good pair of sunglasses, headgear and sun cream.
|
|
