Crossing the Andes Chile into Argentina + riding the Volcano, Crater and Glacier

11 day tent camp/cabins/mountain lodge horseback riding adventure

Combining the three main landscapes of the northern Patagonia: lush virgin rainforests, the glacier world of Sollipulli Volcano and the open wide high planes of Argentina. Cross the Andes with us plus ride to the crater of Sollipulli Volcano and get the best of two worlds and two historic horse cultures!
From the snow-capped volcanoes of the Chilean Andes and the majestic crater of the dormant Sollipulli through a pass in Icalma, to the open valleys of the Argentinean pampas, we'll explore and witness the landscape transition as we ride. Encounter smoking volcanoes, a deep blue glacier, snowy peaks, deep blue mountain lakes, and dense, towering rainforests during this once in a lifetime experience.
On the Chilean side we'll experience steep mountains and endless virgin rainforests as well as the breathtaking high Andes with stunning views on our low, sturdy Chilean Criollo horses. Crossing the border, we'll witness the unique Argentinean gaucho lifestyle, the vast plains, and the dramatic cliffs where we can admire the majestic Patagonian condor.
Join us for this unique adventure!

Riders on horseback on the slope of Sollipulli volcano

Itinerary trail ride

Pick up in Pucon at 1.00 pm or Temuco airport at 3.00pm , welcome to the farm. Time to get to know the horses, tack and equipment, and to get settled. We enjoy dinner at the ranch house.

We take an initial ride through the Quelhue mountains and along Liucura River to evaluate your riding experience, get familiar with the saddle and tack and determine which horses to take on our great adventure. Lunch at Antilco, time to pack the saddlebags. In the evening we ride to our first camp at Renahue.

We cross the first of three mountain ranges on our trail towards Argentina. At night we camp beside the natural hot springs in Rio Blanco Valley. We ride virgin rainforests and dense stands of Coighue trees and bamboo and along the slopes of Sollipulli volcano, overnights in a tent camp at a farm in the Mapuche Indian comunity Flor del Valle and in the mountain lodge “Nevados de Sollipulli”.

On rocky slopes we ride to the top of Sollipulli volcano, reaching its 2.5 miles wide crater filled with a 660 feet deep glacier. We return to “Nevados de Sollipulli” lodge for another night and a relaxing bath in the hot tubs.
We cross the last range in Chile, return to civilization riding through the small Mapuche settlement of Icalma where we stay overnight at a beautiful cabin on the lake-shore. Here we meet the supply truck that brings our luggage bag for the next days in Argentina.
We arrange custom formalities with the Chilean border control and ride into the the last mountain that seperates us from Argentina. Here, right on the continental watershed that defines the border with Argentina we say goodby to our Chilean horses and the guides that led us to this magnificent place. We walk 20 meters on foot and meet Hernan and his wonderful Argentinean horses that will carry us through the unique world of the Argentinean Andes for the next three days.
On the following days we ride the valleys and cliffs of Argentina, watch condors pass us by,meet shepherds with their herds of cattle or goats and enjoy amazing views over the endless wide open spaces of this uninhabited part of the world. On the evening of day 10 we reach the outpost were Hernan lives with his horses and which marks the end of our journey. We celebrate the end of the trek with a typical Argentinean barbecue while recounting our adventures from the past week and sharing our impressions of this experience of a lifetime.
After breakfast we transfer back to Chile. We can bring you to Temuco city (1.00 pm) or Temuco airport (1.30 pm) or Pucon (3.30 pm).

At one glance

  • Crossing the Andes + Crater and Glacier

    11 Days
  • Arrival day, pick-up at Temuco airport or Pucón
  • 10 days of riding
  • 4 nights in tent camps
  • 3 nights in cabins
  • 2 nights in mountain lodge
  • 1 night besides natural hot springs
  • 2 nights with hot tubs
  • Luggage in Chile on packhorse - on acompanying truck in Argentina
  • incl. all material from spoon to tent
  • 2 -8 riders
  • Including all entrance fees, taxes... - no aditional costs
  • Tips -not mandatory- are not included
  • Download complete itinery and facts
  • BOOK

Crossing the Andes on Horseback

Enjoy a documentary filmed by German National TV about our expedition to Sollipulli Volcano, our Chile - Argentina ride and life on our ranch.

Our most valuable partners

Enjoy some impressions of our horses: the morning on the paddock, out riding and finishing the evening on their mountain pasture. A video by our guide Lotte.

Camera and editing: Annelotte Medema. Drone-takes by Hannes Häfner. Check more movies and videos from Lotte at YouTube and at www.annemedemafilm.com

How do our guests see the rides

Please check at our testimonial section, the press releases or Trip Advisor for most recent reviews on our trail-rides

Placeholder imageWe are proud winners of the 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 Trip Advisor Excellence Award.

#2 of 24 Outdoor Activities in Pucon

Placeholder image"A Highlight of our RTW Trip”

Reviewed 8 August 2015, 2016 und 2017 Msmarits

Thanks for arranging that fantastic ride for us, it truly was a trip of a lifetime.

Lindy and Ron Echlin [ronechlin1@gmail.com]

It has been one of the best experiences of my life, and I will certainly be returning some time.

Sarah Barford [menorcaonhorseback@hotmail.com]