Argentina ~ Patagonia, Argentina Adventure with Jakob Von Plessen
Week long camp to camp rides, run from set dates in Argentina's summer months, November to February.
We absolutely love these adventurous rides organised by Argentine-raised Jakob von Plessen. A talented, very natural horseman, Jakob spent his 20s guiding riding safaris in Kenya before settling back in Argentina, where his aim has been to bring the African safari experience to the wilderness of Argentine Patagonia. The result? A wonderfully adventurous riding trip which combines professionalism and safari comforts, with intrinsically Argentine gaucho style. Rides take place about 1000km south of Buenos Aires, starting just north of the town of San Carlos de Bariloche and they explore a gorgeous, pristine part of the Argentine Lake District. The landscape is one of snow capped mountains, turquoise rivers and jewel-bright lakes. 7 night rides use a comfortable safari-inspired base camp and 3 different 'fly camps' allowing you to ride deep into the wilderness but to also enjoy a few home comforts. They are one of our absolute favourites - spectacular views and plenty of adrenalin, superb hospitality and that extra bit of style!
SUMMARY
Riding: 4-7 hours a day
Horses: locally bred Criollo and Criollo cross
Pace: moderate to slow due to terrain; slow in the mountains, some open going in valleys for canters
Riding ability: all abilities if reasonably fit; the local riding style is easy to learn and Argentine tack is comfortable for the less experienced rider but hours can be long and there's some challenging terrain so a reasonable level of fitness and some previous riding experience are required.
Weight limit: 95kg (15 stone). Please contact us if you are near the limit
Accommodation: 5* & 3* camps
Group size: maximum 8
Season: November to March
Price: 7 nights safris from USD 5600 (approx £4305) per person
HORSES & RIDING
Horses: The horses are local Criollo and Criollo crosses, some with Percheron blood. They are good natured and a sensible, responsive and enjoyable ride. Saddles are Argentine style with a comfortable sheepskin on top. The horses are ridden western style and are used to neck reining.
Hours: There is generally 4 to 7 hours riding a day, with breaks for rests and lunch.
Pace and experience required: To take part in these rides you should have a reasonable amount of riding experience and a good level of general fitness. You should be comfortable and in control at a walk, trot and canter, and used to riding in open, varied country. You should also have a good head for heights! Experienced riders will have fun riding over interesting, varied terrain. The horses include sensible, steady schoolmasters so less experienced riders who are fit and adventurous, can also participate. Overall the pace varies; it is slow in the mountains but there are some open valleys and a chance to canter most days.
ACCOMMODATION
During a 7 night Patagonian Adventure, 4 nights are at a comfortable 'base camp' with walk-in safari tents each with its own en-suite shower-room and loo and proper beds made up with duvets and pillows; 1 or 2 nights are in more simple 'fly camps' using small 2 man tetns and sleeping bags (provided) and one night is at another comfortable camp near the shores of lake Traful. Single accommodation is not generally possible. Meals are prepared for you, often 'asados' - traditional gaucho style barbecues - of delicious Argentine beef or lamb, washed down with good local red wine.
RATES & DATES
|
Rates 2021-2022 |
RATES (valid to March 2022) |
|
Dates 2021-2022 |
Patagonia Adventure |
Averagte temperature guide
ITINERARY
| Itinerary in brief - 7 nights Patagonia Adventure | |
| Day 1 | [Morning flight south to the Argentine Lake District]. Met on arrival ni Bariloche and driven to Lago Faulkner. Meet the horses and ride about 2 hours to base camp. Dinner at base camp in the Filo Huahum valley. |
| Day 2 | Breakfast and head off to explore the Filo Huahum valley and shores of the lake returning to base for a delicious Argentine style asado (barbecue) lunch. In the afternoon head to another lake in the hills, returning to base camp for drinks, dinner and the night. |
| Days 3 | Breakfast and load pack horses with equipment for one night, then head off riding through Nahuel Huapi National Park. A long and exciting day, riding the spectacular Pass of Tears, then the night at a fly camp high in the Andean Cordillera. |
| Day 4 |
Pack up camp and set off by a different route, with wonderful views of Buque mountain, back to base camp in the Filo Huahum valley. Dinner and night. |
| Day 5 | A relaxing day, perhaps with a morning ride helping gauchos round up horses or to visit a nearby estancia where traditional raw hide tack is made. Lunch and the afternoon to walk, swim or just relax. Convivial gaucho style dinner and night in camp |
| Day 6 | Breakfast and set off with pack horses along the lake shore then to the top of Cerro Bayo. A fly camp is set up with spectacular views over the volcanoes into Chile. |
| Day 7 | Breakfast and ride down to a homestead on the shores of Lake Traful. A delicious barbecue and night in comfortable camp at the homestead |
| Day 8 |
Breakfast and ride to the beach to meet the boat that will take you across the lake to meet your transfer to Bariloche, arriving [in time for afternoon flight to Buenos Aires]. |
| Contact us at info@rideworldwide.com or on tel (+44) (0)1837-82544 / 825440 for further information, detailed itineraries, dates and answers to questions. |
TRAVEL
The meeting point for the Patagonia Adventure is San Carlos de Bariloche in the Argentine Lake District. You will first need to fly Internationally to Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina and then take a domestic flight from there. For flights from London to Buenos Aires budget around £850 to £950 economy return (varies with season, carrier and availability). Domestic flights add approx USD 600 to Bariloche return although sometimes less if purchased in conjunction with your International flight.
