A trip especially designed for cold days, which nonetheless has an enchanting effect on the amazing beauty of the Lake District in Patagonia. Gatomancha takes you into the heart of the Nahuel Huapi National Park where red deer, foxes, wild boars and condors can be seen. Spending the night in cozy cabins and refuges give you a warm feeling after an impressive day of riding in the middle of nature.
Trip Details
Duration
6 Days
Location
Cuyin Manzano Valley
Season
Year Round
Trip Type
Base Camp
Nearest City
San Carlos de Bariloche
Physical Condition Required
Good
Destination(s)
The Lake District of Patagonia, Argentina
Elevation
2000mts
Type of Ride
Base Camp
Minimum Age Limit
6 Years with Knowledge of Riding
Weight Limit
13kg
Guest Capacity
10
Accommodations
Spend nights at a wood cabin and in the refuge in the mountains. The cabin is heated with a fireplace and has comfortable mattresses to sleep on. Hot showers can be taken in the residing family house. The refuge is small but very cozy and has all necessary facilities.
Dining
Gatomancha takes pride in cooking you delicious traditional dinners with authentic ingredients. The regular menu includes the tasty meat of Argentina, but you may request a vegetarian menu if you prefer.
About Liquor
All beverages are included. If you have a specific taste bring your own.
Additional Activities
On private trips, Gatomancha offers additional activities: yoga, massage, Spanish lessons and painting lessons.
Rates
$1,200.00 - $2,000.00per personCurrency Converter (Rates shown are in US Dollars. Rates and terms are subject to change.)
Additional Rate Info
Price is for double occupancy. An additional rate applies in the case of one guest. Rates go down as more people join.
Flights, travel and medical insurance, and sleeping bag not included in rates.
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Trip Itinerary
Day 1: You arrive in the beautiful lake district of Argentina to the city of San Carlos de Bariloche. Gatomancha picks you up at the airport or bus station and shows you the town. The hotel on the crystal blue lakeside of Lago Gutierriez will be your accommodations for a luxurious night before heading into the Cordillera. Before dinner, you will be given a briefing and you get to relax the rest of the evening.
Day 2: Leaving the hotel early, drive one hour by vehicle along the beautiful Limay River towards the northeast of Bariloche where you will enter the enchanting valley of Cuyin Manzano (old Apple Valley). Here horses are waiting as well as the family Chamorro that will be your host for tonight. After a warm 'mate' (Argentinean tea), start climbing the north hill in order to get to Mount Golondrinas. This part of the valley is covered with old Lenga trees and you have to pass through the fairy-like forest.
On the way up, enjoy a warm box lunch in one of the shelters or caves that inhabit the region. Once at the top, there is an amazing view of Lake Traful and its surrounding valleys.
At night, return to the warm family home and have a lovely dinner before turning into your beds in a private cabin.
Day 3: Today, ride towards the Southeast passing some local farmers and crossing the broad river of the Cuyin Mansano. The path takes you into the mountains heading for a high mountain lagoon where you have lunch and the horses can recover their strength. From here the view again is magical and you might spot some red deer that come to look for food.
In the afternoon, cross over to the mountain range of Piedra Negra making your way to the little refuge tucked away in the low forest. Surrounded by the mountaintops, make a hearty dinner on the kitchen stove and watch the zillion stars outside.
Day 4: The silence of the high mountains let you awaken in peace. Packing up the horses, ride up the mountain to the Great Plane passing by Mojon de Piedras. This is a place where the wind has eroded the rocks through time and left funny shapes. From here it's on to Torre Colorado, another unique geological formation. This is the resting place of many condors and they frequently fly around here on cold days, showing off their wingspan of up to three meters. It’s hard to leave from this amazing place, but by dawn you should get back to the refuge to warm up next to the sparkling fire.
Day 5: Today as you head back down to the valley, take an easy pace. Passing by the little river Pedregoso, reach an abandoned hut where it is said an inhabitant of over a 100 years used to live.
On the way back, visit Senor Elise who is a master woodcarver and happy to show his art.
Reach base in the afternoon and have a nice time telling all your stories to the local family before heading back to Bariloche where city life awaits. The night is spent at the hotel.
Day 6: After a nice breakfast in your hotel, transfer to the airport or bus station from where you can continue your journey.
This Package Includes
Transfers To/From Bariloche
Accommodations
Horses
Equipment
Meals & Beverages
First Aid Kit
Bilingual Guides
Notes
Gatomancha Horseriding Patagonia provides longer and shorter trips throughout the country. Please check out the itineraries!
Gatomancha takes the utmost care that you have a safe trip in many ways. Helmets are not required in Argentina, however you can obtain them free of charge at Gatomancha.
All guests are required to read and sign an Acknowledgement of Risk before departing on horseback trips.
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