Crossing the Andes on horseback from Argentina to Chile

By: Nestor Imberti Posted: 17/07/2020

Crossing the Andes mountain range represents a hard and long journey with a striking natural beauty that places us in the midst of immensity itself.

It is considered more than a horseback vacation. It is a wonderful and unique horseback riding expedition with major challenges.

It is the vision of the snow-capped mountains, the valleys, rivers and waterfalls.

Alone in the middle of this immense mountain range, we come face to face with inclement weather and everything that is in front of us.

Words can hardly explain how we feel within that solitary scene of profound beauty as we ride across the Andes.

The challenge of crossing the Andes on horseback

The Andes are a mix of adventure and effort; beauty, solitude and magnificence. You will see what it means to spend 6 or 7 nights sleeping outdoors or in tents, riding your horse up to 7 hours a day on some occasions, withstanding harsh weather conditions and appreciating the true value of horses in such circumstances.

You will also understand what the Argentine national hero, General José de San Martin, must have felt when he crossed the Andes with his army to start one of the most important emancipating feats in America.

Miracle of the Andes

It should be recalled that, in these mountains, there was a plane crash in October 1972. The flight was carrying the young members of a Uruguayan rugby team.

Some of them survived the impact, the frigid temperatures, the subsequent deaths and the snow avalanches. They were lost for more than 72 days without being found, and search efforts were cancelled after eight days. However, three of them managed to leave the mountain through a valley and make contact with civilization.

This episode, known as The Miracle of the Andes, is one of those most shocking and moving survival examples of all time.

Horseback expedition

All that was said is the Andes Mountain Range, and to cross it on horseback, with the security provided by the suppliers of these services, is and will certainly be an experience that you will never forget.

For all the challenges that this horseback ride across the Andes can present to riders, these equestrian routes can be defined as HORSEBACK EXPEDITIONS.

In this article, you will learn some facts about the historic crossing whose main protagonist was General José de San Martín. Here, you can also find information about the places where you can cross the mountain range. In addition, we provide information on the companies offering this service, which we consider the best.

The crossing of the Andes in history

At the beginning of the expedition, we cannot leave history aside. Argentinians and foreigners alike can relive that important feat when crossing the Andes because, as soon as they arrive, the guides and coordinators of the different suppliers make them aware that they are about to achieve that heroic deed again. This time with more comforts than José de San Martín.

San Martin has been recognized in universal history, and his military skill as a strategist is a subject of study in all the military academies around the world.

The army that would cross the Andes, to start the military campaign that would consolidate the independence of Argentina and liberate Chile and Peru was ready to start the crossing on January 12, 1817, towards Chile. After more than 800 km and approximately 25 days, the army reached Chile on February 5, 1817.

San Martín separated his forces into two wings, one under Miguel Estanislao Soler and O’Higgins, who would travel across Paso de los Patos (the Ducks Pass), and the other troop, led by Juan Gregorio de Las Heras, travelled through Paso de Uspallata (another mountain pass), with the bulk of heavy artillery, which could not be carried through Los Patos.

Both divisions totalled 3,500 soldiers, 100 baqueanos (local muleteers), 1,600 horses, 10,000 pack mules and 600 cows that would provide them with meat.

This, in addition to all the military and logistical equipment that they had to carry with them, gives us an idea of the magnitude of this heroic deed and the difficulties experienced along the way.

As an example of this, suffice to say that half of the horses and 3,800 mules made it to Chile, that is, only 38% of those that departed. These two facts show how hard the crossing was.

As for the equipment and the food they had, we will mention some figures: 22 cannons, 1,129 sabres, 5,000 rifles with bayonets and guns (which only high-ranking officers could have), 40 tons of charqui (jerked beef), maize cakes, wine and boiling water to withstand cold weather.

Thanks to these numbers, we can understand the importance of this feat, the effort they made and the logistics they had. On top of what was mentioned, we would add that they also carried howitzers, grenades, shrapnel and ammunition, rifle cartridges, tents, fodder for horses and mules, etc.

Of course, for those riders that want to make this extraordinary journey, the experience will be much more comfortable than that of 1817, but no less exciting.

Most of the programs offered by the suppliers of this adventure follow the same itinerary used by the Army of the Andes, traveling across the mountain range via the same mountain passes that San Martín’s soldiers once saw.

The mountain passes to cross the Andes mountains

There are different mountain passes where you can cross the Andes Mountain Range on horseback.

Every horseback riding program offered begins in Mendoza. This city is well known worldwide, not only for the beautiful mountains and valleys that surround it, but also for its main economic activity: wine production. A wine tour is a very interesting option to visit its wineries.

Mendoza is located in western Argentina, at the foot of the Andes Mountains, 1,098 km from the city of Buenos Aires (capital of Argentina). You can travel by car in 13 hours on National Route 7.

There are three flights from the city of Buenos Aires, in addition to other flights from destinations such as Córdoba and Neuquén in Argentina, Sao Paulo in Brazil and Santiago de Chile.

The places you visit during this Horseback Riding experience across the Andes Mountains are linked to the historic places where San Martín led his army. It could be said that those places are 6:

1. The route known as “Los Patos” (the Ducks).
2. The route called “Uspallata and the valley of the Mendoza River”.
3. The route via “Talacasto, Pismanta” and across the “Gauna” mountain pass.
4. The crossing through the “Come-Caballos” pass.
5. The route via “El Portillo” and the crossing through “Piuquenes”.
6. Via the “Planchón” mountain pass.

Most suppliers offering this horseback expedition in the Andes have different programs that travel across these 6 mountain passes. The ones we will list in this article provide very professional and safe services as well as an unforgettable experience.

For the crossing, there are different options ranging from 7 to 11 days.

Not all programs cross the border into Chile. Some do and we believe it is the best option, because during the descent on the Chilean, the landscape is stunning.

Other very interesting programs also reach the border between Argentina and Chile, which is the highest point of the ride and there you descend again, but on the Argentine side.

Finally, these suppliers also offer other horseback tours that explore the valleys and the precordillera (foothills) on the Argentine side and around Mendoza. These programs are also very interesting, but they last no more than 4 days. One of them, probably the most important, is the trip to the place where the plane carrying the Uruguayan rugby team crashed in 1972.

Thanks to our market knowledge and the references from many people who have made this HORSEBACK EXPEDITION (the crossing of the Andes), we can safely say that the four best suppliers of these services are: Ampascachi Horse Riding Holidays, Trekking Travel, Mountain Horsemen and Horseback Riding.

Suppliers and programs for the crossing of the Andes on horseback

Ampascachi Horse Riding Holidays

Ampascachi Horse Riding Holidays features the tour the Andes Mountains on Horseback from Argentina to Chile, which combines adventure, unique routes and exceptional landscapes.

Riders will arrive in the charming city of Mendoza, where they can rest and recover from the flight, and visit its parks. On the other hand, they will enjoy an Argentine folk music and tango show that travels around the country with the performance of local artists.

Before embarking on the horseback ride, you have other optional activities. You can visit the small town of Barreal or go for a hike in the nearby national parks such as the Leoncito Park.

This horse riding trip brings out the adventurer in us, as we are faced with the challenge of crossing these great mountains from Argentina to Chile on horseback. We will experience strong emotions and navigate through changing weather conditions, while crossing rivers and climbing high mountains.

The horseback adventure begins in Las Hornillas, located at the foot of the Andes in the province of San Juan Argentina). From there, we head towards the border with Chile and we will stay 2 and a half days on the Chilean side, against a backdrop of breathtaking landscapes until we reach Los Patos.

On this journey, we have two types of horses: on the Argentine side, we will ride Peruvian horses, which are known for their smooth ride and their ability to travel long distances without tiding the rider.

Once on the border with Chile, we must change horses due to sanitary regulations. There, you will have the opportunity to ride the magnificent Chilean Criollo horses.

We invite you to see the details of this tour, the Andes Mountains on Horseback from Argentina to Chile (10 days and 9 nights), designed for adventurous riders.

Trekking Travel

Trekking Travel is the supplier that has the most options to experience horseback riding in the Andes. They also offer excellent horseback tours in the areas surrounding Mendoza, which vary in length from 1 to 4 days.

A very important fact about this supplier is that they have their own horses, which are very well kept and trained for a safe and reliable service, especially during the crossing of the Andes.

The scheduled routes have everything: beautiful landscapes and exhilarating rides in this impressive mountain range, reliving the historic feat.

Some of the programs they offer include the crossing of the Andes on horseback into the Chilean side and others that reach the border between the two countries and descend on the Argentine side again. We would like to highlight these three programs:

• Crossing of the Andes via Paso Piuquenes, 6 days that include the Chilean side.
• Crossing of the Andes via Valle de los Patos. You have a 10-day option, returning on the Argentine side, or an 11-day option, where you cross over to Chile.
• Paso del Planchón is an 8-day expedition that takes place on the Argentine side.

The Trekking Travel team, led by Pablo Alejandro Champagna, will make you live a wonderful experience thanks to these programs.

For further information about these programs and their general conditions, go to the company’s website: www.trekking-travel.com.ar

Cabalgatas Cordilleranas

Cabalgatas Cordilleranas is run by Javier Mauricio Vargas, who pays attention to every detail when organising the logistics of each program. He works with his muleteers, Nino, Ramiro, Cesar and Jorge. These expert horsemen know the mountains perfectly well. They offer a professional and personalised service to live unique emotions. This challenging ride across the Andes, framed by an immensity of multi-coloured landscapes, is an unforgettable adventure.

Of the many interesting programs that Cabalgatas Cordilleranas has, we will know describe two:

• Crossing of the Andes – Paso Piuquenes. In this program, you reach the border with Chile and the descent is on the Argentine side and lasts for 7 days. This program does not have an optional descent on the Chilean side.
• Ride to the Uruguayan Plane. It is a very attractive and exciting program because it takes us to Valle de las Lágrimas (Valley of the Tears), very close to the border with Chile, where you can see the wreckage of the aircraft that crashed in 1972. It’s the best tribute we could pay to the victims and the brave survivors. It has a duration of 4 days.

Cabalgatas Cordilleranas has several more programs with different durations that offer many horseback riding possibilities to live this natural experience in a safe way.

For more information about the programs, go to their website: http://cordilleranas.com.ar

Cabalgatas del Alma

This is an important horse riding holiday supplier in the Andes. Diego Díaz Guiñazu, the manager of this equestrian tourism company and the person in charge of organising the tours, knows every corner of these valleys very well since he began to explore the Andes foothills with his father when he was nine.

For more than 20 years, he has offered Equestrian Tourism trips across the Andes and other horseback expeditions. His base, a family-owned estancia, is in Tunuyán, Los Arboles district (Mendoza). From there, he organises all his treks.

The ride takes you to the border with Chile, in Paso Piuquenes at 4,000 meters above sea level, after crossing Paso Portillo, on the Argentine side.

In the expeditions, he uses only his own horses, which are responsive and well trained. Thus, they can perfectly adapt to different riders and, during the crossing, safety is guaranteed.

This fact is very important in this kind of services.

Cabalgatas del Alma is a company characterised by its professionalism and personalised customer service. It certainly lives up to its name: "Cabalgatas del Alma" (Rides of the Soul).

They have two main programs to do horseback riding in the Andes:

• Crossing of the Andes. It is a 6-day program that reaches the border with Chile and descends on the Argentine side. You will also explore Cerro Mesón, in San Juan (5,500 meters above sea level) and an ice wall of great proportions.
• High Altitude Riding. This 3-day tour starts at Guiñazu’s estancia and takes us to Real de Dr. Scarabelli, Portillo Argentino. It's a short but intense adventure.

Cabalgatas del Alma offers other programs and activities that are fully described on the website: http://cabalgatasdelalma.com.ar

The gear you need for the expedition

Regarding this subject, we will say that each company providing the service has its own list of items and equipment. Therefore, travellers should check with the company they hire to know exactly what to bring for the trip.

I must point out that none of the companies we have mentioned above require a riding helmet. However, I strongly recommend wearing a helmet, at least while riding. It is important to comply with this security measure, which is required by most insurance companies and regulations around the world as an indispensable element, among other things, for a safe ride.

Equipment list for the expedition

For the head and neck

• Sunhat (riding helmet): with chin strap to make sure it doesn't come off.
• Sun glasses: side-closed and with cord attached so they don’t fly off when riding.
• Scarf: made of yarn or cotton to protect the neck. It could be a tube scarf.

For the upper body

• Short-sleeved T-shirt: it is not for riding!
• Long-sleeved T-shirts or shirts: to protect us from the sun during the rides. Light colours. Synthetic materials are preferable since they dry up faster (sweat or rain).
• Down jacket: for the cold nights and snow.
• Lightweight coat: a pullover or polar fleece jumper.
• Warm jacket: preferably light and waterproof.
• Windbreaker: light, you can use the same waterproof jacket.
• Rain gear: preferably trousers and jacket with hood.

Legs

• Comfortable trousers: take 2 pairs. We recommend lightweight, baggy trousers or jodhpurs, and warm underpants. Do not wear jeans because they rub and don’t keep you warm.
• Comfortable underwear: preferably cotton underwear with thin seams.
• Riding gaiters.

Feet and hands

• Gloves: for riding. Don’t bring work gloves.
• Socks: made of cotton or yarn. Or technical ski socks.
• Footwear: resistant (trekking shoes). We don’t recommend laced boots because they are not very comfortable with certain stirrups.
• Other footwear: comfortable lightweight shoes or trainers for the evenings.

Equipment

• Sleeping bag: we recommend a comfort rating of at least -10°. Don’t bring a basic camping bag.
• Ski mask: for the night.
• Water bottle or “Camelbak” : or technical bottle for this purpose. Guarantee 2 litres of water. We don’t recommend plastic bottles.
• Medication: take into account the amount you will need for the duration of the Expedition.
• Sunscreen (+30) : and lip balm (Not cocoa butter).
• Eye drops: for people who are sensitive or allergic to dust.
• Torch: head torch or small torch and spare batteries.
• Personal hygiene items: wet wipes, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap and soap case, bath towel (small/large), and toilet paper. We recommend wet wipes for both physiological and grooming purposes.
• ID or Passport.

We hope you find this information useful.
If you choose to participate in the Crossing of the Andes on horseback, you will enrich your life with a great and unforgettable experience.

Any questions?

We are here to help you and answer your questions.

/ Photos: http://www.trekking-travel.com.ar, http://www.cordilleranas.com.ar and http://cabalgatasdelalma.com.ar /

Do you like Argentina as your next horse riding holiday destination?

We encourage you to download the catalog of our horseback riding tours in Northern, Central and Western Argentina. Discover Argentina on the back of a Peruvian horse and with our team of equestrian tourism experts.

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