From Argentina to Chile through the Andes of Patagonia – ride summary
This riding adventure begins in Argentina and crosses the Chilean border using the remote Vuriloche pass. The landscape we pass through on our way to the Pacific Ocean is one of shimmering blue lakes, glacial rivers, ancient forests, piping hot springs, and remote farmsteads several day’s ride from civilisation, with the snow capped Mt Tronador and her 7 hanging glaciers forming a dramatic backdrop to our adventures.
The route incorporates the best components of our previous expeditions through the Andes, and promises to be an unforgettable journey through a unique landscape, unblemished by the passage of time.
The vast wilderness of Patagonia has held a magical allure for travellers ever since this Magellan recounted tales of his epic voyage of the fourteenth century. The landscape remains wild, desolate and stunningly beautiful, and to ride amongst its mountains, steppes and lakes is an exhilarating experience. Following several research visits to Patagonia, we offer two unique mobile rides that start in Argentina, and cross the Andes mountains into Chile using remote passes far from civilization.
The only other people that guests are likely to encounter during these rides are a few subsistence livestock farmers that eek a living from the rugged terrain, completely cut off from the outside world. These rides traverse some of the most spectacular scenery in South America, an area of lakes, mountains, and seldom visited hidden valleys that lie between the alpine settlement of Bariloche and the Pacific Ocean in Chile.
The cost of these itineraries depends upon the size of your group – these are unique adventures, and there are no set departure dates other than the annual ride through the Andes organised by Wild and Exotic in February each year. Please contact us to arrange your personalised ride through the Patagonian Andes, which can include a combination of both itineraries described in detail below. Wild and Exotic also offer mobile rides through the Patagonian steppes, and exciting estancia based riding adventures.
Please contact us for the current itineraries, fact sheet, price and availability for this ride
“We had the most marvellous holiday and all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. I want to personally thank you for organising everything so efficiently and easily.”
Mrs Baxter, Trans Andes ride, Argentina
“We really did have the BEST trip – a BIG thank you to you all.”
Mrs Kirkpatrick, Trans Andes ride, Argentina
“Yes, fab ride, it was brilliant, thank you. Guides and organisation faultless.The finish at the lake by Petrohue was lovely and both that hotel and Luma at Villa Angousturas were super, especially outstanding was Luma, quite superb in all ways, charming, small, lovely food, stunning views and rooms.”
Victoria Sears, Trans Andes ride, Argentina
“Again many thanks for such a superb trip. All the team are still in a state of exaltation!”
Russell Jones - winner of the Maryland Hunt Cup in 1975, Trans Andes ride, Argentina
“The trip was glorious and I now understand your great love of the country. Buenos Aires is also a jewel and, while I’m grateful for the few extra days we spent there, we would have enjoyed even more time to explore all the barrios, museums, cafes and architecture. We loved Peuma Hue and Quillen in particular. From our many trips with W & E I have a stunning observation: in England guides carry a cell phone, in India they carry water bottles, in Africa they carry rifles and bear bangers………and in Patagonia, they carry a chain saw and machete.”
Mr and Mrs Lorig, Trans Andes ride, Argentina
“The guides were great. I can’t praise Cepi and Sebastian enough. They were charming, helpful and courteous and best of all hugely good company.”
Sarah Chenevix-Trench, Trans Andes ride, Argentina
“The Andes ride was fantastic and quite an adventure! Sebastian and Cepi did an amazing job and we wanted for nothing. Everything was extremely well thought of and planned superbly, I felt so privileged getting to the places we did, it really was amazing. The food was fantastic. The highlight of the ride was staying at the farms on the Chilean side, they were all such lovely people and once again the food was excellent. Villa Angostura was beautiful and a great place to end the ride in the swimming pool.”
Roger Nash, Trans Andes ride, Argentina
“I have been fortunate to have traveled extensively for most of my adult life. The ride across the Andes rates as one of the top two trips that I have ever taken. It was very well planned and the guides were not only very good but also very interesting characters. We went where very few have gone and around every turn the scenery was even more astounding. Congratulations to Wild and Exotic. We are all now looking forward to booking another exciting trip with your company.”
John Fulton, Trans Andes ride Argentina
“It was a wonderful ride, and an amazing experience for us Europeans to visit farms which are so incredibly remote. Many thanks for organising everything so efficiently”
Celia Djivanovic, Trans Andes ride, Argentina
We had a magnificent trip.”
Mrs Wright, Trans Andes ride, Argentina
“The trip to Argentina and over the Andes was wonderful. You are so fortunate to have such a great “team”. Sebastion, Ceppi, and Marcos were all so helpful and kind to all of us. All the horses were perfect and I now have a new appreciation for how handy and clever they are over rough terrain. We especially enjoyed our 2 nights at the hot springs with Norma and her family. I look forward to planning another trip in the future. Thank you for all your assistance in making this trip a memorable one.”
Ellen Chapman, Trans Andes ride Argentina
“I thoroughly enjoyed the whole trip. Your team in Argentina is reliable and the organisation always worked.”
Peter Vickery, Trans Andes ride, Argentina
“Overall the Andes ride was a overwhelming experience and I m very happy that I made the trip. The route through the mountains, the glaciers, the rivers and the wild forests was spectacular. The organization was perfect before and behind the curtain and I want to express my great respect for their effort to Sebastian (behind the curtain), Sepi (on the stage always) and all other gauchos. Horses were very good both in Argentina and Chile and were the biggest surprise with respect to be safe walkers in wildest conditions and with outstanding stamina. People there were overwhelmingly friendly and the hot springs were a highlight.”
Jaspar von Maltzahn, Trans Andes ride Argentina
“The trip was wonderful to say the least. Great people, great horses and great scenery! Then there’s Cepi, forever imprinted in my memory along with a few new laugh lines on my face. Sebastian, Oscar, Christian, his father-in-law, right down to the bus driver, what a team you’ve put together to make this trip such a memorable experience.”
Susan Weyers, Trans Andes ride Argentina
“It was a good trip, a lot of fun and an interesting ride through the virgin forest, also to the the very isolated farms subsisting away. We were met with great friendliness. You have a well-satisfied customer.”
Raymond Jack, Trans Andes ride Argentina
“Wild and Exotic it was! The horses and guides were wonderful. Words escape me to give you full feedback on this adventure. Hopefully, another ride might be in store for us.”
Lendy Brown, Trans Andes ride Argentina
It was the experience of my lifetime and the organisation was perfect. My thanks to everybody involved.”
Jan v. Doetinchem , Trans Andes ride, Argentina, Argentina
“WOW……what a fantastic trip we had!! It is quite hard being back. I loved every minute of it. I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to visit Patagonia. Your team of Sebastian, Cepi, Ramiro and the gauchos were fantastic, not least the horses. Many thanks for giving us such a unique adventure”
Sabrina Eddy, Trans Andes ride, Argentina
“Feeling totally bereft that its all over!! We just had the most amazing amazing time and I honestly can’t thank you enough for organizing it all so beautifully. It all seemed to work like clock work and the team of Cepi and Sebastian were a perfect combination. It really was truly the most fantastic experience. Thank you.”
Amanda Bullard, Trans Andes ride, Argentina
“The Andes Ride was fantastic in almost every respect: set-up, organization, landscape, team of gauchos, team of organizers, food & beverages logistics and last but not least the weather. Particular compliments to Cepi, Ramiro and Sebastian, who all three were very nice & motivated and did a great job. Wild & Exotic did a very good job including your (Rosie) very important contribution as perfect organizer of the trip – thank you very much !! We will certainly recommend this adventure.”
Dr Baur, Trans Andes ride, Argentina
“I have nothing but wonderful things to say about my trip! My only regret is that it was too short. Everyone got along well and Cepi and Sebastian were terrific. I can’t think of anything that would improve upon the experience. Thank you for answering so many questions from the American contingent.”
Cynthia Delaney, Trans Andes ride Argentina
” What an excellent time we all had–nothing but laughter all those many days.I can’t wait to come back. Sebastian and Cepi were the best–so different and so complementary, and they anticipated all of our needs and shortcomings.”
