Horseback Riding in Argentina
PATAGONIA FRONTIER TREK |
On this point-to-point trek you will visit three estancias where some of the original settlers' children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren still reside. They are all working estancias, although the herds of sheep have been replaced with herds of Hereford cattle, and these family estates are now beginning to take guests; which are a tribute to the success of their pioneering ancestors.
This is still a frontier territory. The riding is fast, the distances long, the rivers are wide and swift, the views are vast, and days can be as adventurous as they were in the early 1900’s. Rest assured that at the end of a hard day in the saddle, the estancia's doors will be open in welcome and a hot bath and soft bed will be waiting.
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| Itinerary |
| Day 1: | You will be met at Chapelco airport, San Martin de los Andes, and driven to the base estancia(approx. 30 mins). After lunch there will be an afternoon ride, giving you a chance to familiarize yourself with the horses and tack. This night you will stay at the base estancia. |
| Day 2: | A full day ride on the estancia 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. Spend the night at the estancia. |
| Day 3: | After breakfast you set out for a fast ride to Estancia Cerro de los Pinos (12 miles). You cross the ridge on the Mendana Estancia in front of Lanin Volcano before dropping down and crossing the Chimehuin River. The settlement is close to the river, enclosed by pines. This night is spent at Cerro de los Pinos. |
| Day 4: | Giving your horses a well earned rest you will try the horses at Cerro de los Pinos. Your hosts will take you to see the 50,000 acre estancia where numbers of red deer, Guanaco and South American Rhea roam. Lunch will be an “asado” out on the estancia. Night at Cerro de los Pinos. |
| Day 5: | Time to leave Cerro de los Pinos and ride to Estancia Collon Co, the home of the Fachts who came from Germany in 1900. Another 12 mile ride across to the Quilquihue River and racing up the valleys to the settlement on the Collon Co stream to get there in time for dinner. |
| Day 6: | A day exploring Estancia Collon Co – a vast area of water meadows and rolling hills running right up to the Andes. The gauchos will be keen to show their Hereford cattle. Night at Estancia Collon Co. |
| Day 7: | It’s too far to return to the base estancia in a day, so you will head for the town of Junin de los Andes and the Rio Dorado lodge. A long morning arriving in time for a late lunch thus giving the chance for exploring the town (which does not take long!) before dinner at “Fat Buamscha’s”. The Buamschas came to Junin at the same time as those pioneers came to their estancias, since then it has been a meeting place for fishermen, hunters and locals. |
| Day 8: | The last day’s riding you make your way back, this time crossing the River Chimehuin just outside Junin de los Andes and climb back up Mendana ridge, before racing along the ridge. Possibly the longest day of all but the horses will be keen to get home. Night at the estancia. |
| Day 9: | A farewell ride before transferring to the airport. |
| THIS ITINERARY IS FLEXIBLE. CHANGES MAY OCCUR DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES. |
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| Pricing and Dates |
| Meeting Point | San Martin de los Andes or Bariloche Airport |
| Length of Ride | 9 days, 8 nights and 9 days riding. |
| Riding Ability | Advanced Strong Intermediate Intermediate |
| Group Size | Minimum-2 Maximum-8 |
| Riding Per Day | 5-7 hours |
| Pace | The pace of the ride is fast and challenging with walking, trotting, cantering and galloping over long distances. |
| Tack | South American |
| Horses | Criollo cross |
| Weight Limit | 220 lbs |
| 2010 Dates | Nov 8-16
With notice, and minimum of 4 this program may be organized at other times between Oct - Feb. |
| 2010 Price | $4,175 per person |
| Single Supplement | $1,040 |
| Transfers | Additional from Bariloche Airport unless no scheduled flights to San Martin |
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