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Estancias of Northern Patagonia

9 days - San Martin de los Andes - San Martin de los Andes

This fantastic ride takes place in the northern region of Patagonia. With Jane Williams organising the trip, you are sure to experience great riding, hospitality and the chance to understand the history of the region and the people who settled it.

Junin and San Martin de los Andes were difficult to get to even by Patagonian standards - to the west lay the high Andes and to the east a large desert. The first European arrived in 1883, peace was made with the Indians in 1903 and the first settlers arrived in the early 1900's. They were well educated, well travelled and worldly in their outlook - pioneers and adventurers who came from Europe looking for space to create new homes and enterprises for their families.

On this ride three different estancias, owned and run by the grand children and great grand children of those early settlers are visited. All are living, working estancias although cattle have replaced the herds of sheep.

This area is still considered by many to be the 'Last Frontier'. The riding is fast, the distances long, the rivers are large, the views are vast and the days can be as adventurous as they were in the early 1900's - but at the end of the day a hot bath will be waiting and the accommodation will be comfortable.

Day 1 (D)
On arrival in San Martin de los Andesyou will be met and transferred to Estancia Huechahue, the home of the Woods. If time permits there will be an afternoon ride. A chance to familiarize yourself with the horses and tack and the style of riding.
Day 2 (B,L,D)
A full days ride on Estancia Huechahue with an 'asado' lunch. Follow the Huechahue stream through its basalt canyons, riding as fast as you want across the water-meadows, sending the plovers and ibis screeching, before returning over the top of Chenque Hill, where the Andes rise up behind you and the vastness of Patagonia stretches out before you.
Day 3 (B,L,D)
After breakfast set out for Estancia Cerro de los Pinos, the house is 20 km away, but the riding is fast. Cross the ridge on the Mendana Estancia in front of Lanin Volcano before dropping down and crossing the Chimehuin River. The settlement is close to the river - enclosed by pines - the French Laminats planted more trees than even the Woods!
Day 4 (B,L,D)
Giving the horses a well-earned rest, you try the horses at Cerro de los Pinos. Your hosts will take you to see the 20,000 hectare estancia where besides huge numbers of red deer, there are large herds of Guanaco and many South American Rhea. Lunch will be an 'asado' out on the estancia.
Day 5 (B,L,D)
Time to leave Cerro de los Pinos and ride on to Estancia Collon Co, the home of the Fachts who came from Germany in 1900. Another 20 km ride across to the Quilquihue river before racing up the valleys to the settlement on the Collon Co stream to get there in time for dinner.
Day 6 (B,L,D)
A day exploring Estancia Collon Co - a vast area of water meadows and rolling hills running right up to the Andes mountains. Their gauchos will be keen to show you their Hereford cattle.
Day 7 (B,L,D)
It's too far to return to Huechahue in a day, so you will head to the town of Junin de los Andes and the Rio Dorado Lodge. This is a long morning ride arriving in time for a late lunch thus giving the chance for exploring the town (which does not take long!) before dinner at "Fat Buamscha's" . The Buamschas came to Junin at the same time as the pioneers came to their estancias, since then it has been a meeting place for fishermen, hunters and locals. It is known throughout the Argentine for it's trout, "poached" venison and beef.
Day 8 (B,L,D)
Your last day's riding as you make your way back to Huechahue, this time crossing the River Chimehuin just outside Junin de los Andes and climbing back up Mendana ridge, before racing along the ridge. Possibly the longest day of all but the horses will be keen to get home.
Day 9 (B)
A final ride on Huechahue before transferring to the airport.
Argentina
  • Cost per Person:
  • Ride Only: £1,770
  • Includes: Transfers from San Martin de los Andes, accommodation and meals as indicated, drinks and all riding.
  • All Inclusive: From £2,970 depending on the season. Please note a night???s hotel accommodation may be required in Buenos Aires. A supplement of £62 may be levied if there are no other passengers to share the transfers between the International and Domestic airports in Buenos Aires
  • Includes: Flights, taxes, transfers, accommodation and meals as indicated, drinks and all riding.
  • Single Supplement: None if prepared to share. £445 if unwilling to share. Please note a supplement of £62 may be levied if there are no other passengers to share the transfers between the International and Domestic airports in Buenos Aires.
  • Departure Dates: 11, 25 Oct, 02, 10, 20 Nov.
  • The Accommodation: Three different estancias are used on this tour. The accommodation is clean and comfortable.
  • Food & Drink: Traditional Argentinean food. Plenty of homegrown vegetables and home reared meat. Local wines are served with the evening meals.
  • Laundry: Laundry is available, this service is free at Huechahue but at the other estancias this service should be taken into account when you tip the staff.
  • Children: 15 and upwards. Children must be accompanied by an experienced adult rider.
  • Non-Riders: Not suitable.Argentina Huechahue