Northern Chile: Adventures in the North 2021
Discovering Chile on horseback is not for everyone. Although La Serena is a popular seaside resort for local tourists, it is almost unknown to Westerners. A region known for its dry and mild climate, the blue of the Pacific Ocean and the picturesque fishing villages hidden along the coast, as well as the “pisco”, a colorless brandy extracted from the grapes of local vineyards. Chile on horseback means lonely valleys, endless mountain roads, the peace and quiet of the majestic Andes on whose peaks the condors soar. Our adventure will begin near Rio Hurtado, where the hacienda that will host us is located and near which it is possible to visit an ancient ceremonial site where there are dozens of cave paintings. We will ride following the ancient traces of the Inca civilization and the gold seekers… .a journey through the Andes, far from any trace of civilization. We will walk along “Linia Santa Rosa”, an ancient path still traveled today by shepherds with their animals. Riding the tireless criollos horses we will explore the wild and unspoiled Sierra and the immense Andes, breathing in a romantic atmosphere of infinite purity. A half that has only partially modified its landscape, dotted with sporadic small villages. Sunny for most of the year, crystal clear waters and incredibly starry nights will give you a vacation to remember for years to come.
Departure dates on request with a minimum of 2 participants in the months of January, February, March, October, November and December.
PARTICIPANTS: MIN 2 MAX 6
Independent transfer from the airport to Ovalle and meeting with the guides at the train station at 2.30 pm and transfer to the guest house. Pick-up from La Serena or Vicuna airport (on request for a fee). Time available for a little relaxation in the spa or a walk in the reserve surrounding the property. Dinner and overnight.
Breakfast and meeting at 9.00 to explain the program of the week, knowledge of horses and introduction to the type of Chilean tame. Departure at 10am towards Hurtado. Picnic lunch and continuation to the Ruta Antakari towards Vicuña until reaching a height of 3000 meters. Fantastic view over the valley and the Hurtado river. Dinner and overnight at the mobile camp set up around the fire.
After a hearty breakfast, all in the saddle for Cerro Negro, incredible contrasts of colors given by the minerals that make up the rocks and that shine in the sun. Picnic lunch and return to the guest house in the afternoon, across a suggestive river bed drained by bizarre rock formations. Once you arrive you will have time available for relaxation, dinner and overnight stay.
Breakfast and departure towards Maitén. Through canyons, valleys and plateaus. Picnic lunch and continuation up to a height of 2000 meters. Clear air and an incredible view of the Andes valleys. Dinner and overnight in a mobile tent camp in Maiten.
Breakfast and departure towards Las Breas. We will continue to climb the mountains up to a height of 2800 meters ... and perhaps we will also see the snow-capped peaks of the Andes. Picnic lunch and arrival in Las Breas in the afternoon. Dinner for guests at the home of a Chilean family and overnight stay of your choice: tent or inside the house.
After breakfast we will explore the surroundings of Las Breas and we will be able to observe some paintings on the original Inca rocks. Return in the afternoon to spend another dinner and overnight stay with our guests.
Today we will leave the village of Las Breas for good and return to the Guest house through wonderful landscapes, valleys, rivers, villages and a racecourse. Arrival in the early afternoon, relax, dinner and overnight.
Transfer to La Serena airport or on request to continue your stay.
Tariff per person, starting from:
Departure | Double | Supplement single |
---|---|---|
From 1 March 2021 to 31 December 2021 | € 1,540 | € 350 |
Notes
(B / L / D): B = breakfast; L = lunch; D = Dinner
Single supplement in standard |
€ 280 |
Roundtrip transfer from La Serena airport (max 3 people) to be paid locally in local currency – around 120.00 CLP |
USD 190 |
Round trip transfer from Vicuna (max 3 people) to be paid locally in local currency – approx. 100.00 CLP |
USD 155 |
Difficulty level: From ° to °°°°°
DURATION: 8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS
DIFFICULTY: °°° (INTERMEDIATE)
ACCOMMODATION: traditional hacienda
EQUIPMENT: CREAOLA SADDLE, typical Chilean, is called Avios. Made specifically for long journeys, it is covered with a comfortable wool padding.
HORSES: CRIOLLO, very robust and suitable for mountainous terrain
GAIT: 6 to 11 hours per day in the saddle. Moderate speed with mostly mountainous terrain through the Andes; a good physical condition is required to endure the long days in the saddle.
MINIMUM AGE : 18 years
MAXIMUM AGE : 65 years
TYPE : itinerant with overnight stays in hacienda
ACCOMMODATION:
3 nights in a guest house, or “hacienda” is a small structure of 6 rooms furnished in colonial style, with taste and with an incredible view of the Andes. Surrounded by nature, it offers its guests traditional cuisine, a good selection of local wines.
4 nights in a tented camp, comfortable tents
Note: The itinerary described above is to be considered indicative. It could be subject to variations due to weather conditions or circumstances beyond our control. It is possible to add an extension to Bellavista.
Exchange rate 1 EUR = 1.08 USD
Changes in exchange rates with fluctuations greater than 3% will lead to an adjustment of costs and will be communicated within 20 days of departure.
The tariff includes
The tariff does not include