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Challenging riding and authentic estancia life are what you will find on this 8 day excursion in the foothills of the Andes near Bariloche. From our base at Martin Jone's family ranch, we ride high up in the mountains, on rugged trails aboard strong, sure-footed Criollo horses. This is a trip for riders with good basic riding experience; it is not a place to learn to ride. We'll camp out under the stars; meals feature asado, the famous Argentine barbeque of meat, meat and meat. 
 

Day 1: Arrive Buenos Aires Int'l Airport and transfer to the Municipal Airport for our afternoon flight to Bariloche. You will be met in Bariloche by our host Martin Jones, and transported to camp near Nahuel Haupi Nat'l Park. 

Day 2: Meet Criollo horses and local gauchos / wranglers. Orientation to tack and "shakedown" ride. 

Day 3-6: Day long rides including wide open spaces, river crossings, rugged, steep mountain climbs, great fishing, daily lunchtime 'asados' and campfire camaraderie. 

Day 7: Breakfast at camp and return drive to Bariloche. Free time in the afternoon for shopping & sightseeing; restaurant dinner and overnight in local hotel.

Day 8: Fly to Buenos Aires
 

Our Patagonia itinerary is a combination of riding, awe-inspiring scenery, great fishing and Argentine gaucho culture. We have created an itinerary that takes you to the picturesque town of Bariloche, and then on to private estancias in and near Nahuel Huapi Nat'l Park where you'll spend a full week riding in the plains, mountains and foothills of the Andes. 

Airfares and Scheduling: 
   1. There are flights on several airlines (United, American, Delta, Aerolineas Argentinas, Lan Chile) departing from Atlanta, Miami or New York that arrive in Buenos Aires in the morning. 
   2. Our flight to Bariloche leaves from the Municipal (not International) Airport in the early afternoon. Please call us for exact flight times. NOTE: Your air arrangements must allow AT LEAST two hours for transferring from the International airport to the Municipal airport because of traffic concerns. 
   3. The return flight to Buenos Aires from Bariloche will arrive mid-afternoon, allowing ample time to make connections for return flights home. 

Included in Trip Fee: 
Roundtrip flight (Buenos Aires/Bariloche/Buenos Aires), meals beginning with dinner on Day 1 through and including breakfast on Day 8, all land transportation, hotel in Bariloche, camping gear & tents, horses & tack, wranglers and guides.

Not Included in Trip Fee: 
Roundtrip airfare to/from Buenos Aires, local airport departure taxes, excess baggage fees, meals & beverages taken on your own. 

Passport and Visas: 
A current passport is required. US citizens do not need a visa. 

About the Riding: 
We will be riding sure-footed, well-built Criollo horses. They are extremely well-adapted to the terrain and varied riding conditions. The saddles are Chilean (rather like a McClellan saddle with a sheepskin thrown over). Riders need to have a good riding background. You can expect long days in the saddle with river crossings, rides through high, open spaces as well as dense forests, rugged climbs and steep descents in mountainous terrain, and ambles through meadows and grasslands.

Photos from recent trips:

Typical countryside

Criollo   -  No finer working/mountain horse

Discussing the route with Martin, estancia owner  and host

Gaucho finery                                         Argentina IS asado

Waiting for the asado.

Great views of the Andes

High country

Lunch and a rest.