Packages and Options

Pick-Up at 8:30-9 AM Drop Off at 7:30 PM

Day 1:
MENDOZA
Arrival in Mendoza. Check into Mendoza City hotel and overnight (no meals included) - upgrade to hotel in the wine country (Rural Holiday Hotel) is available.
Day 2:
MENDOZA - LAS HORNILLAS
In the morning the expedition begins with a meeting during which you will get to know the members of the trip and we will check your equipment before leaving. Then we will drive in a private vehicle towards the Uspallata valley and the Barreal. The trip will lead us to the heart of the fabulous Andes mountain ranges though the international road to Chile.
During the trip we will pass through Potrerillos, the Uspallata valley, Pampa del Leoncito and the town of Barreal where in the early afternoon a 4 wheel drive bus, will transfer us from "Barreal" to "Las Hornillas" (Álvarez Condarco, San Juan Province)
Night in tents.
Dinner: Argentinean Welcome Barbecue (The famous "asado")
Distance: Mendoza to las Hornillas: 350 km to the North
Duration of the trip in vehicle: approximately 6 hours
Altitude above sea level: Las Hornillas 1920 m 
Day 3:
LAS HORNILLAS - EL PENON
Pack mules and horses will be waiting for you near "Las Hornillas", ready to go. We prepare the loads and all the equipment necessary for the expedition that will be carried on mules and then we will start the first day on horseback towards the highest Andes peaks.
We will settle our first camp at el Peñón, near a beautiful and cold stream with strong torrents and small waterfalls
Dinner: Braised barbecue "asado"
Riding time: approximately 5 hours
Altitude above sea level: El Peñón 2900 m. 
Day 4:
EL PENON - VEGAS DEL YESO
Along with the rising sun we will start the most intensive day of the expedition. We will walk along a gorge where the river Las Leñas flows.
After lunch the path gets rockier, we will cross several times the same river. The horses  walk on the slippery rocks with an incredible assurance.
Passing the Cordón del Espinacito, we ride the big mountain crest until reaching a pass at an altitude of 4500 meters. Then, suddenly, on the other side of the mountain appears a vast and imposing valley with magnificent colors. We ride down towards our next camp where there are good pastures for our horses. The night falls and the flames of the fire warms us up while the guide prepares a delicious and comforting meal typical from the Andes.
Riding time: approximately 8 hours
Altitude above sea level: Vegas del Yeso 3350m 
Day 5:
VEGAS EL YESO - VALLE DE LOS PATOS
Today we will be able to admire the highest mountain in the American continent, the Aconcagua with a height of 6962 metres. Then passing the Yeso hills, we arrive to the vast and imposing "Valle de los Patos" (The valley of the ducks) where we set up our camp on the bank of the river bearing the same name, near National Gendarmery´s refuge "Ingeniero Sardinas".
This valley, magnificent for its size, its luxurious pastures and its green colors, make it one of the most beautiful valleys in the world. The tranquility, silence and mild climate of this place makes it perfect to spend a day of rest. La valle de los Patos will be our base for 3 days.
Riding time: approximately 5 hours
Altitude above sea level: Valle de los Patos 2650m. 
Day 6:
VALLE DE LOS PATOS - INTERNACIONAL BORDER - VALLE DE LOS PATOS
We ride westwards until the Valle del río Volcán (Valley of the volcano river) from where you will enjoy a unique view over the Aconcagua. After four days of horse riding, we approach the border to Chile (Argentinean-Chilean frontier). From here, looking behind you, you can admire a fantastic valley surrounded by snow-covered mountains, and in front of you, you can see exuberant landscapes with green pastures full of flowers with streams passing through.
Riding time: approximately 8 hours
Altitude above sea level: Argentinean/Chilean border Paso Valle Hermoso (Beautiful valley pass) 3500m. 
Day 7:
VALLE DE LOS PATOS: DAY OF REST
Today with the expedition leader we will do some trekking and learn about the flora and fauna of the mountains. Upstream of the river, we reach a place where you can often find trout ready to be caught with a fishing rod or just a thread with lead or hook. If you are lucky, in a short time you can fish a good quantity of trout which will be gathered and prepared for our dinner. 
Day 8:
VALLE DE LOS PATOS - RANCHO DE LATA
From the valley de los Patos we undertake our return, coming back to the high Andes peaks. We spend the night at the "Rancho de Lata".
Riding time: approximately 5 hours.
Altitude above sea level: Rancho de Lata 3300m.
Day 9:
RANCHO DE LATA - MANANTIALES (Last camp)
Once again we undertake the ride on the high Andes crests, reaching 4300 meters, passing the Paso Honda (Sling Pass). This place of unequaled beauty is surrounded by impressing landscapes and an infinity of colors. The horses with a firm and steady step walk down along the steep mountainside.
Riding time: approximately 8 hours.
Altitude above sea level: Manantiales 2600m.
Day 10:
MANANTIALES - LAS HORNILLAS - CITY OF USPALLATA
This will be our last riding day, after the incredible Andes crossing we will ride the last four hours of our trip until we reach the vehicle which will transfer us to "El Barreal" and later on to the Uspallata valley. We will celebrate the end of the riding adventure with a farewell dinner in a pleasant mountain hotel where we will spend the night (double bedrooms).
Day 11:
USPALLATA - MENDOZA
We will return to Mendoza in a private vehicle which will mark the end of our most thrilling Andes adventure. Overnight in local Mendoza Hotel (dinner not included)
Duration of the trip: approximately 6 hours
Altitude above sea level: Las Hornillas1920 m.
Day 12: DEPARTURE
Departure day.

The morphological diversity displayed by the Mendoza Province's uneven landscape, makes for diverse weather conditions. However, of one thing one can be certain, the sun will rise daily over its whole territory, shining down on both the plains and the mountains. . 

On one side, there is the cold mountain range climate, with snow during the southern hemisphere's winter; and on the other, the warm climate of the plains during the southern hemisphere's summer, scarcely benefited by the rains brought in by winds coming from the Atlantic Ocean; barely an annual average of 250 mm. 

These characteristics give the province's environmental conditions an identity: it is an arid space in which human settlements and economic activities are conditioned by its hydrological resources. 

Over the Cordillera Mountain range area, the arid Andean high lands climate predominates, with extremely low temperatures and little rain due to the influence of the altitude and the uneven terrain, respectively.

This area starts 1,700 meters above sea level. Precipitations come as snow, and in that aspect, are more intense between May and September (The Southern hemisphere winter), contrary to what happens down on the plains, where most of the rain comes down during the Southern hemisphere summer.

Over the valleys interposed between these formations, weather conditions are notably moderated.

North of the capital an arid sierra climate prevails, which fundamental features are of a typical inland continental climate coupled to the scarce Southern hemisphere summer rains, the intense evaporation, and as a consequence of these, an extremely dry environment.

The arid climate of the steppes, in the centre and southern parts of Mendoza, is the transition fringe between the northern part of Argentina, with its Southern hemisphere summer rains, and the southern part with its rain and snow during the Southern hemisphere winter.

On the eastern part of the La Paz and General Alvear Departments, a narrow belt of transitional mild temperate weather signals the gradual change from the arid western part to the more benign conditions and milder weather of the east.

Temperatures
In average, the Southern hemisphere summer temperatures fluctuate between 18º C and 33º C, with warm days and cool nights. During the Southern hemisphere winter, the lowest is 3º C, while the highest recorded throughout this season is 16º 

Concerning the temperatures during summer time, you have to take into account that it is common to reach -5º C at an altitude higher than 3000 meters at night (even with good weather conditions).

It might happen during the horse riding trip that we have bad weather with strong winds, cold air mass, snow and rain storms.

During the sunny days, the maximum temperatures at an altitude under 3000 meters can reach 30ºC. It is necessary to carry solar protection and a hat with wide brims.

o Wide-brimmed hat1 wind stopper jacket
o Warm clothes, 1 sweater/ 1 polar jacket Thermal underwear, long underwear
or cotton leggings
o Wool Cap and gloves (like ski gloves)
o Leather gloves to mount
o Raincoat
o Warm Sleeping bag (-15ºC)
o 2 Trousers (comfortable for riding) like the gaucho bombacha and if the weather is cold you can carry warm underwear. Don´t use jeans as they are hard and in low temperatures they make you feel cold
o 2 long-sleeve shirts
o 5 o 6 pairs of socks 2 t-shirts
o Trekking shoes or sneakers (riding boots preferable)
o Comfy shoes for after riding
o Scarf
o Gaiters to moun
o A blanket which you will use to pad the saddle and to warm you up during the night

Suggested personal gear:

o Personal medicine
o 1 plastic bottle or a water bottle
o Flashlight and batteries o Sun glasses. Eye drops (for persons who are sensitive or allergic to the dust)
o Sun protective cream (factor 30 or more), moisturizing cream, protective lipstick, milking cream in case of chapped skin
o Elements for personal hygiene (hand towel, soap, toothbrush, towelettes, etc.)
o Camera photos!!
o Do Not bring a watch

3 nights are  in hotels and during camping the accommodations are in dome tents (2 or 3 people per tent- sorry no single tents). All meals and drinks included during the riding expedition not at the hotel.

The accommodation will be in igloo shape tents. You will need a sleeping bag of minus 15ºC. You don´t need any insulating mattress as we will use the traditional saddle of the "gaucho" -the "recado" - made up of several layers of material, leather and skin of sheep which we use as a comfortable mattress. Some people prefer sleeping outdoors, (outside the tent), which is a wonderful idea to enjoy the stars and serenity of the night.

There are two important conditions to choose a good place for camping. There must be water and pasture for the horses. We try to choose a nice place, protected from the wind, which often blows very strongly in open places, between the mountains. Every day all the participants of the expedition go and collect wood in the surroundings to make the fire which will warm us up and allow us to cook the dinner.

At nightfall we start the fire. We sit around the campfire to warm us up, and we start telling anecdotes and urban legends typical from the region. We pass the mate around and soon the dinner will be served. We recommend you to carry warm clothes as temperatures at night can be very low. Then it is time to sleep, peace falls slowly over the camp.

For breakfast we offer "mate", homemade bread and toasts, "dulce de leche"(caramel spread) and fruit jam, tea, coffee, milk, cookies and crackers.
Lunches are light, because we must continue riding after eating. We prepare cold cuts and cheese sandwiches; salami, ham and other cold meat nibbles. Tuna fish or mackerel, olives, homemade bread, mayonnaise, fruits, and juice. Suppers are abundant and comforting, charcoal-grilled "asado" or chicken, pasta, rice, salads of lettuce and tomato, homemade bread, vegetable soups, fruits from the season, wine from Mendoza and juice. Asado = charcoal-grilled bovine meat

During our trip we prepare meals which are varied. If you are vegetarian, just let us know and we will prepare meals without meat. If you have any other special diets, you will have to advise us in advance.

The places we go through are inhabited and wild, far from any kind of civilization. During the trip we won´t find any bathrooms nor refuges.
The campsites will be set up in place protected by the wind and where we will find streams from melted snow and crystalline water, pure and very cold and small springs called "vertientes".

This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.

It doesn´t matter how athletic you are, you need to be in a good health condition, so that you can enjoy a 10-days expedition in direct contact with nature, far away from daily comfort or commodities (For example: It is necessary to mount and get off a horse many times a day, sleep in tents etc.)

The land we will cross shows permanent irregularities as for example crossing of rivers, ascents and descents through narrow and steep paths. This is not a difficulty for the horses, as theses same horses are mountain horses who are used to the mountains climbs.

The days vary between 4 and 9 hours on horseback. The maximum altitude above sea level reached 4500 meters. We put the Andes crossing in the category "moderate difficulty".

Tack:		South American Criollo saddles
Horses:		Meztizes Criollos
Pace:		Slow mountain riding for 70% of the trip - steep sections, 4 to 9 hrs a day. Some opportunities for canters on some days. Not suitable for people with vertigo ! | Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(2.5 to 4 out of 5)    Low Intermediate+
Age:		Min 12	Max 70
Weight:		Max 250 lbs
Riders:		Min 6	Max 14

It doesn´t matter how athletic you are, you need to be in a good health condition, so that you can enjoy a 10-days expedition in direct contact with nature, far away from daily comfort or commodities (For example: It is necessary to mount and get off a horse many times a day, sleep in tents etc.)

The land we will cross shows permanent irregularities as for example crossing of rivers, ascents and descents through narrow and steep paths. This is not a difficulty for the horses, as theses same horses are mountain horses who are used to the mountains climbs.

The days vary between 4 and 9 hours on horseback. The maximum altitude above sea level reached 4500 meters. We put the Andes crossing in the category "moderate difficulty".

Passports
Valid passport required by all nationals referred to in chart. The minimum passport validity is equivalent to the time granted by the immigration authorities.

Visas
Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for either business or tourism for stays of up to 90 days (extensions for a further 90 days are possible for some nationals; contact the consulate for details).

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Visa Note
Argentine minors travelling to or from Argentina, if unaccompanied by their parents or travelling with a single parent, must carry their parents’ or legal guardian’s authorisation to travel, which must be certified by an Argentine Consul if issued abroad. Fines will be levied if passengers do not comply with immigration requirements and passengers will be deported.