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CHILE : LAKES OF PATAGONIA AND CHILOE...

Itinerary - Extensions - Horses and required riding level
Guiding - Accommodation - Dates and rates - More infos / booking

ITINERARY

The trip begins on Chiloe, the biggest island of Chile , located in the great lakes region, at the edge of Patagonia. Chiloe presents many somptuous landscapes, a strange harmony between two elements : water and earth.The cool and humid ocean climate, promotes the development of a thick and wooded vegetation. On the one hand because of its islander geography and on the other hand because of its special culture, the population of Chiloe is different from those who live on the continent. Indeed the Island of Chiloe is famous for its original traditions and its picturesque villages. Chiloe's churches, which are registered in the humanity's mondial heritage, constitute a unique exemple of religious wooden architecture in Latin America. They represent a tradition initiated, in the XVIIth and XVIIth century, by itinerant jesuit preachers. They also display the successful fusion between culture, indigenous and european technics, and also show the perfect integration of this architecture in the environnement.

After that, let's go back on the continent in order to discover the great lakes region and its imposing landscapes, a case of nature in a rough state, surrounded by its beautyful snow-covered volacanos. Lakes, volcanos and therms are the key-words of the following part.

Day 1
Welcome at Puerto Montt airport by our guide, then we head for Chiloe island by minibus. We do the first stop near Ancud to discover the penguins and different species of birds on a fishermen's ship.We take the road again to Castro and then to Cucao where we arrive at the end of the day. Dinner and night in a guesthouse.

Day 2
After breakfast, we get on the horses to join the beach. For lunch, we stop at Doña Sonia's in order to share a local meal. In the afternoon we leave again on horseback, riding on an almost unused trail. The landscape alters between bushes with evergreen leaves and some small prairies on which goats and sheeps are grazing free. Arrival on the tricolor beach in the end of the aftenoon. Dinner at the camp fire and night spent under a tent.

Day 3

Day 4
We head for the north, in the direction of Cole-Cole, situated in the national park. More than twenty kilometers of white beaches interrupted by rocks. Long canters in view... The inhabitants go there, we can see whole families on the small, typical horses of the island. After that we gain height thanks to a small trail, the vegetation is getting thicker and the view on the coast is exceptionnal. We settle the camp in the park.

Day 5
On our way to Cucao we take the opportunity to discover the Huelde lake and maybe catch sight of the great Mingfisher, or the shy Pudù which is the smallest cervid. Arrival in Cucao in the end of the day. Dinner and night in guesthouse.

Day 6
After breakfast, we once again take the minibus in direction of the continent. On the way, we visit some villages such as Chonchi, Castro : traditionnal architecture made of wood, on stilts and discovery of the churches. We arrive in Puerto Varas where we will spend the night. Night in a hotel.

Day 7
Departure by minibus for Todos los Santos lake and Vicente Perez Rosales national park. It is the most visited park of Chile. As we mainly take not well known itineraries we do not come over too many other tourists. A small boat is waiting for us in order to make us cross the lake with emerald water, up to its northern central bank. Our horses are waiting for us on the small beach del Rincòn. The forest is higher and even thicker than the one of Chiloe. We cross several waterways to finally arrive in the refuge and rustic thermal baths El Callao. The pleasure of immersing ourselves in a wooden bath tub filled with water that come out of the earth at a temperature of nearly 50°C, after a long horse back riding day...

Day 8
We keep going on the trail to join, after a short break near El Queltro Lake, the Rupanco lake, with the Casablanca volcano on the background. Night in a bungalow, dinner with the hosts.

Day 9
An other day particularly impressive on the hillside of the Casablanca volcano, with a wonderfull view on Rupanco lake and Orsono and Puntiagudo volcanos. Night in a refuge.

Day 10
Back to Rupanco lake, taking different trails, with in particular the memorable descent of a volcanic sand dune... The ways are quite technical and permit us to mesure the extraordinary reliability of these small Chilean horses. We will regain the bungalow for the last night.

Day 11
Relaxing morning and tasting of smoked salmon for lunch, a local speciality. After that we get in a small boat again. A small detour will permit us to take the opportunity of a second bathing and the benefits of the thermal water, on an utterly natural site. Then we join back the minibus and Puerto Varas. Night in hotel.

Day 12
In the morning, visit of the great artisanal market of Puerto Montt. Transfer at 15.00 to the airport.

EXTEND YOUR TRIP

This trail can be easily combined with our itinerary in the north of Chile in the Atacama desert, or as well with a stay in estancias in Argentina.

You also can see your stay as an opportunity to visit the other regions of Chile, on an unequestrian way : for example, a 4 days stay in the Santiago area.

Santiago- Valparaiso : 4 days / 3 nights
We advise you to stop for a while in Santiago the Capital City of Chile, which is located in a valley between the Andes Mountain Range and the Coast mountain Range. Santiago is a very attractive destination for tourism: You can see the Rìo Mapocho which goes through the city founded in 1541, and many ancient and well preserved monuments such as the Santo Domingo church and also the precolombian art Museum composed of more than 2000 pieces. We reserve you two nights in Santiago (one in the beginning and one at the end of the stay), one night in Valparaiso or Vina Del Mar. Only 1h30 of road to go to visit Pablo Neruda's house. With your rented car, you wil be free...

This extension includes
- 2 nights in 3 or 4 stars hotel in Santiago city centre.
- 1 night in a 3 stars hotel in Valparaiso or Vina del Mar
- breakfasts
- 3 days car rental B category (based on 2 people sharing).

To add
- Personal expenses (meals, visits, fuel, etc...)
- Optional activities,
- Insurances.

Consult rates

HORSES AND REQUIRED RIDING LEVEL

Horses The horses are Criollo crossbreedings and vary in size. They are strong, well healthy, willing and sure footed. We can provide horses for experienced riders and also for more novice or "rusty" riders.

Tack The harness is Chilean, metal framed saddles covered with leather and sheepskin. The bridles are made of leather and rope.The saddles provide adequate comfort for the long days riding and the stirr-ups consist in a leather cup through which the foot cannot pass, which is very important for security. Halters are worn throughout the ride and the rope is tied around the horse's neck to tie up for lunch stops. If you really prefer riding on an english saddle, even if it is not adviced, thank you for informing us at the time of the reservation.

Required riding level

As the pace of this riding trip is quite intensive (from 20 to 35 km per day on a mountainous soil), it would be required for the participants to feel comfortable at walk, trot and canter. If it's possible (most of all for the less experienced riders) you should take some lessons to practise and develop your endurance, particularly at trot. Moreover, some difficult trails will have to be crossed on foot.

On this ride, we will ask you to take care of your horse, in particular to saddle and unsaddle.

Maximum weight : 90kg
Age limit : More than 14 years old accompanied by an experienced parent or relative.

YOUR GUIDES

This horse trekking will be supervised by Sandra, a French confirmed Guide who has been living in Chile for seveval years. But exceptionally this year, as Sandra is pregnent, the trail will be lead by another french speaking woman. She collaborates with the Banqueanos who will permit you to discover their customs, traditions and also their knowledge about local horses.

As well, a person in charge of preparing the meals accompanies the ride. She will make you discover, taking into account the constraints due to the bivouac, the best of the Chilean culinary traditions, and in particular the famous asado (local barbecue).

Logistics are ensured with pack horses. on your own horse you only have to bring your day's affairs.

ACCOMMODATION

Most of the time the accommodation is made in a bivouac (7 nights). 2 nights are also planned in rustical cabins accommodating four persons each. Everyday you will have at your disposal a torrent or a water supply point to wash yourself.

During the horse trail, you will have mount and undo your tent by yourself. Don't worry you will take the habit to do it rapidly. These tents are planned to accommodate three persons but for more comfort, only two riders will sleep in them. Moss mattress are provided. If you want you can bring a small airbed. A participation in everyday tasks is also desirable.

Our cooker will prepare you many copious dinners that you will be able to taste with an excellent Chilean wine. You will have breakfast in the form of a picnic. As lakes and torrent's water is drinkable, we don't provide any water bottles. If you want you can bring some drop to clean the water.

DATES AND RATES

- If the group is composed of 2 or 3 riders, an extra charge of 150 € will be invoiced in order to make up for logistic and staff. As soon as a fourth rider is booked, this charge will be paid back.

- Extra charge for individual room: + 100 € (Only if you expressly ask for it. If you travel alone and agree to share your room with another rider of the same gender, this charge will not be invoiced, even if finally there is noboby to share your room with).

Option

RATE INCLUDING

RATE NOT INCLUDING

BOOKING - INFORMATION

Contact Claire, the specialist for this destination

PRATICAL INFORMATIONS

COUNTRY

Chile

This horse trekking moves in the 10th administrative department of the country, in the south, right in the north of Patagonia.

LENGTH

LANGUAGE

English, Spanish.

GROUP SIZE

ACCESS

CLIMATE

The best period to go to this part of Chile is from November to March.
Diurnal temperatures move between 15° and 25°, and can loose about ten degrees at night. Downpours of rain are not to be excluded, so leave well equipped.

Formalities
Passport valid 6 months after the date of return.

Health
No need of vaccine or any treatment.It is necessary to be up to date concernning your usual vaccinations, in particular for tetanos vaccine. Remember that a rapatriation travel insurance is compulsory.

Informations given as indication for French people. For the other nationalities, thank you for asking your own governement.You are responsible for your identity and sanitary elements to enter a foreign country.

REFERENCE :CH93-chili-montt-en