(No availability) 5-Day Andes Crossing: Authentic Horseback Expedition in Argentina
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Breathtaking Argentina Horse Riding Holiday
The crossing of the Andes on horseback is an unforgettable and incomparable adventure. Gaucho Argentino offers a unique program for small groups that experience an authentic cultural exchange with the families living in this isolated place.
Key Information
- Rider Weight Limit: 100 kilograms / 220 pounds
- Horse Breed: Criollos
Highlights
- 4 days of horse riding
- Approximate daily riding time: 5 to 6 hours
- Ride through the mountains of the spectacular Andes
- Daily breakfast, lunch, dinner, and beverages
- Free use of horses and horse equipment
- Transportation from Malargüe
- 4 nights accommodation
Styles
Accommodation
This is a rustic and authentic gaucho experience. Gaucho Argentino will provide the tents and you will bring your sleeping bag. The first camp will be held at Los Álamos Post or El Mallín depending on the weather. You will sleep two nights here and the rest in Post Yeso.
Program
On this holiday, you will ride through the centenary steps of the gauchos, cross rivers, then arrive at the border with Chile. You go along the mountain ridges overlooking beautiful valleys, then arrive at a hot spring - this adventure is offered from December to February, in the Andes west of Malargüe.
Excellent service in the mountains
After a hot breakfast, the day will consist of approximately 5 or 6 hours of horseback riding with a halfway break for lunch, followed by a hearty and delicious dinner with the best Argentine wines.
You ride through a spectacular mountain landscape on well-trained horses, you will feel the magic of this vastness and you will come to understand why they have so much mythical power in the history of the region. The itinerary offers real experiences of a remote way of life that has not changed over the years. You will not pass the 4200 meters high in the ride.
The parade leaves from Las Loicas, around noon of the day. For that reason, you need to come to Las Loicas the day before and return on the fifth day to the same place of departure around 1:00 p.m. There is a Mapicsa Hostel to stay at the night before with breakfast included. It can leave the car with the suitcases at the Gendarmería, during the ride. Gaucho Argentino provides some suitcases for you to put your personal things for the ride.
Daily itinerary
Day 1
The ride lasts three and a half hours and five hours per day on the rest of the tour. There are two destinations where you arrive according to the weather conditions. They are called Milestone-Martínez or the Hito Las Overas. During the days of the crossing, there is no fixed departure time since you depend on whether cold or windy. The day will consist of approximately five or six hours of horseback riding a day.
Darío Gallardo has been doing this parade for 15 years with already 115 crossings crossing the Andes. The night before the ride, you will have a barbecue at the house of the stallholder Edmundo who will accompany you throughout the journey with a team. During the meal, Darío is going to explain what the parade is about, the itinerary, and so on. After breakfast and preparing the mules, you will eat something light and go out around 1:00 p.m. to ride for three hours.
They have three different routes, which will be chosen according to the weather of the moment, and always prioritize safety. The first camp will be held at Los Álamos Post or El Mallín depending on the weather. You will arrive at 4:00 p.m. It is going to be time to clean up while you will begin to assemble the tents. Dinner will be around 8:30 p.m.
Day 2
The ascent of the deceased is made where you will ride between four and five hours with the same routine of schedules of the previous day.
Day 3
You will go down to the Post Yeso where you will sleep. You will also ride between four and five hours with the same routine as the schedules of the previous day.
Day 4
You will go up to the Las Overas Post where you will leave the mules and the food to get to the milestone - Las Overas at 4000 meters. After a while of resting, you will go back down to the place to sleep.
Day 5
You will begin to descend to reach Las Loicas around 5:00 p.m. where you will stay to sleep in the same hostel as the first night (whichever you want).
Breed of the horses
The majority of the horses are Criollos. The Argentine Criollo is recognized for its steadfast character, intelligence, and endurance. As one of the hardiest breeds with a strong muscular body and broad chest, they have been willing and sensible working companions for gauchos in Argentina. The breed has been carefully managed since the early 20th century. Gaucho Argentino breeds and uses Criollo and Criollo-cross horses for many of its horse riding adventures. Often trained by the same gauchos that accompany the guests on the rides, the Criollos are safe, well-trained, and smart.
Location
The holiday will take place in Argentina, a country of beauty and drama, renowned for its delicious beef, rich wines, tango, and its folk hero - the gaucho. Originally a nomadic horseman and cowhand of the Argentine Pampas, hundreds of years of history, legends, and ballads have helped define the cultural traditions of gauchos embedding their influence deeply into Argentine cultural tradition.
Because the gaucho played a major role in the country’s independence from Spain, they are respected as a symbol representing the nationalist feelings of Argentina. Gauchos were and remain proud and skilled horsemen. Typically, a gaucho's horse constituted most of what he owned in the world. Annual fiestas across Argentina usually include demonstrations of Gaucho horsemanship.
Food
You will have filter coffee, mate, tea, milk, cookies, cold cuts, cheeses, eggs, bacon, fruits, water, and juices for the first night. Your dinners will consist of meats, vegetables, stews, barbecue, French fries, salads, and fruits as well as water, juices, and wine. Gaucho Argentino can make vegetarian and vegan meals should you notify them with anticipation.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Coffee
- Tea
- Alcoholic beverages
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
- Other dietary requirements on request
What's included
- Horse riding sessions
- Use of horses and horse equipment
- 4 nights accommodation
- Tents
- Pick-up from Malargüe
- Breakfasts, lunches, and dinners
- Beverages
What's not included
- Transfers to the place of the departure of the cabalgata (horseback ride)
- Night accommodation at the Mapicsa hostel
- Your own sleeping bag
How to get there
Recommended Airports
San Rafael Airport
146 km
Transfer not provided
Arrival by bus
From San Rafael Airport (AFA), take a bus or taxi to the bus terminal (11 kilometers) and then go to Malargüe where Gaucho Argentino will be waiting for you (190 kilometers).
This adventure begins in Las Loicas, a small town nestled in the Andes, an hour west of Malargüe. The group will meet in Malargüe if you decide to go by car or take the bus. Although it is possible to drive to Malargüe from Buenos Aires in approximately 12 hours, it is recommended that you fly to Mendoza or San Rafael. Then, for the rest of the trip (2.5 hours from San Rafael, 4.5 hours from Mendoza), you can rent a car or travel by bus. Gaucho Argentino has a travel agent who can help you with the arrangements.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 30% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 2 days before arrival.
