6-Day Andes Crossing from Mendoza to Chile by Horse
This 6-day tour will allow you to cross the Andes on a horse. It is a unique experience and one of the best horseback adventure expeditions in the Andes. You will discover the wild side of the Central Andes on this amazing traverse from Mendoza to Chile. This tour includes a professional guide, transport, and accommodation.
ItineraryDay 1: MENDOZA – MANZANO HISTÓRICO – SCARAVELLIStop At: Mendoza, Mendoza, Province of Mendoza, Cuyo
Previous day
You have to arrive in Mendoza a day before the departure date since we will need to check your equipment. We can offer you an additional night of accommodation if you have not arranged anything independently; we will help you to arrange the booking and add the cost to the total rate.
The expedition begins with a meeting in which you will get to know the members of the trip. Then we will drive in a private vehicle (2 hrs) to the “Manzano Histórico”, located in the Uco Valley, in the southwest of Mendoza City. It is widely considered one of the top wine regions in Mendoza and all Argentina.
In the Manzano Histórico, you will be able to visit the museum in memory of the Liberator San Martín.
We will then go by car to the Refugio Portinari (National Gendarmerie), where you will meet the other guides and local muleteers that will be part of this spectacular expedition. There we will perform customs clearance and registration with the authorities of the National Gendarmerie.
Dinner and bonfire at the refuge.
Duration: 30 minutes
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Accommodation on tents
Day 2: ESCARAVELLI – PORTILLO ARGENTINO – REAL DE LA CRUZ Stop At: Valle de Uco, Tupungato Argentina
Breakfast and preparation of the horses to follow our route. This day we will climb the
“Portillo Argentino”, rising up to 4380 m. There will be about two hours of uphill riding, with the reward of an astonishing view of the Andes and the border with Chile, then, after another 5 hours riding (mostly on a downhill trail), we will reach the valley of the Tunuyan River, where is the mountain shelter named “Refugio Real de la Cruz”. This shelter belongs to the Argentine Army and it is used by adventurers, porters, and mountaineers. We will spend the night there and enjoy an energizing dinner.
During the night, you may get to enjoy some songs and stories with the muleteers and travelers you meet in the refuge.
This will be the longest day on a horse (8 hours approx.).
Duration: 6 hours
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Camping on tents
Day 3: Real de la CruzStop At: Tupungato, Tupungato, Province of Mendoza, Cuyo
The third day will be an active rest day. You can decide whether to stay near the shelter or go on a short hike, accompanied by your guide, who will show you the local flora and fauna.
After lunch there will be a demonstration of the gauchos’ cowboy skills (with ‘lazo’ and ‘boleadoras’).
Dinner and overnight at “Refugio Real de la Cruz”.
Duration: 6 minutes
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Camping on tents
Day 4: REAL DE LA CRUZ – EL CALETÓNPass By: Valle de Uco, Tupungato Argentina
After breakfast, we will prepare the horses and mules for embarking the Tunuyán river crossing. The ride continues via an excellent viewpoint of Mount Tupungato (6800 meters) and then follows upriver the beautiful Palomares stream to the last of our campsites in Argentinean territory: The Caletón.
If the weather allows, we can have a relaxing bath and “beauty treatment” in a stream with mineralized waters. Tonight is a good opportunity to sleep by the campfire and under the stars.
Rest, night in tents.
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Camping on tents
Day 5: EL CALETÓN – INTERNATIONAL BORDER – TERMAS DEL PLOMO (Chile) Stop At: Cajon del Maipo, Cajon del Maipo, Santiago Metropolitan Region
Departure towards the Argentinean – Chilean Border, this day presents another exciting challenge for our expedition. We will ride up to the Piuquenes step, at 4030 m, the boundary between Argentina and Chile.
Due to customs regulations, the horses can’t cross from one country to the other, and so we will change horses at the international boundary. New Chilean horses and Chilean muleteers guides will lead us down to the El Plomo river in Chilean territory.
After crossing the river, private vehicles will be waiting for us. We will drive to the Cajón del Maipo, the Embalse del Yeso (Yeso Reservoir) in San Gabriel where we will complete the customs paperwork at the Police office.
Accommodation in a beautiful complex of cabins and farewell dinner at local restaurant.
Duration: 6 hours
Meals included:
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Accommodation included: Accommodation on bungalow
Day 6: TRANSFER CAJÓN DEL MAIPO (Chile) / SANTIAGO DE CHILEStop At: Santiago, Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan Region
Transfer to Santiago and end of the program. Optional transfer to Mendoza (please contact us to discuss).
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
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No accommodation included on this day.
Informacion Adicional
"No heart problems or other serious medical conditions"
"Not recommended for pregnant travelers"
"Minimum age is 18 years"
"A current valid passport is required on the day of travel"
"Not wheelchair accessible"
"Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required"
"All participants will be required to complete a health questionnaire prior to the tour"
"Near public transportation"
"Passport name, number, expiry and country is required at time of booking for all participants"
"What to bring:"
"Clothes:"
"Top and bottom underwear (Polypropylene or capeline), long sleeve shirts, fleece and windproof jackets (with a hood), down jacket, wool gloves, liner gloves, hat or cap, fleece hat, trekking pants, windproof Gore-Tex pants, lightweight and thick socks"
"Shoes:"
"Trekking boots ( Gore-Tex models recommended) and gaiters"
"Others:"
"Pair of glacier glasses with side cobres (100% UV), headlamp, sleeping bag, hiking poles, mattress, utensils, sunscreen, lip balm, water bottles, large backpack, camera, batteries, personal hygiene kit, personal first-aid kit"
"Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level"
"A current valid passport is required on the day of travel"
"This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund"
"This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund"
"This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate"
"Confirmation will be received at time of booking"
Horário de Início:
08:30 AM
Duração: 6 Days
Ponto de partida: Traveler pickup is offered
Cancelamentos e reembolsos:
If you cancel at least 4 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee.
If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.
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