Los Andes on Horseback – Argentina
Ride Description:
A horseback expedition to Los Andes heart reaching the Chilean border. Large sandy areas, extensions of volcanic ashes, waterfalls, the local inhabitants, its horses, its goats, a very different rhythm compared to the city. The expedition begins at Guatana Camp. Located in the heart of Los Andes Range at 2400 meters above sea level and 6 hours horse riding from Las Loicas (Mendoza’s Province, Argentina) where the car road ends. The tented camp includes: Tents with beds and heating, dining room, bathrooms and hot water showers and electricity (220 V). An ideal place to stay, where the starry skies and the vastness of the landscape are a mesmerizing sight.
Departure Dates: December 2011: 28th (New Years Ride) | January 2012: 3rd (Tuesday), Sat 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th | February 2012: Sat 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th | March 2012: Sat 3rd, 10th
Prices: from £795.00 Per Person (Internal flight from Buenos Aires to Mendoza NOT included)
- Day 1 Transfer in a private car from the hotel to the bus terminal to catch the bus to San Rafael and connect with a bus to Malargue.
- Day 2 Arrival in Malargüe by car or bus. Meet and greet and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation. At the end of the day the group gathers for an itinerary overview and revision and delivery of the saddle-bags. This is a time for “duty”, meaning we will have to choose what is worth carrying to the Guatana Camp and what to leave behind at the hotel. In the saddle-bags it is advisable to carry the necessary things for the day (coat, creams, camera, etc.) while leaving the personal belongings and clothes on the bags carried by mules. Dinner and night at the Microtel Inn.
- Day 3 Early morning transfer to Las Loicas (105 km – 2:30 hours). The road goes through the mountains until reaching this small village which basically lives of goat and cattle. Once there the “baqueano” will be waiting for us, he will assign the horses and saddle them while we get prepared. Within a few minutes of ride, Las Loicas and the civilization will be left behind, entering Los Andes along its valleys and gorges. Peculiar volcanic shapes like “the lost city” and “the street” anticipate an interesting landscape. Afterwards, a large sandy land produced by the Volcano “El Descabezado” (Chile) will appear. In the afternoon, after descending 100 m along sandy lands, where the horses will be buried up to their bellies, we will arrive to the Guatana Camp, where an exquisite tea will be waiting. The intense green of the meadows, contrasting with the white sand, framed by a rocky amphitheatre, announces the end of the “Cajon del Trolon”.
- Day 4 Morning start riding to the border. After crossing some meadows and a waterfall we will ascent up to 3000 meters above sea level. In the way, we will see herds with their shepherds. Going up, the green becomes more peculiar and patches of ice start to appear, the landscape opens to the infinite. In the horizon the Martinez milestone appears, dividing Argentina and Chile. This desert landscape is interrupted by small glaciers, some of them covered with volcanic sand, capriciously popping up between the gorges. The landscape contrasts with the green of the slope. In some of this small natural oasis, we will stop for lunch. In the afternoon, we will descend until the end of the “Cajon del Trolon”, where there is a 20 meters waterfall. This is an ideal spot to stop and, if temperature allows, take a bath. We will return to Guatana Camp at the end of the day.
- Day 5 Leaving the valley behind we will climb between large rocks, cliffs and needles formed by the wind erosion. The pathway appears where we would have never imagined. Once on the top we will be able to appreciate the high plateau formed by the winds and the sedimentary dragging produced many years ago by the extinct glaciers. The landscape will quickly be tinged with green, as we arrive at “Cajon de Pichi”, a summer place. Stop for lunch at a stone refuge built by inhabitants for shelter while shepherding their goats. For some days we will experience their solitary lives, marked by the rhythm of nature. On the way back, we will cross the slopes of the “Choique Mamil” mountain and volcanic sands, where we will see needles and windows carved by the wind.
- Day 6 An amazing day marked by the immensity of the landscape. After arriving to the end of the “Cajon del Trolon”, lunch will take place at the Trolon’s river slope, near a waterfall which flows along a vertical rock wall. After the pause, the ascent to the edge starts. In the horizon we will see the “Campanario Hill” with its angular characteristic 4000 meters above sea level. The view is completed with the shape of the South Trolon’s milestone; making it a perfect spot. Like the days before, herds will cross the path which will be recognized because of its traces. The day of the big rodeo, the animals are taken to the place where they will spend the winter; the inhabitants give their support and work together.
- Day 7 Early in the morning, and taking advantage of the dawn light, we will start our way back to Las Loicas, along a path that will still surprise us. The ride goes along the “Cajon de Pichi”, which reveals strange rock formations. It will be a long day. In the afternoon the expedition will come to an end, celebrating the arrival to Las Loicas with a good lunch. We will say goodbye to the horses before leaving to Malargüe to spend the night.
- Day 8 End of services. Depending on the following destination, the riders will be transferred to the bus station to catch the bus to Buenos Aires.
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