This fantastic ride takes place in the northern region of Patagonia. With Jane Williams helping us to organize this trip, riders are sure to experience great riding, hospitality and the chance to understand the history of the region and the people who settled it.
Junin and San Martin de los Andes were difficult to get to even by Patagonian standards – to the west the high Andes and to the east a large desert. The first European arrived in 1883, peace was made with the Indians in 1903 and the first settlers arrived in the early 1900’s. They were well-educated, well traveled and worldly in their outlook – pioneers and adventurers who came from Europe looking for space to create new homes and enterprises for their families.
We visit 3 estancias where today some of their children, grand children and great grand children live protected by the trees they planted. All working estancias, the herds of sheep have been replaced with herds of Hereford cattle and now they are all beginning to take guests on their family estates; which are a tribute to the success of their pioneering ancestors.
Despite these gentle words – remember that in many ways this is still the Last Frontier – the riding is fast, the distances long, the rivers are large, the views are vast and days can be as adventurous as they were in the early 1900’s – but at the end of the day a hot bath will be waiting and the accommodation will be really comfortable.

IT-ARRT03
Rates: All inclusive from San Martin de los Andes, accommodations and meals, activities, 7.5 riding days
9 days/ 8 nights
Single+ 25%  limited single rooms - waived if willing to share
Dates 2008:  $ 3,314
10/11-10/19    10/25-11/02
11/10-11/18    11/20-11/28
more dates available on request for groups of 4+ from October to February

   availability & reservation

Meeting:   San Martin de los Andes
Airport:     Chapelco (CPC)
                  or Bariloche (BRC)
Transfer:    included from Chapelco or San Martin de los Andes. A transfer from  Bariloche can be arranged (extra charge).
Gratuities: 10% suggested
Tack:         Argentine type saddle
                  with  sheepskin
Horses:     Criollo crosses, bred on the Estancia. 15 to 16.5 hands. Broken to the neck-reining method. They are sure footed and well-mannered.
Pace:         Moderate, trots, canters
                  and gallops
Level:        Intermediate +
Note:         Massages and saunas at Cerro de los Pinos are extra
Min/Max Riders: 4-9

Itinerary
Day 1:  You will be met at Chapelco airport, San Martin de los Andes, and driven to Estancia Huechahue (approx. 30 mins). After lunch there will be an afternoon ride, giving you a chance to familiarize yourself with the horses and tack. This night you will stay at Estancia Huechahue.
Day 2:  A full day ride on the estancia with an "asado" lunch. Follow the Huechahue stream through its basalt canyons, riding as fast as you want across the water-meadows sending the plovers and ibis screeching, before returning over the top of Chenque Hill, where the Andes rise up behind you and the vastness of Patagonia stretches out before you. Spend the night at the estancia.
Day 3:  After breakfast you set out for a fast ride to Estancia Cerro de los Pinos. You cross the ridge on the Mendana Estancia in front of Lanin Volcano before dropping down and crossing the Chimehuin River. The settlement is close to the river, enclosed by pines. This night is spent at Cerro de los Pinos. Cerro de los Pinos allows the visitor an inside view of typical estancia life from it's beautifully stone constructed main house and chapel  (reflecting French architectural influence) to it’s outlying buildings, shearing sheds, grazing cattle, irrigation systems, red deer raising, tree nurseries, gardens and colorful gauchos
Day 4:  Giving your horses a well earned rest you will try the horses at Cerro de los Pinos. Your hosts will take you to see the 50,000 acre estancia where numbers of red deer, Guanaco and South American Rhea roam. Lunch will be an “asado” out on the estancia. Night at Cerro de los Pinos.
Day 5:  Time to leave Cerro de los Pinos and ride to Estancia Collon Co, the home of the Fachts who came from Germany in 1900. Another long ride across to the Quilquihue River and racing up the valleys to the settlement on the Collon Co stream to get there in time for dinner.
Day 6:  A day exploring Estancia Collon Co – a vast area of water meadows and rolling hills running right up to the Andes. The gauchos will be keen to show their Hereford cattle. Night at Estancia Collon Co.
Day 7:  It’s too far to return to Huechahue in a day, so you will head for the town of Junin de los Andes and the Rio Dorado lodge. A long morning arriving in time for a late lunch thus giving the chance for exploring the town (which does not take long!) before dinner at “Fat Buamscha’s”. The Buamschas came to Junin at the same time as those pioneers came to their estancias, since then it has been a meeting place for fishermen, hunters and locals.
Day 8:  The last day’s riding you make your way back to the first Estancia, this time crossing the River Chimehuin just outside Junin de los Andes and climb back up Mendana ridge, before racing along the ridge. Possibly the longest day of all but the horses will be keen to get home. Night at the estancia.
Day 9:  A farewell ride before transferring to the airport.
 

  see Condors "in flight"