Patagonian Andes

Bariloche

Arrival at Bariloche’s international airport where a private transfer will take you to your hotel, located in the center of this beautiful city surrounded by lakes and mountains, situated in the very heart of the Patagonian Andes. Depending on your arrival time, you will have time to visit the city and do some last minute shopping before the horseback ride. Look for the store “Pampero” to buy the traditional guacho style pants your guides will wear. In the afternoon your guide will meet the group at the hotel to give you a brief outline of what you will spend the next few days doing. Dinner at a traditional steak restaurant.

El Sapucai

At around 10am you’ll begin the transfer by road along route 40, the famous junction at the foot of the mountain range between the north and the south of the country. First cross the region of the lakes of Norpatagonia, and then leave the highway and enter the immensity of the steppe on dramatic dirt roads. Finally after about three to four hours of driving you’ll arrive at “El Sapucai” in the Precordillera, the home of your hosts and horses. Here you will be assigned a yurt with a comfortable bed and wood stove and separate bathroom yurt with wood fire heated water. Meet the staff and enjoy the beauty of the afternoon before going for your first ride before dinner. You’ll be given a dry bag to pack for your next three nights camping, and a saddle bag to go behind your saddle on your horse.

About 1 hr riding.

Breakfast, lunchbox, dinner. Overnight in Glamping – El Sapucai.

Veranada Miranda

After a night of excellent sleep away from the noise of the city, get ready to start the adventure. You’ll be fortified with a delicious breakfast and coffee and given snacks for your saddle bags before you set out. Go up the coast of the Chubut River to the house of a local family, the Mirandas. They will tell stories of the past and also of their present life. Continue up to the Veranada. On the banks of the Cerrucho stream set up camp, protected inside a forest of Ñire trees. In the afternoon visit the only waterfall of the Chubut River.

About 4-5 hrs riding.

Breakfast, lunchbox, dinner. Overnight in camp.

Foyel Arriba - Refugio

This morning continue climbing as the terrain becomes more technical and the landscape becomes wilder and more imposing. Cross an old Lenga (Beech)forest and at noon stop for lunch near the source of the Chubut River. This river flows into the Atlantic Ocean, it is still a small and quiet river. In the afternoon  cross the “Paso Sin Nombre” at 1700 m.a.s.l., where you are 2 hours away from the refuge. Enter the area of the source of the Foyel River, which flows into the Pacific Ocean. Arrive at the mountain refuge at the foot of Cerro Carreras where you will spend the night. There is a loft with mattresses to use on the floor and an outhouse. After your night of camping, you will appreciate these luxuries!

About 4-5 hrs riding.

Breakfast, lunchbox, dinner. Overnight in mountain refuge.

Arroyo Pantanoso

After a delicious breakfast, descend for an hour and a half accompanied by the waters of the Foyel River. As you continue descending pass by two high altitude lagoons and the Pantanoso stream appears. Follow the course of this small stream and arrive at the junction with the Chubut River. Their waters mix and follow their course downstream. Set up our camp in the same location as you were before.

About 4 hrs riding.

Breakfast, lunchbox, dinner. Overnight in camp.

El Sapucai

Today continue descending with the Chubut River, its waters flow between Lenga forests. The rock formations become more scattered and abstract sculptures can be found in their shapes. You’ree only two hours away from the special mountain refuge “El Sapucai” where a delicious meal and a hot shower awaits you . There will be time to rest and enjoy the comforts.

About 4-5 hrs riding.

Breakfast, lunchbox, dinner; Overnight in Glamping – El Sapucai.

El Sapucai

Climb the mountain range to appreciate the panoramic view of the surrounding Andes. You will be impressed by the dexterity of the Criollo horse crossing different terrains: mallines, lenga forests and rocky ground. At the end of this climb, enjoy a 360 degree view, where you will be able to appreciate the lagoons where you will have lunch in front of the Cordillera with the eternal snow. Return by another trail that goes through forests of stunted ñires and old lenga forests until you reach the refuge.

About 6-8 hrs riding

Breakfast, lunchbox, dinner. Overnight in Glamping – El Sapucai

El Sapucai to Bariloche

Today is the last day with the horses. Follow the course of the Chubut River until you reach the pickup point. It is a quiet ride, which offers another spectacle of unique landscapes and little by little the first villages of the people who live in the valley. The terrain is gentle compared to previous days and you can experience Criollo canters. Say goodbye to the guides who cared for you so well during the past few days and depart for a 1.5 hour journey to El Bolson for a lunch stop. A last drive of another 1.5 hours will take you back to the city of Bariloche. A return trip that you may spend mostly in silence, as there is so much to review from the ride of the last seven days on horseback.

About 2-3 hrs riding

Breakfast, lunchbox. Night in Hotel

Departure

A private transfer takes you from the hotel to the airport in time for departing flights.