Rio Negro Ride

Introduction
Northern Patagonia Argentina

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.

Accomodation

Along the trail we sleep in our tents for two people (riders must bring their sleeping-bags). We also provide the meals (meat, vegetables, fruit, eggs, cheese, bread, coffee and tea, wine and juice) and the kitchen gear.

Riding

The horses are "criollos", a native breed adapted to the rough mountain countryside. Saddles are typical too, with a sheep skin on top, for better comfort.

Itinerary

Day 1  Pick up from your hotel in the morning and transfer to the Nirihuau River camp. Get acquainted 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 2: 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 3: 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 4: 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 5: 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 6: 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. End of services.

Rates and Dates for Rio Negro Ride

Dates Note: more dates available on request with 2 or 3 riders. longer trips can be arranged
Looking for more riders on Nov 23 to 28 2009 trip !!

Other Info
Meeting: Bariloche aiprort
Airport: Bariloche
Transfer: from Bariloche

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.

While the summer months (Dec-Feb) tend to have warm days, the nights can get quite chilly, so it is best to bring along a few items to keep warm. However, Pack space is limited so try to keep your overall load as light as possible.