Horseback riding & crossing the Andes
Download program information

Download Travel Planner

Travel Planner
Contact cocha inbound

This wilderness is flanked by the highest mountains in America,  Aconcagua and Mount Mercedario.

It is in these uninhabited places, which can only be reached by horseback, where huge herds of guanacos roam freely and the Andean condor nests. Only in unique places like this you can enjoy the privilege of watching them at ease. As the sun sets, the spectacular stars of the Southern Hemispherefill the sky. The campfire lightens up the darkness as you share a cup of coffee, tea, or mate tea. All this creates the ideal ambiance to feel the timeless spirit of nature and contemplate all of the sensations felt during the day.

 

 

Itinerary

Day 1: Santiago - Los Andes

Transfer from Santiago to Los andes.
Check in at the hotel. Free time to enjoy the hotel facilities.

Welcome dinner with the guides and the rest of the group. Briefing to coordinate and give information on this adventure that is about to begin.

Day 2: Horseback riding (Aconcagua Valley)

After breakfast we will go by car to Los Patos. This was the same path taken by San Martin to Santiago, crossing the Aconcagua Valley (an important part of the great natural riches of Chile with wild vegetation and imposing mountains) and Putaendo. Later we will go through immigration procedures
with Chilean authorities.

We will wait for our horses and Chilean cowboys. This is the starting place for the procession to the night camp in Las Tejas (2,100 meters high). We will follow the course of the river along the tranquil slopes.
Lunch and dinner.
Accommodations in camp.

Day 3: Horseback riding (Rocín River Canyon)

Breakfast.
During the day we will hike up stream through the Rocín River Canyon. We will spend the night at Ciénego, which is where the shepherds make camp during the summer.
Lunch and dinner. Accommodations in camp.

Day 4: Horseback riding (border crossing)

Breakfast.
We depart in the morning to reach the international border where we find the statues of our Founding Fathers (San Martin and O'Higgins) at 3,500 meters of altitude. This is the day of the border crossing. We will receive the Argentinean authorities to do the necessary paperwork to cross the border. Here we need to change horses. We will say goodbye to our Chilean carriers and mounted horses to continue to Argentina. We will get a close-up view of Mount Aconcagua, the highest in the Americas (6,962 mts.). We will camp for the night in Hermoso (Beautiful) valley, which as its name implies, is aplace where you will certainly be amazed by its beauty.
Lunch and dinner.

Day 5: Horseback riding (Hermoso valley)

Breakfast.

We will spend a second day at this heavenly spot to rest. The next day we will take a day-trip along the valley to get a closer view of Mount Aconcagua, easy-going and at your own pace. You can also either go fishing or stay at camp and relax.
Lunch and dinner.
Accommodations in Hermoso valley camp.

Day 6: Horseback riding (Los Patos Valley)

Breakfast.
We will ride along the Los Patos Valley, which is an old sea bottom full of marine fossils, and the Volcán River. We will camp at 3,500 meters at Rancho de Los Patos get ready for the next day’s challenge.
Lunch and dinner.
Accommodations in camp.

Day 7: Horseback riding (Espinacito slope)

Breakfast.
Today we cross the Espinacito Slope at 4,500 meters (13,500 ft.). This is the highest point of the journey. The landscape is magical and allows us to understand the tremendous efforts that the Army of the Andes had to overcome.
Lunch and dinner.
Camping accommodations in Peñón Colorado.

Day 8: Horseback riding (Las Hornillas Sector)

After breakfast we will ride to Las Hornillas. The challenge is almost over and we will now be able tofully grasp the real meaning of the crossing. We will bid farewell to our horses and leave behind the adventure. We will go to Uspallata town in a minibus to spend
the night at a hotel.
Lunch and farewell dinner.
Accommodations in Uspallata Hotel.

Day 9: Vineyards of Mendoza and transfer to the airport

Visit to the Tapiz boutique wine cellar in Luján de Cuyo, which produces the best Argentine wines. Lunch in the wine cellar. Transfer to Mendoza airport.

Program includes Not included General information
  • Accommodations 1 night hotel at Los Andes, Chile
  • 1 night hotel at Uspallata – shared rooms,
  • 6 nights camping where everyone in the group is asked to help to the extent possible.
  • Transfer Santiago – Los Andes – Los Patos, Las Hornillas – Uspallata – Mendoza airport.
  • All meals and beverages during ride and others indicated in town.
  • English speaking guide, gauchos, horses, pack mules, saddlebags, camping equipment.
  • Cooking equipment and table ware.
  • First aid kits for people and horses.
  • Oxygen bottle.
  • Iridium satellite phone for emergency calls.
  • Luggage: 20 kilos per person.
  • Excursion to the Tapiz vineyard in Lujan de Cuyo.
  • International and domestic flights
  • Transfers (not mentioned in the itinerary).
  • Travel and medical insurance
  • Tips.
  • Others not mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Ask for specific dates.
  • Hours of riding: between 6-9 hrs. daily.
  • Immigration / customs formalities: valid passport is required and, in some cases, a visa. You must comply with customs requirements.
  • Meeting point: Santiago, Chile.