Maps by Google Maps. Click to enlarge
Junin de los Andes is the closest town to Estancia Huechahue, however Osorno, in Chile is the closest town marked on Google maps. Please contact us for more information.
Ride World Wide
Riding holidays and horse safaris
South America ~ Argentina ~ Patagonia
Family owned estancias - large farms and estates - some of which were established as far back as the 17th Century, have long been the backbone of Argentine country life. Today, as well as farming, many estancias open their doors to guests and a stay at one of these is a wonderful opportunity to experience Argentina’s traditional way of living, as well as its lovely countryside, fantastic horses and warm hospitality.
Estancia Huechahue, which is in the Northern Patagonian Lake District about 1000 miles south of Buenos Aires, has earned a much deserved reputation as one of the best estancias for anyone wishing to ride. It is friendly, informal and wonderfully flexible and is also situated in one of the most scenically beautiful parts of the country. A typical itinerary at Huechahue will include a few days staying at the comfortable estancia, riding out each day through the vast Patagonian landscape of flat topped hills and huge open plains, visiting Indian burial caves that lie hidden amongst ancient rock formations or following rivers and streams that twist through rocky canyons. You might stop to watch condors soaring on the thermals, armadillo scuttling between the rocks and guanaco and red deer grazing on the plains, or visit the local Indian reservation where most of the tack is made. After a few days at the estancia, another option is to join a trip into the neighbouring Lanin National Park, exploring its fantastic landscape of snow capped volcanoes, crystal clear lakes and ancient monkey puzzle forest, or perhaps riding on past Lanin to the Chilean Border. During this part of your stay you camp out at night with all your gear carried by pack horse and meals eaten gaucho-style around a blazing log fire. After all that, for a rest from riding, there are wonderful opportunities to fish, swim, raft down the river and simply relax! There is also plenty of cattle work at the estancia, helping gauchos round up cattle and in September, joining them for the Gaucho Cattle Cutting Competition week. Other weeks are designated to families or wild boar hunts.
Some set departures are arranged each year and other dates / lengths of stay can be arranged to suit on request. Please contact us to discuss dates.
Riding: 4-6 hours a day or tailored to suit at the estancia.
Horses: Criollo cross.
Pace: moderate and varied; good chances to canter though generally slower going on camping trips.
Riding ability: confident novice to experienced riders.
Weight limit: about 95kg (15 stone) but please contact us to discuss if you are 90kgs (14st 2lbs) or over.
Accommodation: comfortable homestead/lodge (estancia), simple 2∆ camps (optional).
Group size: max 12 (usually 10 on camping trips).
For Estancia Huechahue testimonials click here
The horses are mostly Criollo (the local Argentine breed) and Anglo-Normand crosses. They are between 15hh and 16hh, and, having been bred and trained locally for working cattle, are strong and sensible yet also extremely responsive, athletic and forward going, so a real pleasure to ride. They are ridden western style and are used to neck reining. Saddles are Argentinean style, similar to a western or Maclellan style army saddle, with a comfortable sheepskin on top. The Estancia takes a maximum of 12 guests. Camping trips are usually for a maximum of 10 guests.
Hours: There is usually between 4 and 6 hours riding a day with breaks for rests and lunch, although hours are flexible. You have the option during a stay of spending a few days on a progressive ride through the Lanin National Park, camping at night. The National Park is a World Heritage Wilderness Area and surrounds the spectacular Lanin volcano.
Pace and experience required: Estancia Huechahue is a great choice for riders of various ability levels. As a minimum you must have some previous riding experience and be fairly fit. There are fun, forward going horses for experienced riders but also sensible, steady schoolmasters for the less experienced. Riding hours and the pace can be varied to suit with lots of opportunities for fast going although, on the whole, rides through the National Park are at a slower pace due to the terrain.
Accommodation is in eight twin-bedded guest rooms in three purpose built lodges set in the grounds of the main house, each with their own en-suite tiled bathroom. Meals are eaten in the dining room of the main house which is modern and comfortable. When riding in the remote areas of the National Park there is no option but to camp. The gauchos set up simple camps with two man dome tents, sleeping bags and mats supplied - although many people choose to sleep out under the star filled sky. Meals when camping are prepared for you and eaten around the camp fire seated on the floor or on sheepskins; washing is in the open air (no facilities).
| Rates 2010 |
Estancia based stays & camping trips Prices are quoted in US dollars as the ride prices in Argentina are set in this currency. Payments to us can of course be made in pounds sterling if you wish and we can give you a sterling rate at the time of booking. |
| Dates 2010 | The estancia is open for guests between late September and early April each year and dates are arranged to suit; camping trips in the Lanin National Park, Magdelena Valley and to the Chilean Border and Estancia to Estancia Rides are run for a minimum of 4 guests between November and March with some dates pre-set and others arranged on request - please contact us for details. Aparte Campero Week (Gaucho Cattle Cutting Competition) 19th to 26th September 2010 Half Term Family Week 23rd to 29th October 2010 Wild Boar Hunt 23rd to 30th April 2011 Across the Continent Ride 12th March to 2nd April 2011 |
| Season | October to early April (camping possible November to March only) |
The meeting point for the rides is Chapelco airport at San Martin de los Andes, the closest airport to the Estancia. You need to fly to Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, then take an internal flight to Chapelco airport . You can also fly internally to Bariloche and transfers can be arranged from there at an extra charge (or are included in some ride programs). For flights from London budget around £700 to £850 economy return (varies with season and availability).
| Day 1 | You will be met at San Martin de los Andes and driven to Estancia Huechahue. Lunch or tea when you arrive then meet the horses and a short afternoon ride to try them and the Argentinian tack, returning to the Estancia for dinner and the night. |
| Day 2 | Breakfast, then set off on a full day ride to explore the Estancia, stopping for a typical 'asado' barbecue lunch out riding. In the late afternoon return to the Estancia for dinner and the night. |
| Day 3 | A full day ride to visit some Indian burial caves, stopping for a picnic lunch by the river. Return to the Estancia for dinner and the night, with a chance to fish in the evening if you wish. |
| Days 4-6 | Set off on a 3 day ride into the Lanin National Park, spending 2 nights camping out, with camp set up by lakes and rivers and all equipment taken with you on pack horses. The ride takes you through southern beech and monkey puzzle forests with spectacular views of Lanin Volcano, returning to the Estancia for dinner and the night on day 6. |
| Day 7 |
Breakfast and ride into the neighbouring Indian reserve where much of the tack is made. There may be some bartering to do before drinking 'mate' with one of the families on the reserve. Then a picnic lunch by the river before riding back to estancia for dinner and the night. |
| Day 8 |
Breakfast and a farewell ride before transferring to San Martin de los Andes for your onward flight. |
| Contact us on 01837 82544 for further information, detailed itineraries, dates and if you have any questions. |
South America
Argentina - Patagonia
Argentina - Cordoba
Argentina - Corrientes
Argentina to Chile
Chile - Andes
Chile - Patagonia
Ecuador
Mexico
Peru
Uruguay
