Chile and Argentina possess incredibly diverse and spectacular scenery encompassing powerful rivers, glaciers, waterfalls, forests, glacial lakes and alpine valleys, all crowned with a backdrop of snow-capped volcanic peaks.
This exciting trip follows one of Charles Darwin’s journeys through a magnificent variety of terrain and scenery.
We fly into Santiago and then drive across the border to Argentina, starting our adventure in the mountains above Mendoza. Our route takes us through beautiful valleys, woodland and over high passes eventually reaching the western side of the Andes and the Chilean border. We will camp along much of the route and will have ample opportunity to discover this pristine mountainous environment and view local fauna and flora all from horseback.
Travelling through the mountains like the pioneers of old gives us a truly unique experience.
- DAY 1: Depart London for Argentina
- DAY 2: Arriva Mendoza; time to explore this vibrant city
- DAY 3: Drive to Tuyuman and meet horses; half-day ride to Quebrada del Arroyo Grande and up into mountains (3200m)
- Day 4: Full-day ride through mountains; cross Argentina Portillo pass (4380m), descend to upper Valley of Tunuyan (3200m)
- DAY 5: Morning to enjoy beautiful location of camp and rest horses; afternoon valley ride to Laguna de los Patos
- DAY 6: Ride deeper into the Andes (reaching 4000m), cross roaring meltwaters to the base of Tupungato Volcano; camp Palmares Valley (3400m)
- DAY 7: Stunning views of snow-capped 6000m peaks as we follow Palmares River
- DAY 8: Morning ride to cross border into Chile; ride descending paths to thermal springs of Termas del Yeso (2900m); meet vehicles and transfer to Santiago
- DAY 9: Morning for shopping or sight-seeing in Santiago before saying farewell to the Andes over lunch with fabulous views of the mountains; transfer to airport
- DAY 10: Arrive UK
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