Horseback riding - Cruce de Los Andes.

Without a doubt this is the most spectacular Horseback riding tour in los Andes Mountain range. Twelve days expedition, from Cajon del Maipo to Diamante Lagoon in Argentina and return. We will surround San Jose and Maipo Volcanoes, and observe Condores, aguils and Guanacos, crossing rivers and camping beside gaps and rivers shores. During the tour you will be accompanied by a Cascada Expeditions team that includes experienced guides and muleteers and a musician that will encourage the nocturnal bonfires.

Crossing the Andes Mountain Range by horse from Chile to Argentina is one of the most spectacular experiences of the world, experiencing the same odyssey that Spanish conquerors carried out 500 years ago. The first day of the trip we will cross to Argentina by the "Paso de Piuquenes." During the following days we will continue toward the south, at the returning way the last day we will cross the border again, at Maipo volcano, which is shared for both countries. The landscape is always spectacular, passing for impressive mountainous slopes and beautiful valleys.

Waterfalls, sides and rivers will cross our road. Some of them will provide us relaxing baths and other will be large natural obstacles that we will have to challenge.
The guides of this tour are the "arrieros", men that carry their animals to eat pasture during the summer to the Andes heights. As there is no roads neither paths, they have learned the routes of their parents and grandfathers.

During the nights next to the bonfire we will be able to listen its incredible histories and to sing next to them folk music.

Day 1

Transfer Santiago - San Alfonso at "Cajon del Maipo". This day we will check the equipment and you will know the persons that will guide you.

Day 2

After Breakfast we will drive until the "Panimávida" place where the riding starts towards the "Paso Piuquenes" at Chile and Argentina frontier. It is an important frontier step since where our eyes will be opened to one of the most beautiful and colorful valleys. Camp: El Chocolate.

Day 3
We will descent trough Palomar River Valley; subsequently we will cross the Tunullan River. We will be able to observe a beautiful route of ice stakes known as the "Penitentes." Camp: Refugio la Cruz.

Day 4

We will ride along the Tunullan River and we will cross it again. In rainy years the Andes Mountain Range are covered by snow.
The guides will travel on the front testing the ground with their specialized horses. The rivers are mighty, what makes us sometimes change the routes. Camp: El Tacho.

Day 5
Ascent trough "Cien Vueltas" until "Corrales Negros". Camp: Vega Corrales Negros.

Day 6

Horseback riding trough Marmolejo River Valley, until reach Sainillas Valley where we will cross the Salinillas River .Camp: El Rial de los Chilenos with amazing caverns and waterfalls.

Day 7

Departure to Torrecillas, enormous carved by the wind rock castles. Torrecillas a strange city is located around a little River that crosses the place. Camp: La Vega de Torrecillas.

Day 8

In the morning, we will ride and in the night we will have enough time to relaxation in this beautiful place, perhaps swimming or reading or sometimes singing and dancing toward a bonfire. Camp: La Vega de Torrecillas.

Day 9

From Torrecillas we will ride trough Colorado River Canyon .This canyon has in their slopes beautiful mineral veins. We will ride towards the Overas , Where usually you can find a lot of Guanacos. Camp: Las Overas.

Day 10

We will cross the Papal River before arriving finally to Diamante Lagoon. This is one of the higher points of the ride where we will find Yareta, plant that rises only at 3000 meters of high. Camp: Las Enumeradas.

Day 11

Horseback Riding to Diamante Lagoon. This spectacular gap could be observed generally since the air at the time of arriving or leaving Chile by plane. It is possible take a bath, although the water is very cold. Camp: Las Enumeradas.
Day 12

Horseback riding trough the Maipo Volcano Valley before crossing to Chilean Territory trough the "Paso Alvarado". Camp: Laguna Alvarado

Day 13

The tour goes trough Alvarado Canyon, with its incredible rocky formations, to cross the Maipo River towards the Stone Cross, the Chilean border control where our vehicles will be waiting for us. A farewell typical Chilean snack in the afternoon will finish our adventure.
Transfer to Santiago.