# 705 - ACROSS THE ANDES BY HORSEBACK (MENDOZA) - 10 days / Paso de los Patos, the Route of General San Martín

BRIEF DESCRIPTION:
An adventure that includes the beauty and majestic tranquility of the Andes mountains, where you are constantly experiencing new emotions. Just being a part of this expedition, you will find yourself horseback riding through unimaginably beautiful countrysides, and then arriving in Chile by the same route that General San Martín took to liberate the country in the early nineteenth century. There is no doubt that you will appreciate the amazing adventure in which you will soon take part. Lace up those hiking boots, cause we invite you to start the trail today.

ITINERARY

Day 01: Mendoza
Drive airport / Hotel. Lodging in a hotel in Mendoza. City Tour. Checking of the equipment with the tour Guides. Welcome dinner.

Day 02: Mendoza / Barreal / Hornillas.
Breakfast and transfer to Barrel (San Juan) to make the transportation plans. Transfer to Las Hornillas, camp and dinner.

Day 03: Hornillas / Peñón.
Breakfast, enlistment of the mules and horses to start with the horseback, lasting almost 6 hours. Arriving to El Peñón, where we are going to camp (It is 10496 feet above sea level), pitch the tents and have dinner. Since this moments, in the following camps the whole group will help with the different tasks of camping (pitching the tents, looking for water, etc.) Starting with the first day of horseback riding, the breakfasts will be more filling, the lunches lighter, and the dinners will be hot and complete.

Day 04: Peñón / Espinacito.
Breakfast. Beginning of one of the hardest part of our expedition. Ascent to the Cordón del Espinacito (14760 feet above the sea level). At sunset, we will arrive to the zone where we are going to stay during the night. Assemble of the tents and dinner.

Day 05: Espinacito / Sardinas mountain lodge.
Breakfast. Walking around and going to Los Patos valley. Assemble of the tents besides the river, near the Lodging of the National police "Ingeniero Sardinas". Bonfire and Dinner.

Day 06: Rest Day in "Ingeniero Sardinas" lodging.
Resting day. Trekking around the valley, preparation of the bonfire, dinner and constructive talk of the history of General San Martín's crossing Los Andes mountain.

Day 07: "Ingeniero Sardinas" lodging / Camp in Chile.
Breakfast and starting of our trip to the border of Chile, arriving to the borderline and crossing it. Descent to the costume Police of Chile following the Rocim river. Costume and transportation control and arriving to the zone of camping. Assemble of tents and welcome dinner to Chile with typical food of the place.

Day 08: Camp in Chile / El Fraile.
Breakfast and descent following the Rocim river. Arriving to El Fraile, where we are going to spend our last night in tents, bonfire and dinner.

Day 09: El Fraile / Hotel in San Felipe.
Last breakfast in the mountain, take down the tents and the last of horsing to Los Patos lodging, where a mini van will be waiting to drive us to San Felipe or Los Andes. Lodging in a hotel and farewell dinner.

Day 10: San Felipe / Mendoza.
Breakfast in the hotel and transfer to Mendoza. Arriving to Mendoza and end of our expedition.

INCLUDED SERVICES
- All the transfers described in the itinerary (Mendoza to Álvarez Condarco, Los Andes or San Felipe to Mendoza)
in mini-vans.
- One night in Mendoza in a four star hotel. In double rooms and included breakfast.
- City tour.
- One guide and an assistant guide throughout the trip.
- Working paper in the customs.
- Drinks and snacks throughout the trip.
- Complete mountain gear including dishes, tables, chairs and mess tent. Tents.
- Horses, saddles and caretakers.
- Mules to transport personal gear.
- Permits.
- One night of accommodation in Chile at a three star hotel with breakfast.
- Satellite Phones
- Welcome and Farewell dinner.
- Assist card.

NOT INCLUDED SERVICES
- Drinks and other personal costs separate from what is included in the meals.
- Meals and food separate from the ones above described.
- Expenses for giving up the expedition.
- Sleeping bag and other personal gear.
- Health and life insurance.

LIST OF NEEDED MINIMUM EQUIPMENT

Feet:
- 4 pairs of thick socks for cold (sky type)
- 2 pair of comfortable trekking boots
Legs:
- 1 thick shelter pants
- 1 rainproof pants
- 1 long and comfortable pants (trekking type)
Body:
- 1 fleece jacket of alike
- 1 shelter jacket (down or synthetic)
- 1 rainproof jacket
Head:
- Sun cap or hat
- Shelter hat (wool or fleece)
- A good pair of sunglasses with UV filter
- A handkerchief for the neck
Hands:
- 1 pairs of rainproof gloves for shelter (mitten type)
Expedition gear
- 1 Sunscreen (never less than factor 20)
- Water bottle for one litter
- Sleeping mattress for high mountain
- Personal care elements
- Front lamp with extra batteries
- An stainless steel thermo of one litter or half a litter - A synthetic or duvet sleeping bag for - 5º C
- 1 comfortable backpack of 30 liters or more
- 1 big backpack to transport the personal belongings

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RIPIO TURISMO - Incoming Tour Operator Argentina & Chile- Leg. 10.687 Secretaría de Turismo de la Nación Argentina.
info@ripioturismo.com.ar

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