Estancia Huechahue
Sample Itinerary

Day 1 : You will be met by your host, Jane, at Chapelco airport, San Martin de los Andes and driven 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.

Day 2 : A full days ride on Estancia Huechahue with an "asado" lunch. Follow the Huechahue stream through its bassalt 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.

Day 3 : A morning's ride on Estancia Huechahue to visit the Indian burial caves. The caves were formed when the glaciers carved the valley opening an entrance to the lava flow tunnels formed during previous eras of volcanic activity. The Tehuelche Indians laid out their dead,surrounded by their weapons and always somewhere where they could see their enemies coming. They decorated the walls with designs.The remains have disappeared, but the petroglyphs and the view are still there. After a late lunch there will be an evening ride to the cliffs where the condors and eagles nest. While we have a cocktail and the sun goes down, the condors return. They soar above and below us before settling for the night.

Day 4 : Transfer by vehicle to Estancia El Nido on the edge of Lanin National Park (30 mins). The next 5 days will be spent riding in the park, 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 and pictuesque campsites by a lake shore or at a stream's edge, with tea 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. The first day takes us west through forests of huge Coihue trees along the shore of Lake Lolog. Night camping at the mouth of the Auquinco river.

Day 5 : After breakfast we leave the lake and head north following the valley of the Auquinco river. Today's ride is more open, affording views of the surrounding scenery through the smaller Nire trees, with opportunities for canters. Lunch is on the Leon stream, full of brook trout but dificult to catch!. Dinner and overnight on the Auquinco river deep in the Andes.

Day 6 : Today's ride takes us up and over the shoulder of Huanquihue volcano. We ride up through one of the world's few forests of Monkey Puzzle trees to have lunch above the tree line just before the pass. Afterwards the chance to canter across the amazing lunar landscape of black ash, legacy of the volcanic activity, before dropping down through the forest and thick bamboo along the edge of the old lava flow to spend the night on the shores of Laguna Verde.

Day 7 : After breakfast we ride up to the thermal springs at Epulaufquen. A chance to soak away the dirt and aches and pains collected along the way! In the afternoon we ride through tunnels of thick bamboo to Lake Paimun at the foot of Lanin Volcano. We spend the night camping as quests of Don Domingo Aila. He is 90 and was born in this remote spot on the lake with Lanin volcano towering above the Monkey Puzzle trees. His way of life has changed very little.

Day 8 : Don Domingo will put us all to shame as he hops onto his horse and guides us through his land along the shore of Lake Paimun to the ferry across the Paimun river. The horses will swim the river while all the gear is taken across on the ferry (a raft of logs pulled across on a cable!) On the far side lunch will be waiting with transport back to Estancia Huechahue for baths, dinner and good beds!

Day 9 : A days ride through the neighbouring Indian reservation. Our saddle rugs and saddle bags are woven by some of the Indian women and the skins from the cows we butcher are worked into rawhide and then bridles and halters by the men. We will pass by to see what progress is being made and to share a "mate" on our way through.

Day 10 : A full days ride to a diferent part of the Estanica. There are 15,000 acres in all so there is still plenty left to explore. Lunch will be on the river with opportunities to swim and to fish. A chance to see guanaco, deer, wild boar and peludos - the baby armadilo.

Day 11 : A farewell ride on Huechahue before transfering to the airport