A 3 days Horseback riding to the Miracle of the Andes
On Friday, October 13, 1972, a Uruguayan plane, carrying 45 passengers to Chile, many of whom were students and players from a rugby team, crashed in the Andes Mountains.
Twelve died from the impact and those who survived had to endure, among other things, the fearsome Cordillera with its thirty grades centigrades below zero at night and the scarcity of food reserves.
Finally, fed up with the extremely low temperatures, the threatening avalanches and anguished by the continuous death of their companions and the slow wait for rescue, two boys decide to cross the immense mountains in order to reach Chile.
On December 22 of that same year, after having remained isolated from everything for 72 days, the world learns that sixteen defeated death. These events gave rise to the book and later to the film "Alive". And lately Society of the Snow.
Our tour invites you to visit this miraculous place that, on the other hand, has a very important landscape content.
RECCOMENDATION: It is convenient to stay the previous night in the city of San Rafael.
Day 1: Meeting at El Sosneado. From there we will take a 3- hour trip up to the mountain by transfer. Once there the baqueanos will begin to set up the horses and to prepare the loads that will go with the mules. On this first day we will cross the rivers Atuel, Rosado and Barroso. After 4 hours riding, we will arrive at our base camp , El Barroso. Lunch. Afternoon free to relax and enjoy the landscape. Dinner.
Day 2: After breakfast begins our longer and challenging day of our trip towards las Lagrimas valley.After 4 hours approximately, we will finally arrive at the "Las Lagrimas Glacier", reaching the 3.700 msnm, on the border between Argentina and Chile. We will ascend walking up to the commemorative cross where in a respectful silent we will honor the victims. Then, in company of our guides, we will walk along the area doing a local recognition of the rest of the plane , dozens of crosses, epitaphs, flags, offerings, and the monument to the victims. After lunch , we will return to our camp site. Farewell dinner.
Day 3: After breakfast we wil prepare the horses and the loads for the return. We will ride up to El Sosneado. Lunch. End of our services.
Note 1: All horses are properly trained and prepared to ride in the mountain and our baqueanos have the best conditions and local knowledge. It is not necessary to have previous experience.
Note 2: Active program with middle-hard difficulty suitable from 13 to 60 years old (cases outside these age range will be evaluated).Suitable for people up to 100-110 kg, given the load resistance of our horses. There are steep ascents and descents but there are no places with significant risk.
Note 3: Program subjected to weather, poltical and geographical conditions. Modifications may occur. Decisions will be taken exclusively by the guides, mountain guides and coordinators
The route is quiet. The first day you will ride for about 3 to 4 hours until you reach the camp. The second day we ride for 6 hours (3 during the morning plus 3 in the afternoon. And on the third day, it will be a 3 hours riding to the starting point.
Ideally it would be great if you have a previous ridind experience. The modality is "at the pace" in expedition form: one horse after the other to advance through the undulating terrain that is very characeristic of the mountain range. What if I know how to ride a horse?
Those who have experience will also have the possibility of having looser horses and being able to gallop and/or trot at the times that the baqueanos consider it, depending on the type of terrain.
As it is a route that crosses virgin nature and where no vehicular road reaches, the overnight stays are in sleeping tent, comfortable to get dressed and stay in. Optional: igloo type for 2/3 or 4 people. Those who prefer will be able to sleep vivac with a personal sleeping bag and insulation under an unforgettable blanquet of stars.
No. There are no toilets or chemical toilets. Everything is in nature, delimiting sectors. And you have to mantain the hygiene of the place, taking the papers.
What happens if someone needs to be evacuated for some reason? Our guides and guides are trained to resolve first aid and/or evacuation issues to be able to be on the road in a few hours and from there be able to transfer the evacuee to the nearest assistance center. By the way, this situation is very rare.
No hay baños ni baños químicos. Todo es en la naturaleza, delimitando sectores. Y hay que mantener la higiene del lugar, llevandose los papeles.
Our professional guides are trained to resolve first aid and/or evacuation issues to be able to be on the road in a few hours and from there be able to transfer the evacuee to the nearest assistance center. It is a very exceptional, unusual situation, though.
No, there is not. The fact is that cell phones in these areas end up becoming useless elements.
Each person must carry their personal luggage in a large bag or backpack to El Sosneado. There, we will check and the things that will be carried are separated into large bags shared among the passengers and each one will also be given a saddlebag (small bag to hang on the horse's saddle) to use with items that will be used on the way each day.
Our mountain menus are varied. From pasta with tasty sauces to stews or roasted meats (Argentine chivito). Snacks, salads and quickly digested meals are common at midday. It is necessary to complete the personal/medical record to clarify if someone does not eat any type of food.
Click on each indicator to see details
Backpack: Weight / Duration of the Day.
Physical demand
Technician: Difficulty in the Field / Equipment.
Psychological Strength
Height Exposure
Each aspect is evaluated from 20% to 100%, where:
Previous experience and good physical condition required.
If you have questions about this adventure, we look forward to hear from you!
For an immediate response, contact us via WhatsApp 54 9 1172097417
We will respond to you promptly, so you can prepare for your next great adventure 🏔️