Argentina's Andes Liberte in Mendosa
2008 Itinerary
Day 1 Pick up at Buenos Aires airport for a transfer to the domestic airport. Flight to Mendoza (flight not included). Arrive at the Mendoza city airport for your transfer to Uspallata Villa, located right in the middle of the Andes Mountains and very close to Mount Aconcagua. Check in at Uspallata Hotel. This mountain lodge is like a throwback to the 30’s-40’s. Enjoy a welcome dinner.
Day 2 After breakfast you will have the first chance to ride these massive mountains. During your rides you will have the priceless support of an elite cavalry unit based in the area that focuses on border exploration on horseback. The group will be driven on an off road truck which is the only possible way to get to Chacay, well into the Tiger Range. There, the horses will be waiting for you for the ride to La Gloria (The Glory). Ride upward with your horse to 3,000 meters to reach the viewpoints for a great view of Uspallata Valley. Return back to the hotel for dinner.
Day 3 After breakfast you start a nine hour day outdoor. The off road truck will carry riders to the Tiger Range. On horseback you will ride upstream via the Ranchillos Creek to Cueva de la Bruja (Witches Cave), where you will enjoy lunch. The massive rock wall in front of it houses condor nests, which if lucky, you will have the chance to watch them close up. After lunch you head towards the Durazno stream downwards to Uspallata. You will come to dry river beds, whose sand makes it a perfect place to try cantering. It is an unforgettable experience to run your horse into town. Are you willing to give it a try? Dinner at the hotel.
Day 4 Today you will ride the Bonilla Range through the Quebrada de Santa Helena and towards Agua de la Cueva (a seven hour ride including lunch outdoor). The same unspoilt trail used in 1817 by the army sent to free Chile from the Spaniards is where you ride, and on this virgin land you will have a feeling of the titanic efforts of the task they undertook. When you reach Agua de la Cueva, you will have majestic views of the Aconcagua. Its 22,000 foot height make it the highest peak in America. This was their camping ground two centuries ago. Return back to Uspallata on an off road truck. The horses will wait for you there for next day. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 5 The truck will take riders back to Agua de la Cueva. Your last riding day will take you through Pampa de Canota (seven hour ride including lunch outdoor). This area is known because of its herds of guanacos and the Andean condor. On your way, you will stop at the abandoned mine Rivadavia and explore its tunnels. At sunset you reach Uspallata. Feel free to gallop back into town. Say farewell to your horse and get ready for dinner.
Day 6 This day will be very gourmet: wine making and tasting and a superb lunch. From Uspallata the group departs early by car to reach Luján de Cuyo. This area is now known worldwide for producing several of Argentina’s best wines. Each night during your ride you have been enjoying a different wine from this terroir. Your visit to Mendoza would not be complete without a visit to the famous Club Tapiz boutique winery. During this private visit, you will have the chance to taste their premium wines directly from the oak casks. Lunch at the winery. Transfer to Mendoza city airport for your flight to Buenos Aires and home.
Extra time in Buenos Aires can be arranged for an additional fee.
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