Rio Negro Ride -- Las Mellizas
The splendor of Huapi National Park, high in the Andes of western Argentina's Rio Negro, are yours to explore. This 1.8 million-acre park surrounds the ever snow-covered 11,000 feet high Tronador peaks.
At the foothills of the Andes you'll be riding through thick forests, then start climbing ever higher to encounter a very different kind of landscape. The views over the open plateau go hundreds of miles. The land is rich in wildlife and sown with mountain lakes and rivers. Your starting point is San Carlos de Bariloche, a well known scenic vacation spot.

IT-ARRT08
Rates: Include all meals and camping equipment (except sleeping bag), first and last night at hotel in Bariloche - 5 days camping, 6 riding days
8 Days/ 7 Nights  $ 1,145  
2008 Dates:
01/07-01/14    02/26-03/04
11/26-12/03    12/17-12/24
... more dates available on request
... longer trips can be arranged
    - extra days are $160 pp
Meeting: Bariloche Airport
Transfer: included from Bariloche
Tack: South American
Horses: Criollo cross
Level:   Good novice +
Pace: Slow - long hours in the saddle, steep terrain
Min/max Riders:  2-8
Note:   - this trip can be customized for groups.
Climate: Patagonia is protected from the western winds by the Andes and has a mild climate with temperatures rarely over 85°F; nights in the mountains are fairly cold.

Sample itinerary
Day 1: Pick up at the airport in Bariloche and transfer to a local hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 2  Mid-morning transfer to the Nirihuau River camp. Get aquainted with the horses and the ride starts. While riding along the Nirihuau, you'll slowly leave the rolling hills of the Nahuel Huapi lake and venture into the high alpine regions. Lunch at the "Cerro Vidreros", the vulture rock. You'll see white rock fingers towering vertically into the sky - solidified lava chimneys. Bizarre rock formations stir your imagination, while condors nest in the peaks. Ride through a primeval forest where the trees, overgrown with lichen, look veiled. Camp will be at the base of the Colorado mountain (6,000 ft.) right amongst the huge summer camp "Las Mellizas" of the Jones family. Here, three gauchos take care of cattle and horses grazing scattered during summer months.
Day 3: Through a wide valley you'll ride to "Las Mellizas", the twins, a continental divide. The waters flow into the Atlantic to the east and the Pacific oceans to the west. In the afternoon, you'll cross a canyon and climb through a forest up to a 6,000 ft. elevation. You'll set camp in a small clearing surrounded by snow-covered peaks.
Day 4: You'll ride through barren mountains just below the tree-line, partly over gravel slopes where you have to lead your horse. Lunch is in a lush meadow at the Foyel River, named after one of the last chiefs who capitulated to the Spanish in 1885. In the afternoon you'll cross this river several times before reaching camp.
Day 5: The route leads over narrow, barely visible trails through the "Canyon del Diablo" - the devil's canyon although lying far below you can still hear the roaring river. Lunch is in a line-cabin. The afternoon ride takes you along the Chubut River to camp.
Day 6: Through the narrow river valley you'll ride towards snow-covered peaks. In the afternoon, ride goes through the more barren gravel landscape. Camp is at a small mountain creek surrounded by the bizarre jagged peaks of the Serrucha Mountain chain.
Day 7: The trail leads you higher and higher into the mountains. On the ridge you'll be rewarded for the effort with a breathtaking view: Snow-covered peaks in gleaming sunlight wherever you look! It's hard to believe that you can climb that high on a horse. You'll make your way down on goat trails.  In the afternoon you'll ride to camp through rolling hills. Transfer back to Bariloche with the Land Rover. Dinner and overnight at a local hotel in Bariloche.
Day 8: Departure after breakfast.