The Pionner Trail
Multi day horse back rides and Pack horse supported hiking.
Challenging. For people with some riding experience
Lodging in mobile camps
3500 US$ (all inclusive)
November through March.
Highlights
Patagonia (and most recently the Aysen region), was
explored and developed on horses. It is only in the last 5 years that
the last two continental towns in the region have road access.
One of the legacies of this recent history is a network of horse trails
linking the villages, farms and valleys. Horses continue to be the main
form of transportation away from the one main road in the region. The
longest of these trails is the old trade route between Cochrane and Villa
O`Higgins around the imposing bulk of the San Lorenzo mountains and on
through some of the most remote and spectacular glacial valleys in the
region. For a few hours the route enters Argentina via the infamous Pick
axe pass before descending back into Chile alongside the waters of the
Bravo river.
This is a route for pioneering spirits who have a sense of adventure and
Wild West romanticism in a place where -gaucho- (Patagonian cowboy) culture
is still alive and kicking. The example given below is one of several
routes that can be combined. Contact us for further ideas or make your
own suggestion and we will make it happen. Our longest horse trip to date
is 4 months travelling from Futaleufu to Villa O`Higgins!
Day 1
After meeting your guide in Balmaceda we travel south under Cerro Castillo
to the lake side town of Puerto Tranquilo for a night at the Puesto hotel.
Day 2
Drive through Puerto Bertrand, follow the Baker river to Cochrane. Lunch,
continue south to San Lorenzo Base Camp.
Day 3 to 11
This route takes us along incredible pathways cut by the first pioneers
of the region in some of the most outstanding scenery. Highlights include
the pick axe pass, the tomb campsite, the emerald green lakes, the hanging
glaciers and above all the companionship shared between horses and riders
as we begin to understand the animals and let them lead us. This is a
unique trail and a superb way to travel. There is plenty of opportunity
to work along side -gauchos- and we will be welcomed into the homesteads
along the way.
Day 12
One option is to ride right into town and tie up your horse, for the last
time, outside the hotel or for a less dramatic arrival we leave the horses
on the ranch and drive into town. Either way, arriving is good!
Day 13
Return is by Charter flight over our route and part of the northern ice
cap to arrive in Balmaceda in time for connecting flights to Santiago.
|
