Andes Crossing
Duration: 7 days
Available: From 1st January till 30th March.
Physical condition: Very good
This program offers the experience of crossing the Andes through the Piuquenes Pass from Mendoza, in Argentina, to Santiago de Chile, walking during seven days of intense experiences.
The high mountain pass "Portillo Argentino" is the gate to an old trail used by ‘arrieros’ (muleteers) and travellers, such as Charles Darwin and General San Martín, to cross the Andes. From this steep col at 4.380 meters of altitude, the path descends into a world where an ancestral culture of horsemen and mountain people is still alive, in harmony with the wildlife and breathtaking landsacapes.
The traditional "reales" (campsites) offer the oportunity to sleep by the fireside under the mountain sky, and to experience -and share- the skills of the arrieros, from handling the horses to prepare "asado" (barbecue) no matter what the weather throws in.
We like to travel the old way, but with a twist: we take pack horses to carry the loads and cross the rivers, a good cook and set dining tents in the camps, along with mountain tents for the travellers. We also carry a satellital phone, just in case, and offer assistance for custom paperwork in Chile and Argentina.
Itinerary
D1: Arrival to Mendoza. Check in at the Hotel. Assistance for checking or equipment rental.
D2: Early departure from Mendoza to the Valle de Uco (Uco Valley). After climbing -in vehicles- a dirt road for a few kilometers, we complete the Custom paperwork at the National Gendarmería post. There we have lunch, before hitting the trail. Then we take a 2-3 hour walk, good for acclimatization, until we reach Scaravelli Refuge, a campsite at almost 3.000 meters, where we camp and have dinner. It is a good place for getting used to the altitude.
D3: Vehicle approach to Portillo Argentino, 4380 mts. The trucks help us to get close to the pass, leaving the last turns of the trail to the legs. It is a one hour uphill walk, with the reward of an astonishing view of the Andes and the border with Chile. Then it is a 6-hour walk -mostly in a downhill trail- to the valley of the Tunuyan River. We have lunch in the trail and spend the night in a big refuge, property of the Army, where we enjoy a strong dinner and a hot water shower. The evening may offer some songs and stories, since the refuge is a meeting point for arrieros and travellers.
D4: River Tunuyán crossing (we use the horses for a safe and dry crossing, guided by the skillfull arrieros) and trek to Real de las Ovejas Camp. After lunch we can explore the astonishing sourroundings or participate in a demonstration of gauchos’ skills (with ‘lazo’ and ‘boleadoras’). It is a good opportunity to sleep by the fireside and under the stars. Full board.
D5: From Real de las Ovejas to Real El Caletón. The trail follows the beautiful Palomares stream upriver, until the last campsite in Argentinean territory. If the weather allows, we can have a relaxing bath and “beauty treatment” in an stream with mineralized waters.
D6: Departure towards the Argentinean-Chilean Border. After an uphill walk to the International Border, we have lunch by the isolated landmark at 4.000 meters. Animals exchange (for custom regulations, the horses can´t cross from one country to another) and descent to Plomo river, in Chilean territory. River crossing, helped by our “fresh” horses. And a truck full with our last night celebration party supplies is waiting for us! Vehicle ride to the town San Gabriel, where we complete custom paperwork at the Police office. End of the program dinner. Night at a hotel in San Gabriel.
D7: Transfer to Santiago and end of the program. Optional accommodation and optional transfer to Mendoza (consult).
Personal Gear (no more than 15 kg per person)
Pants:
1 or 2 pair of underwear bottoms.
1 or 2 confortable pair of pants.
1 or 2 pair of waterproof-breatheable pants
Tops:
Shirts, t-shirts or underwear top.
1 polar fleece jacket.
Jacket:
1 down jacket (or equivalent, optional)
1 waterproof-breatheable jacket.
Gloves:
1 pair of liner gloves.
1 pair of fleece or synthetic gloves.
Head Garments:
1 balaclava or wool hut (fleece or synthetic)
1 cap for the sun.
Sunglasses:
1 pair with UVA and UVB protection.
1 extra pair.
Linterna
Sleepingbag (-5ºC)
Sleeping pad
Backpack (20 - 45 litres)
Boots:
1 pair trekking boots or running shoes.
Extra pair of shoes or sandals, suitable for river crossings.
Medias:
3 pairs for daily use.
2 wool or synthetic pairs
Sunscreen.
Walking poles.
Required
Good general physical conditions. Previous experience at high altitude is not required but good aerobic performance is suggested.
Included Services
In and out 4x4 transfers from Mendoza City and to Santiago de Chile. (Consult for transfers Santiago- Mendoza).
Full board. (breakfast, box lunch and dinner).
Dining tent (table, chairs and dinnerware service).
Mountain tents.
Pack horse support during the expedition for loads, river crossings and contingencies.
Sat phone for emergencies (available for personal use at an extra cost).
Medical kit.
Information on flora, fauna and historical features of the place.
Not included
Personal gear, sleeping bags and sleeping pads (see list of required gear, consult for renting).
Extra cost derived from leaving the program.
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Andes Crossing
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