Expedition Crossing the Andes

On your first day on horseback, you'll venture deep into the heart of the Andes mountain range. Your destination will be the Manantiales or El Peñón camp, where you’ll set up camp near a flowing stream. Surrounded by a fertile plain and pristine waters, you'll enjoy dinner and spend the night in tents under the stars.

Distance: 16.71 kilometers
Riding time: Approximately five hours
Average speed: 3.3 kilometers per hour
Height gain: 974 meters

On the third day, you will embark on the most challenging part of the expedition. The journey takes you up to where the Las Leñas River flows, with the terrain becoming increasingly rocky, requiring you to cross the river multiple times. You will navigate through the rugged Cordon del Espinacito and ascend a significant mountain ridge, reaching the high-altitude pass at 4,500 meters. From there, you will descend through the Portezuelo into a valley, passing through the Vegas of Yeso and Vegas de Gallardo before heading downstream to reach your campsite.

Distance: 31.15 kilometers
Riding time: Nine hours and 20 minutes
Average speed: 3.3 kilometers per hour
Height gain: 1,695 meters

The journey continues westward, leading you to the Argentine-Chilean border, where you will witness a tribute to the Sanmartiniana epic and see the milestone that marks the division between the two countries. Reaching this symbolic point of the expedition, "crossing the limit," will be one of the most rewarding moments. In the heart of the Andes, Trekking Travel will host an emotional picnic lunch. Afterward, you'll return to the Valle Hermoso camp for dinner and a well-deserved rest.

Round trip distance: 21.06 kilometers
Riding time: Six hours and 30 minutes
Average speed: 3.7 kilometers per hour
Height gain: 586 meters

The sixth day is set aside for relaxation. You'll take a leisurely walk to a nearby camp where Chilean herders spend the summer with their goats (veranada) and craft handmade cheeses. After lunch, you'll explore the river, heading upstream to a spot known for trout. Following a small stream, you'll arrive at a waterfall, where you can enjoy a refreshing swim. Dinner will feature grilled chivito (goat) served with fresh salads.

Departing from Valle Hermoso, you'll journey once again through the Los Patos Valley and ascend into the highland mountain summits. Along the route, you'll pass through Puente de Tierra and Vegas de Gallardo, then follow the river upstream to reach Piedras Coloradas, known for its striking red rock formations.

Distance: 28.52 kilometers
Riding time: Seven hours
Average speed: Four kilometers per hour
Height gain: 691 meters

Once again, you'll ride along the towering slopes of the Andes, ascending to an altitude of 4,300 meters and crossing the Paso de la Honda. The descent along the Leñas River will be challenging and demanding. You'll set up camp near the springs, revisiting the same spot where you camped on the second day of the expedition.

Distance: 24.36 kilometers
Riding time: Seven hours and 39 minutes
Average speed: 3.2 kilometers per hour
Height gain: 1,254 meters

On the final day of your horseback adventure, you'll begin with breakfast before riding for the last four hours to reach the burners. There, you'll enjoy a farewell lunch. Afterward, you'll travel by vehicle to the town of Barreal and then to the Uspallata Valley. You’ll spend the night in a hotel in Valle de Uspallata, where you’ll celebrate the end of your expedition with a special farewell dinner.

Distance: 18 kilometers
Riding time: Four hours and 10 minutes
Average speed: 4.1 kilometers per hour
Height gain: 89 meters

After breakfast between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., you will have a transfer by vehicle to the city of Mendoza.