Our Destinations

Why travelling with Randocheval ?

ARGENTINA / CHILE : ACROSS THE ANDES...

We want to invite you to share with us the privilege of reediting one of the most amazing achievements in the history of mankind. Crossing the Andes on horseback through the exact same spot San Martín and his “Army of the Andes” did in 1817 to free the people of Chile from its European monarchs. Thought for a small group of enthusiasts of nature and history. We will have the chance to feel the titanic efforts that the Fathers of Independence had to overcome. A mythical  journey that draws like a magnet. Probably, the trip of a lifetime….. This wilderness is flanked by the highest mountains in America, the Aconcagua (20 900ft.) and the Mercedario (20 700 ft.). It is in these uninhabited places, which you can only reach on horseback, where huge herds of guanacos roam freely and the Andean condor nests. Only in unique places like this you can enjoy the privilege of watching them at ease. As the sun sets, the spectacular stars of the southern hemisphere will cover the sky. Relax at the camp with its peaceful atmosphere. The campfire that lightens up the darkness as you share a cup of coffee, tea or mate. All this creates the ideal ambiance to feel the timeless spirit of nature and settle each day’s emotions

ITINERARY

Day 1 – Arrive Santiago de Chile
Transfer to Los Andes town at preset time around noon. Rest of day at leisure. Night at hotel. Welcome dinner with your guides and the rest of the group.

Day 2
Transfer from Los Andes to Los Patos. This is the route taken by San Martin´s army on his way to Santiago, through the Aconcagua Valley and the Putaendo Valley. We will see the site where on 12 February 1817, the Chacabuco battle took place. On 14 February, San Martín and O’Higgins entered Santiago de Chile to declare the independence. At Los Patos, the Chilean horses and gauchos will be waiting for us. Migrations at local authorities to allow us to cross this unattended border. We ride upstream the Rocin river to Las Tejas, our first campsite.

Day 3
We are riding the Pacific Ocean watersheds. We move up the Rocín river canyon.  Night at El Ciénego camp.

Day 4
We leave early in the morning to reach the international border at 3500 mts. Changing horses is mandatory so we say farewell to our Chilean horses and continue our ride with an Argentine team who came all the way to fetch us. We will have a very close view of the Aconcagua Mt. (6962 mts. – 20 900ft), the highest peak in America and Western Hemisphere. Night at Valle Hermoso. For a reason it is called “Beautiful Valley”.  

Day 5
We spend a second day at this heavenly spot to rest. Today we will do a day ride along the valley to get a closer view of Mount Aconcagua. Easy going and at your own pace. Or you can just go trout fishing or stay at camp and relax. Dinner at campsite.

Day 6
We ride along the Los Patos Valley, which gives the name to this pass and is an old sea bottom full of marine fossils, and the Volcán river. We camp at 3500 mts. in Rancho de Lata to get ready for next day challenge.

Day 7
Today we cross the Espinacito Slope at 4500 mts. (13 500 ft.) high. This is the highest point of the journey. The landscape is daydreaming and makes us feel the titanic efforts that the Army of the Andes had to overcome. Night at Peñón Colorado.

Day 8
After breakfast we ride to Hornillas. The challenge is almost over and we now fully grasp the real meaning of the crossing.  Say farewell to our horses and leave behind the adventure. We go to Uspallata town in minibus to spend the night at hotel. Farewell dinner.  

Day 9
This day will be very gourmet: wine making and tasting and a superb lunch. From Uspallata we leave early to Luján de Cuyo. This area is now known worldwide for producing several of Argentina’s best wines. Your visit to Mendoza would not be complete without a visit to the famous Club Tapiz boutique winery. During this private visit, we will have the chance to taste their premium wines directly from the oak casks. Lunch at the winery. Transfer to Mendoza city airport. End of program.

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 Chilian and argentinian criollos, all bred on the area. They are particularly reliable as they are used to the rocky pathes of the region. We change our chilian horses for argentinian horses while crossing the border. Tack Southern american recado saddle. They are typical saddel of South America. Very simple made of leather saddletree and sheep skin on it for more comfort. A large strap is fixing all of it.

Required riding level
We are riding 6 to 9 hours per day, so its mendatory for the participant to be at ease at all gates and to be fit.
Even if most the trail will be made walking because of the irregularities of the ground, we'll have plenty occasions for trot and canter.
On some part of the trail, considerated as dangerous, we may ask you to walking next to your horse.

Unaccompagned minors or not accepted on this trail.

YOUR GUIDES

The guides are all argentinian and know perfectly the itinerary. You'll also be accompagned by gauchos. Logistic is assured with packed mules so we asked you to limit your own equipment to 10 kg.

ACCOMMODATION

Accomodation

This trail has to be cionsidered as an expedition as you'll be asked to help to the extent possible.
Every day you'll pass overnight on the campsite, except on the first night in Los Andes and the las night in Uspallata. You'll spend your night in hotels of good category in double or triple room to be shared.

Meals
All meals and beverages are included in the trail from dinner of day 1 to lunch of day 9.

Altough this ride is an expedition, you'll have the opportunity to taste the argentinian cuisine and excellent wine of mendoza !
Here are some example of meals:

Breakfast: tea, coffee, home made bread and marmelade.
Lunch: pick-nick. Grilled meat, ham, cold cut, cheese and sandwiches. Fruits and pie for desert. Water (no wine for lunch)
Dinner: Typical patagonian meal: sheep meat barbecue, simmered meals or "empañadas". Fruits and pie. Water, wine and non alcoholic beverages.

DATES AND RATES

- airport transfers,
- the trail as describes on full board,
- drinks,
- the financial guarantee of all deposits sent to Randocheval.

- flights and airport taxes,
- the organization of a possible visit of the country before or after the trail,
- any other services,
- optional insurance: more informations.

BOOKING - INFORMATION

Contact Claire for any enquiry !

PRATICAL INFORMATIONS

Arriving at Santiago airport (Chile)
Departure from Mendoza airport (Argentina)

Argentina is located in the southern hemisphere, season are reversed comparative to Europe.
The southern winter is rigorous, faithful in it just like Patagonia, but the summer is rather sweet, in spite of altitude.
It is raining very rarely on that side of the Andes, you are thus almost insured to benefit from a dry weather from November till April.
However, it's very important to bring warm and water/windproof coat as you'll be riding in very moutainous areas.

Formalities
Contact your ambassy. For European people, the Identity card is enought.

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

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

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