Multi-sport | Horseback riding | Sea Kayaking | Skiing | Trekking |
Suggested itinerary:
Crossing-the-Andes-Chile-Argentina-14-days
DAY 1 Maipo River
Arrive in Santiago where we meet you at the airport and drive you to San Alfonso, a village about 1 1/2 hours drive south east of Santiago in the mountains, on the River Maipo. You will stay the night at Cascada de las Animas, from where the ride will depart. (L-, D)
DAY 2 Cascada de las Anaimas & Camsite
Breakfast in the restaurant at Cascada de las Animas, San Alfonso. Departure after breakfast in vans (approximately 2 hours journey) to “la Panimavida” from where the ride starts out, in the direction of the Piuquenes pass on the border of Chile and Argentina. At a height of 4,024 m above sea level we see the frontier post, often standing in a bed of snow. This is an important border crossing in the cordillera, from which there opens out in front of us one of the most beautiful and colourful valleys of our ride. Campsite: El Chocolate. (B, L-, D)
DAY 3 Refugio de la Cruz
Gentle descent through the valley of the river Palomar, then across the river Tunullan. Often, as we come down from the frontier pass, we see thick snow blown into a form of drifts known as “penitentes” - named by the Conquistadores because the small peaks whipped up by the wind looked like the starched white head-dresses of the Penitentes in Spain. Campsite: Refugio de la Cruz. (B, L-, D)
DAY 4 River Tunullan & Camsite El Tacho
Along the valley of the river Tunullan, which we cross again. In rainy years the high Andes are covered by deep snow which makes the riding slow and cautious. The guides go ahead testing the terrain and their experienced horses sniff the snow to assess its depth. Also the rivers become very high and if they are impassable we will take other routes, (sometimes those of smugglers) away from the traditional trail. Campsite: El Tacho (B, L-, D)
DAY 5 Corrales Negros
Up through the Cien Vueltas (100 turns) to the Corrales Negros. Campsite: Vega Corrales Negros. (B, L-, D)
DAY 6Valley Salinillas
We ride through the valley of the river Marmolejo till we arrive at the valley Salinillas, and cross the same river. Campsite: “El rial de los Chilenos'” with spectacular caverns and waterfalls. (B, L-, D)
DAY 7 Torrencillas
Departure in the direction of the Torrecillas - gigantic wind-carved castles of pink and rose-coloured stone rising around a beautiful clear river. On the way we see white gleaming rock masses high above us which have been shaped and chiselled into the appearance of ancient man-made dwellings. The Torrecillas may remind you somewhat of Petra, with wind carvings instead of man made, forming a strange wild city around the small river which passes through. Campsite: La Vega de Torrecillas.(B, L-, D)
DAY 8 La Vega de Torrencillas
In the morning we go for a ride and in the afternoon we can relax in this beautiful site, perhaps swim, read or in some cases sing and dance by the camp fire. Campsite: La Vega de Torrecillas. (B, L-, D)
DAY 9 Las Overas
From the Torrecillas we ride across the wide canyon of the Colorado river. The canyon is gleaming pink rock, shining with the minerals in the rock. We ride towards las Overas, where it is usual to see large numbers of guanacos. Campsite: Las Overas. (B, L-, D)
DAY 10 Valley of the River Papal
We cross the valley of the river Papal before finally arriving at the Laguna del Diamante. This is one of the highest points of the ride and our path takes us past thick clumps of llareta, which only grows above 3000 metres. Campsite: Las Enumeradas. (B, L-, D)
DAY 11 Laguna el Diamante
Ride to the Laguna del Diamante. This spectacular lake can often be seen from the aeroplane as you fly into or out of Chile. It is possible to bathe in it, although the water is very cold. Campsite: las Enumeradas. (B, L-, D)
DAY 12 Volcán Maipo
We ride through the valley of Volcan Maipo before crossing back to Chilean territory through the Alvarado pass to the south. Here the landscape becomes steeper and softer and filled with flowers. (3.400m). Campsite: Laguna de Alvarado. (B, L-, D)
DAY 13 Alvarado Canyon
Along the Alvarado canyon, with its incredible rock formations, to cross the river Maipo, through the valley of the Maipo towards the Cruz de Piedra (stone cross), the Chilean frontier control, where vans are waiting to take us home. Farewell dinner and lodging at Cascada de las Animas. (B, L-, D)
DAY 14: Transfer to Santiago city or airport as required. (B).
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