Horseback riding Las Loicas Easter Week (4 days)

Proposal

A mountain expedition, is not exclusive for hikers or climbers. Horseback riding crossing the Andes range, is an experience that usually remains in our memory for a long time. Large valleys covered with intense greens, crossing the border of our neighbour country Chile, paths covered with sand and patches of snow, the waterfalls... A great amount of reasons to explain an adventure made for everyone. We begin and end in Malargüe city.

Confirmed Dates 2013:

-since March 29th to April 1st (Easter week) - 4 days

more info: www.cabalgandolosandes.com.ar

Modality

Horse expedition several days. Mules, muleteers and permanent baqueanos. The overnight stays are in tents.

Schedule

Travel: Recommended bus travel (the plane is going to Mendoza cityfar to the north). We can handle the emission of tickets for the bus at any time.

Friday March 29: Meeting at noon in Malargüe. Lunch, preparations, talk and presentation on base. We will transfer by charter on Route 40 to the south. In this section we will be recognizing the geography feature adventure is about to begin. We will pass by Manqui-Malal, Bardas Blancas and will enter the valley of the Rio Grande to Las Loicas, our starting place of the great adventure. Snack and arming of mounts + technical explanation. First tranche of 2 hours of riding. approx to our first camp.

We will ride the two main days of 6-7 hours to continue the circular route that will visit major valleys, rivers and majestic rock formations in the heart of the mountain range. The camps will be wild in places without extras.

The last day we descend again to Las Loicas to end the adventure. Transfer back to Malargüe. Farewell lunch. End of our services.

The return bus services depart at 15 pm Malargüe.

Included Services

- Transfer from Malargüe city in private charter.

- Full meals in the mountain (from lunch on Day 1 to breakfast Day 4)

- 3 nights accommodation in tent camp in the mountain range.

- Guides, coordinators and cowboys.

- Horses equipped and properly prepared for this kind of mountain expeditions.

- Tents.

- Entrance to the hot-springs of Cajón Grande

- General Mountain Equipment: first aid kit, VHF

- General Logistics (pots, heaters, safety features, orientation, etc.)

- Previous briefings with photos, maps and necessary material.

- Permanent assistance.

Services NOT included

-Trip to Malargüe city, Mendoza province.

-Personal equipment (we rent suitable sleeping bags)

Note

Note 1: All horses are properly trained and prepared to ride in the mountain and our cowboys have the best conditions and local knowledge. It is not necessary to have previous experience.

Note 2: Active program with middle-grade difficulty suitable for all ages. There are steep ascents and descents but there are no places with significant risk. Program is not subjected to weather conditions. Modifications may occur. Decisions will be made ??exclusively by the guides, mountain guides and coordinators.

FAQs:

- The riding is long during a day?

The ride is quiet and easy. The first day we ride only for two hours. Then we increase the frequency, but is always around 2-3hs in the morning and the same in the afternoon.

- Do I need previous horseback riding experience?

Definitely not. The horses are ready to receive people who have never ridden and the learning process is significantly fast. The mode of riding is quiet, one horse after the other.

- What if I have riding experience?

Those with experience will also be able to have more loose horses to gallop and / or jogging depending on the terrain.

- Where do we spend the night?

Since we ride on a virgin natural place, where no road vehicle arrives, the overnights are in igloo tents, comfortable for 2/3 or 4 people. Those who wish may also sleep outside (vivac) with their own sleeping bag under an unforgettable blanket of stars...

- What if someone needs to be evacuated for some reason?

Almost all camps have escape routes trough near valleys, to get to the road vehicle route in a few hours. Our local scouts and guides are trained to resolve issues of first aid and / or evacuations, but they are actually very rare.

- Is there cell phone signal?

No. Cell phones in this area end up becoming useless items. Only in the city of Malargue, at the beginning and at the end of our adventure.

- Should I bring a suitcase, a small bag, a large backpack?

Everyone should bring their personal baggage in a bag or large backpack to Malargue. There, we separate things in special bags that will be share between passengers and also we give everyone a pannier (small bag to hang on the saddle) to use with items you use every day.

- What do we eat?

Our menus are varied. From pasta with different sauces to stews or meat (Argentinean goat roasted). Appetizers, salads and quick meals for easy digestion are common in midday. We ask you to complete the personal/medical profile to state if you eat any special type of food.