Ride above the Clouds

This is one of our many horse riding adventures in Argentina. The ride takes your from semi-tropical lowlands of the Northwestern province of Tucumán up through the Cloud Forests to the sub-Andean highlands. The highlands are a fascinating region of rolling green hills – the largest of which rises to over 4,500 meters – deep gorges coated with low woodland and beautiful verdant valleys and plateaus. It is a wild region; there are no roads, no police and it is a long way from civilisation. However, unlike the Andes mountains, a surprising amount of people live in the hills. They live in much the same ways as they have done for hundreds of years and it is meeting them and passing through their lives that makes this trip so interesting.

Itinerary

Day 1

Transfer from the provincial capital of San Miguel de Tucumán to the verdant valley of Raco (40 mins). This evening there will be a chance to reorganise your bags so you can take just the bare essentials on the ride – the remainder of your luggage will be taken round by road to Hotel Guadalupe, where you end the ride.

Night at Hotel La Pedrera

Crossing the River Grande before heading up into the hills.

Day 2

Around 8:30 am we’ll head out to meet our horses and guide, Nicolas. The ride will start in the sub-tropical forests, known as the cloud forests or Las Yungas. We’ll ride along beside the Grande River before crossing and slowly climbing up into the mountains, gradually leaving the forests behind.

The highlands of Tucumán are a fascinating region of rolling green hills, the largest of which rise to over 4,500 meters, deep gorges coated with low woodland and beautiful verdant valleys and plateaus. It is a wild region; there are no roads, no police and it is a long way from civilization. However, unlike the Andes for example, a surprising amount of people life in the hills. They live in much the same ways as they have done for hundreds of years and it is meeting them and passing through their lives that makes this trip so interesting. (Riding time: 8 hrs)

Night in a mountain refuge near the village of Anfama

The mountain village of Anfama.

Day 3

Today you’ll ride through the highlands to San José de Chaquivil, where the mountain lodge of Las Queñuas lies. (Riding time: 4 hrs)

Queñuas is a mountain lodge built from the main house of an old ranch and though it is rustic, considering it’s location, it is very comfortable.

In the afternoon there’ll be a chance to ride round to explore the hills that surround the lodge.

Night at Las Queñuas Lodge

Arriving at Las Queñuas Lodge.

Day 4

Today we’ll climb to the highest point of the ride, to a mountain plateau now as La Cienega, 2,600 meters above sea level. (Riding time: 8 hrs)

Night at mountain refuge

Riding to La Cienega.

Day 5

The final day of your horse riding adventures will take you to, edge of the plateau and down a zig-zag path to the mountain town of Tafí del Valle. The day’s ride has some fantastic views of the Tafí valley. (Riding time: 4 hrs)

Night at Hotel Guadelupe

End of trip

Price

• Price includes – All food & beverages (excluding alcoholic drinks). All activities mentioned in the itinerary. All accommodation: at the lodges and refuges in double or more rooms – please enquire if you require single accommodation. All local tax.
• Price does not include  – Sleeping bags and other personal camping equipment . International flights to Argentina. Transport to Salta. Personal medical insurance (compulsory). Any visa fees and extras such as tips, laundry etc.

Prices are quoted in US dollars. 

Notes

• Riding level: Intermediate. The ride will be mainly walking, however you will occasionally be going along high drops, crossing rivers and spending long hours in the saddle so it is important you are a confident and enthusiastic rider.
• As are all of our horse riding adventures, this ride is guided by bilingual guides who are trained in first aid and will be carrying satellite phones – for emergency use only.

This program is an example of one of many programs we organize round Argentina. All are trips are tailor-made and we can adapt all our programs to your specific needs. And, if you would like help organizing transport, accommodation or any other activity in any other part of the country we would be very happy to help.