The Gaucho Trail 10 days

Day 1
Travelling in the afternoon from Puerto Montt, Puerto Varas or Petrohué‚via Ensenada through an amazing scenery to the Riverside Lodge. Together with the other participants of the group testpacking of personal belongings and meeting with the guide. Dinner in a natural surrounding and review of the expedition. Overnight in cabaña.

Day 2
Breakfast at 9h00. Ride along the Río Cochamó with picnic in the Valdivian rainforest. After a five-hour ride along the Gaucho Trail into the Andes you arrive at the Mountain Lodge in La Junta. Option in the afternoon: Hike the six kilometer nature-trail into the Andean rainforest. After barbecue, overnight in the Mountain Lodge.

Day 3
The journey starts through the mountains. After 5 hours riding and crossing various rivers we reach the forest of "El Arco". As the name indic-ates, El Arco features an arc of natural rock that crosses a small waterfall with a single Alerce tree on the top. In the forest around El Arco you will encounter examples of giant Alerces, some as many as 4000 years old. It is possible to swim under the waterfall.

Day 4
After breakfast we ride deeper into the ancient forest “El Arco”. The expedition continues for another 7 hours over an Andean pass and amazing valleys. Camp at the mountain lake "Lago Vidal".

Day 5
Rest day for riders and horses. Visit the families living around this pristine lake. Dinner with the family at their farm.

Day 6
Today we follow the western shore of the ”Lago Vidal” climbing upwards high above the shore. The trail offers you some spectacular views of the lake. After crossing a wooden hanging bridge we reach the sector of Río Torrentoso in the afternoon. Dinner around the campfire and night camp on the bank of the river.

Day 7
Following the old “Gauchotrail” route we will see a little Andean cemetery and cross a landing strip in the middle of nowhere. The trail continues along the beautiful río Manso Valley and we will ride up and downhill until we reach the río Steffen. Tonight we pitch our tents close to a farmhouse. Dinner around the campfire.

Day 8
In the morning we ride downhill to the río Steffen where we will cross a big wooden hanging bridge with our horses. Today the trail is full of steep hills. We ride through dense rainforest and open valleys with spectacular views of the mountain range of the Andes. After the final descent to the río Manso we ride two hours more before pitching the tents on the bank where the Rio Manso and the río Puelo flow together. Typical chilean dinner at a farmhouse.

Day 9
This morning we ride two hours to the Lake “Tagua Tagua” where the horses will be loaded on a ferry to cross the lake. It is surrounded by lush wooded hills and known for its turquoise water. On the other side we continue
the ride to the Chilean fisher town río Puelo were the transfer car is waiting. Lunch and dinner at riverside lodge with accomodation in cabaña.

Day 10
Packing after breakfast. Transfer out to Puerto Varas/Puerto Montt.

Additional activities and overnights can be arranged upon request.

EXPEDITION IS STARTING
BETWEEN DECEMBER 1st AND MARCH 31 st

End of services

 

Tour operators offering this trip:

Chile Tours and Travel : www.latintrails.com