Crossing the Andes from Chile to Argentina

After enjoying breakfast in the open air, we’ll pack up the mules and saddle the horses to continue our expedition. Our journey follows the Chalaco River as we ascend into the Colorada Mountains. Upon reaching the high plateau, we’ll be rewarded with stunning panoramic views of the terrain we’ve climbed and the path still ahead.

We’ll then descend to the Rocin River, crossing its white waters, and continue heading east until we arrive at Lagunitas. Here, we’ll set up camp, enjoy a refreshing river bath, and end the day with dinner and wine beneath the stars.

We begin the day early with a hearty breakfast, aiming to leave as soon as possible, as today's ride will take around 9 hours or more. The journey leads us up and over challenging high mountains. After descending towards Ciénago, we’ll reach a Chilean police border base situated at 2,200 meters above sea level. The police stationed here are brought in by helicopter for the three summer months. We’ll check in with the officers and then continue our ride, undertaking a solid climb until we reach the border with Argentina at 3,300 meters, in the middle of remote wilderness.

At the border, Argentine gauchos will greet us along with their horses and mules. After a lunch break, we resume the expedition on Argentine soil, riding for several hours downhill. As the sun sets, we’ll arrive at Valle Hermoso, a breathtaking valley surrounded by towering mountains that reach over 6,000 meters. Here, we’ll set up our tent camp near the Argentinian mountain police station and enjoy dinner and a campfire to end the day.

Today is an active rest day, designed for altitude acclimatization in preparation for the challenging days ahead. So, what exactly is an active rest day? Instead of riding, we’ll be walking. We’ll hike up the surrounding hills at our own pace, allowing our bodies to adjust to the high altitude and reduce the risk of altitude sickness.

After the morning hike, you’ll have time to enjoy the valley at your leisure. You can take a refreshing dip in the river, try your hand at trout fishing, or simply relax in the serene beauty of Valle Hermoso—meaning "Beautiful Valley." In the evening, we’ll gather for dinner at camp and spend the night under a sky filled with sparkling stars.

(Our experience has shown that this acclimatization day is essential for successfully reaching our destination without experiencing altitude sickness.)

We continue our expedition, crossing the vast and breathtaking Valle Hermoso. The only witnesses to our journey through this stunning landscape are the rivers, grasslands, colorful rock formations, and snow-capped peaks that surround us.

As we leave the valley behind, we begin climbing into the mountains, rewarded with one spectacular panoramic view after another. Eventually, we reach a spot called Rancho Lata, where the rocky terrain sets the scene for our next campsite. Here, we will set up camp and settle in for the night amidst the rugged beauty of the Andes.

Today, we’ll be “riding the sky,” so get ready for a long, challenging, but incredibly beautiful day in the saddle. This is the day you’ll reach the highest point of the expedition, climbing to nearly 5,000 meters, becoming some of the highest riders in the world!

Our horses, not us, will set the pace of this ascent. You’ll feel the ice-cold winds, see breathtaking views, and experience the rugged climb. The sound of the horses' heavy breathing, the pounding of their hearts, and the sight of eternal snow will create moments you'll never forget. We’ll ascend to the Paso de la Honda pass, and when we reach the summit, we’ll celebrate our achievement. However, due to the harsh conditions, high altitude, and the remaining distance to cover, we’ll only stay briefly at this peak.

In the afternoon, we’ll begin a spectacular descent through the mountains, following the Las Leñas River. By the end of the day, we’ll arrive at a remote plateau called Manantiales, at 3,000 meters. We’ll set up camp here and enjoy dinner, reflecting on the remarkable day we’ve had.

Today marks the final stage of our incredible horseback expedition through the mountains. We’ll begin with a descent, riding through fertile fields and wild, rocky landscapes reminiscent of the old west. Our journey will bring us to a desert oasis called Hornillas, where we’ll celebrate under the shade of eucalyptus trees, opening a few bottles to toast to our victory.

After bidding farewell to our horses and gauchos, we’ll board a vehicle that will take us to Barreal, followed by a minibus ride to the town of Uspallata in Mendoza Province. Once at the hotel, you can finally enjoy a proper bath. In the evening, we’ll gather for a special farewell dinner at the hotel restaurant, celebrating the completion of this remarkable journey. You've followed in the footsteps of San Martin, and this unforgettable experience will stay with you forever!

After breakfast; end of our services.
We will help you to indicate the bus to the city of Mendoza from where you can fly home or continue your journey. You can also return from Uspallata by bus to Santiago de Chile.
- Uspallata – Mendoza: about 2,1/2 hour drive
- Uspallata – Santiago de Chile: about an 8 hour drive
- Mendoza – Buenos Aires: about a 14 hour drive or 1 hour flight