(No availability) 10 Day Legendary Andes Crossing Horse Riding Holiday in Paso de Los Patos from Chile to Argentina
The listing is fully booked, get notified when dates are available
We’ll only ever send you one email notification and will never spam you
Andes Crossing Horse Riding Holiday Chile - Argentina
Ride through the legendary crossing of the Andes by San Martin and the Army of Independence from Chile to Argentina! You are invited to share with Pioneros Riding Tours the privilege of re-editing one of the most amazing achievements in the history of mankind, crossing the Andes on horseback through the exact same spot San Martín and his “Army of the Andes” did in 1817 to free the people of Chile from its European monarchs! Thought for a small group of enthusiasts of nature and history, have the chance to feel the titanic efforts that the "Fathers of Independence" had to overcome; a mythical journey that draws like a magnet; probably, the trip of a lifetime!
Key Information
- Tack Type: South American Recado saddles
- Horse Breed: Argentine and Chilean Criollo Horses and Mules
- We can accommodate riders up to 110kilos but we need to know in advance
- Horses and mules are 14.5hands and above.
Meet the instructors
Read more
Highlights
- 7 days horse riding
- English-speaking guide and gauchos
- Approximate daily riding time: 6-9 hours
- Criollo horses, saddlebags, pack mules and camping equipment are included
- Satellite phone for emergency calls
- Hot meals at dinner and picnic at lunch will be provided
- All meals, wine and beverages during rides,
- 9 nights accommodation (6 at camping, 3 at hotel)
Skill level
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Styles
Accommodation
You will spend 6 nights camping where everyone in the group is asked to help to the extent possible, 1 night at a hotel in Los Andes, Chile, and 2 nights at a hotel at Uspallata in double, triple rooms.
- Night 1: Los Andes town - Hotel
- Night 2: Las Tejas - Camp
- Night 3: El Ciénego - Camp
- Nights 4 and 5: Valle Hermoso - Camp
- Night 6: Rancho de Lata: Camp
- Night 7: Peñón Colorado: Camp
- Nights 8 and 9: Uspallata - Hotel
Program
The legendary crossing of the Andes through the route taken by San Martín in 1817 - Argentina / Chile
“...what does not allow me to sleep well is, not the strength of our enemy army, but crossing these immense mountains”. Written by Don José de San Martín to José María Guido, 14 June, 1816.
While the roar of freedom was still heard in France and the U.S., its echo rolled into South America, where patriotic voices with gigantic dreams coordinated their actions to put an end to 350 years of monarchic dominance and open an era of individual free will.
Pioneros Riding Tours wants to invite you to share with them the privilege of reediting one of the most amazing achievements in the history of mankind. Crossing the Andes on horseback through the exact same spot San Martín and his “Army of the Andes” did in 1817 to free the people of Chile from its European monarchs. Thought for a small group of enthusiasts of nature and history. You will have the chance to feel the titanic efforts that the Chilean Fathers of Independence had to overcome. A mythical journey that draws like a magnet. It was probably the trip of a lifetime.
This wilderness is flanked by the highest mountains in America, the Aconcagua (20 900 ft.) and the Mercedario (20 700 ft.). It is in these uninhabited places, which you can only reach on horseback, where huge herds of guanacos roam freely and the Andean condor nests. Only in unique places like this can you enjoy the privilege of watching them at ease.
As the sun sets, the spectacular stars of the southern hemisphere will cover the sky. Relax at the camp with its peaceful atmosphere. The campfire that lightens up the darkness as you share a cup of coffee, tea or mate. All this creates the ideal ambiance to feel the timeless spirit of nature and settle each day’s emotions.
Only after you have reached the other side of the Andes, you say that you now completely understand the exact value of each of San Martin’s words: “...and to the Army of the Andes remains forever the glory of saying: in 24 days we have done the campaign, we crossed the highest mountains of the globe, we ended tyranny and gave freedom to Chile”. Signed by José de San Martín, 22 February, 1817, Santiago de Chile.
Following next is a description of the scheduled itineraries. Pioneros Riding Tours can also arrange tailor-made rides during the season. Please ask for rates.
Warning: While Pioneros Riding Tours always endeavors to avoid changes before and during the program and cancellations, they must reserve the right to do so due to unusual or unforeseeable circumstances, including acts of man or nature which so require.
Summary:
- Day 1 – Arrive Santiago de Chile, Chile. Transfer to Los Andes town. Night at hotel. Welcome dinner with your guides.
- Day 2 – Horseback riding. Transfer to Los Patos. Start of the ride to Las Tejas with the Chilean gauchos. Night in camp.
- Day 3 – Horseback riding (cont.). from Las Tejas to El Ciénego
- Day 4 – Horseback riding (cont.) Border crossing. Switching to Argentine horses. Camp in Argentina at Valle Hermoso. Aconcagua Mt. view.
- Day 5 – Horseback riding (cont.). Day to relax. Camp in Argentina at Valle Hermoso. Aconcagua Mt. view.
- Day 6 – Horseback riding (cont.). Valle Hermoso, along the Volcán River, to Rancho de Lata.
- Day 7 – Horseback riding (cont.). From Rancho de Lata to Peñón, Colorado. We cross at 4500 meters high the famous Espinacito Slope.
- Day 8 – Horseback riding (cont.). Final day of riding. Arrive to Manantiales and Hornillas. To Uspallata in a minibus. Night in hotel. Farewell dinner.
- Day 9 – Uspallata. A day to relax in this mountain villa with several optional activities to do. Night in hotel.
- Day 10 – Wine tour in Mendoza and airport. Visit Tapiz Boutique Winery. It makes some of Argentina’s best wines at Luján de Cuyo area. Lunch at the winery. Transfer to Mendoza city airport. End of program. We will be glad to assist you with the continuation of your trip.
Extra days: Optional adventure activities (rafting, climbing with rappel, trekking, 4x4 WD with mining tour).
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Santiago de Chile, Chile
Transfer to Los Andes town at a preset time around noon. Rest of day at leisure. Night at hotel. Welcome dinner with your guides and the rest of the group.
Day 2: Start of of the horseback ride
Transfer from Los Andes to Los Patos. This is the route taken by San Martin´s army on his way to Santiago, through the Aconcagua Valley and the Putaendo Valley. You will see the site where, on 12, 1817, the Chacabuco battle took place. On February 14, San Martín and O’Higgins entered Santiago de Chile to declare independence. At Los Patos, the Chilean horses and gauchos will be waiting for you. Migrations at local authorities to allow us to cross this unattended border. You ride upstream the Rocin River to Las Tejas, your first campsite.
Day 3: Horseback riding (cont.)
You are riding the Pacific Ocean watersheds. You go up the Rocín river canyon. Night at El Ciénego camp.
Day 4: Horseback riding (cont.)
You leave early in the morning to reach the international border at 3500 m. Changing horses is mandatory, so you say farewell to your Chilean horses and continue your ride with an Argentine team who came all the way to fetch you. You will have a very close view of Aconcagua Mt. (6962 m.–20,900 ft.), the highest peak in America and the Western Hemisphere. Night at Valle Hermoso. For a reason, it is called “Beautiful Valley”.
Day 5: Horseback riding (cont.)
You spend a second day at this heavenly spot to rest. Today you will do a day ride along the valley to get a closer view of Mount Aconcagua. Easy going and at your own pace. Or you can just go trout fishing or stay at camp and relax. Dinner at campsite.
Day 6, Horseback riding (cont.)
You ride along the Los Patos Valley, which gives the name to this pass and is an old sea bottom full of marine fossils, and the Volcán River. You camp at 3500 m. in Rancho de Lata to get ready for the next day challenge.
Day 7: Horseback riding (cont.)
Today, you cross the Espinacito Slope at 4500 m. (13 500 ft.) high. This is the highest point of the journey. The landscape is daydreaming and makes you feel the titanic efforts that the Army of the Andes had to overcome. Night at Peñón Colorado.
Day 8: Horseback riding (end)
After breakfast, you ride to Hornillas. The challenge is almost over, and you now fully grasp the real meaning of the crossing. Say farewell to your horses and leave behind the adventure. You go to Uspallata town in a minibus to spend the night at a hotel. Farewell dinner.
Day 9: Uspallata
A day for a well deserved rest in this mountain villa with several optional activities like rafting, biking, trekking, or just relaxing at the pool. Night in hotel.
Day 10: Mendoza wines and airport
This day will be very gourmet: wine making and tasting, and a superb lunch. From Uspallata we leave early to Luján de Cuyo. This area is now known worldwide for producing several of Argentina’s best wines. Your visit to Mendoza would not be complete without a visit to the famous Club Tapiz boutique winery. During this private visit, you will have the chance to taste their premium wines directly from the oak casks. Lunch at the winery.
Transfer to Mendoza city airport. End of the program.
Note: Pioneros Riding Tours will be happy to assist you with the continuation of your trip (hotel reservations, transfers, etc.).
Trip facts
- Days: 10 days plus extra optional days, 7 full riding days
- Horses: Argentine and Chilean criollo horses and mules. If you have a specific requirement about riding horses or mules, you have to ask in advance at time of making your reservation
- Tack: South American Recado saddles. They are very comfortable for long rides
- Pace: Slow, 6-9 hours per day. Some long days
- Level: Suitable for novice to experienced riders who are looking for a real riding expedition. You travel light and keep camping gear to a minimum
- Weather: Summer Hi 30°C (86ºF) - Lo minus 5°C (25ºF). The program is subject to the natural weather contingencies involved in any environment like this
Instructors
Eduardo Finkel
Eduardo graduated as an engineer and worked in the corporate world for 15 years, helping companies in many countries define their business strategies. However, he always had a passion for horses and nature. This made him start Pioneros in 1999, seeking that the best and unreachable places of Argentina and Chile on horseback could be available to everyone.
Tatiana Hasenclever
Tatiana will be hosting and guiding you during this holiday.
Location
This wilderness is flanked by the highest mountains in America, the Aconcagua (20900 feet) and the Mercedario (20700 feet.). It is in these uninhabited places, which you can only reach on horseback, where huge herds of guanacos roam freely and the Andean condor nests. Only in unique places like this, you can enjoy the privilege of watching them at ease.
As the sun sets, the spectacular stars of the southern hemisphere will cover the sky. Relax at the camp with its peaceful atmosphere. The campfire that lightens up the darkness as you share a cup of coffee, tea, or mate. All this creates the ideal ambiance to feel the timeless spirit of nature and settle each day’s emotions.
Only after you have reached the other side of the Andes, you will be able to say that you now completely understand the exact value of each of San Martin’s words:
“…..and to the Army of the Andes remains forever the glory of saying: in 24 days we have done the campaign, we crossed the highest mountains of the globe, we ended tyranny and gave freedom to Chile”. Signed by José de San Martín - 22 February 1817, Santiago de Chile.
This is a historical location. When the Army of Independence chose this path to cross the Andes it was facing a challenge never accomplished in the past. And it was never done again. Both Napoleon and Hanibal crossed mountains to attack but those were 3 times shorter and 3 times lower. Additionally, it is where the highest mountains in America and the Western Hemisphere stand. It provides a unique geographical immensity.
Food
Daily hot meals at dinner will be served as well as picnic lunches. All meals, wine, and beverages during the ride and others are indicated in town. Cooking equipment and tableware will also be provided.
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:
- Vegetarian
- Lacto-ovo Vegetarian
- Gluten Free
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
Things to do (optional)
Extra days
Buenos Aires
Take some time to visit the city and learn about its icons in a very special way: tango, Plaza de Mayo, Casa Rosada’s balcony, Eva Peron, etc. Lunch not included. In the evening, you attend a tango show with dinner and a tango lesson. Night in hotel.
Rafting
Rafting on the River Mendoza, the region’s best. 5-7 miles on the rapids, surrounded by awesome scenery. The level of difficulty of this river is OK for everyone (level 2.5-3), thus combining adventure with safety.
Climbing and rappel
Rappel a natural wall located in a deep gorge in the Andes. Before you start, the instructors will teach you the basics that will help you enjoy the experience of climbing this wall using ropes. This activity does not require any previous training, and there is no age limit. 4 hours and 30 minutes.
Trekking
Towards the Cerro de la Cruz (6900 ft.) you reach the base of the mountain. This is a trek of medium difficulty that can be done by everyone. Highly recommended for young people who are fond of nature and like awesome mountain landscapes.
What's included
- Accommodations (6 nights camping where everyone in the group is asked to help to the
- extent possible, 1 night hotel at Los Andes, Chile, 2 nights hotel at Uspallata – double, triple rooms)
- Transfer Santiago de Chile – Los Andes at pre-set time, Los Andes - Los Patos, Barreal – Uspallata – Mendoza
- English speaking guide, gauchos, horses, saddlebags, pack mules
- Camping equipment
- Cooking equipment and tableware
- First aid kits for people and horses
- Oxygen bottle for high altitude
- Iridium satellite phone for emergency calls
- Hot meals at dinner and picnic at lunch
- All meals, wine and beverages during ride and others indicated in town
- Luggage: 20 kilos per person plus saddlebags
What's not included
- International and domestic flights
- Travel and medical insurance
- Gratuities and all others not indicated as included
- Return bus tickets to Santiago de Chile cost approximately 60 USD or flights 150 USD
- Extra activities in Buenos Aires, Mendoza (rafting, climbing and rappel, trekking, etc.)
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport
118 km
Transfer included
Meeting place: Santiago de Chile city or airport at preset time. Usually around 2 PM.
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 30 days before arrival.
