Horse Riding Adventure in Patagonia

per person

This horse riding adventure in Patagonia is the perfect holiday for horse lovers. The combination of a beautiful Patagonian landscape and horses couldn’t get any better. The “Alto Chubut” horse riding adventure covers around 200 kilometers. Riders will be on the horses between 5 and 7 hours every day. They will go along mountain trails, crossing paths that have a height of 1.700 metres over sea level. Also, the ride goes by the side of rivers that the riders will have to cross.

Riders will experience the adventure on Criollo horses. This is a native horse breed of the Pampas that has a good reputation for going the long distance. The Criollos are known for its hardiness and stamina and very nice character. They are descendants of the Spanish horses that were brought to America in the XVI century.

About the place

Dominik and Tammy have been doing horse rides in North Patagonia for more than 15 years. Dominik was born in Switzerland and came to Patagonia Argentina to travel on horseback more than 20 years ago. Since 2001 he has permanently lived in Argentina where he continues with his profession as an agronomist and field administrator. He is a great rider and connoisseur of the entire area of the Precordillera in Patagonia. He is one of the most prominent bilingual guides in the region and is also an international guide recognized by the Swiss authorities.

On the other hand, Tammy was born in Entre Ríos, Argentina. Her life was always related to the Argentine countryside, it was here where she began her relationship with horses from a very young age. A first-line rider, she took different courses on equine activity and is a specialist in equine therapy. She is also a ski instructor.

Together they have developed riding programs in the area of Bariloche. They created “El Sapucai”, a glamping mountain refuge. One of the best rides they do is from Bariloche to Puerto Montt in Chile (a 12 day ride).

6 Nights / 7 Days

15+ Age

Trail Rides

Destination
Rio Negro
Departure
San Carlos de Bariloche
Included

Accomodation

Advanced

Alcoholic Drinks

Beginner

Breakfast

Dinner

Equipment

Full Board Accomodation

Intermediate

Lunch

private Guides

Riding Horses

Transport
Not Included

Caballos de equitación

Economic

Endurance Horses

Half Board Accomodation

Jumping Horses

Local Tours

Luxury

Polo Horses

Spa

Tickets to National Parks

From our gallery

1

Itinerary

Pick up at San Carlos de Bariloche Airport to Malin Hotel (located in the downtown of Bariloche city, located just a few meters from Nahuel Huapi lake and the city Cathedral). According to the arrival time, guests will have the chance to walk around the city and do some shopping. During the afternoon guests will meet the guides at the hotel. Guides will explain how the following days will develop and explain a few important things about the ride. During the night they will enjoy a welcome dinner where they will have the chance to meet all of the riders and guides.
After breakfast guests will be taken to the area of Pichileufu River; this area is located 35 kilometers away from Bariloche city. Is a nice drive, guests will have the chance to see the wonderful landscape of North Patagonia, indeed while driving to this place the road goes through Estancia El Condor (an important estancia in this area, its main activity is the breeding of sheep and cows). Once at the camp, riders will be assigned a horse and equipment and the ride will begin. They will ride more or less 5 to 6 hours heading to the Andes mountains; they will only stop for lunch in an estancia post and then continue riding and enjoying the breathtaking views of the Patagonian landscape. Night will take place in an estancia post (estancia´s post are small houses located in different areas of the ranches in order to control the area of the estancia where each post is located. This is very important in Patagonian farms because of their huge extensions).
The second day riders will be riding from 6 to 8 hours (depending on the velocity). After a nutritive breakfast and preparing the horses, they will start riding. They will leave behind the landscape of soft hills and valleys to start heading upwards through a mountain trail that is used by the local gauchos to move the herd from the highlands to the lowlands according to the time of the year. They will reach “Paso sin Nombre”, a path located 1.700 meters above sea level. From here, slowly they will start watching the spectacular views that the landscape offers: the landscape of the Alto Chubut area. The ride continues for two more hours till they get to a unique Lenga ancient forest. Riders will do overnight in a mountain refuge located in this area.
Third day riding adventure will be long, also riding between 5 to 6 hours per day, that's why it is very important to have a good breakfast. The first part of the day they will start descending the valley following the way of the Pantanoso stream; then they will pass by some solitary lagoons till they meet again with the Chubut River. Camp will take place by the Chubut River bank.
Sapucai Glamping refugee: the fourth day riders will start early and start travelling for another 5 to 6 hours. During the ride they will pass beside an abandoned gold and silver mine. They will have the chance to meet the Miranda family, local brave people that live in this area. Miranda's family loves having visits and telling the visitors local stories about how life is in this remote area. During the afternoon riders will finally arrive at the Sapucai camp, where they will find all the comforts: good food and hot water to take a shower. Is the perfect day to relax and recover for the next few days.
The sixth day riders will be able to ride around the surrounding area of El Sapucai camp; they will ride up the mountains to get a spectacular view of the Andes mountains. During this ride riders will be able to appreciate the amazing skills criollo horses have enduring through different landscapes: crossing rivers and riding in mountain trails. Once up in the mountains riders will have an amazing 360 view from where they will be able to see the green Patagonia valleys, lagoons, mountains. They will have a picnic in the highlands and then head back to the camp going through the ñires trees and ancient lenga forests.
Last riding day: after breakfast riders will start heading back to main camp, they will start following the water streams of the Chubut River till they get to an old school. It will be a quiet and easy ride, and step by step they will be getting closer to the end of the valley where they will find local small towns. During mid-day they will stop for a picnic lunch and then continue riding till the camp. Once they end the ride riders will be taken back to the Milan hotel in Bariloche city.
After Breakfast guests will check out and will be taken to San Carlos de Bariloche airport.

Location

On the south shore of the Nahuel Huapi Lake, within the Nahuel Huapi National Park, at 41º South Latitude and 770 metres above sea level, is located San Carlos de Bariloche. Being one of the most important tourist resorts in Argentina, this beautiful mountain village has become the entrance gate to Argentine Patagonia.

Other activities for riders and non riders companions

The city of San Carlos de Bariloche is without doubt one of the most important touristic cities of Patagonia. The city was founded in 1902; is surrounded by mountains, lakes and forests; during the winter is covered in snow and is one the most important ski resorts of Argentina. Visitors can get to Bariloche very easily by plane, there are many flights and also they can travel by car from Buenos Aires. The drive from Buenos Aires to Bariloche is long but is really nice. Once passing Piedra del Aguila town the road starts zig zag and after each curve the landscape surprises travelers with spectacular mountain views.

Bariloche city has all year round visitors because it offers different activities according to the time of the year. As we already said, during the winter is one the chosen places to ski for skiers from all South America, especially by brazilians. Cerro Catedral is the ski resort and is located 19 km away from Bariloche city; the ski resort has very good hotel and gastronomy service. Otherwise during the summer this destination offers all types of exterior activities such as trekking mountain trails, different lakes to visit, navigation in Nahuel Huapi lake, water skiing, horse rides, fly fishing.

For not that experience climbers we recommend a trekking to Frey mountain refuge: the trekking can be started by two points, we highly recommend to start the trek going up by the lifting chairs to Lynch Refuge, then walking by the lateral edge of the mountain to the sing where “Refugio Frey” is located. Once there, climbers will start walking and climbing between rocks while they appreciate amazing views of the mountains till they get to a point where they can see Laguna Schmoll . This is the perfect spot to take a break and have a picnic lunch. From here, trekkers will start going down till they get to Laguna Negra, and from there they will walk beside the shore of the lake till finally they arrive to Frey Refuge. Once at the refuge they can relax and have some beverages and food. The way down is completely different, the trail goes through the ñires trees forest, on the way they will see cascades and small water streams till they get to the base of Cerro Catedral. The other way to get to Frey refuge is by going up this forest mountain trail, but in this case the going way is the same as the return way.

Driving Bariloche by car can also be a very nice way to get to know the area, especially taking the Circuito Chico road. The whole road is a picture in itself, there are different spots to stop and take pictures such as Panoramic point, perfect place to have a 360 view of the Nahuel Huapi lake. The road also goes through the Llao Llao neighbourhood (an area located by the morenito lake, where the luxury Llao Llao hotel is located; this hotel is world known for its golf course, international golf tournaments take place here). Another good stop on the way is Lago Escondido, this is a hidden small lake that is perfect to have a swim because its water is warmer than in other lakes.

Regarding gastronomy, Bariloche stands out for its smoked hams and cheeses. Casa Weiss is one of the best shops to buy smoked products, visitors can try trout, deer, wild pig and salmon smoked hams. Homemade beer is also one of the musts of this destination, one of the best places to try this beer is Berlina, an Irish pub that has a very nice view of the mountains.

In summary, Bariloche has endless activities to offer, for polo players it has two polo fields located at Arelauquen Golf and Polo resort, and they also have a jumping arena.