Crossing the Andes range - The Mythical Path

Proposal

The mythical path across the Andes…

A trip to the heart of the Andes in the south of Mendoza, where the mountains preserve large lagoons, waterfalls and eternal snows.

We ride on a cirular path. That means we never go through the same spot. We visit Chile for just one day and we start and finish our journey in the city of Malargue in Argentina.

Calendar 2019- 2020:

New Year´s Eve – 27th December to 2nd January
6th to 12th January
20th to 26th January
3rd to 9th February
17th to 23rd February
2nd to 8th March

Speacial dates can be requested for special groups of 10 people or more from December to March.

Itinerary

Day 1: Malargue city, Mendoza. Reception at bus terminal at 1 pm or transfer from your hotel. Lunch, last travel arrengements and introduction of local guides.Transfer throught ruta 40 to Las Loicas. First part of the riding.

Riding time: 2 hours
Altitude of base camp: 1800 masl

Day 2: First day of riding. We will be getting closer to the heart of the Andes until we reach Cajon del Rezago, our base camp for this night.

Riding time: 6 hours
Altitude of base camp: 2300 masl

Day 3: Going south through different canyons , we wil have lunch at Puesto Sepulveda. In the afternoon, we wil arrive to Laguna Baya, our base camp and a serene oasis in the middle of the Andes.

Riding time: 6 hours
Altitude of base camp: 2500 masl

Day 4: The trail now takes us to our neighbour's place: Chile. Once we get to the border landmark, we will get enough time to take pictures and celebrate for this great accomplishment. Crossing and descent to Laguna Carilauna. In the afternoon we arrive to Laguna Negra. From this spot, we reenter Argentina to set our new base camp in a beautiful cascade, el salto de Panculehue.

Riding time: 7
Altitude of base camp: 2650 masl

Day 5: Riding through cajon Las Pomas, we will be descending east-west among long plains until we reach cajon del Guanaco where we will set our last camp.

Riding time: 7 hours
Altitude of base camp: 2350 masl

Day 6: Last day of our journey riding our horses until we get to the route that crosses Paso Pehuenche, path that marks the border between the two countries. Private transfer to Las Loicas and Migration to show our passports. Transfer to our hotel in Malargue. Farewell dinner.

Riding time: 3 hours

Day 7: Breakfast. End of our services.

Included Services

• Private -transfer from and to Malargue.

• Full board in the mountains (from lunch on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 7)

• 5 Nights of accommodation in base camp

• 1 night accommodation in 4 star-hotel

• Farewell dinner at the Hotel, with a non-alcoholic beverage included,

• Equipped horses and properly prepared for this type of mountain expeditions.

• Mandatory helmet

• Tents.

• General mountain safety equipment.

• General camping logistics (pots, heaters, security elements , etc.)

• Personal accident insurance.

• Satellite phone for emergencies

• Permanent assistance.

Services NOT included

Trip to Malargue
Personal equipment (special sleeping bags can be rented)
Tips

Note

Note 1: All horses are properly trained and prepared to ride in mountainous areas and our local guides have the best conditions and knowledge of the place. It is not necessary to have previous rider experience.

Note 2: Active programme with medium-high demand and suitable apt for over 12, and under 65 years old (cases outside these age ranges will be evaluated). There are steep climbs and descents, but there are not places with risk of major falls.

Note 3: Program subject to climatic, geographical or political conditions. Modifications can occur in function of circumstances and diverse factors. The decisions will be taken exclusively by the local guides and tour leaders.

Note 4: Minors who do not travel with their parents must travel with a dependent adult and submit parental authorization certified by a notary. In case of traveling with one of the parents, they must present the authorization of the other one.

Note 5: All participants must present a medical certificate, where the attending physician authorizes him/her to do the activity.

Personal Accidents Insurance:

From the place of eventuality, we cover the primary medical assistance, stabilization of the passenger, evacuation costs and transfer to the nearest Medical Assistance Center . Once the passenger is entered into the health system, the coverage of the passenger Medical Insurance informed in the personal file online, starts working.

Where to sleep

5 nights in igloo tents for 2/3 people

Last night at 4* hotel

Campamento en el Criuce de los Andes

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to know how to ride a horse and / or have previous experience in the activity?

Yes, it is necessary to have a minimum experience. It is requested to have at least a 2-hour ride experience in the last year. The horses are prepared to receive people with little experience and the adaptation process is significantly fast. The modality is "on the way", one horse behind the other.

Do we ride a lot every day?

The route is calm.On the first day the ride lasts only two hours in order to go gradually entering into the rhythm and then, on the following days, we ride about 2/3 hours in the morning and another 2/3 hours in the afternoon .

Do I have to wear a helmet?

Yes, in the same way as we get on a bicycle we wear it, or when we climb, or when we do high altitude mountaineering, it is a mandatory safety requirement for the activity (it will be provided by the company).

How many people are in the groups?

As a maximum of 20 people + the staff of guides and baqueanos

What is the limit age to take part of the group?

We suggest from 12 years to 65 years old. Very young children do not end up enjoying the experience but there are 10 year-old kids who already have the physique to do it (cases outside these age ranges will be evaluated).

What are the indispensable requirements that are requested?

Being an active person. Working out, training, in any of its modalities, works very well.
Taking into account that you are going to sleep in a tent and in the mountain range. Up there anything can happen, from a snowstorm to a windy climate.
Weighing less than 115 Kg.
Minors who do not travel with their parents must travel with a dependent adult and submit parental authorization certified by a notary. In case of traveling with one of the parents, they must present the authorization of the other one.

Do we cross to Chile?

The route is circular. We never go through the same places. We enter Chile and we leave again on the same day. We do not sleep in Chile or end up in that country.

Do you have to go through Customs?

Yes, on the way back.Updated PASSPORT and NATIONAL ID are requested and essential .

What is the menu in the mountain?

Our mountain menus are varied. From pastas with tasty sauces to stews or grilled meats (chivito argentino). Antipastos, salads and fast digestion meals are common at noon. It is necessary to complete the personal / medical record to clarify if someone does not eat some type of food.

I carry a bag, a large backpack, a small backpack ... what do I carry?

Each one must carry their personal luggage in a bag or large backpack to Malargüe. Personal equipment will be loaded in 2 (two) saddlebags of 30 liters (small bag to hang in the saddle of the horse). All personal equipment is carried in the saddlebags.

What happens if someone needs to be evacuated for any reason?

Almost all the camps have escape routes to be able to be in a few hours in the vehicular road. Our baqueanos and guides are trained to solve first aid and / or evacuation issues, which are very infrequent. We also have a satellite monitoring system, where in case of an emergency you can send a satellite message requesting assistance.

Can I take my drone to the expedition?

The use of Drones during the ride is prohibited due to safety issues. In case of carrying a small one, its use in the camp is allowed with the exclusive permission of the guides

Difficulty Graduation System

Click on each indicator to see details

80%

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

60%

Psycho (P)

Psychological Strength

Clic para detalles

60%

Height (A)

Height Exposure

Clic para detalles

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.

Required equipment

MANDATORY REQUIRED EQUIPMENT *** (If this equipment is not taken, the guides reserve the right to define your participation)

Warm sleeping bag (minimum -10 degrees comfort) ***

Windbreaker waterproof parka with hood (in case it is not waterproof, please add in your equipment a rain coat)***

Sun Glasses (recommended with UV protection, with protective strips). ***

Warm Gloves. (ski or mountain type) ***

National ID or Passport (as applicable) ***

Authorization in case of Minors *** (permission before notary or before the authorities that correspond, according to the place of birth)

NOTE: The following is the list of required equipment according to layers, in reference to the mandatory technical equipment ***.

BASE LAYER

2 pairs of high socks

2 long sleeves shirts (for riding and for protection from the sun)

1 pair of thermal leggings (it can be made of lycra).

2 short sleeve t-shirts

1 buff / multifunctional headwear

MIDDLE LAYER

2 long pair of trousers, if possible, for fast drying (trekking trousers without zippers and long thermal trousers or trousers - NO JEAN, NO CORDEROY)

2 sweaters or sweatshirts (recommended 1 fine polar + 1 thick polar) ***

1 polar or wool cap ***

1 pair of fleece gloves

OUTER LAYER

1 Hooded windbreaker and waterproof windbreaker (recommended mountain parka ultrex, goretex or others.) ***

1 pair of coat gloves (ski or mountain type) ***

Others

1 swimsuit

1 pair of footwear to rest your feet. (crocks, flip flops, alapargatas)

1 pair of high-top trekking shoes or riding boots, in case you do not have boots get leather spats ***

Front flashlight or small flashlight w / spare batteries ***

Sun Glasses (recommended with UV protection, with protective strips) *** ***