Program Type : Horseback
Price : $ 7,300
All inclusive
Horseback riding without borders through Argentina and Patagonia.
Immerse yourself in the depths of “Virgin Patagonia” which expands from the Argentina steppe to the Valdivian jungle in Chile. Let your senses be captivated by the aromas, colors and sounds that make up this exquisite region. Journey for eleven days with your horse by your side trekking across mountains, plains, through forest and staying in inns. Experience the true nature of this region by connecting with its inhabitants and learning about its native cultures.
ITINERARY – ARGENTINA TO CHILE
Day 1- Bariloche
Your journey begins at Teniente Luis Candelaria International Airport where a vehicle will
transfer you to your hotel located near the center of Bariloche. We suggest you select an early flight so that you can travel through this fantastic city, immersing yourself in the heart of the Patagonian Andes and being mesmerized by its beautiful lakes and imposing mountains. At six in the afternoon you will be met by one of our guides at the hotel who will give you the details of how and under what conditions the expedition will be carried out over the next few days. We end the day with dinner at a traditional Bariloche restaurant, excited with anticipation for the adventure beginning on horseback along the mountain trails.
Day 2 – Bariloche – Río Pichi Leufú
After breakfast you will begin your great journey, traveling to the town of Nirihuau , 45 minutes by car from Bariloche. This small town is characterized by the magnificent landscapes that can be seen surrounding it and by the agriculture and livestock of the local farmers mainly dedicated to breeding cows, sheep and horses. This is your initiation as a rider, crossing the hill Las Buitreras, a panoramic point from where you can feast your eyes on its magnificent view. We continue on horseback towards the foothills advancing between the sierra and the steppe. Once we reach half way, we break for lunch whilst watching the crystal-clear waters of the Pichi Leufú river. You will meet these waters again four hours later, however this time at the source of the river where we will set up camp and rest under the glow of the Patagonian moon.
Day 3 Pichi Leufú River – Alto Chubut
This morning you will be met with a nutritious yet necessary breakfast to energize you to face a new day of riding. As the hours pass by, you will leave behind the landscapes of the delicate hills and deep valleys continuing towards a point called “Paso sin Nombre” which is the same path that the inhabitants of these lands travel to slaughter their cattle, roughly located 1,700 meters above sea level. In the heart of these landscapes, you will have a moment of rest and relaxation, enjoying your lunch and preparing to follow the route ahead. After navigating the rocky area, you will be met by the Alto Chubut. An immense valley that is in the middle of the mountain range that gives you a sense of infinite pristine nature. You will continue through this valley, until you reach a site surrounded by an ancient Lenga forest, a beautiful native species to the Andean Patagonia that, in some places of the region, can measure more than 30 meters high. After about six hours of riding you will finally come to rest and enjoy dinner. Here you will camp in pure paradise.
Day 4 – Alto Chubut – El Sapucai
A new dawn awaits with a Patagonian breakfast. The march continues, following the course of the diaphanous Chubut River, descending towards the Patagonian steppe. In this region, the flora can be identified by small shrubs and bushes as well as some grassland and perennial hardwoods. Your horse will make its way through this vegetation along the river bank and through the stone canyons and some old animal breeding stations. In the afternoon, after riding for five or six hours, you and your loyal companion will meet the mountain refuge that will receive them in El Sapucai. On this night you will enjoy a wonderfull dinner and rest, dreaming of the day to come.
Day 5 – El Sapucai – La Laguna – El Sapucai
Fully fueled after breakfast you will travel directly up the monumental Andes Mountain range, thus starting a new day of expedition. Here you will truly experience the skill and grace of your Creole horse who will guide you as you navigate through the rocky roads and lenga forest of the pass. With each new landscape a beautiful collage of color and shapes will begin to form but will only really be appreciated at the end of the day when all these images come together in full view by being surrounded by the eternal snow-capped mountains. We rest for lunch beside the lagoons and return on a different path of shrubs and lenga forest. After six unforgettable hours of riding you will again be met by the same refugee and spend another amazing night deep in the heart of the Argentinian Patagonia.
Day 6 – El Sapucai – Puesto Viejo – Lago Puelo
This will be the most significant part of the journey within the trip as the ride is not long but it is intense because it is along the last side of the mountain range and Chabut river. You will cross small settlements belonging to the inhabitants of the area. These are the Mapuche people (“people of the land” in the Mapudungun language), an ethnic group native to the Patagonian region on both sides of the mountain range. Arriving at Puesto Viejo you will have the last picnic lunch in the company of the Argentinean Baquianos who have shared with you all these days. Then, it will be time to say goodbye to them and your trusty Creole. Waiting at an old school in the area you will take a bus to Lago Puelo. On the way, you will be able to see the typical flora of this microclimate: native forests, cypresses and maitenes. In addition to this, you will see the farms of the area, where cherries, raspberries, hops and fruit are planted for use in the production of craft beers. Tonight, it will be the last night under the southern Argentinian sky resting in the comfort of a B & B. Not without having tasted a delicious dinner however in a local restaurant and recalling the experience lived on this side of the Andes . This will be the only day you can use the internet and telephone. However, from here on you will have the option to recharge batteries.
Day 7 – Lago Puelo – Island Las Bandurrias
After breakfast, you will set out for Chile towards the Lago Puelo National Park which is very close by and is a must for any nature lover. Here you will need to go through customs which is required in order to take the boat that crosses the two majestic lakes and the rapids that unite Argentina and Chile. This takes just forty minutes from the other side of Patagonia. A fifteen minute walk through flora that’s beauty reaches the soul is all the time necessary to reach the border. After the customs process you will return to the boat and sail for twenty minutes along the Las Rocas Lake towards Las Bandurrias Island. As the boat passes over the the crystal-clear waters, a set of unimaginable images are brought to light: the forest and steppe are embraced by the mountains within in the light of a pristine and pure heaven. At the end of this trip, this splendid and magical island will welcome you with its beautiful cabins ready for you to relax and unwind in. Accompanied by a delicious dinner the memorable night will come to an end. You will be able to wash your clothes here.
Day 8 – Isla Las Bandurrias – Blue Lake – Las Bandurrias Island
On this morning, surrounded by the ornate beauty of the Island, you will have breakfast and prepare a day of horseback riding. Departing from the shores of Lake Las Rocas you will the trails that will take you to the Colina field, the first approach to the Chilean mountain range and where you will take a short break before continuing the journey across a chain of mountains that look towards the Blue Lake. Here along its limpid beach you will have lunch and a short rest. The afternoon continues through an old forest of the Valdivian jungle characterized by its varied and prolific flora which is produced by the temperate and humid microclimate of the forest. A phenomenon that is observed in few places within the Chilean territory and in front of which you will not be able to remain indifferent. Thus, the scene of millennial forests and multiple paths will accompany you along the route, where the penetrating and magical landscape of the mountains will not be absent.
After a short sailing trip, you will return to Las Bandurrias Island ending a new expedition of more than five hours on horseback. The day comes to and end by savoring a delicious dinner and, later, you will enjoy a necessary and well deserved rest under the stars of the south.
Day 9 – Las Bandurrias Island / Las Rosas
After a goodnights rest and breakfast, you will continue your journey submerging yourself into the dense forests. When you reach the source of the Puelo River a boat will take you to the other side while the boatman guides the horses across. Once back on land and dry, you will follow the path that will take you to a mountain settlement in the area named Segundo Corral where they begin the ascent to meet with the splendid view of Las Mellizas. Here you will eat lunch whist facing two lagoons with crystal clear water surrounded by mountains. In the afternoon you will leave behind the heights to reach the Ventisqueros River valley through which you will travel until you reach the end of the day´s journey completing a good seven hours of riding. This last stop is nothing less than the home of a family in the area who will welcome you with food and a bed in this new night under the Patagonian firmament.
Day 10 – Las Rosas / Ventisqueros
A typical southern breakfast will kick-off the day to continue the march through the valley of the Ventisqueros River. You will again cross self-sustaining properties belonging to the cattle breeders, old Cordilleran forests and some streams. You will experience in live flesh the crossing of different rivers that will appear on the road and you will be amazed by the magnificent landscapes which appear before your eyes. Near noon, you will stop at a white sandy beach just in front of the Ventisqueros to enjoy your lunch and rest. At the beginning of the afternoon you will continue the journey through this incomparable land and finally after six or seven hours of riding you will reach the destination of the day, in a small house, where you will be offered dinner and lodging for the next two nights.
Day 11 – Ventisque ros / El Toro
After breakfast, we begin this new day at least four hours on horseback. The expedition goes into a neighboring valley where you will admire the awe inspiring hanging glacier. At lunch time, you will enjoy a typical country lunch resting on the banks of the Toro River. Moving through the narrow valley, the flora, increasingly dense, will finally lead you to a forest of Patagonian larches ( Fitzroya Cupresoyde ) , native species protected and characterized among other things, by its great height. In this place you will feel the peace that purity offers you in this virgin nature. This day we return early where you will rest of the afternoon and be free to decide between taking a walk on foot and exploring the surroundings of the house, swimming in the river or simply resting in the middle of this earthly paradise awaiting for the hour of another typical and delicious Patagonian dinner.
Day 12 – Ventisqueros / Las Rosas
Another morning begins with a typical hearty breakfast before setting off towards the Puelo River. This round lasts seven hours which is more than enough time to appreciate the diverse landscapes, composed of waterfalls, mountains and streams, as you move along the trails with your Chilean horse. Halfway, you will make a break along the banks of the Ventisqueros River to savor another delicious picnic lunch and replenish the necessary energy to continue the rest of the trip. Leaving the valley, you will pass through the local proprietors who work the land in the same way as their ancestors once did. As you advance the vegetation becomes much denser in some areas of the trail.
At the end of the day, you will arrive at the house of the settlers who will open their doors and offer you a delicious homemade dinner and a warm bed to sleep in.
Day 13 – Las Rosas / Llanada Grande / Puerto Varas
This morning, you will be bombarded by a mixture of sensations while you enjoy your last breakfast as a rider. As soon as you have finished you will start riding again, walking the roads along the Puelo River that will take you to Puerto Urrutia, roughly an hour on horseback. Then, it will be time to say goodbye and leave behind your faithful travel companion on Chilean soil and get back onto four wheels, bound for Lake Tagua. 40 minutes of navigation on the ferry takes you to the other side. You will return to the route that will allow you to immerse yourself in the four remaining hours of the trip, bordering the Reloncaví Estuary , passing through the deep blue waters of Lake Llanquihue and delighting yourself with the imposing view of the Calbuco and Osorno volcanos located in the Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park. The trip ends in Puerto Varas where, with a farewell dinner, you will end almost two weeks of voyaging, treasuring the wild charms of Patagonia and its corners.
Day 14 – Transfer Puerto Varas / Ae ropuerto
The sunrise in Puerto Varas will indicate that the time has come to depart. After breakfast a vehicle will accompany you to Puerto Montt airport where you will take the flight that will close the magic cycle of this unforgettable experience.
This program is just an itinerary proposal. Girovai.com is at your complete disposal and can customize your trip based on your wants and needs in order to make it a unique and unforgettable experience for you.
Riding dates 2020-2021
November 2nd, 2020 – November 15th, 2020: SOLD OUT
December 9th, 2020 – December 22nd, 2020 (Eclipse ride): 8 saddles available
January 4th, 2021 – January 17th, 2020: SOLD OUT
January 15th, 2021 – January 28th, 2021: 8 saddles available
All inclusive program includes:
– Accommodation at hotels in Bariloche and Puerto Varas . Accommodation at Sapucai lodge, Bandurrias Island, lodging on local homes and camping.
– Briefing on arrival day at 6PM at the hotel lobby.
– Scheduled transfers on arrival to Bariloche airport. Pick-ups will be at 13hrs and 16 hrs.
– Scheduled departures from Puerto Varas Hotel towards Puerto Montt airport. Pick-ups will be at 9am and 12pm.
– Transfers on motorized boat and ferry-boats,
– Meals: Dinner menu on arrival day. Breakfast, Lunch, Tea and Dinner during riding days. – — Breakfast included on departure day.
– Drinks included: one glass of wine on dinner in Bariloche and Puerto Varas. Half bottle of wine per person, only at dinner time during the riding days.
– Bilingual guides, local guides (baqueanos), VHF communication radio.
– Saddle horses; pack horses and additional horses according to the number of riders in the group. Extra: We recommend that you bring a sleeping bag comfortable for temperatures down to -5°C. If you do not have it, we can provide you one. Advance notice is recommended.
– For more information about the ride, please request our riding programs, which details technical and specific information about what to bring for the GT.
– Price based on sharing a twin or double room – single rooms may be available (but cannot be guaranteed) at an extra cost. However, if you are travelling alone and willing to share a room, we often have other riders doing the same who are happy to keep costs down by sharing with another lone traveller of the same sex and wherever possible we try to match sharers by age etc too.
Not included :
− Flights and airport taxes
− Everything that is not indicated in the schedule for the nights
− Sleeping bag for camping nights (we advise you to take one with a comfort temperature
equal to or greater than -5 degrees, alternatively you can rent it for a value of $45 USD
Season: Begins in November and runs until the end of March.
Documentation: Passport or travel document is required per day. We recommend you find out if there are any visa requirements depending on your nationality.
Guide: according to the Girovai.com philosophy, the guides and hosts are the key to an unforgettable trip. Therefore, we trust only in people of total confidence, who are perfectly trained in the area and who have basic knowledge of first aid. They will always be one step ahead, to help you and advise you on the best way to make your trip an experience.
Security and insurance: our qualified staff have security equipment and a satellite phone on the Argentine side and VHF radio system on the Chilean side. We also have life vests for the river crossings. Along with the above, Girovai. com has insurance for this type of tourism. A necessary requirement to participate in our adventures however is to hire travel medical insurance, preferably in your country of origin.
Medicines and vaccines: There are no vaccine requirements for travelers. However, in case you need some kind of medicine, we recommend you bring it in enough quantity for the whole trip as could be difficult to get in this area. We also ask you to be aware of possible chronic diseases such as diabetes, blood and heart diseases and possible allergies.
Luggage: Riding pants ( jeans ), gloves, leather chaps, long-sleeved shirts to protect you from the sun, short- sleeved shirts (in case of too much heat or to have it as the first layer of clothing in places where the temperature is variable). Comfortable shoes or riding boots; It is preferable not to wear riding boots because they have thin soles and, during the trip, in many cases it will be necessary to get off the horse and guide him; neither are rubber boots recommended because the weather could be very hot. A windbreaker, fleece and waterproof jacket, helmet or hat, sunglasses with safety cord, sunscreen and lip protection. A small bag for personal items and a scarf.
Important: The day before the start of the ride, alongside the introductory talk, our guide will give you the material for the following days, which will include a bag to separate the luggage of the first four days of riding (This cannot not exceed 10 kg) while the rest of your things you will receive directly at Lago Puelo. Since the transport of luggage will be carried out by pack horses, it is important that you choose a flexible bag (rigid suitcases are not allowed because they are not suitable for this type of transport).
Horses: Chilean and Argentine horses are descendants of the horse brought by the Spaniards in the sixteenth century and have been adapted, mixed and improved based on their geography and use. The Chilean horse is a cross between the Arab horse and the English horse. It is of medium and robust dimensions, willful, safe and docile. These horses are born and grown in el Puelo Valley, for this reason, they are extremely knowledgeable about these trails. The frame of the seat is made of light wood and is covered with a soft layer of sheep’s wool which makes it comfortable. The Argentinian horse with its short and strong legs is a powerful animal, particularly suited to work in the field but also ideal for riding. Although it is a rustic and energetic animal, it is particularly docile. Its mount is comfortable and practical, designed for long days on horseback.
Flights: There are domestic flights connecting the cities of Santiago and Puerto Montt in Chile. Similarly, if the trip is made in the opposite direction, there are connecting flights between Buenos Aires and Bariloche, in Argentina.
Tips : In South America it is customary to leave a tip when the service received is satisfactory. This is common in restaurants, with the porters in hotels and airport, with hotel staff, etc. This tip is not an exorbitant amount, it is however in recognition for the service. We will advise you during the trip about the appropriate tips. As for the guides, assistants and Baquianos, we suggest you consider a figure of around $140USD per rider, which will be divided between the Argentinian and Chilean personnel. Obviously, these figures are only a guide and values depend on the will of each traveler.
Exchanging currency: it is important to consider that during the cavalcade the exchange of foreign currency will not be possible, so we advise you to buy Argentinian and Chilean pesos in Buenos Aires or in Bariloche, before your departure.
* Travelers of 90kg / 195 lbs or more should consider the lease of a extra horse to alternate with during the day as the Chilean Creole is not a large horse. The value per extra horse is $210USD