Best Season | Shoulder Season | Low Season | Not Available
The horseback riding across Tunuyán Valley is the most traditional program in Mendoza. It has been declared a cultural interest since San Martin General and his army horses raided taking these valleys. Its beauty, valleys, rivers, and mountains will surprise you in each step during the track.
Lodging in Mendoza in a beautiful hotel. Checking of the equipment with the assistance of the guides. (Food is not included)
Breakfast and transfer to Manzano Histórico (140 km). Migratory papers at Refugio Portinari. Arrangement of horses and mules to begin the horse riding up to Scarabelli. Here we will set up our first campsite. (B, PL, D)
Breakfast and then, we continue our horse riding to Real de la Cruz Refugee. This day we will cross the famous Argentinean Paso del Portillo at 4,000 m height. Then we start a long descent to Tunuyán River, where we set up our campsite. (B, PL, D)
Breakfast, a free day to explore the surroundings or a short 3 hour horseback ride to the small Los Patos lagoon. (B,D,L)
After breakfast, we depart close to the border between Argentina and Chile. It will be a day with incredible landscapes in the heart of Los Andes. Setting up of the tents (B, PL, D)
Breakfast and departure to Chile where we will get up to 4,021 m (the border) called Piuquenes pass. We will meet the Chilean muleteers and change the horses and mules. After that, we Descent to the first Chilean position (two hours of horseback riding). Transfer mountain village in Cajón del Maipo, Chile, where we will lodge in a beautiful mountain Lodge. (B, PL)
Breakfast and transfer to the Hotel (B)
End of ours service.
EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING
FEET
LEGS
UPPER BODY
HEAD
HANDS
PACKS
SLEEPING GEAR
OTHERS
OPTIONAL ITEMS
INCLUDED SERVICES
Transfer Mendoza / Manzano Histórico / Valle del Yeso / Santiago
On the second day, you will be driven to Manzano Histórico, in Tunuyán.
After the horse riding, once you arrive at the camp in Chile, a minivan will be waiting to drive you to Cajón del Maipo in Santiago, Chile.
Hotels in Mendoza and Santiago
It will be a comfortable hotel where you will stay for two nights in Mendoza and one night in Santiago de Chile. In both hotels, you will be in double rooms, and you will have to share your room with any of your partners. In case you prefer a single room (only for you), please let us know in your Booking Form. This service has an extra cost. Breakfast and taxes are included.
Our guides
Our mountain guides are qualified professionals of the AAGM (Argentinean Association of Mountain Guides) and the EPGAMT (School of High Mountain and Trekking Guides). The last qualification is the result of 3 years of study.
We believe that to succeed in our expeditions, professionals with experience and the ability to offer security should guide our teams.
Their equipment includes a VHF radio, a first-aid kit, complete with the appropriate medicine for altitude sickness, ropes, an altimeter, and professional clothing and equipment. All these will provide security and comfort.
Customs Working Papers
Our company will take care of all the papers needed to get the authorization required to cross the Argentinean-Chilean border. You only have to have your personal documentation (Passport.) In the case of a minor, both parents must sign an authorization with a public notary.
Meals
Throughout the expeditions, you will enjoy all meals (B: breakfast / L: lunch / PL: packed-lunch if you are on the move / D: dinner), carefully planned by professionals to have a balanced diet during those horse riding days. Our guides will be in charge of cooking.
The meals mentioned in the itinerary are included.
If you are vegetarian or celiac, or if you need a special diet, please let us know in your Booking Form. It will be a pleasure for us to prepare a special menu for you. This service has an extra cost.
Drinks
During the horse riding, the drinks (water, juice, wine) are included, in lunches as well as in dinners.
Complete Mountain Gear
In our program Horseback Riding Across Los Andes, we include crockery, tables, chairs, and sleeping tents. Usually, two people will sleep in each tent, but if our guide considers it necessary, a maximum of three clients may sleep in one tent. Remember that each passenger will have to set up his/her tent with the partner´s help, and the guide will assist if necessary.
Mules
We own more than 100 mules which carry people or belongings.
The difference between the mules that carry people and the mules that carry gear is that the ones for people are tamer.
These animals pasture during autumn, winter and spring, that is to say from mid March to mid November. Before the beginning of the summer, these animals are tested and given medicine by veterinarians. They are treated with caution. We have to take into account that each mule has its own health book as they are strictly controlled.
During the season, they are treated with a lot of care and attention.
It is very common to observe that some mules present injuries in their chest and behind their forward legs, caused by the girths. They are immediately cured with special medicaments and they rest enough time to get better.
The negative aspect of these animals is their untamed character. That is why we have selected a professional team of muleteers, called “arrieros”, who have dedicated their lives to the country animals. They know how to deal with these animals, because of their experience.
Each mule can carry up to a limit of 180 kg, but our mules only carry 60 kg to move comfortably on the mountain. Every client may transport on the mules a maximum of 30 kg on each stage of the approach. We strongly recommend you to bring a strong duffel bag.
