We GUARANTEE you won't find the same horse riding holiday at a lower price through any other source... and if you do, we promise to refund the difference!
from £4,050 or €4,600
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Note: Rates are subject to daily exchange rate fluctuations, please refer to our Terms & Conditions for full details.
Included – All riding, guiding, accommodation, meals, soft drinks, wine with dinner during the ride & transfers
Excluded – Flights & tips.
19-29 March 2023
10-20 December 2023
28 December 2023 – 7 January 2024
14-24 January 2024
11-21 February 2024
18-28 February 2024
17-27 March 2024
Private Groups – Other dates on request, this is a fantastic adventure to embark on with a group of friends.
Crossing The Andes: Getting There
Arrival to & departure from Temuco airport
Transfer
They are included in the package at set times from and to Temuco airport
This incredible challenge takes you through the three main landscapes of northern Patagonia: lush virgin rainforests, the glacier world of Sollipulli Volcano and the wide, open high plains of Argentina. You will ride sure footed horses across the Andes and visit the dormant crater of the Sollipulli crater and experience two of the world’s most historic horse cultures!
From the snow-capped volcanoes of the Chilean Andes and the majestic crater of the dormant Sollipulli through a pass in Icalma, to the open valleys of the Argentinean pampas, you will explore and witness the landscape transition as you ride. Encounter smoking volcanoes, a deep blue glacier, snowy peaks, deep blue mountain lakes, and dense, towering rainforests during this once in a lifetime experience.
On the Chilean side experience steep mountains and endless virgin rainforests as well as the breath-taking high Andes with stunning views on our low, sturdy Chilean Criollo horses. Crossing the border, witness the unique Argentinean gaucho lifestyle, the vast plains, and the dramatic cliffs where you can admire the majestic Patagonian condor.
Crossing The Andes: Horses – The Criollo Chileno is the oldest registered breed in South America. They descend from the Iberian horses the Spaniards brought when they conquered Southern America. These horses have evolved in conjunction with the landscape and are perfectly adapted to mountain trekking. Short, with a low centre of balance, they are ideal for the steep ascents and descents of the Chilean Andes The word “Criollo” basically means a mixture of Spanish and native parts. This may refer to food, customs, horses and even people. Criollo Chileno must not be confused with other Criollo Breeds such as the Criollo Argentino, which has a similar name but is very different.
Level of Riding & Pace – Intermediate to advanced riders.
Tack – You will ride on typical Chilean “Avio” working saddles, designed for long days on horseback and are very comfortable for both rider and horse.
Weight Restriction – 100kgs / 15 stone 7 lbs / 220lbs. Please let us know if you are over this as we can arrange a second horse at an additional cost.
Crossing The Andes: Group Size – Minimum 2 / Maximum 8
Your Crossing The Andes horse riding holiday trip has 10 nights accommodation including;
The cabins are rustic mountain style with cosy beds, shared bathrooms and kitchen areas. Some are more basic but they are all comfortable.
When you are camping, 2 riders share one dome style tent complete with mattresses. We always try to give solo travellers a single tent but this is dependent on how much equipment is being carried. There are showers available for 6 days of the trip and a natural hot spring for 1 day. Please note that there are toilets available on 7 of the 11 days.
Breakfast and lunch are normally served out on the trail with plenty of bread, cheese, ham, fruit and salads. Dinner is at the campfire where wonderful Chilean and Argentinean wines will be served. The meat is usually beef although some lamb and goat may also be on the menu. Vegetarian and vegan diets can be catered for.
Horse Riding Holidays like this Crossing the Andes expedition, are part of the Zara’s Planet collection of Horse Riding Holidays Chile.
DAY ONE
Pick up in Pucon or Temuco in the afternoon, welcome to the farm. Time to get to know the horses, tack, and equipment, and get settled in.
DAY TWO
We go for a day ride through the Mapuche Indian Community Quelhue and along the rapids of Trancura River to evaluate your riding experience, get familiar with saddle and tack, and to determine which horses to take to our great adventure. In the evening we enjoy a Chilean BBQ in our first tent camp on the shore of Lake Geppinger.
DAY THREE
We ride through virgin rainforests and dense stands of Coighue trees and bamboo and pass by crystal mountain lakes and gurgling creeks. The trails lead through the National Park Huerquehue, in the evening we put up our tent-camp besides the natural hot springs in Rio Blanco Valley.
DAY FOUR
We ride through virgin rainforests and dense stands of Coighue trees and bamboo crossing the 2nd range. The night we spent at a mountain farm at the Mapuche Indian community “Flor de Valle”.
DAY FIVE
We ride along the slopes of Sollipulli volcano, overnight in the mountain lodge “Nevados de Sollipulli”.
DAY SIX
We ascent on horseback to the top of Sollipulli volcano, reaching its 2.5 miles wide crater which is filled with a 660 feet deep glacier. We return to “Nevados de Sollipulli” for a second night.
DAY SEVEN
We cross the last range before Argentina and spend the night in a cabin at the shore of Lake Icalma.
DAY EIGHT
After arranging custom formalities with the Chilean border control, we cross the border 20 meters on foot, and greet Hernan and his wonderful Argentinean horses which will bring us through the unique world of the Argentinean Andes for the next three days. We ride up to the top of Batea Mahuida Volcano with 6560 feet the highest point on our ride. Overnight in tent camp.
DAYS NINE AND TEN:
We ride the valleys and cliffs of Argentina, watch condors pass us by and enjoy amazing views over the endless wide-open spaces of this uninhabited part of the world. On the evening of the 10th day we reach the outpost were Hernan lives with his horses and which marks the end of our journey. We celebrate the end of the trek with a typical Argentinean BBQ while recounting our adventures from the past week and sharing our impressions of this experience of a lifetime.
DAY ELEVEN:
Transfer from Hernan’s ranch back to Chile. Drop of either in Temuco, Temuco airport or Pucon.
All our horse riding holidays hold a price guarantee. We believe in your piece of mind on price when you book one of our horse riding holidays and will refund the difference should you find the same horse riding holiday elsewhere at a lower price.
If you are having trouble finding exactly the right horse riding holiday for you from our horse riding holidays collection, please contact us directly using the form below and tell us in your own words what you would like to do and we will use our extensive knowledge to make sure we find that perfect horse riding holiday.
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