Picked up at San Juan bus station for a 3 hour ride to Barreal in two vehicles the first day. Group Meeting. Nice hotel with a great view and a pool. Two rooms, 5 girls in one with two bedrooms. Two beds in one, three in the other. Very comfortable. Boys in other room.
Day 2 stunning thrilling 3 hour drive to start of ride. Mounted up for a three hour ride to first campsite.
Every day started about 9 am riding 6-9 hours a day. Potty stops in morning and afternoon and a lunch stop. Scenery was mesmerizing every day. Set up camp and tents, then a 'snack' then dinner after 9pm. In January light until after 9pm. Gauchos got your horses saddled, and unsaddled at end of day.
Plan for WIND!
Most stunning thrilling exciting week ever!
Absolutely the best trip ever! Andes mountains were stunning! breathtaking views every day. We were not cold as we dressed properly, and overpacked a bit. People were extremely nice and helpful, staff and other guests. As staff spoke spanish, and our guide Cristian a very little english, we were fortunate to have three guests from Argentina that spoke good english and translated for us.
Horses were amazing, strong, safe and comfortable. I would go back in a minute, even with notes below!
Food was good at times, and not so great others. We had delicious spaghetti and soup dinners, and fresh goat that I was told was delicious. I don't eat much meat so went vegetarian, and Our leader only got that memo a few days prior to our ride. Breakfast was old bread, and if you asked jam, every day. Snack once we returned to camp was the same bread and jam. Lunch on trail three days was great, picnic blanket and all: ham and cheese slices, with old bread, and tomatoes/olives/peanuts. Other days a sandwich with a meat mix, I got corn one day and a can of tuna another. It worked for me, but plan ahead, I would bring breakfast bars, snacks for day, instant soup and hot chocolate next time.
Stirrups are very narrow, plan for shoes that will be warm and are narrow!