Activity: Horseback riding.

Season: From December to March.

Duration: Eight days, seven nights. Six full days riding.

Level of difficulty: For all those with experience in horse rides of several days.

Description: Enjoy a trip to old times. To the times when these Andean passes connected the Nahuel Huapí area with the valleys of El Bolsón and Epuyén. Discover the Patagonian steppe, glacier-capped mountains, lenga forests, summer-grazing cattle posts, abandoned mines, and much more of this amazing natural world. The whole stunning beauty of these magical Valleys.

Lodging: Two nights in a Bariloche inn, five nights in campsite or countryside post.

Meals: Buffet breakfast in Bariloche Inn. All full boarding with beverages whilst camping. Meals in Bariloche not included. .


Itinerary:

Day 1:
Arrival in Bariloche, meeting at the airport and transport to Bariloche. Accommodation in La Pastorella Inn or similar. Afternoon at leisure in Bariloche.


Day 2:
Transport from Bariloche to Upper Ñirihuau Valley, informative briefing on saddling and horse care. We will start the ride towards the sources of Pichi Leufu River.
Duration: around 3 hours.
Overnight stay at campsite.


Day 3:
Today we will cross the mountain pass at 1,750m, enjoying superb views of Mount Carreras (2,400m), the glaciers and the spot where Foyel, Villegas, Pichi Leufu and Chubut Rivers begin to flow.
Duration: around 5 hours.
Overnight at campsite


Day 4:
Our ride will continue along the sources of Chubut River, around high-altitude marshlands (1200-1500m) from which the watercourse starts. We will ride then to the confluence of Las Lagunitas Creek, at the foothill of Mount La Serrucha (2,150m).
Duration: around 6:30 hours.
Overnight stay at campsite.


Day 5:
The trip will continue downstream through the valley, passing some summer grazing cattle posts and waterfalls, until we get to the first village nearby the abandoned gold and lead mine. We can still find there a teleferic and some old facilities.
Duration: around 6 hours.
Overnight camping


Day 6:
Following a cart trail today we will ride southwards, avoiding deep ravines that hinder our passing by the riverside and having the chance to visit interesting villages full of history. Places where still the children and grandchildren of the first villagers live. The economy of those people is based mainly on goat, sheep, and cattle breeding. Then, our ride will take us past a rural school and a little further on, southwards, whilst crossing the limits of Estancia El Maitén, we will observe that the valley now becomes a vast plain, the river looses the characteristics of an Andean-river and the whole landscape changes remarkably. We will notice that the snow-capped mountains are now more far away and that the lush vegetation cover becomes sparser until it disappears.
Duration: around 8 hours.
Overnight stay at campsite..


Day 7:
This last day we will be crossing El Maitén Valley's wide open plain, going through river hideaways until getting to the estancia that now belongs to the Benetton family. In that traditional ranch we will be treated to a barbercue lunch (the famous Argentine asado).
Duration: around 7 hours. Transfer to Bariloche.
Overnight at La Pastorella Inn or similar.


Day 8:
Breakfast. Transfer to the Airport. End of Programme.


Included: Horses with full "criollo" (Argentine-style) saddle and trappings, harness, cargo equipment, tents, sleeping pads, first aid kits, VHF equipment, all full meals during the horse ride as well as any special diet, if necessary. Qualified local guides. Accommodation in Bariloche in La Pastorella Inn or similar, breakfast included. Transfers: from Bariloche Airport to Bariloche, from Bariloche to Ñirihuau Valley (trip starting point), from El Maitén (end of the trip) to Bariloche and from Bariloche to the Airport. Insurances.

Not included: Meals in Bariloche, sleeping bag for camping, medical assistance, tips

Required equipment: Sleeping bag (-10º C), trousers fit for horse riding (not jeans), fleece pullover, waterproof jacket; comfortable riding boots and trekking shoes, 2 pairs of woolen stockings and 3 pairs of cotton stockings, hat; leggings, leather gloves, thermal underwear (cotton or polyester), shorts. Sun block lotion and sunglasses. Day pack (a good one) for carrying the camera, water container, sewing kit, personal toiletries and penknife.

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