Best Season | Shoulder Season | Low Season | Not Available
Be ready to enjoy this amazing and unique expedition to cross the Andes from Santiago to Mendoza in a wonderful 10-night trekking program.
150 kilometers from Santiago, into the wild Andes range, in “Los Patos” Spot where this spectacular expedition across the Andes begins.
In an extraordinary journey right out of the history books, we follow the footsteps of the Army of Liberation that freed Chile from the Spanish crown in 1.817. During this fantastic eleven-days expedition over the roof of America, we glimpse the lifestyles of “huasos” (Chilean cowboys) and “gauchos” (Argentinean cowboys).
We travel in the shadow of glacier-capped Andean peaks -such as Mercedario mountain (6.770 mts.) and Aconcagua (7.050 mts.), the Western Hemisphere’s highest mountain – fording rivers that rush through the arid lower ranges after tumbling off rocky summits frozen in eternal snows. In the midst of wind and cold to temper our spirits, we are amazed by the variety of native wildlife to these heights, such as guanacos, vizcachas and condors keeping watch on their lofty domains.
Riding or Trekking from Chile to Argentina, we will go through a close mountain range full of surprises, and delightful places that are an invitation to rest. We will ride among rivers and streams, narrow paths with plentiful vegetation and short bushes surviving to low temperatures, snowfalls and winter winds. As we are climbing, we leave behind the few trees we can see to move on to a wonderful color spectrum that dye the hills. Crossing and descending to Argentina is to open a door to a big show of great mountains, big glaciers and snow in contrast with wide and green valleys. Moving on and climbing again to 4,500 meters high through “El Espinacito” pass by riding loyal horses will make us thank eternally for all the effort made by these powerful native horses. When we reach the top of the slope, we will be able to watch such a magnificent show opening under our feet that will not be hard to understand the silence of the tourists.
The excitement, tears, and hugs make us become aware and remember that we are in the heart of the Andes surrounded by the main heights where the value and merit of this trip is that we can live a different landscape every day.
Altitud:( 500 – 1.100 mts.). Distance: 250 kmts.
Arrive in the afternoon at Los Patos (16.00 hrs) and transfer to the camping area. Contact with the Chilean muleteers in a friendly campfire. Dinner and Overnight in Tent
Altitude: ( 1.100 mts. – 2.120 mts.). Distance: 18 km.
In the morning after breakfast, check of documentation and equipment by the International Police. Reception of Chilean arrieros (muleteers), preparation of load per animal, and description in the field of the expedition. Initiation of ascension through the Chalaco estuary to the area of Maitenes. Box Lunch during the tour. We continue trekking to the camping area in Maitenes
Dinner and overnight.
Altitude:( 2.120 mts. – 3.570 mts. – 2.470 mts.). Distance: 23 kmts.
7:30 am breakfast. Continuation of the expedition following the course of the estuary of Chalaco until going up in the slope of the colorada. Once in the plateau at the end of the slope, we will have a panoramic view, which gives a sense of relaxation and in turn makes us dimension the magnificence of the landscape through which we travel .. Observing the vegetation including scrub typical of the Alto Andina region, goat’s horns, thorny bushes and the colorful “Yareta”. Box Lunch on the way. Then we will descend towards the Rocín River and camp before crossing the river in the Durazno gorge
5:30 p.m. app. Arrival to Camp
Altitude: (2.470 mts. – 3.050 mts.). Distance: 11 km.
07:30 a. m. breakfast. We continue the Trekking in the slope of Lagunitas to descend towards the Ciénago. There we will carry out the report in the advanced of the Chilean Police, to continue along the course of the river Rocín until the sector of Tambillos and then until the sector of Guardia Vieja. We will camp in the area of Pircas, next to the River Rocín the border passing by the zone of the Tambillos. This sector is the meeting of the estuary of the same name and the Rio Rocín. Habitually in this zone you will be able to observe goats with their piños in works of elaboration of Cheese of Goats.
Altitude: (3.050 mts – 3.500 – 2.970 mts.). Distance: 13 kmts.
After breakfast, we begin the last stretch of ascent along the river Rocín until reaching 3500 meters of altitude. We will arrive at the border pass after 3 hours of moderate Trekking. Encounter with the Argentine gauchos in the bordering point, who will transfer the load for the rest of the days in Argentine territory. Beginning of descent in the Argentine territory until to arrive Pircas de Cabreros (2600msnm),
Altitude: (2.970 mts. – 2.840 mts.). Distance: 16 kmts.
We awaken in a beautiful valley, flat, with almost no slopes and lots of vegetation and birds. Large green pastures and estuaries alongside pozones cover some sections of this valley. We continue our journey towards the refuge, Ing Sardinas, through the same valley. After 3 hours we arrived. For the course of the river Los Patos to the Argentine Gendarmerie Refuge. Camping in the area, lunch, and dinner in the warm atmosphere of a friendly campfire.
Altitude: 2.840 mts.
Breakfast at 9 in the morning. Free day and without scheduled activities. For those who want, we can do a smooth journey around the great Wetland. Possibility of Fishing. Bird watching or visits to goats that can be found around. Ideal to have a pair of binoculars at hand for wildlife and bird watching.
Altitude:( 2.840 mts. – 3.530 mts.). Distance: 21 kmts.
7:30 am breakfast. Continuation of the crossing through surprising vegetation of large grasslands in the middle of the plains. You will be amazed by the various birds in the midst of intense aquatic and underwater life as well as the contrast with the imposing image and snowy extent of the 6,500 m “La Mesa” mountain. And the Ramada hill of 6,500 mts. Box Lunch during the tour .. After going up the Vega Larga we will arrive at Rancho de Lata. Camp in “Rancho de Lata”. Dinner and accommodation.
5:30 p.m. app. Arrival at Rancho de Lata.
Altitude: (3.300 mts. – 4.350 – 3330 mts.). Distance: 16 km.
7:30 a.m. breakfast and preparation for departure. Very hard day since we will have to ascend from the 3,500 meters, through sinuous slopes, to the cord of the Espinacito. Route by the passage of the Honda to an altitude of 4,250 meters. From this point you get a spectacular view of the Andes mountain range. Box Lunch during the tour. Begin the descent to the Las Leñas river to later arrive at the sector of the Peñon de San Martin where we will camp.
Dinner and accommodation.
Altitude:( 3.660 mts.- 3.000 mts.- 2.100 mts.). Distance: 25 trekking – Total 143 km.
7:30 a. m. Breakfast. We continue descending by the Las Leñas River for 3 hours where we will cross one time the river of the same name. Rise to Manantiales by a hill for 1 hour, then reach the plateaux and continue down a path that will connect us with the vehicular road. The vehicle will take us to Barreal in the province of San Juan, prior to making the customs formalities of entry to Argentina. Dinner and overnight at Hosteria.
19.00 hours app at hotel.
Altitude: ( 2.100 mts. – 2.800 mts. – 500 mts.).
Breakfast at Hotel 8.30 hrs onwards. Departure and transfer to Uspallata to continue the crossing of the border by the passage of Los Libertadores by private transportation to Viña del Mar or Santiago, Chile.
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY
– It is necessary to work resistance for the daily distances to be traveled. However, the taste for outdoor life is essential to enjoy the expedition in its entirety. Group members should be aware that the weather is changing, with the occasional summer storm and small snowstorms are quite common in these high mountains.
– You walk an average of 18 kilometers per day. During the tour there are 3 mountain ranges. Two of them of approximately 3500 mts and one of 4,250 mts. However, on day 6 is an advanced half-day and day 7 is a full day of rest to regain strength for the final climb to the cord of Espinacito.
GENERAL CONDITIONS
The tour operator reserves the right to cancel or postpone any trip before departure, if any situation arises outside its control.
Program Includes
– Transfer Santiago to Los Patos
– Immigration Procedures in Chile and Argentina
– 10 nights accommodation in camping, double occupancy
– Complete camping equipment
– 1 Emergency horses
– Satellite phone
– Muleteers
– Loading Mules
– Technical advice in mountain
– Full Board during the whole excursion (unless stated otherwise)
– Bilingual guide
– All the services described in the program
– One Night in Hostel in Barreal with half board
Not Included:
– Entrance fees and consumptions in Pubs
– Alcoholic beverages in restaurants
– Sleeping bag
Tent Single option = U$ 210 per person.
