Cabalgata Cordillerana Horseback Trek Along the Senda de los Arrieros - Mendoza
You, your horse and the Andes mountain range - A unique 4-day experience through the mountains of southern Mendoza
4.8 (147)
Duration:4 days Region:cuyo
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Duration: 4 days Cupos:
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Proposal
A unique adventure through the heart of the Andes mountain range
Riding gradually through a bewildering, endless, rich and imposing mountain range is an experience that usually stays etched in the deepest corners of our memory for a long time. The great valleys covered in intense green overflowing the meadows, the border passes covered in sand and sturdy patches of snow, the powerful waterfalls tumbling down from steep, hidden canyons…A long list of reasons that come together into an adventure for everyone. Days of climbing and descending, longer days, days that bring us to high mountain passes almost on the border with Chile. Rest days by a lagoon or inside hot springs unique in the world. The trip starts and ends in the city of Malargue. The ride itself begins and ends in the small village of Las Loicas, deep in the mountains of southern Mendoza, a corner filled with indescribable magic.
Specified format
A multi-day horseback expedition. Mules, muleteers and local guides throughout. Overnight stays are in tents.
Itinerary
Getting there: You need to travel to Malargue. Options are by bus with a connection in San Rafael, or by private vehicle. Flights go to Mendoza city (about 6 hours by bus to Malargue) or to San Rafael (not every day has flights, check with AR, Aerolineas Argentinas).
Day 1: Meeting in Malargue at midday. Lunch, preparations, briefing and introduction at the base of operations. Transfer by charter van along Route 40 heading south. Along this stretch we'll get to know the landscape typical of the adventure about to begin. We'll pass through Manqui-Malal, Bardas Blancas and enter the Río Grande valley up to Las Loicas, our starting point for the big adventure. Afternoon snack and saddling up + technical briefing. First leg of horseback riding, approx. 3 hs, to our first campsite. Set up camp, dinner and overnight.
Day 2: We'll ride 6 to 7 hours, passing along the edges of the area known as the Lost City, a spot overflowing with geological formations of all sorts of shapes. Lunch at Cajón de Pichi Trolón. We then continue to the Castronero Cave and the Arroyo El Callao, where we camp and spend the night, deep in the mountains.
Day 3: We begin the big descent toward the Río Chico valley, a winding way down with great views, which brings us to a large summer-pasture meadow, where we'll set up our last campsite and settle in to enjoy a night with roast goat.
Day 4: We continue with the final stretch to Las Loicas, including a river ford. Lunch and celebrations for the trek. Return by minibus to Malargue. End of the program and our services.
Included Services
Private charter transfer from Malargue.
Full board in the mountains (from lunch on Day 1, through lunch on Day 4)
3 nights of wilderness camping, deep in the mountains.
Guides, coordinators and local guides.
Horses equipped and properly prepared for this type of mountain expedition.
Tents.
General mountain equipment: full first-aid kit, VHF
General camp logistics (pots, stoves, safety equipment, navigation, etc.)
Personal accident insurance
Prior briefing with photos, maps and the necessary materials
Ongoing assistance.
Services NOT included
Travel to Malargüe (we include issuing the bus tickets).
Personal gear (we rent suitable sleeping bags)
Tips
Expenses caused by dropping out of the program
Note
Note 1: All the horses are properly trained and prepared for riding in mountainous terrain, and our local guides have the best local knowledge and skills. No prior riding experience is necessary.
Note 2: An active program of medium difficulty, suitable for everyone. This program does not depend on weather conditions. Changes to it may be made along the way depending on various circumstances and factors. Decisions will be made exclusively by the guides, local guides and coordinators.
Menu
Full Board:
Our mountain menus are varied. From pasta with delicious sauces to stews or grilled meats (Argentine kid goat). Picadas, salads and easily digestible foods are common at midday. The personal/medical form must be filled out to note if anyone doesn't eat a particular type of food.
Where to sleep
in wilderness campsites in the mountains
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to know how to ride and/or have prior experience in the activity?
Yes, some minimal experience is necessary. We ask that you've done at least one 4-hour ride in the last year. The horses are prepared to carry people with little experience, and the adjustment process is remarkably fast. The style is “at a walk”, expedition-style, one horse behind the other, to move through the rolling terrain so characteristic of the Cuyo mountains.
Do we have to ride a lot each day?
The pace is easygoing. On the first day you only ride for two hours, to gradually get into the rhythm, and on the following days the pace is roughly 2/3 hours in the morning and about the same in the afternoon.
From and up to what age can you participate?
We suggest from 11 years old and up to 60. It's not an exact rule. Very young children don't fully enjoy the experience, but there are 10-year-olds who are already physically ready for it. People over 60 must provide us with a corresponding medical fitness certificate.
What are the essential requirements?
Not being sedentary, or if you are, training up until the departure date. Training, in any form, works very well.
Knowing you'll be sleeping in a tent, in the mountains. Up there, anything can happen, from a snowstorm to strong wind.
Not weighing more than 115 kg.
What do we eat?
Our mountain menus are varied. From pasta with delicious sauces to stews or grilled meats (Argentine kid goat). Picadas, salads and easily digestible foods are common at midday. The personal/medical form must be filled out to note if anyone doesn't eat a particular type of food.
Do I bring a duffel bag, a large backpack, a small backpack… what do I bring?
Everyone should bring their personal luggage in a duffel bag or large backpack. There, things get sorted out: personal gear is carried in 2 (two) saddlebags of about 30 liters each (a small bag to hang on the horse's saddle). All personal gear is carried in the saddlebags.
What happens if someone needs to be evacuated for some reason?
Almost all the campsites have escape routes through other valleys, allowing us to reach a road within a few hours. Our local guides and guides are trained to handle first-aid matters and/or evacuations, which, by the way, are very rare. We also have a satellite tracking system, which lets us send a satellite message requesting assistance in case of an emergency.
Who's a good fit for Cabalgata Cordillerana Horseback Trek Along the Senda de los Arrieros - 4 Days?
Cabalgata Cordillerana Horseback Trek Along the Senda de los Arrieros - 4 Days is an expedition that any adventurer can take on with the right physical preparation, equipment and prior experience , in the region cuyo, Argentina.
It lasts 4 days . Todos nuestros programas incluyen guías de montaña certificados, logística de expedición y seguro de accidentes personales.
What physical fitness level is required for Cabalgata Cordillerana Horseback Trek Along the Senda de los Arrieros - 4 Days?
Como medir la dificultad de un ascenso o una expedición? es una pregunta que surge a menudo. Para esto desarrollamos un sistema de graduación que ayuda al participante a medir la dificultad, dado a que evaluamos 5 variables sobre la intensidad de cada propuesta. • The weight of the backpack relative to the length of the day • The physical demand • The technical level of the terrain and required equipment • The degree of mental strength required • The maximum altitude reached
Hace click el botón y evaluá vos mismo la dificultad ->:
What equipment do I need to take part in the Cabalgata Cordillerana Horseback Trek Along the Senda de los Arrieros - 4 Days?
En cada uno de nuestros programas vas encontrar un apartado de EQUIPO REQUERIDO. contá con nosotros para asesorarte y prepararlo de forma adecuada para maximizar el disfrute de la actividad. Contamos con una tienda de alquiler, para resolver si te falta algo. Chequealo ahora! ->
What's included in Cabalgata Cordillerana Horseback Trek Along the Senda de los Arrieros - 4 Days?
Private charter transfer from Malargue.
Full board in the mountains (from lunch on Day 1, through lunch on Day 4)
3 nights of wilderness camping, deep in the mountains.
Guides, coordinators and local guides.
Horses equipped and properly prepared for this type of mountain expedition.
Tents.
General mountain equipment: full first-aid kit, VHF
General camp logistics (pots, stoves, safety equipment, navigation, etc.)
Personal accident insurance
Prior briefing with photos, maps and the necessary materials
Ongoing assistance.
What happens if the trip is suspended due to bad weather or other force majeure?
At AEX, the safety of our travelers and guides comes first. Activities are only suspended or modified when weather, political or geographic conditions put the expedition at risk. The decision rests exclusively with the guide team and technical direction, based on official reports (National Weather Service, National Parks or local authorities).
If the trip is suspended, do I lose what I paid?
No. The amount paid becomes a Credit in your favor (Weather Voucher) valid for 18 months from the suspended date: up to 6 months to choose a new date plus 12 months to take part. You can use it for the same expedition or any of our other destinations and experiences, and if you cannot use it within that period you can transfer it to someone else.
Difficulty Graduation System
Click on each indicator to see details
60%
Horse Riding (C)
Horse: Duration of the Day.
Clic para detalles
60%
Physical (F)
Physical demand
Clic para detalles
40%
Technical (T)
Technician: Difficulty in the Field / Equipment.
Clic para detalles
40%
Psycho (P)
Psychological Strength
Clic para detalles
40%
Height (A)
Height Exposure
Clic para detalles
Horse Riding (C)
Description not available
Physical demand (F)
Physical (F)
We define physical demand as the fatigue we may experience both aerobically and in the muscles, legs, and joints.
20%half a day or less with little unevenness.
40%more sustained slopes and longer days in the activity. 2-3 days / more than 6 hours per day.
60%Long ascents and descents with a longer duration. Ascents to more than 4000 meters in the central mountain range.
80%Important work of legs in resistance. Very long days. Very long day ascents.
100%Maximum demand. Aerobic work and constant effort on legs. Continental Ice, Aconcagua.
Technical Aspect (T)
Technical (T)
The technical difficulty is mainly based on the terrain and the required skill level.
20%flat land
40%Trails with moderate ascents and descents. General trekking expeditions.
60%Steeper slopes and trails. Possible use of crampons.
80%Mixed terrain, with snow or ice. Alvear, Lanin, Tronador.
100%Highly technical terrain. Glacier travel and climbing in sections.
Psychological Strength (P)
Psycho (P)
Psychological factor that represents conviction, confidence, self-control and willpower.
20%We will not be much affected.
40%This is a normal level of attention.
60%We require more motivation, enthusiasm and concentration.
80%The activity will require us to be very connected and convinced.
100%Maximum control and emotional-psychological performance.
Height Exposure (A)
Altitude (A)
Factor that the height above sea level influences us depending on the activity.
0%+ sea level.
20%Up to 2000 masl.
40%+ 2000 masl.
60%+ 4000 masl.
80%+ 5000 masl.
100%+ 6000 masl.
How to interpret these values?
Each aspect is evaluated from 20% to 100%, where:
20-40%: Basic or beginner level
60%: Intermediate level
80-100%: Advanced or expert level
Recommended for intermediate level
Previous experience and good physical condition required.
Tilcara Calilegua es la travesía mas hermosa que hice, tiene unos paisajes maravillosos . La inmensidad en la montaña es increible. Pero lo que realmente lo hizo mágico fueron los lugares donde nos hospedamos, los compañeros de montaña y el amor y el cuidado de los guías. Euge y Gus estuvieron en cada detalle, pendiente de cada uno de nosotros, realemente ellos fueron el viaje. La comida increible. Agradecida eternamente con ambos..
LD
Luciana Durante
Fui a Tres Picos con Mati y Fer de AEX. Todo sucedió como estaba organizado. Tanto los guías como Euge estuvieron disponibles desde el día 1 de la reserva para evacuar todas nuestras dudas y llegar de la mejor manera al trekking. Súper recomendable viajar con AEX.
AS
Alex Sangregorio
Viajé hace un mes con ellos y la experiencia fue impecable.
Muy buena organización por parte de toda la agencia y excelentes los guías, siempre atentos y con la mejor predisposición. Totalmente recomendable.
Do you have doubts?
If you have questions about this adventure, we look forward to hearing from you!
