Rio Blanco Hot Springs Trail Ride

Join us for a four-day adventure on horseback through the heart of Chile’s temperate rainforests to natural hot springs in the Rio Blanco Valley. The pristine Huerquehue National Park will be the location of our trek, and we’ll ride beneath the towering canopy of Coighue trees and alongside deep blue, glistening mountain lakes. Carrying all of our luggage, food and equipment along with us, we’ll climb the rolling mountains and navigate the dense bamboo and lush green undergrowth of northern Patagonia’s virgin forest.

Once in the Rio Blanco Valley, we will make camp at the natural hot springs and rest in bathes heated by the volcanic activity of the area. Nights will be spent around the campfire roasting an asado and relaxing with a glass of wine.

This trek is led by an English speaking guide and a Chilean arriero who will introduce you to the deep, rural countryside and the farms that remain from the first pioneering settlers who came to the valley 150 years ago.

Itinerary 4 days trailride in National Park Huerquehue

1.day:
In the afternoon we take an initial ride crossing the Mapuche Indian Community Quelhue, decide which horse matches with which rider and which horses we will take with us. In the evening we move to our Huerquehue base camp at Laguna Geppinger.

2.day:
After a hearty breakfast we saddle the horses and off we go. We ride up the Renahue valley, a formerly settled valley within Huerquehue National Park.The ride leads us through farmland and virgin rainforest, passing by huge Araucaria (monkey puzzle) trees. Riding up the valley, at about noon we cross the pass of Renahue, from then on descending towards the Rio Blanco Valley were we put up our tents nearby the natural hot springs of "Termas Rio Blanco".

3.day:
In the morning we ride down the Rio Blanco river until we reach it's delta at Lake Caburgua. From now on we follow the lakeshore until we reach our last campsite, on a high plane pasture of an abandoned farm, overlooking the lake.

4.day:
On the last day we follow the lakeshore, leading to the Caburgua beach, riding back to the farm on the country road we left 3 days ago. A short detour allows us to visit "Ojos de Caburgua", impressive huge spring with some beautiful waterfalls. Back on the farm a hot shower, a cold beer and a tasty BBQ are waiting for us to celebrate the last day of a great horseback riding adventure.

Facts about Rio Blanco Hotsprings Trail


Meeting point	Pucón, pick up at Temuco airport possible
Duration	4 days, 3 nights, 4 days on horseback
Nature of the ride	Pack trip
Number of Riders	2 - 8 riders
Riders Qualification	Even beginners can ride this trail with fun, you should have intermediate physical condition, some experience on horseback is helpful, but not compulsory. We ride up to 7 hours a day, with breaks, in difficult passages we may lead the horses.
Accommodation	3 nights in tent camps. in the tent camps 2 riders share one tent, we always try to match adequate persons and try to give single traveling riders a single tent. Because of weight issues this will not always be possible.
Sanitary equipment	Shower, water toilet on the 1., 2. and 4. day; on the 3. day a sparkling creek will be our bathroom.
Food	Complete food and soft drinks from dinner on the first day to the farewell BBQ on the last day. On the trail we have breakfast, a snack at midday and dinner at the campfire.
Includes	All transports from and to Pucon, all fees, all equipment from spoon to tent and sleeping mats.
Personal luggage	Here is a suggestion of things to bring to the ride. Weight limit for personal items excluding sleeping bag, mat and tent : 5 kg (10 litres)
Price	See Price list	Check our discount policy

Testimonials about trailriding in National Park Huerquehue

Huw David, colonostrail, huwdavid@msn.com

Dear Matthias (and everyone at Antilco),

We just wanted to write to say thank you VERY much for everything over the last 10 days. We had a wonderful time with Ale and Luis and your beautiful horses.Everything about your farm was delightful....your family, your animals and the wonderful, peaceful surroundings were just perfect.We also really enjoyed climbing the volcano and rafting with Volcan Activo - thank you for your advice.And...thank you for your help in returning our underwear and camera!! All round fabulous service!!Cheers,

Huw and Allison David x

Stefan auf seiner Regalona - Wanderreittour in den Anden

SamPrice, Rio Blanco Trail 2009, umbrellaboards@hotmail.com

Hola Mathias,
This is sam price from new york. I just wanted to say thanks again for the great ride you offered. Your place is like you say very unique and i enjoyed it very much. Ill be in touch when i get my next ticket booked. take care and tell anna and klayton i say hello
gracias
chow sam

Kathy Jack, Colonostrail, 7 days, kjack86@hotmail.com

Hola Matthias y familia,

Quiero decir muchas gracias para su hospitalidad, i really had such a great time on the trek, with the staff and of course with Choco too! Your farm is so welcoming and everyone was so nice and the food was delicious too. Thank you so, so much for a perfect week!!!
Maybe i will see you again in the future,

Besitos katy XXX