Andes Crossing to the Chilean Border

Our day starts with early breakfast at around 9:30 a.m. and then we set off on our mountain-bound horseback adventure. Our route will guide us across a mountain range situated at 4,300 meters above sea level, known as Portillo Argentino. This pass holds historical significance as it was navigated by Captain Lemos during the Chilean liberation movement and later utilized by General San Martín upon his triumphant return from liberating Chile and Peru.

After a horseback ride spanning approximately 6 to 7 hours, we will reach Real de la Cruz. This shelter, overseen by the Argentine Army, serves as our overnight abode. Nestled at an altitude of 3,000 meters  along the banks of La Olla stream, it provides a picturesque setting. On the way we'll be treated to sightings of several majestic hills, each boasting remarkable height and beauty.

Throughout the journey, we'll encounter streams adorned with pristine, crystal-clear waters derived from melting snow. Our path will also lead us past various snow sheets and formations known as penitents. Amidst these adventures, a well-deserved lunch break awaits, offering a nourishing snack comprised of an array of ingredients.

We will spend the day in the refuge taking walks to discover the area, get to know the Tunuyán River, large pastures, bathed with flowers and meltwater springs.

We will make a 2-hour horseback ride down the river to see some waterfalls with a very particular flora; It will be a recovery day to start the ride the next day to the limit with the Republic of Chile that will be pretty intense so the horseback riding is optional for this day.

We have an early breakfast to leave at 9:00 a.m. towards the border with the Republic of Chile.

During the tour we will cross the Tunuyán River, the second most important river in Mendoza. We will pass mountain ranges of 4,000 meters above sea level and we will see hills of all colors and shapes and large pastures where for hundreds of years the gauchos used it for their summers.

After 4 hours of horseback riding we will reach the milestone with the Republic of Chile (Paso Piuquenes). We will have lunch on the way, to return at about 6:00 p.m. to the Real de Contreras, where the baqueanos await us with a complete snack.
Later we will have dinner under the shelter of a large stove and sleep under the open sky (we have a tent for whoever wants it), contemplating one of the cleanest skies in Argentina.

We leave at 9:00 a.m. to the Mesón San Juan hill, always after breakfast. We will get to see this impressive Andean massif (5,500 meters above sea level) with an ice wall of unimaginable proportions. We will pass through lagoons with ducks of different species and grasslands called vegas (bathed with pastures) at 3,800 m high.

After five hours of horseback riding, we will return to the military shelter at approximately 2:30 p.m., where we will be awaited with lunch, and then rest and spend the day there since the next day is the return. 

We leave at 9:00 a.m. back to the Dr. Scarabelli shelter.

We will go through El Portillo Pass again and when we reach the Mula Muerta, we will have lunch in the afternoon where the transfer will be waiting for us to take us to the city of Mendoza.

Arrival time approximately 8:00 p.m.