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Ride World Wide, Staddon Farm, North Tawton, Devon, EX20 2BX. |
| South America | Chile: Andes | ||
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General Description
A ride for those who love high mountains, this trip explores the dramatic and harshly beautiful 'cordillera central' that is the backbone of South America. Tracing an old smugglers route along the Tupungato valley to the Argentine border at 16,000 ft, these rides take you from the roadhead in the mountains, three hours drive from Santiago, into the Central Andes, climbing steep rocky passes and crossing swift flowing rivers. There are breathtaking views of smoking volcanoes, of purple-tinged rock faces cut by tumbling glaciers and of fields of giant icicles as you ride through a remote area that is home to the magnificent giant condor, guanaco and also the shy and elusive puma. Equipment for the ride is carried by pack mule and nights are spent camping along the way, bathing in mountain streams and warm mineral pools. The rides are for the hardy and adventurous - limited packing space coupled with the remoteness of the area, means you must do without some of life's usual luxuries but your reward is a panorama of magnificent mountain scenery and a real feeling of challenge and achievement as you ride through the high peaks.
7 night trips are run from set dates in January and February and shorter rides and other departures can sometimes be arranged on request for 2 or more - please contact us to discuss. These may be lead by a local Chilean (non-English speaking) guide.
Summary
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Riding: 4-7 hours a day. | ||
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Horses: pure bred Chilean, Chilean cross bred. | ||
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Pace: slow due to the altitude and terrain with some steep passes. | ||
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Riding ability: confident novice to experienced riders; the riding terrain can be tough and challenging with steep passes and rivers to cross, but as the pace is quite slow, fit and confident novice riders can take part; there are fun, forward going horses for experienced riders. |
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Weight limit: 90 kgs (14st 2 lbs). | ||
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Accommodation: 2* camping. | ||
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Group size: maximum 8. |
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Dates 2008: |
3rd to 10th February Shorter tailormade rides can be arranged on request for a minimum of 2 riders. | |
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Season: |
7 night rides are run in January and February; shorter rides are possible between November and March. | |
Horses and Riding
The horses are Chilean Horse crosses (they look like thick set Arabs) bred locally for working cattle. They are quite small, between 14hh and 15.2hh, but agile, strong and extremely sure footed, coping easily with the terrain. Chilean saddles are used with a comfortable sheepskin on top. The horses are trained western style and are used to neck reining. Groups are a maximum of 8 guests.
Hours: There is generally 4 to 7 hours riding a day, moving from camp to camp, broken up with rests and for lunch.
Pace and experience required: The riding can be hard as the terrain varies. It includes river crossings and you may climb steep rocky passes at heights of up to 16,000 ft (these trips are not suitable for anyone with a bad head for heights). The minimum requirement to take part is that you have some previous riding experience and a reasonable level of fitness, but as the pace is restricted by the going, those with less riding experience can take part IF they are fit, confident and adventurous. Experienced riders will have fun, responsive horses.
Accommodation
Accommodation on these rides is in simple camps set up by the gauchos and guide, often by a mountain stream. Small two man dome tents and karrimats are provided for sleeping. Washing is in the open air (no facilities although water for a splash / shave may be heated on the fire). Your guide and the gauchos prepare meals and cook for you and pack mules carry luggage, tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mats and other equipment.
Rates & Travel
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Rates 2008: |
(valid to March 2008) High Andes Ride (7 nights) - £1195 per person |
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Rates include - return transfers at set times between Santiago and the start of the ride, all riding, food and drink on the ride, two man tents (twin accommodation although some single tents may be provided for single travellers on request, numbers permitting), equipment and the services of an experienced English / Spanish speaking guide. | |
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Rates exclude - flights to Santiago, accommodation in Santiago, personal medical insurance (compulsory), any visa fees and extras such as tips. |
Travel
The meeting point is Santiago, the capital of Chile. There are several flights from
London to Santiago, generally departing in the evening and arriving Santiago mid morning the next day (e.g. the Chilean airline Lan Chile flies via Madrid).
For flights from London budget around £600 economy return (varies with the airline and season).
Itinerary in Brief
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Day 1 |
You will be met in Santiago and driven about 3 hours to meet the horses and gauchos. Lunch whilst your luggage, camping equipment, food for the week and plenty of Chilean wine is loaded onto the pack mules, then mount up and set off riding. In the late afternoon stop close to the river where there is grazing for the horses and camp for the night. |
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Days 2-7 |
Six days riding through the mountains, following an old smugglers route to the Argentine border, exploring remote valleys amongst the high peaks and climbing steep passes. On day 5 you arrive at the Argentine border having climbed to 16,000 ft and there is time to relax over a picnic lunch and to admire the sweeping view as condors soar over the ridges below. Six nights camping in temporary camps set up en-route. |
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Day 8 |
The final morning's ride is about 3 hours and takes you back to the roadhead. After saying farewell to the horses meet the vehicles that will drive you back to Santiago, arriving in the late afternoon [an extra night's accommodation in Santiago is required before onward flights]. |
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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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