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Horseback riding tours
Rides in Argentina
Intro to Argentina
 Buenos AiresCordoba/Mendoza Corrientes Northern Patagonia Southern Patagonia
Extensions:
Fitzroy Trek
BrazilChileEcuadorPeruUruguay
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Tierra del Fuego Trail
Southern Patagonia
Argentina
Tierra del Fuego - Argentina's only coastal national park - is a place of extremes: the world's southernmost national park accessible from the world's southernmost city - Ushuaia. This is a journey to the "heart" at the bottom of the world! This five day horseback excursion will take you deep into the center of Tierra del Fuego, where you will experience the pristine beauty of a faraway land. Ride between the Andean and Darwin mountain ranges, gallop on the beach of the worlds most southern ice-free lake, stroll through the streets of the southernmost city in the world, and meet the people who call this land their home.
Tierra del Fuego ("Land of Fire") is an archipelago separated from the southern most tip of the South American mainland by the Strait of Maglellan. The coastal wildlife is rich and diverse, with many sea birds, and seals and walruses.
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Meeting:
Puerto Natales
Airport:
Punta Arenas
Transfer:
from Ushuaia included
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Rates and Dates for 2009
Rates include:
1 night hotel, 3 nights B & B, horse rental, bilingual guide, most meals
Transfer Option:
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2009
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Transfer from Usuaia (up to 4 pass) return
This is a "Group Rate" - to be paid locally
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$250
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2009
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Transfer from Usuaia (over 4 pass) pp return
- to be paid locally
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$100
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Tour Dates
Check here for details and availability
| A |
2008
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12/17
- 12/21
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5d / 4n
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3
/8
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Expired
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Reserve
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| A |
2009
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01/13
- 01/17
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5d / 4n
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3
/8
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Available
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Reserve
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| A |
2009
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01/13
- 01/17
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5d / 4n
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3
/8
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Available
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Reserve
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| A |
2009
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02/17
- 02/21
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5d / 4n
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3
/8
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Available
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Reserve
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Additional dates are available upon request with 3+ riders between November and March
Rates do not include:
alcoholic beverages, domestic or international flights, airport fees, gratuity, sleeping bags, lunch on Day 1 and Day 5
Day 1: Welcome to Tierra del Fuego!Your guide will meet you at the airport in Ushuaia, the morning of your arrival. You will then have several hours to stroll around the city of Ushuaia before meeting the others members of your group for a delicious Argentinean lunch. 3:00pm, transfer to Estancia Los Cerros Estancia (approximately 1 ½ hours) through the beautiful millinery forests of Tierra del Fuego. When we arrive at the estancia, we will be given a tour of the grounds and discuss the joys and hardships of estancia life in the harsh conditions of this extreme place. Then, we will enjoy a traditional Patagonian meal and delectable Argentinean wines while we discuss the itinerary for the adventure to come. Accommodations are in the rustic guesthouse.
Day 2: We will pack our things after a farm style breakfast and walk down to the corral to meet our partners for the journey, our horses. After our expert guide matches horses and riders, we will head out for a long and fulfilling ride along the western shore of Yehuin Lake. This lake lies at the northern base of the northernmost section of the Darwin Range and is nestled between densely forested mountains and long, grassy steppe. There will be several river crossings along the way, among them the clear, wide Rio Claro and Rio Indio. We may get lucky at the river crossing and spot the busy beaver that make this area their home, due to the abundance of trout. We can stop for lunch on the banks of one of these rivers and rest in the cool shade of the Lenga trees. After several more hours of riding, we will arrive at our lakeside campsite in the bay of Lake Yehuin. From here we may watch the sun splash hues of orange and gold as it sets on our southern location. After dinner, we can relax by the fire at our scenic camp.
Day 3: This morning we will begin our ride by climbing to the top of Mount Cabra (Goat Mountain) which reaches a height of 300m and offers an excellent view of the surrounding forests and lakes. We will continue riding in the direction of the Atlantic Ocean, getting closer to the tip of Cape Horn and our evenings destination; Estancia Ushuaia. This estancia lies on 5,000hectares of pristine forest and meadowland and was constructed in the 1950’s by immigrant settlers. Upon our arrival we will be greeted by our hosts, the owners themselves, who are a traditional, third generation Fuegian family. They will give us a special tour of their estancia and guesthouse and we may choose to dine in their parlor or retire to our camp on the outskirts of the property where we can enjoy another hearty, camp style meal.
Day 4: We can relax some on our last morning in camp, and slowly pack our things, before we mount up for the days ride. This will be a long and exciting day, crossing a variety of terrain from low grasslands to forested mountains before reaching our final destination, the town of Tolhuin on the banks of Lago Fagnano. We will ride for several hours in the morning before stopping to rest at “del Chonque” lowlands, where there is a good possibility of spotting herds of wild horses who still roam the island. After lunch, we will continue on towards the banks of the great Lago Fagnano, which was named for an Italian missionary, and is the largest and southernmost ice-free lake on earth. The lake is scientifically important in that its’ waters are a collection of various sources (hot springs, glacial melt, precipitation and groundwater). On the banks of the lake is the town of Tolhuin, which in the aboriginal language means “heart” as it was thought to be the heart of the island of Tierra del Fuego. It is here, in the heart, where we will end our journey together, riding directly to our comfortable and comparatively luxurious accommodation. You are free to enjoy a stroll along the beach, or simply shower and relax before taking pleasure in the delicious delicacies prepared by the chef and toasting our journey with rich Argentinean wine.
Day 5: Morning transfer to Ushuaia where you will have time to wander the city and take a last look at the great Beagle Channel before boarding your flight to onward travels.
Subject to Change
Meeting:
Puerto Natales
Airport:
Punta Arenas
Transfer:
from Ushuaia included
Passport and Visa Requirements: Valid passport required by all nationals referred to in chart. The minimum passport validity is equivalent to the time granted by the immigration authorities.VisasNot required by nationals referred to. more
Weather is unpredictable and travellers should be prepared for rain.
More details on What to Bring: Clothing layers; warm hat and hat for sun, riding breeches or comfortable pants, riding boots or boots with a heel, rain gear (pants and jacket), sleeping bag and mat, sunblock, chapstick, gloves (for warmth and riding).
Everything will be carried on pack horses, but your personal horse will also carry saddle bags and/or cantle bags.
Your bags should be kept at a reasonable weight ie. no more than 30lbs. Pack light but bring plenty of layers (capaline, fleece, rain gear etc)!
It is possible to rent camping equipment in Ushuaia, but not recommended as the quality and cleanliness of sleeping bags is sometimes questionable.
Extra luggage can be stored at the airport, as you will not be returning to the first nights accomodation.
| … this list is only a guideline for you |
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| Travel documents and TripVoucher (contains important local tour contact info.) |
| Flight tickets |
| Passport |
| Visa (check with your consulate) |
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| RIDING GEAR |
| Riding pants or Jodhpurs (used if possible!) |
| Riding boots (short) + Minichaps |
| Riding helmet (recommended for all trips) |
| Riding gloves |
| Hat (with chin strip) for sun protection |
| Lightweight Rain coat |
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| PERSONAL CLOTHING |
| Jacket or sweater for cool evenings |
| Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts |
| Jeans |
| Shorts |
| Underwear and socks |
| Pyjama |
| Bag for dirty clothes |
| Trekking boots/ comfortable shoes |
| Swimsuit |
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| For Camping trips: |
| Sleeping Bag |
| Ground Mat (Thermarest or foam mattress) |
| Towel and small bar of soap |
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| ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING |
| Personal Toiletries |
| Insect protection |
| Personal medications |
| Sore cream (for an emergency) |
| Sewing kit |
| Handkerchiefs |
| Adapter for electric appliances |
| Camera and extra film or batteries |
| Belt pack |
| Flashlight |
| Sun glasses with strap |
| Sun tan lotion and lip balm |
Sorry, no video is currently available for this tour.
*Important Notice: The following ratings have been submitted by guests and do not necessarily represent the views of Hidden Trails, its partners or employees.
Every care is taken to ensure accuracy but Hidden Trails is not liable for any errors or omissions.
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| Name |  |  |  |  |  |  | Date |
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Cassandra Seto
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3/4/2008
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Jacopo Giuntoli
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2/15/2008
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..view other reports for different trips
Accommodations are a combination of camping and hotel or rustic lodge. Meals are fresh over an open fire or in a camp kitchen and include a variety of delictable options such as stews, soups, steaks, fresh salads, fruits and breads. Lunch is made each morning and taken picnic style on the trail, and may include sandwiches, fruit, cookies, chocolate etc... Vegetarians accommodated upon request
This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.
The Criollo is the most commonly used breed in Patagonia. As ancestors of the feral Spanish horses, they are intelligent, strong, sturdy, surefooted and have the endurance to carry their riders for long distances at a comfortable gait. For our trips we use our personal horses and see to their care and training ourselves.
Traveling on horseback can be an extraordinary and unique way to sightsee. However, it is a physical activity and requires some degree of fitness. We recommend that you come "riding fit" and are capable of being in the saddle for a maximum of five hours. On some of the longer days we may have a support vehicle for those who can no longer ride.
Please do not be discouraged if you do not have any riding experience or have a longtime fear of horses. If you are healthy and willing, you will probably discover that the ability comes quite naturally.
It is a special feeling to develop a bond with such a strong and intelligent animal who is willing to carry us wherever we need to go...whatever the weather. We don't want you to miss out on | |