Horseback Riding Crossing the Andes through Laguna Atuel

Proposal

Crossing the Andes on horseback - South of Cuyo

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

The route is round trip. We reach the border with Chile and return to the same starting point, in Argentina.

The beginning and the end are in San Rafael city or El Sosneado.

Summer 2023 Calendar - Starts on Mondays

Except for the date on the Holiday weekend of December, the programs will start on Tuesdays.

January 23 to 26
February 6 to 9
March 13 to 16

You can request a special date (not on the calendar) for special groups of more than 10 people , from Sunday to Saturday, from December to March.

Itinerary

Previous note: it is convenient to spend the night before in San Rafael, El Sosneado or Malargue, since the expedition starts early the next day. If you travel by car, you should park it at El Sosneado´s parador (recommendable) , where it is under care.

Day 1: Meeting at El Sosneado araound 11:30am. Guides presentation, general equipment check and brief talk. Lunch. Transfer along Route 40 to the abandoned El Sosneado´s Thermal Hotel, about 50 km northwest of the homonymous town. Rest and visit the old ruins. Then we continue along the road by vehicle to the point where we set up the first camp.

Day 2: Second stretch. We will ride to the valley from the beginning of the Atuel River to the Ojo de Agua Cap. Free afternoon to explore the area and enjoy the surroundings.

Day 3: This day we will reach tje Laguna del Atuel, with its beautiful waterfalls and continue to the Termas de Correa, next to the border with Chile. Enjoy the hot springs. Return in the afternoon to the Ojo de Agua Camp.

Day 4: Last stretch on horseback, descending through the Atuel valley, where we will finally find the route and the fist camp. Farewell lunch and transfer back to the town of El Sosneado, End of the trip, approximately 6:00pm.

Included Services

Private -transfer from and to Sosneado (60km gravel road in poor condition)
Full board in the mountains (from lunch on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 4)
3 Nights of accommodation in base camp
Guides, coordinators and baqueanos.
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.
Prior advice with photos, maps and necessary material

Services NOT included

Trip to Sosneado
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 60 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.

Where to sleep

5 nights in igloo tents for 2/3 people

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 4-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 body build 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.
be advised that you are going to sleep in a tent and in the high mountain range. Up there anything can happen, from a snowstorm to a windy climate.
Weighing less than 110 Kg. (250 lbs)
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 other one´s authorization.

Do we cross to Chile?

The route is round trip up to the limit. We do not sleep in Chile or end up in that country.

Do you have to go through Customs?

You must always carry an identity document, although we don't do customs procedures.

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.

Are there bathrooms/toilets?

No. There are no toilets or chemical toilets. Everything is done in nature, delimiting sectors. And you have to maintain the hygiene of the place, taking the papers with you.

Do 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 (between -2° and -5° 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) *** ***
Bottle or container for water up to 1 liter, to drink.

Hygiene elements and personal care

Sunscreen (factor 40 or higher) ***
1 small towel
Wet wipes for sanitizing.
Personal medication
Moisturizing lotions
Lip balm
Brush and toothpaste set.
A small soap / shampoo
Toilet paper.

PERSONAL ELEMENTS

National ID ***

Medical insurance***

Full personal file online ***

OPTIONAL, not mandatory (see space and weight)

Feather coat jacket.

SILVER TAPE tape, for repairs.

Steel thermos

Monocle. Photographic or video equipment

Book, notebook, travel diary, pencil, pen

IMPORTANT!

The personal equipment during the ride will be carried in the saddlebags. Do not carry backpack.
Do not bring: Insulated sleeping pad.
First aid kits: take only personal medication

The use of HELMET provided by the company is mandatory.