Horseback Riding in Argentina
PATAGONIA RIDE |
The base for this ride is a 15,000 acre estancia in the foothills of the Andes, run by an English woman. She does an excellent job of bridging the gap between the local culture and ours. The remote estancia is amazingly self-sufficient and grows much of its own food. The rides provide glorious views of the vast grasslands, where one can often see deer and guanaco; there are also ancient Indian burial sites and petroglyphs. At some times of year guests can help move cattle from pasture to pasture. It is also possible to take pack trips into the Andes where a land of rivers, lakes and rolling hills rises up to meet snow-capped mountains and soaring volcanoes.
STATIONARY RIDE AT THE ESTANCIA
There is no set itinerary for a stationary ride. The following are possibilities:
Day 1: Clients are met at the airport in San Martin de los Andes or Bariloche and transported to the estancia, arriving in the early afternoon. There is an introduction to the horses and local saddlery customs, followed by a familiarization ride along the Alumine River.
- A half or full day of riding on the estate following the Huechahue stream through its basalt canyons, returning over the top of Chenque Hill where the Andes rise up behind riders and the vastness of Patagonia stretches on for miles.
- Riders may have the opportunity to spend the morning helping the gauchos work cattle. The amount and type of cattle work will depend on the season: rounding up, herding, branding, etc. After lunch at the estancia take an afternoon ride to the cliff tops where the eagles and condors nest.
- Enjoy a full day's ride to explore the massive Indian burial caves with petroglyphs on the walls and Indian artifacts in the area. Return along the Alumine River to the estancia.
- Spend the day floating the River Alumine with an opportunity to swim or enjoy the excellent trout fishing.
- Take a ride to a different area of the estancia. There will be an opportunity see red deer, guanaco and rhea. Enjoy an "asado" or a picnic lunch.
Last Day A farewell ride before transferring to the airport for the departure flight.
There is a great deal of flexibility regarding both the length of stay and the riding possibilities.
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| Itinerary |
| Day 1: | (This is a sample itinerary for a ride including a camping trip. There is a great deal of flexibility regarding both the length of stay and the amount of camping that can be done.)
Clients are met at the airport in San Martin de los Andes or Bariloche and transported to the estancia, arriving in the early afternoon. There is an introduction to the horses and local saddlery customs, followed by a familiarization ride along the Alumine River. Dinner and overnight at the estancia.
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| Day 2: | A full day is spent riding on the estancia following the Huechahue stream through its basalt canyons, returning over the top of Chenque Hill where the Andes rise up behind riders and the vastness of Patagonia stretches on for miles. Dinner and overnight at the estancia.
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| Day 3: | A full day's ride on the estancia lands, visiting Indian burial caves and watching eagles and hopefully condors soaring over the cliffs. Dinner and overnight at the estancia.
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| Day 4: | Days 4-8: Explore Lanin National Park through beech forests and bamboo thickets along the shores of Lake Lolog. Travel up the Auquinco Valley through a forest of monkey-puzzle trees and over the shoulder of Huanquihue Volcano, with its lunar landscape of black volcanic ash, before dropping down to the thermal springs at Epulaufquen. The ride finishes at the foot of Lanin Volcano. Nights are spent camping. Return to the estancia on the last day.
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| Day 9: | A full day of riding, visiting a different area of the estancia with opportunities to see guanaco, red deer, wild boar and peludos, the baby armadillo. |
| Day 10: | A farewell ride before transferring to the airport.
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| 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 |
| Riding Ability | Advanced Strong Intermediate Intermediate |
| Group Size | Minimum-1 Maximum-12 |
| Riding Per Day | 4-8 hours |
| Pace | to suit riders |
| Tack | South American |
| Horses | Criollo cross |
| Weight Limit | 220 lbs |
| 2009 Dates | Flexible, Jan-Apr 2009 & mid Oct-Dec 2009
3 night minimum stay |
| 2009 Price | $360 per night
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| Single Supplement | $90 per night |
| Transfers | included to and from San Martin |
| Additional Information | Transfers from Bariloche at additional cost. |
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