Crossing the Andes on Horseback: Chile - Argentina special Trail including Sollipulli Volcano in Northern Patagonia

Crossing the Andes Chile into Argentina and ride the Volcano special trail

11 day tent camp/cabins/mountain lodge horseback riding adventure

Combining the three main landscapes of the northern Patagonia: lush virgin rainforests, the glacier world of Sollipulli Volcano and the open wide high planes of Argentina. Cross the Andes with us plus ride to the crater of dormant Sollipulli and get the best of two worlds and two historic horse cultures!
From the snow-capped volcanoes of the Chilean Andes and the majestic crater of the dormant Sollipulli through a pass in Icalma, to the open valleys of the Argentinean pampas, we'll explore and witness the landscape transition as we ride. Encounter smoking volcanoes, a deep blue glacier, snowy peaks, deep blue mountain lakes, and dense, towering rainforests during this once in a lifetime experience.
On the Chilean side we'll experience steep mountains and endless virgin rainforests as well as the breathtaking high Andes with stunning views on our low, sturdy Chilean Criollo horses. Crossing the border, we'll witness the unique Argentinean gaucho lifestyle, the vast plains, and the dramatic cliffs where we can admire the majestic Patagonian condor.
Join us for this unique adventure!

Itinerary Horseback ride across the Andes Chile - Argentina

DAY ONE

Pick up in Pucon or Temuco in the afternoon, welcome to the farm. Time to get to know the horses, tack and equipment, and to get settled.

DAY TWO

We go for a day ride through the Mapuche Indian Community Quelhue and along the rapids of Trancura River to evaluate your riding experience, get familiar with saddle and tack, and to determine which horses to take to our great adventure. In the evening we enjoy a Chilean BBQ in our first tent camp on the shore of Lake Geppinger.

DAY THREE

We ride through virgin rainforests and dense stands of Coighue trees and bamboo, and pass by crystal mountain lakes and gurgling creeks. The trails lead through the National Park Huerquehue, in the evening we put up our tent-camp besides the natural hot springs in Rio Blanco Valley.

DAY FOUR
We ride through virgin rainforests and dense stands of Coighue trees and bamboo crossing the 2nd range. The night we spent at a mountain farm at the Mapuche Indian community “Flor de Valle”

DAY FIVE
We ride along the slopes of Sollipulli volcano, overnight in the mountain lodge “Nevados de Sollipulli”.

DAY SIX
We ascent on horseback to the top of Sollipulli volcano, reaching its 2.5 miles wide crater which is filled with a 660 feet deep glacier. We return to “Nevados de Sollipulli” for a second night.

DAY SEVEN
We cross the last range before Argentina and spend the night in a cabin at the shore of Lake Icalma.

DAY EIGHT

After arranging custom formalities with the Chilean border control we cross the border 20 meters on foot, and greet Hernan and his wonderful Argentinean horses which will bring us through the unique world of the Argentinean Andes for the next three days. We ride up to the top of Batea Mahuida Volcano with 6560 feet the highest point on our ride. Overnight in tent camp.
DAYS NINE AND TEN:
We ride the valleys and cliffs of Argentina, watch condors pass us by and enjoy amazing views over the endless wide open spaces of this uninhabited part of the world. On the evening of the 10th day we reach the outpost were Hernan lives with his horses and which marks the end of our journey. We celebrate the end of the trek with a typical Argentinean BBQ while recounting our adventures from the past week and sharing our impressions of this experience of a lifetime.
DAY ELEVEN:
Transfer from Hernan's ranch back to Chile. Drop of either in Temuco, Temuco airport or Pucon.

Facts about the Andean Lakes Trail

Meeting point

Pucón, 1.00 pm, pick up at Temuco airport 3.00 pm

Duration

11 Days, 10 nights, 9 days on horseback, one day transfer Argentina - Chile in private bus

Number of Riders

2 - 8 riders

Riders Qualification required

Intermediate physical condition, experience on horseback is necessary. We ride up to 8 hours a day with breaks; walking, trotting and cantering.

Accommodation

6 nights in double rooms in cabins, 4 nights in tent camps. In the tent camps 2 riders share one tent. We always try to give solo travelers a single tent. Because of weight issues this may not always be possible.

Sanitary equipment

Showers on 6 days, toilets on 7 days, natural hot springs on one day, hot tubs on 2 days.

Food

Complete food and soft drinks from dinner on the first day to breakfast on last day. On the trail we have breakfast, a snack at midday and dinner at the campfire. We serve wonderful Chilean and Argentinean wines for dinner.

Includes

All transports to and from Pucón, all fees, all equipment from spoon to tent and sleeping mats.

Personal luggage

Here is a suggestion of things to bring to the ride. Luggage is carried by pack horses in Chile and accompanying truck in Argentina. On the last night in Chile we meet a supply truck that brings a second change of clothes for the Argentinean leg of the ride.