6-Day Andes Crossing from Mendoza to Chile by Horse

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
MENDOZA – MANZANO HISTÓRICO – SCARAVELLI
1 stop
1
Previous day You have to arrive in Mendoza a day before the departure date since we will need to check your equipment. We can offer you an additional night of accommodation if you have not arranged anything independently; we will help you to arrange the booking and add the cost to the total rate. The expedition begins with a meeting in which you will get to know the members of the trip. Then we will drive in a private vehicle (2 hrs) to the “Manzano Histórico”, located in the Uco Valley, in the southwest of Mendoza City. It is widely considered one of the top wine regions in Mendoza and all Argentina. In the Manzano Histórico, you will be able to visit the museum in memory of the Liberator San Martín. We will then go by car to the Refugio Portinari (National Gendarmerie), where you will meet the other guides and local muleteers that will be part of this spectacular expedition. There we will perform customs clearance and registration with the authorities of the National Gendarmerie. Dinner and bonfire at the refuge.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 2
ESCARAVELLI – PORTILLO ARGENTINO – REAL DE LA CRUZ
1 stop
2
Valle de Uco
Breakfast and preparation of the horses to follow our route. This day we will climb the “Portillo Argentino”, rising up to 4380 m. There will be about two hours of uphill riding, with the reward of an astonishing view of the Andes and the border with Chile, then, after another 5 hours riding (mostly on a downhill trail), we will reach the valley of the Tunuyan River, where is the mountain shelter named “Refugio Real de la Cruz”. This shelter belongs to the Argentine Army and it is used by adventurers, porters, and mountaineers. We will spend the night there and enjoy an energizing dinner. During the night, you may get to enjoy some songs and stories with the muleteers and travelers you meet in the refuge. This will be the longest day on a horse (8 hours approx.).
6 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 3
Real de la Cruz
1 stop
3
The third day will be an active rest day. You can decide whether to stay near the shelter or go on a short hike, accompanied by your guide, who will show you the local flora and fauna. After lunch there will be a demonstration of the gauchos’ cowboy skills (with ‘lazo’ and ‘boleadoras’). Dinner and overnight at “Refugio Real de la Cruz”.
6 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 4
REAL DE LA CRUZ – EL CALETÓN
1 stop
4
Valle de Uco
After breakfast, we will prepare the horses and mules for embarking the Tunuyán river crossing. The ride continues via an excellent viewpoint of Mount Tupungato (6800 meters) and then follows upriver the beautiful Palomares stream to the last of our campsites in Argentinean territory: The Caletón. If the weather allows, we can have a relaxing bath and “beauty treatment” in a stream with mineralized waters. Tonight is a good opportunity to sleep by the campfire and under the stars. Rest, night in tents.
Admission ticket free
Day 5
EL CALETÓN – INTERNATIONAL BORDER – TERMAS DEL PLOMO (Chile)
1 stop
5
Cajon del Maipo
Departure towards the Argentinean – Chilean Border, this day presents another exciting challenge for our expedition. We will ride up to the Piuquenes step, at 4030 m, the boundary between Argentina and Chile. Due to customs regulations, the horses can’t cross from one country to the other, and so we will change horses at the international boundary. New Chilean horses and Chilean muleteers guides will lead us down to the El Plomo river in Chilean territory. After crossing the river, private vehicles will be waiting for us. We will drive to the Cajón del Maipo, the Embalse del Yeso (Yeso Reservoir) in San Gabriel where we will complete the customs paperwork at the Police office. Accommodation in a beautiful complex of cabins and farewell dinner at local restaurant.
6 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 6
TRANSFER CAJÓN DEL MAIPO (Chile) / SANTIAGO DE CHILE
1 stop
6
Santiago
Transfer to Santiago and end of the program. Optional transfer to Mendoza (please contact us to discuss).
3 hours • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• Minimum age is 18 years
• A current valid passport is required on the day of travel

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