Horseback Riding Argentina
to the Coast of Chile

Day 1:
Arrival:
Arrive to the high mountain ski town of Bariloche, Argentina via Buenos Aires, Argentina or Santiago, Chile. Your ATAC Patagonia guide will meet you at the airport and take you to an ATAC Patagonia apartment in the center of Bariloche, Argentina. In the evening, dine at Alberto's in Bariloche with the entire group and leaders.

Day 2:
White Water Rafting and Inflatable Kayak Class II-III:

In the morning, meet ATAC Patagonia's trip leader and the expedition group for breakfast at the hotel and drive from Bariloche along the coast of the scenic Lago Nahuel Huapi and into the Nahuel Huapi National Park.

After a water safety orientation, practice paddling techniques on a tranquil Manso tributary before entering the turquoise waters of the main Rio Manso. Descend class II-III rapids in rafts and/or inflatable kayaks with views of waterfalls and snow-capped rugged peaks to a remote Argentine customs outpost.

Enjoy a classic local morel mushroom pasta dish for lunch. Continue through class III rapids in a narrow basalt gorge and camp on the shore of the Rio El Leon. Pass through the Chile customs outpost in the evening. Feast on pollo al disco.

Day 3:
Horseback Riding or Hiking:

Travel alongside the huasos and pilcheros, horseback riding or hiking along the river to the pueblo of El Leon. Continuing West, the dirt road becomes a well-traveled horseback riding and hiking trail that follows the river through thick diverse rainforest with views of the river's gorge and mountain peaks.

Day 4:
Horseback Riding or Hiking:
Journey by hiking and / or horseback riding up the Rio Torrentoso Valley on an ancient trail once ridden by Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Travel up the winding narrow valley passing pictographs on the canyon walls.

Lunch at the confluence of the Rio de Los Morros and the Torrentoso and continue up the valley into virgin temperate rainforest. Camp on the shore of the high mountain lake, Lago Vidal. Feast on Cazuela.

Day 5:
Layover Day / Personal Day:
Though some may choose to spend a personal day relaxing and swimming. Explore ancient pictographs on walls surrounding Lago Vidal.

Fly-Fishing:
Experience fly fishing and/or Patagonian style fishing along the shore of Lago Vidal. Regroup in the evening and spend a second night in the camp alongside Lago Vidal. Enjoy a lakeside sauna.

Day 6:
Horseback Riding or Hiking: Big Day
Travel by horseback and / or hiking over Paso Cochamo and through the most technical portions of the trail. Walk through groves of ancient alerce, coigüe, lenga, ñire, mañiu and other native trees to Patagonia. Camp within walking distance of El Arco in the Cochamo Valley, a mystical Alerce topped arch over a waterfall. Feast on pastel de papas.

Day 7:
Horseback Riding or Hiking:

Hike and horseback ride through the Cochamo valley to La Junta - known as the mini-Yosemite Valley of Chile. The Cochamo's towering granite valleys and walls are known by climbers around the world. Celebrate our last night on the river in traditional Chilean style with pisco sour and an asado.

Day 8-9:
Return to Puerto Varas and home:

In the morning, a van meets us at the Pacific Ocean - where the Cochamo meets the Pacific. Travel North on the Carretera Austral through the coastal fjords along the Pacific Ocean of Chile. The tall coigues and lengas alongside the road grant intermittent views of Volcano Osorno which towers over Todos Los Santos Lake and the small town of Puerto Varas. Fly out of Puerto Montt, Chile via Santiago, Chile. Return to the U.S.


Note:
We do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above, however this itinerary is subject to change. All itineraries can be customized.

1. Trip Cost Inclusions and Exclusions. The cost of the Manso - Cochamo horseback riding trip includes: accommodations, food (up to 24 meals), equipment, transportation, and guides. The horseback riding tour price does not include: airfare and travel expenses to Bariloche, Argentina, and from Puerto Montt / Puerto Varas, Chile; government tourist taxes; additional meals; alcoholic beverages with some dinner(s); optional activities; and individual costs not provided to the rest of the clients.

2. Trip Cost, Deposit & Cancellation. The full balance of the trip cost is due 60 days before the trip departure date. If this balance is not paid 60 days prior to departure, ATAC reserves the right to cancel the client’s reservation. If a reservation is made less than 60 days prior to departure, the full balance of the trip is due at that time. A client’s cancellation is effective on the date ATAC receives written notice of the cancellation. $200.00 of each deposit is nonrefundable, regardless of when cancellation notice is given. If cancellation notice is received over 120 days before departure, a trip cost payment and $300 of the deposit will be refunded; if received 90 days before departure, a trip cost payment and $200 of the deposit will be refunded; if received 60 days before departure, a trip cost payment and $100 of the deposit will be refunded; if received 30 days before departure, one-half of the trip cost will be refunded; and if received less than 30 days, there will be no refund. Note: ATAC recommends that all clients purchase traveler’s insurance and can help clients locate an agent. If a client is prevented from traveling due to serious illness, death in the immediate family or a similar catastrophe, at ATAC’s sole discretion, the client may transfer to another trip or locate another qualified individual to take client’s space subject to the replacement client executing the required documents.

3. ATAC reserves the right to cancel a trip up to 30 days prior to departure on the condition that 100% of the trip cost payment and deposit be returned to the client. ATAC may cancel a trip within 30 days of departure for reasons of force majeure, unusual or unforeseen circumstances outside the company's control. When a trip is canceled by ATAC, the client may choose between a full refund of all monies paid and any alternative trip with open reservation space offered by ATAC, subject to an adjustment for any difference in costs.
Please download and review the complete reservation packet from the DOWNLOAD INFO section in the left column to understand all terms and conditions before making a deposit.

Patagonia Flora & Fauna

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