A riding holiday at Huechahue often includes a pack trip into the heart of the high Andes and the dramatic scenery of Lanin National Park. A ride into the wilderness.

Here you ride through dense beech forests and bamboo thickets. From the tops of the ridges there are breath-taking views. The big sky races, tracing shadow patterns over the valleys where there are tumbling streams and undiscovered lakes. Always magnificent, the snow-capped volcano "Lanin" dominates the entire area. Ride through forests of the only indigenous Monkey Puzzle trees in the world and across lunar landscapes of black volcanic ash, a legacy of the volcanic region.

Pack trips are between three and five days long. You are required to have at least one day's riding on the estancia before leaving on a trek to ensure that you are happy with your horse, comfortable in your saddle and that the planned trek is one that you will enjoy. Allow a minimum of a 5 night stay in order to incorporate a pack trip.

Whilst on pack trips, you stay in two-man tents and good quality clean down sleeping bags are provided. The camp staff arrange all the setting up of camp, cooking and care of the horses.

A sample program for a 9 day riding holiday including a 3 day (2 nights camping) pack trip:

Day 1: We will meet you at Chapelco airport, San Martin de los Andes and drive you to Estancia Huechahue (approx. 40 mins). After lunch there will be an afternoon ride - a chance to familiarize yourself with the horses and tack and the way we ride.
Days 2 - 5: Day rides based on Huechahue. Whilst riding across barren rolling hills, through narrow rocky gorges, galloping across water meadows you will visit Indian burial caves, see petroglyphs, work cattle and herd horses with the gauchos, lunch on "asados" by the river, surprise guanacos, deer, armadillos. You will climb to the tops of the mesas where the mighty Andes rise up behind you and the vastness of Patagonia stretches out before you, whilst eagles and condors float high above.
Days 6 - 8: A 3 day pack trip in the Andes mountains. The exact itinerary will depend on the time of year and weather/snow conditions. You may depart from the estancia itself or you may go into the mountains by vehicle. You will ride through the spectacular scenery of the southern Andes with its snow capped volcanoes, crystal clear lakes and pristine forests. Nights on route are spent camping in carefully chosen, picturesque campsites by a lake shore or at a stream's edge, with coffee brewed over the fire or a traditional "mate" when you arrive, a chance for a refreshing swim before a good dinner and evening spent relaxing around the campfire. At the end return transport will be waiting to bring you back to Estancia Huechahue for baths, dinner and good beds!
Day 9: A farewell ride on Huechahue before transferring to the airport.

We have pack trips planned for 20, 21, 22 January, 2010 and 4, 5, 6 March, 2010.