Comfort
Whilst in Bariloche and Puerto Varas you stay in comfortable 3 star hotels with en-suite bathrooms.
On the trail you are camping or staying in basic lodgings. Two man tents are provided but you need to take your own sleeping bags (or hire locally for a fee). When camping the only washing facilities are rivers; when staying in basic lodgings there are is usually one bathroom which is shared by the whole group.
1 night camping,
4 nights at local farms,
4 nights in mountain refuges
2 nights at Las Bandurrias Island
2 nights in hotel in Bariloche and Puerto Varas. Single supplement is available only at Bariloche and Puerto Varas.
There are several days where electricity is not available. No WiFi or phone signal throughout the ride (the guides will be equipped with satellite phones and VHF radio for emergencies)
Meals
Most meals are prepared over an open fire and you will experience traditional asado (BBQ's), which may be lamb, goat or beef. Food is freshly prepared and plentiful. Lunches are picnics which include salads and fresh fruit.
Wine is provided with evening meals, but limited to a couple of glasses each night as it also has to be carried on the pack horses.
WATER
You collect your own water from the rivers you pass along the route - the water is clean and pure. Camps are always situated near to fresh water and you cross rivers during the day where you can also re-fill your water bottles. You may wish to take water purification tablets such as Micropur for the water if you are worried.
Climate
The seasons are the reverse of the UK and the rides only run during the summer months of Nov - Mar, when the high passes are clear of snow. Temperatures range from 22 - 35c during the day; nights are always cooler due to the altitude and can drop to 5-10c. It is very difficult to predict rainfall in this part of the world so you must be prepared for any situation.
On the Argentine side of the Andes it rarely rains and is a dry area, however, the weather is unpredictable and can change quickly. It is possible to experience all seasons in one day and it can always be windy in Patagonia!!
The Chilean side of the Andes is always wetter, and therefore greener. Temperatures are similar, but there is more chance of rain. You should ensure you keep waterproof clothing with you just in case, but it is also possible to experience beautiful, sunny days.
Guide and local team
Your guides speak both English and Spanish and will be accompanied by a number of local gauchos/baqueano's who take care of the pack horses and are on hand to assist you at all times.
It is usual for one guide to accompany you for the entire ride, but the local team/horsemen will change at the border when you also change horses. We use qualified staff provided with safety equipment including a portable radio with available connections to radio networks; in case of emergencies they have access to direct telephone lines through this 2-way radio.
Tips
It is customary to tip and you will tip both teams seperately - tipping the Argentine team before you leave for Chile, and then the Chilean team on your final day. We would recommend c. USD 10 per day, which can be given to the lead guide who will ensure it is split between each member of the team. It is appreciated if you tip in Argentine peso's or Chilean peso's, but it is also acceptable to tip in US Dollars.
Packing list
IMPORTANT - In Argentina you will be asked to re-pack your belongings into bags which can be easily carried by the pack horses. You are limited to 10 kg in these bags. Your remaining luggage will be transported by vehicle for you. You are reunited with your luggage before you cross the border into Chile and can re-pack at this stage with clean clothes. Your luggage needs to be soft-sided, such as a hold-all, and preferably waterproof, as it will be transported by pack horses in Chile too until reaching a road where it can be more easily transferred to the final hotel, where you will be reunited with it. You can do laundry in places where you will stay more than one night.
Please note: there are sometimes horse flies in Chile and these are more attracted to dark clothing, so you may prefer to bring lighter coloured clothing for the Chilean half of the ride.
Head
- Equus Journeys strongly recommend that you wear a riding helmet and that you take your own to ensure a correct fit.
- Sunhat for when not riding
- Sunglasses - with a cord attached so they don't fly off when riding
- Buff or bandana for protecting your neck and face from the sun and dust
- Warm hat if visiting during the winter months of June-August
Upper body
- Thermals in case of cold weather during the winter months of June - August
- Down jacket or warm coat for the cold evenings
- Long sleeved shirts provide protection from the sun
- T-shirts
- Lightweight fleece or jumper
- Warm polar fleece or equivalent (plus a spare in case one gets wet)
- Waterproof jacket - rain can be difficult to predict and it's better to be prepared.
Legs
- Lightweight, comfortable riding trousers or jodhpurs - we recommend riding in them at home before taking them on holiday to ensure they don't rub
- Waterproof over trousers
- Casual clothes for the evenings (jeans or walking trousers)
- Thermals in case of cold weather during the winter months of June - August
Hands and Feet
- Comfortable riding boots. We recommend short hiking boots with half chaps but you may wish to take long chaps. We don't recommend taking your favourite long leather boots in case they get damaged
- Lightweight shoes or trainers for the evenings
- Good walking boots (or hybrid walking/riding boots)
- Several pairs of warm socks
- Gloves - your hands are particularly exposed to the sun, wind or rain whilst riding
Nightwear
- Sleeping bag with a comfort rating of at least minus 5c, preferably minus 10c. We also suggest adding a liner, such as silk or fleece for extra warmth. (It is possible to hire a sleeping bag if you prefer with advance notice)
- Thermarest pad or similar self-inflating mattress
Other useful items
- Swimsuit - for swimming/bathing in rivers
- Camera and high capacity memory card. Spare battery
- Bumbag for carrying your camera and small items whilst riding
- Headtorch or small torch for moving around camp at night - bring spare batteries and bulbs
- Ear plugs (for light sleepers)
- Water bottle - 2 x 1 litre, or equivalent
- Wet wipes for when washing water isn't available
In your luggage
- Any liquids, such as shampoo, moisturiser, deodorant unless they are less than 100ml and all bottles can fit in a small, clear, plastic ziplock bag.
- Swiss army knife or equivalent
- Lighter for burning toilet paper
In your hand luggage
- Any valuables, such as your camera, ipod, ipad etc.
- Your riding hat
Medical kit
- Sunscreen and lip balm - should be high factor
- Insect repellent
- Any medication you regularly take
- Blister plasters in case of any rubs
- Antiseptic cream, plasters, aspirin, anti-histamine, insect-bite salve etc...
- Spare prescription glasses/contact lenses
- Eye drops
- Imodium or similar anti-diarrhoea medication
- Micropur or similar water purification tablets
- Re-hydration sachets
- Antiseptic wipes
- Handwash gel
- Toilet paper
- Plastic bags/dry bags to keep your belongings dry in the saddle bags
Our Recommendations
- You should take a soft sided suitcase which can easily be transported - we recommend a large backpack or rucksack of c. 60-80 litres. Remember you will need to re-pack for the pack horses.
- Backpacks cannot be worn whilst riding. We recommend a small bumbag or a coat with pockets so that you can carry small items with you during the day (camera, sunscreen, lipbalm etc)
- We recommend travelling in your riding boots and carrying your hat and some riding clothes in your hand luggage - then if your luggage goes astray you are still able to ride!
- Please be aware that internal flights in Chile may have a lower luggage allowance than your international flight and you should pack according to the lowest limit.