Andes Crossing on Horseback from Argentina to Chile

In a ride you have the opportunity to actively participate in an activity in full contact with nature and fresh air. Horses allow, in a wonderful way, to reach the true heart of a country, accessing remote places. Folklore and tradition are shown, highlighting country life. The unique connection between the horse and its rider encloses a magical and indescribable combination of pleasures and sensations.

It is not necessary to have previous experience to carry out the expedition of the Crossing of the Andes. You do not need training, instruction or practice. The difficulty of all our itineraries is given in the conditions that the mountain presents and not the horse. The animals can only walk at a pace, since the paths are quite irregular and narrow in some sections.
The Crossing of the Andes horseback riding is considered difficult due to the geographical and meteorological difficulties that arise during the journey, given that there is the possibility of being exposed to extreme temperatures, winds that can be violent, snow, sun, rain (inclement weather). You have to have enough rudeness and strength not to falter, or give rise to discomfort caused by the lack of everyday comforts.

Physical condition
It doesn’t matter how athletic you are, you don’t need prior training either, you just need to be in good general health and in good physical and mental condition. Our goal is to fully enjoy these horseback rides in their “expedition” modality, in direct contact with nature, away from everyday comforts and in permanent exercise (for example, getting on and off the horse whenever necessary, sleeping in shops or tents, etc.).

Tetanus vaccination is recommended.

Covid Vaccination

The terrain to be traveled presents permanent irregularities such as stream crossings or ravines, ascents and descents through narrow and abrupt paths. This is not a difficulty for the animals, since the mountain horses tread firmly and safely.
The days vary between 4 to 8 hours mounted.
The maximum height above sea level is observed at 4500 meters.
We categorize this ride as “moderate to hard difficulty.”

Participants in any adventure tourism activity (including horseback riding or horseback riding), are active people and consequently are candidates for unexpected injury. The medical assistance facilities will not be quickly available during, part or all of the duration of the excursion, due to the fact that it is carried out in natural spaces distant from urban centers.
Rescues and evacuations are not quick or immediate. The environmental climatic conditions will be determining factors for the speed of action in emergency cases.

The departure dates are scheduled between December and March of each year. Before or after these months, the climate in the high mountains becomes harsh. The winds are more intense and there is a possibility that several sections of the road will be impassable due to the presence of snow. These climatic conditions put the success of the expedition and the safety of the riders at risk, therefore it is not possible to carry it out outside the stipulated dates.

As for the temperatures that are recorded in summer, it must be considered that during the nights (even with good weather), above 3000 meters, 0ºC to 5ºC is common.
It is possible that during the ride there will be periods of bad weather and strong winds with the presence of cold air masses and water storms.
Likewise, on sunny days the maximum temperatures below 3000 meters of altitude reach 30ºC.
Sun protection and wide-brimmed hats are required.

Many of our clients travel alone and soon find friends among the people in the group. After all, these people have common interests such as a love of nature, horses, and a spirit of adventure.
Likewise, there is the possibility of hiring a private ride without other participants and sharing the experience exclusively with your family and/or friends.

In general terms, most of the participants are young people and adults ranging between 20 and 60 years old.

People over 65 years of age must present a medical certificate and attach a general check-up.
A medical certificate is not required for those under 65 years of age, but it is also recommended to carry out a general check-up prior to the expedition.

To participate in a horseback ride, children need to have the weight, strength and physical and mental resistance to handle a horse all day. Some rides are better suited to young riders than others. The recommended minimum age is 12 years.

Those under 18 years of age may carry out the activities accompanied by their father, mother or guardian during the development of the entire program (cavalcade).
If the minor does not participate together with her two parents, he must present an authorization validated before the National Public Notary of the father who is absent in the expedition.
If he comes in the company of a guardian, he must bring authorization from both parents, recognizing the risks that the activity implies, assuming them with full responsibility and taking charge of any type of accident, damage or eventuality that may occur.

Authorization for minors under 18 years of age to travel
Authorizations can be granted by:

write U.S,
Argentine consuls abroad,
competent judges,
authorities of the Registry of Civil Status and Capacity of Persons,
foreign consuls in Argentina, and
justices of the peace
In an emergency, to avoid the cancellation of a trip, Migrations has a service that grants this authorization, which is valid for a single trip and must be used within 30 days of its issuance. It can be processed at all delegations, at immigration offices or at border crossings.

In all cases, the procedure is personal, and face-to-face at immigration control posts.

For more information, consult www.migraciones.gov.ar.

Maximum admitted body weight of riders: 110 kg.

Accommodation during the expedition is only in tents.
Igloo type tents are double base. We do not have individual tents.
Only the last night is done in a Cabin Complex (shared rooms), with bathroom and showers with hot water.
The tents are arranged according to the participants. We do not allow participants to be uncomfortable in their stores, therefore we let them choose their distribution among themselves.

Sleeping bag (or sleeping bag)
The sleeping bag must be at least -10ºC. The nights can be very cold and the days will depend on luck. There are warm nights of 15ºC and cold nights of 5ºC or less. You must be prepared for the cold, although the heat and pleasant temperatures accompany us throughout the trip.
We have sleeping bags for rent (consult).

Camp
There are two important conditions for choosing a good camping ground: there must be water and pasture for the horses.
It is about choosing a beautiful place sheltered from the wind that usually blows quite strongly in the open spaces between the mountains.
Every day all the members of the expedition go out to collect dry firewood in the surroundings, to make a stove that, in addition to shelter, serves as fuel for cooking.

The night
When night comes, the fire begins. Gathered in a group sheltered by the heat of the fire, the anecdotes and legends typical of the area begin. The mate is passed around and soon an exquisite dinner is served. Warm clothing is recommended to protect against low night temperatures.
Time to rest and peace falls slowly over the field.

Breakfasts vary between “mate”, homemade bread and grilled toast, dulce de leche and fruit, tea, coffee, milk, sweet and salty cookies. Lunches are light because you have to continue riding after eating. We prepare sandwiches with cold cuts and cheese, milanese, minced salami, ham and other sausages, fish such as tuna or mackerel, olives, homemade bread, mayonnaise, fruit and juices as a drink.
The dinners are abundant and tasty, “roast” or “grilled chicken”, “meat in the pot”, noodles with tuco, spring rice, etc., plus lettuce and tomato salads, homemade bread, vegetable soups, fruits of the time, Mendoza wines and juices.
Asado: beef cooked on the grill.

In all our rides we prepare very varied meals. If you are a vegetarian, you just have to let us know to prepare meals without meat. For other special diets you must also notify us in advance.

Comforts during the ride
The landscapes that are traversed are presented in a depopulated and wild way, far from all kinds of civilization. There are no restrooms or shelters along the way.

Bathrooms or restrooms during the ride
There are really no restrooms throughout the trail. We advise the use of wet towels which are then recycled in bags for later transfer. Also, we sanitize ourselves in the cold streams of the mountain range, where you can get wet completely or in parts until you are completely clean. We all get used to this hygiene mechanism and it really becomes easy and fun.
There is privacy because the fields are wide and you can walk downstream to be alone with no one around you (or perhaps with a fellow traveler).

When riding, we recommend not wearing a backpack or hanging items that may be uncomfortable throughout the journey. Each rider will be given:

A SADDLEBAG: In it must be placed the essential personal items that will be used during the day of riding (sunglasses, protective cream, water, gloves, hat, coat, personal hygiene items, etc.). The saddlebag is placed on the back of the horse’s back below the saddle. Anything stored in the saddlebag will be easily accessible to the rider.

(DUFFEL BAG)  LABELED WITH THE RIDER’S NAME: The rest of the luggage that will be taken to the ride (clothes, footwear, etc.) should be placed here. This bag is tied with a rope and then placed in large tube-type bags of waterproof fabric, specially designed to transport luggage on the back of the mule (pack animal). It is important to know that the rider will not have access to what he keeps in the bag until the end of the riding day and the camp is set up (at which point the load is disarmed).

The sleeping bag and the blanket are packed separately (they do not go in the saddlebag or in the bag).

IMPORTANT (for crossing through Paso Piuquenes):
You should also prepare a SMALL backpack with a change of clean clothes (only pants, a shirt or t-shirt and underwear). We will deliver this backpack once the ride is over so that you have clean clothes to wear.
All the luggage that is not taken to the ride can be stored in our office or in the hotel where you decide to stay in Mendoza.

The documentation must be carried during the entire expedition to transit in the border area.

migrations
Documentation you need to travel
To enter or leave the country through border crossings, you must present one of the following documents:

Digital ID Card
Digital ID light blue book
Passport
They are not valid:

the handwritten DNI (green cover, burgundy cover and light blue notebook for newborn boys and girls),
proof of DNI in process,
damaged documents
(ReNaPer Resolution No. 480/16).

All rides include full board, horses, saddle, guide, accommodation and all meals and services offered by the program. Therefore, no additional costs are recorded during the ride.
We recommend bringing USD 30 in Chilean pesos for any small expenses that arise such as drinks or snacks.
The rates DO NOT include the transfer from your city of origin to Mendoza.
The ride does NOT include personal expenses.

The height or meters above sea level (m.a.s.l.) is normally perceived over 3000 m. Gradually the body acclimatizes and the discomfort disappears.
There are people who do not feel any symptoms of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness), and others who the first days feel uncomfortable with the beginning of AMS.
This is corrected and is not a serious problem. It is important to stay hydrated (5 liters of water per day) and maintain a balanced diet, paying attention to the instructions of the guides that accompany the expedition.

The reservation must be made via e-mail. It is possible to do it up to 15 days before the departure date (confirmation subject to availability), but it is much better to work as far in advance as possible. This allows us to help you with the equipment, answer questions, coordinate and finalize details, etc.

To confirm the reservation it is necessary to make a deposit payment in our bank account corresponding to 10% of the total rate. The remaining amount can be paid as follows:

Cash in Mendoza.
Progressive bank transfers or deposits.

Cash in Mendoza.
Progressive bank transfers or deposits.
Debit or credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Cabal, Maestro and Naranja -consult-).
The day of departure the activity must be paid in full. It is possible to pay in Argentine pesos considering the official sale price of the dollar.