Great riding, hospitality and the chance to understand the history of the region and the people who settled it.

Junín and San Martín de los Andes were difficult to get to even by Patagonian standards - to the west were 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 traveled and worldly in their outlook - pioneers and adventurers who came from Europe looking for space to create new homes and enterprises for their families. We visit 3 estancias where today some of their children, grand children and great grand children live protected by the trees their ancestor planted. All are living, working estancias, the herds of sheep have been replaced with herds of Hereford cattle and now they are all beginning to take guests on their family estates; which are a tribute to the success of those pioneers who came to create homes for their families.

Despite these gentle words - remember that in many ways this is still the Last Frontier - the riding is fast, the distances long, the rivers are large, the views are vast and 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 really comfortable.

Whith a minimum of four riders, this program can be organized from October to February.

Program

Day 1 : We will meet you at Chapelco airport, San Martin de los Andes and drive you to Estancia Huechahue (approx. 30 mins). After lunch there will be an afternoon ride. A chance to familiarize yourself with the horses and tack and the way we ride. Night at Huechahue.
Day 2 : 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. Night at Huechahue.
Day 3 : After breakfast we set out for Estancia Cerro de los Pinos, the house is 20 km away, but the riding is fast. We 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. Night at Cerro de los Pinos.
Day 4 : Giving our horses a well earned rest we will try the horses at Cerro de los Pinos. Our hosts will take us to see the 50,000 acre 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. Night at Cerro de los Pinos.
Day 5 : Time to leave Cerro de los Pinos and ride on to Estancia Collun Co. Another 20 km ride across to the Quilquihue river and racing up the valleys to the settlement on the Collun Co stream to get there in time for dinner.
Day 6 : A day exploring Estancia Collun Co - a vast area of water meadows and rolling hills running right up to the Andes mountains. Their gauchos will be keen to show us their Hereford cattle. Night at Estancia Collun Co.
Day 7 : It's too far to return to Huechahue in a day, so we will head for the town of Junin de los Andes and the hosteria Quillalahue. A long morning 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 those 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, venison and beef.
Day 8 : Our last day's riding as we make our way back to Huechahue, this time we cross the River Chimehuin just outside Junin de los Andes and climb back up Mendaña ridge, before racing along the ridge, huge views on either side. Possibly the longest day of all but the horses will be keen to get home. Night at Huechahue.
Day 9 : A farewell ride on Huechahue before transferring to the airport.