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Why travelling with Randocheval ?

ARGENTINA / PATAGONIA : EXPERIENCE THE WIDE OPEN HOSPITALITY OF A TRADITIONNAL PATAGONIAN ESTANCIA...

ITINERARY

Stay on a traditional working cattle estancia

We invite you to share the way of life of the Argentine gauchoes, who work the cattle on some 10 000 hectares of the estancia. Whatever is the date in which you foresee your journey, you can accompany them in driving the herds in the vast extents of Pampa.
But the wild fauna is not in rest, and during your rides, you will have the occasion to meet guanacos (wild llamas), eagles, vultures and especially the famous condor of the Andes...
The work of the cattle depends on the season : in November and December, they are the spring gatherings and you can help the gauchoes to move the herds towards their pastures summer, and also in March-April, to return them before the rigours of the southern winter.

3 days ride in the Lanin Park
You can choose to ride every day from the estancia, or to coordinate your journey with one of the rides in the spectacular at feet of the Andes. You can so organize two additional experiences : spend some days in the estancia to work the cattle in the extents of Pampa, before leaving for an adventure of 3 days in a particularly put off and wild region, in the heart of the Andes.

We detail you below an example of program of week in the estancia, as well as the description of a 3 days ride at feet of the Andes and near Lanin. Naturally, this program can vary according to your wishes, here everything is possible!

STAY IN A TRADITIONAL WORKING CATTLE RANCH (sample of 7 nights itinerary)

Day 1
We will meet you at Chapelco airport, San Martin de los Andes and drive you to the Estancia (approx. 30 mins). After lunch there will be an afternoon ride. A chance to familiarize yourself with the horses and tack and the way we ride.

Day 2
A full days 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.

Day 3
A day spent working cattle with the gauchos. Lunch with the gauchos is strips of beef ribs threaded onto a stick and cooked over the open fire. A siesta in the shade and a chance to separate the cows on horseback or try your hand with a lasso.

Day 4
A full days ride on the Estancia to visit the Indian burial caves. The caves were formed when the glaciers carved the valley opening an entrance to the lava flow tunnels formed during previous eras of volcanic activity. The Tehuelche Indians laid out their dead, surrounded by their weapons and always somewhere where they could see their enemies coming. They decorated the walls with designs. The remains have disappeared, but the petroglyphs and the view are still there.

Day 5
A morning's ride to see our stallion with the mares and new foals, and a chance to herd horses. After a late lunch there will be an evening ride to the cliffs where the condors and eagles nest. While we have a cocktail and the sun goes down, the condors return, they soar above and below us before settling for the night.

Day 6
A days ride through the neighbouring Indian reservation. Our saddle rugs and saddle bags are woven by some of the Indian women and the skins from the cows we butcher are worked into rawhide and then bridles and halters by the men. We will pass by to see what progress is being made and to share a "mate" on our way through.

Day 7
A full days ride to a different part of the Estancia. There are 15,000 acres in all so there is still plenty left to explore. Lunch will be on the river. On the way home a chance to see guanaco, deer, wild boar and "peludos" - the baby armadillo.

Day 8
A farewell ride before transferring to the airport.

Typical program of a 3 days excursion in the Lanin Park.

The dates of these releases are indicated at the bottom of this page.

We leave for 3 days of ride in the Mountains of the Andes through the properties of the nearby estancias. The exact route of the ride will depend on the season and on the weather report and on the snow coverage. The ride will lead you through the spectacular landscapes to the South of Andes with sight on eternal snows of the volcano Lanin, to the lakes crystal and the untouched forests.

Nights are spent in bivouac on particularly pleasant sites, at the edge of a lake or on bank of a river. A cooked tea in the campfire or the traditional "mate" will wait for you in the evening after your day on horseback. You can have the possibility of bathing you before spending a warm and relaxing evening around the campfire.

This ride will allow you to make a ride through the wild and picturesque nature of the Andes.

Sometimes the ground will ask for a slow pace but every time it can be possible, we shall make of full gallops in the plain.
At the end of these 3 days of ride, a vehicle will wait for you to transfer you to the estancia for a warm shower, a dinner and a good night.

EXTEND YOUR TRIP

Buenos Aires

To make the most of your stay in Argentina, we suggest you to spend a few days in Buenos Aires. From the city center and its French style with grand avenues, old-time cafes and stylish restaurant, to the Boca, the italian area with its coulourfull houses along the Riachuelo river, Buenos Aires is more european than south american, but so charming !
We offer you to spent the night in a central four star hotel, including breakfast, and visit the city at your pace (entrance fees, meals and personal expenses are not included).

Cf. "options" section below to check the price of this extension.

Iguazu falls (3 days / 2 nights) Between Argentina and Brazil, the Iguazu falls are 4 km long and 70 meter high creating a spectacular scenery. This falls are registered since 1984 to the Unesco world heritage as the national park in which they are located. You'll be free to discover the site according to your wills. For example, you'll have the possibility to do some visits in the park, in the tropical forest and over the river to admire the falls from above thanks to footbridges. We offer you to spend 3 days and 2 nights in Iguazu, in a four star hotel, including breakfast and a return flight ticket. Are not included in the package : meals, transfers, entrance fees and personal expenses.

HORSES AND REQUIRED RIDING LEVEL

Horses The horses are criollo crosses, part anglo-normando, of about 15.5 hh. They are bred and trained on the Estancia, are sure footed and generally well behaved.

Tack The horses are neck reined and the riding is similar to western style. The saddles used are "montura de monte" which are similar to old english army saddles with sheepskin on top.

Required riding experience
On the stay at the Estancia, you don't need to be an advanced rider. Even if you're beginner, we will be able to provide you an adapted horse.
On our estancia to estancia ride, you need to be intermediaite or advanced rider. Remember that in many ways this is still the Last Frontier. The riding is fast, the distances long, the rivers large, the views are vast and days can be adventurous as they were in the early 1900's. But at the end of the day a hot bath will be waiting and the accomodation will be really comfortable.

YOUR GUIDES

You will be accompanied by the gauchoes of the estancia, and by the owners speaking Spanish, English and French. A telephone satellite allows to stay in touch with the outside world in case of emergency.

ACCOMMODATION

Stay in a traditional working cattle Estancia
The accomodation on the estancia is very comfortable ! There are 8 twin rooms and double-bedded rooms all with bathroom en suite. They are divided between 3 guest cabins close to the main house.
When we are not eating "asados" (barbeque) out on the estancia or picnics by the river, meals are served in the dining room of the main house. Lunch and dinner are large maels in Argentina. The estancia is virtually self-sufficient. There are orchards and a large vegetable garden. Ham and bacon, from our pigs are cured int the smoke-house, eggs come from the chicken run; milk from the dairy cow and of course our own beef, venison and wild boar.
Argentine wines are finally achieving international recognition. The beers and spritis are good too - we always have a siesta !
During the 3 days excursion in the Lanin National Park, you'll sleep under two-man tents. Good quality sleeping bags are provided.
The camp staff arrange all the setting up of camp, cooking and care of the horses.

DATES AND RATES

- Extra night : 265 € / person / night, all included.
- Single room supplement : 470 €.
Only for riders who ask for a single room. Those who are willing to share, will not pay the supplement even if they are finally in a single room. Sometime required during the high season.

Dates planned for the trail in the Lanin National Park:

- the horse trekking as mentionned above in estancia accomodation (or tent if pack trip booked) with full board basis (drinks included),
- transfers from and to Chapelco airport,
- english and spanish speaking guide,
- financial deposit guaranteed to Randocheval.

- any other services not mentioned in the program.
- tips and personal expenses
- optional insurance: more information .

BOOKING - INFORMATION

Contact Claire for further details !

PRATICAL INFORMATIONS

Formalities
Please check with your local ambassy.

Vaccination - health
No specific vaccinations. Don't forget your repatriation insurance.

We recommand to be update of usual vaccination, and especially tetanus..