Horseback Ride from the Yungas to the Calchaquí Valleys - Salta - Subandean Sierras
A spectacular adventure on horseback in the NOA
4.8 (147)
Duration:5 daysStarting from:Rosario de la FronteraRegion:North
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Start time: 9 hsEnding time: 13 hs
Meeting Point: Rosario de la Frontera
Duration: 5 daysCupos:
8 spots
Proposal
The Geography That Always Impresses
South of the city of Salta and north of Tucumán lies a magical place with a special microclimate that remains little known: the Subandean Sierras. Very close to Rosario de la Frontera.
An environment of abundant vegetation, jungle-yunga style, mixed with the aridity of the higher ground, where cardón cacti and grasslands combine with the intense hues typical of the bare hillsides. The north in all its immensity. It is in this magnificent setting that we offer a new horseback adventure, in the same style as our classic full-week mountain rides. This time under the northern sun, which always shines with a broad smile.
Itinerary:
We recommend: Sleeping in Salta the night before, or in Rosario de la Frontera itself. Hostel recommended.
Day 1: Meeting in Rosario de la Frontera (ask about transfer from Salta). We set off toward the sierras, entering right into the YUNGAS region, following an ancient trail used during the fight for Independence by Güemes' Gauchos. We continue the day's ride to cross the Huahico Ondo, which lets us know we are close to reaching the La Vaquería spot, located in the middle of the Subandean sierras. We begin entering the transition environment between yungas and Calchaquí valleys, in the Yunga Forest and High-Altitude Grassland sector. Once at La Vaquería, we will spend the night at the Escuela Albergue (boarding school), where we settle in to rest and enjoy the place. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: Breakfast, then we begin the ride through ravines and small valleys of reddish earth, heading toward the LA ANGOSTURA spot, from where we will climb toward the Carahuasi Sierras, (2700 m.a.s.l.) on a plateau amid the high-altitude grassland. In the final hours of the day we will arrive at our camp at Puesto El Angosto, in the middle of the sierras. Rest. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Breakfast. In the early hours of the day, after enjoying the birdsong and the peace of the natural surroundings, we continue toward our destination, crossing the Carahuasi sierras through a high-altitude grassland environment; here we will spend the night camping under the stars. Dinner and rest.
Day 4: Breakfast, and we continue the ride, crossing the Subandean Sierras in their entirety, finishing our great journey in the afternoon at Finca Los Churquis in the town of Guachipas. Farewell-to-the-mountain dinner.
Day 5: Breakfast. In the morning, now without the horses, we will have time to enjoy the place before heading back home. Last photos and transfer to the city of Salta, arriving there around midday after passing through different towns in the Valleys. End of our services.
Included Services
Transfer to Salta at the end of the ride
All meals, from lunch on day 1 through breakfast on day 5.
Guides and baqueanos.
Horses
Pack mules and donkeys
Nights at the farmhouse
nights in tents
General kitchen and first aid equipment
Satellite phone
Tents
Coordination
Ongoing assistance
Services NOT included
Transfer from Salta to Rosario de la Frontera (please inquire)
Expenses incurred from leaving the program early.
Tips
Travel to Salta
Note
The program may be modified on the fly depending on various circumstances and factors, such as weather or group-related issues. Decisions will be made exclusively by the guides, baqueanos (local horsemen/trackers), and coordinators.
Average riding hours per day: 6
Menu
Full Board:
Our mountain menus are varied. From pasta with tasty sauces to stews or grilled meats (Argentine chivito/kid goat). Picadas, salads, and easy-to-digest meals are common at midday.
It is necessary to fill out the personal/medical form to clarify if anyone does not eat certain kinds of food.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we ride for many hours per day?
Yes, so some minimal experience is required. We ask that you have done at least one 4-hour ride in the past year. The horses are prepared to carry riders with little experience, and the adjustment process is quite fast. We ride “at a walk”, expedition-style, one horse behind another, in order to move across the rolling terrain so typical of the Cuyo mountain range.
Do you need to know how to ride and/or have previous experience in the activity?
Definitely not. The horses are prepared to carry people who have never ridden before, and the learning process is quite fast. We ride “at a walk”, expedition-style, one horse behind another, to move across the rolling terrain.
What if I already know how to ride?
Those with experience will also have the chance to ride livelier horses and gallop and/or trot at times the baqueanos judge appropriate, depending on the type of terrain.
Where do we spend the night?
1 night at the farmhouse (shared rooms)
4 nights in tents/mountain outposts
What happens if someone needs to be evacuated for some reason?
Almost all the campsites have quick escape routes. Our baqueanos and guides are trained to handle first aid issues and/or evacuations, which, by the way, are very uncommon.
Is there cell phone signal?
No. Cell phones in this setting end up becoming useless items.
Should I bring a duffel bag, a large backpack, a small backpack…what do I bring?
Each person should bring their personal luggage in a duffel bag or large backpack as far as Chicoana. There, items are sorted into large shared bags among passengers, and each person is also given a saddlebag (a small bag to hang on the horse's saddle) to be filled with the items needed for each day.
What do we eat?
Our mountain menus are varied. From pasta with tasty sauces to stews or grilled meats (Argentine chivito). Picadas, salads, and easy-to-digest meals are common at midday. It is necessary to fill out the personal/medical form to clarify if anyone does not eat certain kinds of food.
Who's a good fit for Yungas to Calchaquí Valleys Horseback Ride, Salta?
Yungas to Calchaquí Valleys Horseback Ride, Salta is an expedition that any adventurer can take on with the right physical preparation, equipment and prior experience con salida desde Rosario de la Frontera , in the region North, Argentina.
It lasts 5 days. Todos nuestros programas incluyen guías de montaña certificados, logística de expedición y seguro de accidentes personales.
What physical fitness level is required for Yungas to Calchaquí Valleys Horseback Ride, Salta?
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 Yungas to Calchaquí Valleys Horseback Ride, Salta?
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 Yungas to Calchaquí Valleys Horseback Ride, Salta?
Transfer to Salta at the end of the ride
All meals, from lunch on day 1 through breakfast on day 5.
Guides and baqueanos.
Horses
Pack mules and donkeys
Nights at the farmhouse
nights in tents
General kitchen and first aid equipment
Satellite phone
Tents
Coordination
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
40%
Physical (F)
Physical demand
Clic para detalles
20%
Technical (T)
Technician: Difficulty in the Field / Equipment.
Clic para detalles
20%
Psycho (P)
Psychological Strength
Clic para detalles
20%
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
Ideal for beginners
This adventure is perfect for those starting in outdoor activities.
Warm sleeping bag (between -2 and -5° comfort rating) ***
Insulating sleeping pad
Waterproof windbreaker jacket with hood (if not waterproof, supplement with a rain cape)
Sunglasses (UV protection recommended, with a retention strap).***
Warm gloves. (ski or mountain type) ***
NOTE: Below is the list of required equipment by layer, with reference to the mandatory technical equipment***.
CLOTHING (first layer)
2 pairs of tall socks
2 collared shirts or long-sleeved t-shirts (for riding and sun protection)
1 tubular neck gaiter (Buff type), for sun and wind protection. Can be replaced with a fleece neck warmer.
1 pair of thermal leggings. Can be long lycra leggings.
2 short-sleeved t-shirts
CLOTHING (second layer)
2 pairs of long pants, quick-drying if possible (gaucho-style "bombacha de campo", trekking pants with no zippers on the legs, or long thermal leggings/pants - NOT JEANS, NOT CORDUROY)
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.
CV
Carla Verónica Sterki
Plaza de Mulas. Increíble, una experiencia única!! Un viaje maravilloso en todos los sentidos. Los guias con un profesionalismo inmenso, Vane una genia, con una paciencia enorme y siempre muy atenta, cuidadosa y detallista para que podamos disfrutar la experiencia, siempre con muy buena onda y motivando para seguir. Gracias también Roger, Gus y Fede, muchas gracias por todas las buenas energías. Se armó un grupo hermoso. Las vistas y la inmensidad de los paisajes son únicas.
Do you have doubts?
If you have questions about this adventure, we look forward to hearing from you!
