If you are dreaming about riding a creole horse, hiking or just relaxing and contemplate the beautiful northern Patagonia, passing from the Argentinean Andes mountains through the Chilean rainforest, this is the trip for you! You will be staying at mountain lodges in Argentina and at a private Island in Chile, both located in beautiful isolated places and disconnected from the bustling cities.
Duration: 7 days / 6 nights
Difficulty: Intermediate.
Departure/Arrival: Argentina / Chile
All transportation is included
Passing from the Argentinean Andes mountains through the Chilean rainforest
Amazing views of the Andes Range
You will enjoy nice and delicious local food and wine!
During the ride you will stay at mountain lodges in Argentina and at a private island
Have a lifetime experience!
Day 2: Day activity at Sapucai. + More Information...
Day 3: Day activity at Sapucai. + More Information...
Day 4: Transfer Sapucai – Lago Puelo Customs procedures and International Navigation Navigation to Isla Bandurrias. + More Information...
Day 5: Day activity at Isla Las Bandurrias. + More Information...
Day 6: Day activity at Isla Las Bandurrias. + More Information...
Day 7: Navegation through Lago Las Rocas Transfer Lago Las Rocas – Puerto Varas. + More Information...
Day 1 – Transfer from San Carlos de Bariloche to Sapucai.
On your arrival to Bariloche, you will be picked up and taken on a private transfer along the Route 40, famous highway which connects the country from north to south. We will first cross the Lake Region before entering to the immensity of the Patagonian steppe. After a few hours drive, we will finally arrive to «Sapucai», our establishment in the Pre-Cordillera. After accommodating in your room, we can enjoy the beauty of a quiet afternoon. Before dinner, we will surely have time for a walk to the banks of the Chubut River or to greet our horses.
Timing: 3 ½ hrs private transfer, Meals: (BL, T, D),
Accommodation: Sapucai – Mountain lodge
Day 2 – El Sapucai – Laguna Mirador – Sapucai.
During this day, we will climb up the cordillera to contemplate the scenic view on the Andes around us. You will appreciate the skills of the Criollo horse on various terrains like: wetlands, forest and rocky lands. We will pass through a pristine Nothofagus forest full of “Lengas and Ñires” where you can see that few people have entered to it. When we will be at the top, you will be charmed by a 360° view of lagoons where we will have lunch in front of the snowy peaks. Then we will reach our refuge El Sapucai by another trail passing through Ñirre forests (a small beech tree), large trees and old growth beech forests.
Timing: 5 / 6 hrs of horseback riding or trekking, Meals: (B, BL, T, D)
Accommodation: Sapucai – Mountain lodge
Day 3- El Sapucai – Miranda.
After a quiet night and without the noise of «the big city» a new activity day comes.
The activity starts riding – or trekking – uphill entering into the «Alto Chubut» valley. We will reach an old gold, silver and lead mine. Here you will meet the Miranda family, who are former residents and surely can tell us some stories of the past and also anecdotes of their daily lives. In the afternoon we will return to the starting point, to our house «El Sapucai».
Timing: 5 / 6 hrs of horseback riding or trekking, Meals: (B, BL, T, D)
Accommodation: Sapucai – Mountain lodge
Day 4- Transfer from Sapucai – Lago Puelo – Isla Las Bandurrias.
Today you will be picked up and taken towards the Lago Puelo to enter Chile. The road will take you through the Chubut River towards the ex-route 40, an area where the immensity of the Patagonian steppe meets the green farms of modern agriculture. You will arrive at the town of Lago Puelo located at the limit of the National Park with the same name. Here, we will have to complete the customs procedure to get on the boat that cross the border. We will navigate along two lakes and cross the rapids between Argentina and Chile. Then, we will leave the boat for a 15-minute walk until we reach the Chilean border checkpoint.
After the customs procedure, we will take another motor-boat to Las Bandurrias Island on Las Rocas Lake. You will be surrounded by an outstanding landscape of crystal clear waters and a temperate forest that sits in stark contrast with the steppe. A friendly and warm welcome will wait for us at Las Bandurrias.
Timing: 2 hours transfer to Lake Puelo, Navigation with the motorboats: 45min + 20min. Meals: (B, BL, T, D), Accommodation: Private Cabin at Isla Las Bandurrias
Back to Top »Day 5- Trekking the Lake Azul – Isla Las Bandurrias.
This morning we will enjoy visiting the Azul Lake with its crystal clear waters and abundant fish life. The majestic peaks and stunning landscapes will not escape your attention!
Our trek follows deep and straight passes into the forest along the mountains which will take us to join the south part of this lake, passing through the typical cold jungle, Valdivian-type rainforest with its ancient “Alerce” trees as well as other local “giants” such as the “Coihue” and “Arrayan”(the cold tree) Picnic and relax on the shore of the lake. After lunch in the afternoon, we will return back to the Island to enjoy the rest of the afternoon there (B, LB, T, D)
Timing: 30 minutes motorboat Las Rocas Lake; 2 hs. Walk up to “Azul” Lake. 2 hs back to take the boat that will take us to the Island in 30 minutes. Meals: (B, BL, T, D)
Accommodation: Private Cabin at Isla Las Bandurrias
Day 6 – Horse riding to Ventisqueros Valley / Las Bandurrias Island.
This morning, we propose you to take a short motorboat ride to one side of the lake. Once you feel comfortable and save in your saddle, we will start our ride forward to Rio Puelo. The path crosses along self-sufficient farms surrounded by big mountains. We will have the possibility of enjoy different sceneries, from clean agricultural farms to trails insight the deep Andes forest with ancient trees, fast rivers, waterfalls and wilderness.
Two hours later we will arrive to the amazing Rio Puelo hanging bridge that brings locals the possibility of connecting isolated valleys with the main towns. The river has a unique turquoise color and draws incredible canyons and open beaches in its way down to the Pacific Ocean. We will continue to Ventisqueros Valley where we will make a stop to enjoy our lunch. In the afternoon we will go back to Bandurrias Island.
Timing: 20 minutes motorboat round trip, 10 minutes each way, 6 hours horseback riding. Meals: (B, BL, T, D), Accommodation: Private Cabin at Isla Las Bandurrias
Back to Top »Day 7 – Las Bandurrias Island – Tagua Tagua Ferry – Puerto Varas.
After a homemade breakfast, we will take the boat to the north side of Lake Las Rocas. From there, the packhorses will carry the luggage. We will take a short walk to reach the farm La Colina, where we will be waiting for a private transfer. After leaving the farm, we will cross the town of Llanada Grande and then we will arrive to take the ferry that crosses the Tagua Tagua lake. After crossing the lake, we will stop to enjoy a lunch in the town of Río Puelo. The path will take us along the fjord with excellent views of the forest, along with the volcanoes and snowy mountains. A short stop in the town of Cochamó will show part of the ancient culture of the area with its wooden church. The Osorno, Calbuco and Puntiagudo volcanoes can be seen on a clear day on our way to Puerto Varas along Lake Llanquihue.
Timing: 10 minutes by motorboat, 50 minutes on foot, 1 hour drive from La Colina farm to Tagua Tagua lake, 45 minutes ferry boat, 3 hrs drive from Tagua Tagua to the city of Puerto Varas. Meals: (B, BL)
Back to Top »
HORSES IN PATAGONIA
