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Ride World Wide, Staddon Farm, North Tawton, Devon, EX20 2BX. |
| South America | Argentina to Chile: Ride Across the Andes | ||
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Read clients' testimonials for Argentina to Chile: Ride Across the Andes |
General Description
These rides start from Estancia Huechahue, a working estancia in the Northern Patagonian Lake District of Argentina and follow a route across the Andes, ending north east of Pucon in the Chilean Lake District at Puente Barras, about 60kms (37 miles) from Pucon. They are organised by Jane Williams, who owns Estancia Huechahue, in conjunction with experienced Chilean guides and are a wonderful way to explore the two contrasting sides of the Andes. The rides are in the true pioneering style of Patagonia; they take you across wild, open plains that lead to forests of monkey puzzle and southern beech, then into the mountains past isolated farms and remote homesteads in a region that once provided refuge to the infamous outlaws Butch and Sundance. Starting and ending at Huechahue, nights en-route are in simple camps and cabins along the way.
Summary
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Riding: 5-8 hours a day over varied terrain. | ||
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Horses: Criollo cross. | ||
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Pace: moderate to fast, although varies with terrain. | ||
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Riding ability: confident intermediate to experienced riders. | ||
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Weight limit: about 95kg (15 stone) but please contact us to discuss if you are 90kgs (14st 2lbs) or over. | ||
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Accommodation: 3 nights comfortable estancia, 6 nights simple camps/cabins. | ||
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Group size: max 12. |
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2008 Dates:  |
Dates 2008: Huechahue to Huife (10 nights) Across the Andes (9 nights) Spring (NB new dates may be added). |
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Season: |
Late November to early March | |
Horses and Riding
For the first part of the ride you will use horses from Huechahue - mostly Criollo (the local Argentine breed) and Anglo-Normand crosses of between 15hh and 17hh. You swap horses at the Chilean border and for the second part of the trip use horses owned by your Chilean guides. These are generally slightly smaller, averaging 15hh to 16hh and are mainly Criollo, Chilean Horse and Chilean Horse crosses (similar to a stocky Arab!) All the horses, having been bred and trained locally for working cattle, are strong and sensible yet also extremely responsive, athletic and forward going, so a real pleasure to ride. They are ridden western style and are used to neck reining. Saddles are similar to a western or Maclellan style army saddle, with a comfortable sheepskin on top.
Hours: There is usually about 6 hours riding a day with breaks for rests and lunch though the first day may be up to 8 hours to cover the miles to the first camp site.
Pace and experience required: These rides are geared towards fairly experienced and fit riders who are relaxed and secure in the saddle at a walk, trot and fast canter in open country. Particularly on the first few days there are plenty of opportunities for long fast canters and, on some days, hours are long over quite tricky terrain.
Accommodation
Estancia accommodation is in twin bedded guest rooms in three lodges in the garden of the main house, each with private bathroom. On the route to the Chilean border nights are spent in two-man dome tents. On the Chilean side, two man dome tents or simple cabins are used. There are no washing facilities in camps - the clear mountain rivers and lakes are used for washing. Meals when camping are cooked by your guide/the gauchos over an open fire and are usually eaten sitting on the ground around the campfire.
Rates & Travel
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Rates 2008: |
(valid to March 2009) Across the Andes to Panqui (10 nights) - £2150 Across the Andes (9 nights) Single supplement 20% – this is only charged if you are not prepared to share a room Across the Andes to Huife (10 nights) - £2305 (single supplements only payable only if not prepared to share) |
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Rates include - all riding, twin accommodation (single rooms for single travellers paying the
supplement or otherwise only if available), meals, drinks, guides, camping equipment and transfers from / to Chapelco airport, San Martin de los Andes on the
first and last days. | |
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Rates exclude - flights to Buenos Aires / Chapelco, personal medical insurance (compulsory), any visa fees and extras such as tips, laundry etc. |
Travel
The meeting point for the rides is Chapelco airport at San Martin de los Andes, the
closest airport to Estancia Huechahue. You need to fly to Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, then take an internal flight to Chapelco airport. Andes. You
can also fly internally to Bariloche and transfers can be arranged from there at an extra charge. For flights from London budget around £900 to
£950 economy return (varies with season and availability).
Itinerary in Brief (Across the Andes)
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Day 1 |
You will be met at San Martin de los Andes and driven to Estancia Huechahue. Lunch or tea when you arrive then meet the horses and a short afternoon ride to try them and the Argentine tack, returning to the Estancia for dinner and the night. |
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Day 2 |
Breakfast, then set off on a full day ride to explore the Estancia, stopping for a typical 'asado' barbecue lunch out riding. In the late afternoon return to the Estancia for dinner and the night. |
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Days 3-6 |
Breakfast and set out from Huechahue on the route to the Chilean border. Four day's riding across water meadows and rivers, through an Indian reservation over ridges and through dramatic rocky gorges with many chances for long fast canters. Overnight in simple camps set up on river banks. |
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Day 7 |
Final morning ride on the Argentinian side to the base of Lanin Volcano and the Argentinian/Chilean border in a forest of Monkey Puzzle trees. . Meet your Chilean guide and new horses then start the route down the western slopes of the Andes into Chile. Overnight in camp. |
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Day 8 |
The western slopes of the Andes are much steeper than the eastern, thus the vegetation and scenery contrast dramatically with the country ridden through over the last few days. Stop for a picnic lunch and then ride on in the afternoon to reach Puente Barras, where your Chilean hosts have been farming for generations. Dinner and overnight at Puente Barras. |
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Day 9 |
Breakfast before transferring by car back to Estancia Huechahue in Argentina. Lunch and afternoon ride on the Estancia. Overnight Estancia Huechahue. |
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Day 10 |
Breakfast and farewell ride before transfer to San Martin Airport. |
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Contact us on 01837 82544 for further information, detailed itineraries, dates and if you have any questions. |
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