Across the Andes

Horses & Riding

Tack

In Argentina, saddles are similar to gaucho saddles but have been specifically designed to provide comfort to both rider and horse during long hours. Numerous saddle pads are provided to ensure adequate cushioning and sheepskin coverings. Bridles are also gaucho style, made of leather and pelham bits with short shanks are used enabling soft aids to be applied.

In Chile, the saddles are Huaso style - consisting of a metal frame covered with a thick felt pad and sheepskin on top.

Horses

Argentina: Peruvian Paso horses. The Peruvian Paso is renowned for its extra gait - the paso llano - which is supremely comfortable and has earned them the nickname of the 'cadillac' of horses' Your hosts have been breeding these horses for over 20 years and have an immense experience with the breed as well as knowledge of their country.

Chile: Chilean Criollo horses. The Chilean Criollo is a workhorse traditionally used for herding cattle and is uniquely adapted to the landscape with particularly strong hooves and a double coat allowing it to cope with both cold and warm climates.

Riding

There is 1 itinerary:

• Across the Andes: Argentina to Chile is a trail ride

Ages

Riders should be 16 years or older unless part of a private group.

Health

You must be physically fit and in good health - this is a remote trail into unforgiving landscapes at high altitudes. Those with underlying medical conditions should seek their doctor's advice before committing to the ride. We would recommend taking altitude sickness medication for this trail as you will be riding at altitudes in excess of 3000m for much of the route.

Weight

95kg / 209 lbs / 14 stone 13 lbs. It may be possible to accommodate one rider at 100kg - please enquire

Food & Accommodation

Food

Meals are included during the ride and are simple and mainly based on stews, carbohydrates, soups, salads and meat - anything that is filling and easy to prepare. One of the biggest challenges is keeping food at the right temperature as everything is carried with you on mules, therefore legumes are also commonly provided.

Breakfast: country-style to include cereals, cheese, cured meat, jams, coffee and tea
Lunch: light meals served as a picnic with soft drinks or mineral water. Lunch is light so that you can continue riding afterwards. Often carried as a boxed lunch in your saddle bags.
Dinners: typical local meals such as stews, hotpot or roast meats which can be cooked over the fire

When you dine in hotels/restaurants then choices vary depending on the menu.

Vegetarians and some specialised diets can be accommodated with advance notice.

Water during the trail is taken from natural water sources, so you should bring water purification tablets to ensure personal drinking water is clean. A small and limited selection of alcoholic drinks will also be available and these can be paid for locally.

Accommodation

You stay in hotels on the first and last nights when in Mendoza and Santiago, but the rest of the time you will be camping.

The usual hotel in Mendoza is the Premium Tower Suits which is 8km from the airport and within walking distance of the city centre. In Santiago, the Best Western Marina Las Condes is normally used, located in the new and sophisticated area of Las Condes beside the Andes mountains. If either of these hotels is unavailable for any reason, then you will stay in a different hotel in the city of a similar standard.

The camps consist of 3-person Igloo tents (one tent for two people). There is a supplement payable if you wish to have your own tent, otherwise, you will be expected to share with another rider. Sleeping bags and mats are also provided.

There is a central dining/kitchen dome tent as well, complete with folding tables and gas stoves to make things as comfortable as possible during the ride.

Itineraries

Across the Andes: Argentina to Chile Tented accommodation.

Other Activities

This trail is purely for riders as the only means of crossing this part of the Andes mountains is on horseback. Vehicles cannot access this area and it is, therefore, not suitable as an option for non-riders.

If you wish to add extra nights at the start/finish then the cities of Mendoza and Santiago are well worth a visit.

Mendoza is one of the great wine capitals of Argentina and there are many vineyards to explore as well as the cosmopolitan city itself.

Santiago de Chile is a dynamic city nestled at the foot of the Andes mountains and has a vibrant nightlife as well as being the stepping-off point for many outdoor activities and adventures. through this area.

Travel

You need to book flights that arrive in Mendoza in Argentina but depart from Santiago in Chile.

Some airlines such as LATAM offer "open jaw" tickets, which means you do not need to fly into or out of the same airports. For other airlines, you would need to book separate tickets to fly into Buenos Aires and then an internal flight to Mendoza and a local flight from Santiago back to Buenos Aires. Please ask us for advice on the best routes if you need help with this.

Transfers are included at set times on arrival and departure days.