Crossing the Andes on horseback from Chile into Argentina

Cross the Andes with us and get the best of two worlds and two historic horse cultures!

From the snow-capped volcanoes of the Chilean Andes, 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, 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 with 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!

1. Day:
Pick up in Pucon or Temuco in the morning, welcome to the farm. We take an initial ride through the Mapuche Indian Community Quelhue and along the rapids of Trancura River to evaluate your riding experience, get familiar with the saddle and tack, and determine which horses to take on our great adventure. In the evening we go to our base camp at Laguna Geppinger from were we start our ride the following morning.

Rider in front of Villarrica on the crossing the Andes on Horseback in Northern patagonia

On Days 2-5 we ride through virgin rainforests and dense stands of Coighue trees and bamboo, and pass by crystal mountain lakes and gurgling creeks. In the evening we make camp besides rivers and lakes; the trails lead through the National Park Huerquehue, the National Forest Reserve Villarrica and the Mapuche Indian Communities of Reigolil and Icalma.

Mountainlake on the crossing the Andes on Horseback in Northern patagonia

On the 5th day we return to civilization again and ride through the small Mapuche settlement of Icalma where we stay overnight at a beautiful spot on the lakeshore

Riders in front of Villarrica, on the Crossing the Andes on Horseback in Northern patagonia Trail

Ale on the border, on the Crossing the Andes on Horseback in Northern patagonia Trail

On the 6th day after arranging custom formalities with the Chilean border control we are heading into the mountains to cross the actual border to Argentina.High in the mountains we say goodbye to our Chilean horses and the guides that led us to this magnificent place. Then we cross the border 10 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.

Itinerary Horseback ride across the Andes Chile - Argentina

On the following days we ride the valleys and cliffs of Argentina, watch condors pass us by, catch trout out of clear rivers, cross several streams, and enjoy amazing views over the endless wide open spaces of this uninhabited part of the world. On the evening of the 8th 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 barbeque while recounting our adventures from the past week and sharing our impressions of this experience of a lifetime.

9. day: Transfer from Hernan's ranch back to Pucón, Chile were we pick up luggage and say farewell to Antilco and the horses that carried us in Chile. If desired, travelers may finish their trip in Argentina and travel on directly from Hernan's or spend more days riding in the Argentine pampas.

Argentina Pampa, on the Crossing the Andes on Horseback in Northern patagonia Trail

Facts about the horseback ride across the Andes Chile - Argentinien


Meeting point	9.00 am Pucon, pick up in Temuco Airport at additional cost
Trail length	9 Days, 8 nights, 8 days on horseback
Number of Riders	2 - 8 riders
Type	Pack trip, no accompanying car
Riders Qualification required	You should have a medium physical condition, some experience on horseback. We ride up to 7 hours a day.
Accommodation	8 nights in tent camps. at Antilco and Hernan's place overnight in cabins may be possible
Sanitary equipment	Shower, water toilet on the 1., 5., 8. und 9. day;
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 Pucón, all fees, all equipment from spoon to tent and sleeping mats. For the tent camps we have first class equipment, Salewa and The North Face tents, Thermarest mats, warm and comfortable sleeping bags.
Personal luggage	Here is a suggestion of things to bring to the ride. Weight and volume limit for personal items, excluding sleeping bag, mat and tent: 5 kilo / 11lbs, 10 liters / 610 cubic inches.

Testimonials about the trailride Chile into Argentina across the Andes

Phil Bethke booked with us through Hidden Trails Agency and left this evaluation of his ride in January 2011:

Horses :                     Excellent
Saddle/Tack:            Excellent
Accommodations: Excellent
Meals:                        Good
Guide :                        Excellent
Other Riders :         Excellent
What I enjoyed: Something differnt everyday. I wish it lasted longer.
         My horse and all the guides and travelers.
What bothered me: I caught a bad cold from the start and it lasted 2          weeks, and my hands were blisterd bad from sun burn.
Expectations fulfilled: Yes
Final Comments: Best trip I had so far.
Check the original on Hidden Trails here

More about the trailride
Chile into Argentina:

More testimonials about the ride Chile into Argentina

Edward's description of his Crossing the Andes ride

Heike's description of her Ride across the Andes, Chile into Argentina

Sandra Kirst, Chile - Argentinien Februar 2010 sandra.kirst@gmx.net
(Traduced from German - check the original)

Hola mathias!
I’m back at home now and just wanted to say Thank you again. The Crossing the Andes Trail was truly unbelievable and exceeded all my expectations. Everything was wonderfully organized, the horses were great, and the team, Lena and Aldo, was fantastic. Nothing during my further travels through Argentina and Uruguay could compare with this experience.
muchas gracias por todo y suerte por tu vida!

sandra aus köln

Riderson the border, on the Crossing the Andes on Horseback in Northern patagonia Trail

Waleska Pavez, Chile to Argentina, January 2009 Pavez.W@zdf.de
(Traduced from German - check the original)

"A week after the Crossing the Andes tour and I’m still overwhelmed with impressiveness of the ride. The entire excursion was well organized, guides and helpers gave 200% and worked with heart and soul, the horses were great and in good shape, and the trails- in the middle of the woods where no one else rides!- could not have been better. All this made it a true once in a lifetime experience.
Muchas gracias, Mathias!!!!!"

Waleska and Aldo, on the Crossing the Andes on Horseback in NorthernPatagonia Trail