Horseback Riding crossing the Andes Argentina-Chile-Las Loicas, Cajon Grande, Laguna del Maule, Talca

A unique experience, 7 days, crossing the mountains

  • Start Date : Request!
  • Hora Inicio: 1 pm
    Hora Fin: 10 am
  • Meeting Point:Malargue, Mendoza
    End point: Malargue, Mendoza
  • Duration:7 days
    Availability: 22 spots
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.

 

 

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 2Active 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 3Program 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.

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

Photo and Video Gallery


Where do you sleep

5 nights in igloo tents for 2/3 people

Last night at  4* hotel 

Campamento en el Criuce de los Andes

Faq

 

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

Caballo: Duración de la Jornada.

Exigencia Física

Técnico: Dificultad en el Terreno / Equipo.

Fortaleza Psicológica

Exposición a la Altura

Horse Riding (C)

This point has to do with the weight that we must carry in our backpacks. Trekkings or crossings where we have pack animals allow us to bear less weight on our backs. And the multi-day journeys in Patagonia (without the option of having pack mules) generally make us carry more weight, especially in the early days.

20% of a day, without unevenness or requirement. Example: Pampas horseback riding, initiation workshop

40% horseback riding in the sierras, one or more days: Córdoba, San Luis.

60% Horseback riding in the mountains for 3 or 4 days or in the north of Argentina for several days.

80% Andean Crossing Horseback riding up to 3000 meters (double crossing x Las Loicas).

100% Andean Crossing Horseback Riding up to more than 4000 meters. (Sanmartiniana Los Patos).

Physical (F)

We consider physical demands to the wear that we can suffer both aerobic (climbs = possible shortness of breath) and muscle (resistance = many hours walking) and of legs and joints (descents = knees / ankles).

20% half a day or less with little unevenness.

40% more sustained unevenness and longer working days

60% Long ascents and descents with a longer duration.

80% Demanding effort of legs in resistance. Very long days.

100% Maximum demand. Aerobic and constant force leg work

Technical (T)

The technical difficulty is mainly based on the handling of the horse and the actions to be performed.

20% prairie / pampa.

40% trails with moderate ups and downs.

60% Steeper slopes and trails.

80% Steep descents and ascents.

100% Very steep descents and ascents.

Psycho (P)

We maintain that this point, the psychological factor, represents a relevant factor. Each one needs a factor of conviction, confidence, self-control and will power to achieve a goal. And depending on the attitude with which we face distances, slopes, terrain and many other objective factors, we can achieve performance with very different results.

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.

Adventures (A)

It is the factor that, the height above sea level, influences us depending on the activity we carry out. Managing and overcoming symptoms caused by altitude is the key to this point

0% + sea level.

20% Up to 2000 masl.

40% + 2000 masl.

60% + 4000 masl.

80% + 5000 masl.

100% + 6000 masl.

Gradual Adventure Activity Difficulty System designed by Leandro Scheurle.
Copyright Argentinaxtrema.com © 2009. All rights reserved.

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) *** ***

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!

1.The personal equipment during the ride will be carried in the saddlebags. Do not carry backpack.

2.Do not bring: Insulated sleeping pad.

3.First aid kits  take only personal medication)

4.The use of HELMET provided by the company is mandatory.

5.The personal bags, with the rest of the luggage that does not go to the riding, can be left (safely) in the farm where we started.

 

 

Rental Equipment

Trekking sleeping bag

Booking in Advance

US$ 16 + options

Pair of Trekking Poles

Booking in Advance

US$ 10 + options

Rental mittens

Booking in Advance

US$ 8 + options

Pair of Crampons

Booking in Advance

US$ 15 + options

Rental : helmet, crampons and ice ax

Booking in Advance

US$ 36 + options

Combo Top: helmet, crampons, ice ax and full harness

Booking in Advance

US$ 50 + options

Category 3 sunglasses - Shepra Julbo Spectrom

Booking in Advance

US$ 5 + options

Backpack for trekking and mountaineering - Woman

Booking in Advance

US$ 10 + options

Related Products Store

Contact and Enquiries

RECOMMENDATION: Due to excessive security policies of Hotmail.com, our responses will arrive at Junk Mail or maybe they will not arrive. We suggest using other accounts (NOT Hotmail) or get in contact with 54 9 1124012278
Request info

AEX S.R.L - Argentina Extrema ® - Ascenso23 EVT Leg:16396 - Disp:1532/15
Copyright Argentinaxtrema.com ©2009. All rights reserved.