Immerse yourself into this adventure across the Chilean Andes and its remote valleys. You will discover the Patagonian culture in Río Puelo’s valley and experience the local people’s old way of life, all in the pristine Patagonian wilderness.
Duration: 6 days and 5 nights. 6 days riding.
Difficulty: Intermediate.
Departure/Arrival: From Puerto Montt in Chile on the shore of the Pacific Ocean across the Andes, ending in Bariloche Argentina.
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All transportation is included
You will get to know the local people, stay at their homes and experience their life in the valley
Amazing views of the Andes Range, the temperate rain forest, mountain glaciers and turquoise rivers
You will enjoy nice and delicious local food and wine!
During the ride you will stay at local farms and at a private island
Have a lifetime experience!
Day 2: Full day ride towards Valle Ventisqueros – Night in Ventisqueros + More Information...
Day 3: Full day ride through Valle Ventisqueros – Night in Ventisqueros + More Information...
Day 4: Full day ride to Las Rocas Lake – Night in private island + More Information...
Day 5: Full day ride to Lake Azul – Night in private island + More Information...
Day 6: Ride to Chilean Customs – Jet boat navigation through Inferior and Puelo Lakes – Customs procedures in Argentina – Transfer to Bariloche + More Information...
Day 1 Puerto Varas / Las Rosas
Morning pick up at your hotel in Puerto Varas to drive towards the Andes. We will be able to admire the Llanquihue Lake, as well as the Calbuco and Osorno volcanoes that are part of the Vicente Perez Rosales National Park. Once arrived at the edge of the Reloncaví estuary, first fjord in the south of Chile, we will appreciate Ralún and Cochamó villages, well-known for their agricultural crops and fishing industry. On the way, we will pass through the Río Puelo valley near its river mouth in the sea before arriving to Tagua-Tagua Lake. Time for lunch before the crossing. Once on the other side, we will be completely disconnected from the telephone network and from the Internet. After a 40-minute drive, our transfer will drop us off at Puerto Urrutia, the place of local crossings. We will meet the baquianos team and the horses. As we cross by motorboat, the horses will swim alongside, guided by a boatman. While the baquianos pack the packhorses on the other site, you will get to know your horse for the whole ride. Once ready, our ride starts passing by beaches of the Puelo River that go through farmed fields. Late in the afternoon, we will get to Tito and Olivia’s house, a place just in front of the Puelo River.
Time: 4 hours transfer from Puerto Varas to Puerto Urrutia; 2 hours on horseback
Accommodation: 1 Night at Olivia`s home at Las Rosas
Meals: breakfast, box lunch, tea, aperitif and dinner
Day 2 Las Rosas / Ventisqueros
Today, we will continue our ride in the Río Ventisqueros valley. Ancient woods, open spaces and rivers, a long and great day in the middle of the mountains awaits us. We will be crossing amazing forests and self-sufficient little farms in remote areas. Just as the locals do, we will cross riding the large Ventisqueros River and its fast-flowing water. We will enjoy a nice lunch on one of the Ventisqueros beach and then we will keep going on our path to the end of the valley in front of a glacier. Here, we will be hosted for two nights by Bernardita who lives in one of the most remote areas in the region.
Time: 6 hours on horseback
Accommodation: 1 Night at Bernardita’s home at Ventisqueros
Meals: breakfast, box lunch, tea, aperitif and dinner
Day 3 Ventisqueros
Today we will venture even further into the valley and encounter beautiful views of the glacier that gives the valley its name. Our route crosses the «Universo» river and the property of the very first inhabitant of the valley and his family. It is a very sparsely populated area in the middle of completely unspoilt nature, offering impressive views of a natural environment that is still preserved. The trail passes through immense forests and runs along the river. After crossing the river several times, we will cross an incredible forest of Alerce (Fitzroya Cupresoyde). Nobody lives in this virgin and isolated area and we will encounter breath-taking views and an unspoiled natural environment. We will have lunch near the Raquelita River and return to Bernardita’s house in ended-afternoon. We will have the opportunity to swim in the clear blue river and rest.
Time: 5 to 6 hours on horseback
Accommodation: 1 Night at Bernardita’s home at Ventisqueros
Meals: breakfast, box lunch, tea, aperitif and dinner
Day 4 Ventisqueros / Isla Las Bandurrias
This morning we will set off on a full-day ride with forests, river crossings, mountains and waterfalls towards the Puelo River. We will have a relaxing time for lunch near the Ventisquero River. After leaving the valley in the afternoon, we will cross the Puelo River by an important local hanging bridge. This place is particularly spectacular due to its huge waterfalls and rapids. Then we will take trails alongside the mountains until reaching the lake Las Rocas. At the end of the longest day of this ride, a well-deserved rest will await us at our private island Las Bandurrias. A remote place surrounded by the cordillera where you will be able to contemplate the landscape and enjoy the lake. A haven of peace in the heart of the cordillera
Time: 7 hours on horseback
Accommodation: 1 Night at Bandurrias Island
Meals: breakfast, box lunch, tea, aperitif and dinner
Day 5 Isla Las Bandurrias / Lake Azul / Isla Las Bandurrias
Today we will leave the island to meet the horses and the baqueanos down by the lake. A quick stop at the farm La Colina, a first glimpse of the Chilean countryside in the heart of the cordillera. The journey continues to the Azul (blue) Lake through the cordillera where you will enjoy various views. We will stop to have lunch on a beach. After the picnic, we will follow our pathway on horseback towards Las Rocas Lake. We will pass through an ancient Valdivian type forest, with its very diverse vegetation, which is found in very few Chilean regions. Wet and steep grounds, very ancient trees as well as majestic mountains will be part of the scenery.
Short boat trip to Las Bandurrias Island. Accommodation on the island in the guest house.
Time: 4 to 5 hours on horseback
Accommodation: 1 Night at Bandurrias Island
Meals: breakfast, box lunch, tea, aperitif and dinner
Day 6 Isla Las Bandurrias / Bariloche
On our last riding day, we will leave the Bandurrias Island and head up to the frontier. This short trip will take us to the Chilean customs and immigration post. After fulfilling the Chilean customs formalities, we will take a 15 minutes walk towards the Inferior lake to take a 50 minutes navigation on a jet boat along two lakes, crossing the rapids that connect Chile and Argentina. Once we arrive on firm land, we will walk towards Argentinean customs.
After ending the customs procedure on the Argentinian side, we will meet our transfer that will take us to a restaurant for lunch, and afterwards to your hotel in Bariloche. The city of Bariloche, surrounded by lakes and mountains, is located in the very heart of the Patagonian Andes mountain range.
Time: 1 hour on horseback, 50 minutes Lake crossing, 3 hours transfer towards Bariloche.
Meals: breakfast, lunch
HORSES IN PATAGONIA
ACCOMMODATION
