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TigerPaw Adventures
Chile
From Past to Present
THE GREAT WILDERNESS OF THE CHILEAN ANDES
This short program is merely to give you an idea of the possibilities for riders and non-riders alike to explore the incredible wilderness and biosphere of the Chilean Andes. We move through canyons, endless plains and over passes of the untouched Andes. We are encounter remotely located Chilean mountain farmers and experience unblemished nature. There is also time to relax at the fine Hacienda Los Andes, which has everything from a Jacuzzi to steam baths in the sauna, bathing in the crystal clear waters of the river or exploring beautiful mountain trails.
Day 1: At about 1:00 pm, we pick you up from Vicuna or Ovalle. It takes us two hours to the Hacienda crossing the mountainous landscape. At this outdoor lodge, discover wildly romantic places to swim, pick exotic fruit, or enjoy the valley views from under the shade of a palm tree. Our Hacienda-cooking style uses only fresh and organic ingredients. After dinner, we enjoy the rest of the day in the garden under a starlit night sky and have a glass of Chilean red wine.
Day 2: At about 9:30 am, we will prepare for exploration. Our guides acquaint you with the riding horses, the riding style and safety precautions. We set off at 10:00 am after having packed all we need for our trip into the wilderness. We pass through wild plateaus and canyons, ride the endless Sierra and enjoy a picnic lunch and an original Siesta. In the afternoon, we pass over heights of 2,000 metres (6,000 ft asl). Crystal-clear air allows magical views down the valleys of the Andes. We camp in the oasis of the Andes called Maiten. In front of a campfire, we serve the customary roast Asado-meat. Gaucho’s, gold diggers, herdsmen and mountain farmers live in this little village and we have a chance to meet these rare communities.
Notice: If you don’t wish to stay the overnight in tent, you are welcome to change, with out an additional cost to do on Day 2 and Day 3 a one – day excursion on Horseback. We will return in the evening to the Hacienda where you can spend the night in a suite.
Day 3: We continue our trip after breakfast under dates for which we have self-made bread and fresh goat’s cheese. We ride the Maiten Sierra and discover the extreme contrasts of nature. The minerals make the Sierra radiate many different hues. The green Algarobo trees, cacti as high as yourself and the calm loneliness, will fascinate you. When riding back to the Hacienda, herdsmen with their goats might cross our path. We reach the civilization of the Hacienda at 3:00 pm, in time for a bath and a rest. Dinner is served in the lawns of the hacienda.
Day 4: There is a lot of time today to continue your exploration of our little paradise. Swimming, sunbathing and hiking suits those given to idle worship. But if you want more you additionally opt for an adventurous day in the off road vehicle or again in the saddle. At 4:00 in the afternoon, you will leave the Hacienda with the transfer vehicle to join your next programme, or to Vicuna or Ovalle.
DATES: Daily from 1 October to 15 April
DURATION: 3 ½ days / 2 nights at Hacienda / 1 night in tent
SERVICES: Transfer to Hacienda Los Andes and back from La Serena (Airport) Ovalle or Vicuna. One overnight stay in a comfortable tent, two overnight stays at the Hacienda. Any meals (picnics during day trips). Any facilities of the Hacienda such as sauna, Jacuzzi, nature trail and river access. Explorations accompanied by English, German and Spanish speaking guides. Equipment for riding explorations: Sombrero head, riding gaiters, comfortable Gaucho-saddle, sleeping bag and clean inlet, thermal mat, tent, personal pannier, ice box, by request safety helmet, first aid kit, saddlebags and finally one of our well trained and calm Chilean mountain horses.
PRICES ON REQUEST
If you would like to find out more about this adventure, please fill out the Information Request Form or Contact Us directly.
THE INCA AND GOLD DIGGER ANDEAN TRAIL
Riding the paths of the Inca and gold diggers, right through the Andes cut off from civilization. This special adventure offers three different trips in seven days. You will explore the wild sierra, the huge Andes and experience nature at its most romantic and pure .We guarantee a hundred percent nature & adventure in the sun - this region in Northern Chile has 310 sunny days per year.
Day 1: Transfer from the colonial city La Serena to the Hacienda where you will stay in comfortable colonial style rooms with private bathroom. Dinner at the fireplace.
Day 2: Breakfast buffet and meeting up with your riding team. Brief of the tour. You will get to know your Criollo horse and the Chilean riding style (similar to the Western style). Ride through the gentle valley Rio Hurtado finally reaching an idyllic mountain village. Picnic in the garden of the Plaza. Returning to the Hacienda through the amazing Andean landscape, passing cacti-covered hills, breathtaking views. Dinner in front of the fireplace. Overnight at the Hacienda.
Day 3: Breakfast buffet. Packing saddlebags. Riding along the golddigger`s path through the calmness of the sierra and enjoying the lonely valleys. It leads us through canyons finally reaching the Andean plateau Oro Blanco – White Gold. In the afternoon we leave the unique wilderness behind and stay overnight at a typical hermitage. We camp and have dinner under fig trees in comfortable Hillerberg tents with inflatable sleeping-mat and warm sleeping bag.
Day 4: Andean breakfast: home made bread, local goats cheese, sausage and fresh eggs. Starting from the oasis, which is at an altitude of 2000 metres, we ride along the historic mule path of the gold diggers up to the Andes. We are surrounded by a gigantic panorama, tremendous overlook and untouched nature. Lunch break at a spring. In the afternoon it takes us through a canyon to the Rio Hurtado. In the evening we reach the goatherd village Las Breas where we camp beside the river and have a romantic campfire.
Day 5: Breakfast with a family. After meeting the local people we continue our tour. The track winds through the wide Andean valley passing small, idyllic villages. Picnic in a small village inn. Returning to the Hacienda you will encounter shepherds paths. Dinner and overnight stay at the Hacienda.
Day 6: Big breakfast buffet. Today, we take you out to another adventure with our horses: the Inca-Trail. We cross two passes and visit the amazing cave drawings of the Molle Indians who lived with the Inca. You will be inspired by a totally different landscape than previously encountered: wide Andean plateaus, small valleys, natural meadows and animals. Picnic lunch. We pass the colourful sierra and in the evening we are guests at a 120 years old, plain pioneer farm. Overnight stay in tents beside the mountain stream. Campfire, meeting local people and listening to their interesting stories.
Day 7: We treasure once again the romantic and lonely Andes in the saddle. Along the Inca-Trail we cross a pass and come through lonely valleys to the old and legendary ceremony place Laguna. Magical glaciers and peaks are the features of this panorama. Picnic. We follow an ancient trading track that still leads to Argentina. Riding across a romantic Western style landscape for hours. Back at the Hacienda there is time to relax: sunbathing, swimming in the river, dreaming in the hammock. Dinner and overnight stay at the Hacienda.
Day 8: At 8:00 am, transfer to the airport in La Serena. Certainly you are welcome to stay some more days at the Hacienda to enjoy endless nature and the variety of the green valley.
DATES:
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October 15 - October 22
November 05 - November 12
November 19 - November 26
December 24 - December 31
February 15 - February 22
March 15 - March 22
April 10 - April 17
RIDING SKILLS: This tour suits riders as well as non-riders. There are horses available for each level of riding experience.
CAPACITY: Minimum 2, Maximum 8
DURATION: 8 Days / 7 Nights (4 nights at the Hacienda, 3 nights in comfort-tents (Hillerberg)
PRICES: Upon request
SERVICES: Transfer from / to La Serena airport, Ovalle or Vicuña, 3 overnight stays in quality tents (Hillerberg), 4 overnight stays at the Hacienda, including all meals. All equipment provided.
To find out more, please fill out the Information Request Form or Contact Us directly.
THE CONDOR TRAIL
For adventure riders who believe they have done everything, here is one extraordinary adventure more: The Condor Trail.
This is the best way to observe flying condors below and not above you. An absolutely tailor-made adventure for riders who like to get in touch with the pristine outback of the Andes. You will enter the forgotten world of pure nature, far away from the tourist track.
We ride up to an altitude of 17000 feet (5500 metres) and we will enjoy the most different landscapes that the great Andes offer. This is not a big group tour; I offer this private team-riding excursion into the wilderness only for a maximum of four riders. All services, even packing food and accommodating special wishes, will be personal and have an individual character.
There will be a maximum of four tours per year available from December to April for four persons per ride. That means this great adventure is available for a maximum of only 20 people per year on this planet. There is no fixed itinerary, our customer service for this trip means also we will accept your personal date availability.
Manuela Paradeiser from Austria will personally guide this horseback riding tour, and provide you with well-trained Chilean mountain horses and 6 years of riding experience in Chile. A professional and safe guided tour is more important than anything else.
Welcome to the outback of Chile!
Day 1: Transfer from La Serena airport to the colonial style Hacienda in Río Hurtado. You will stay in comfortable colonial style rooms with private bathroom, dine at candlelight and enjoy the crystal-clear sky at night with hundreds of stars.
Day 2: After breakfast we get in touch with the sure-footed Chilean Criollo horses and I will introduce you to the riding style (similar to the Western style). In the late morning we leave the Hacienda and take you out through the spectacular sierras and mountains to the oasis Maiten. Overnight in tents, dinner at the campfire.
Day 3: After breakfast with homemade bread and local goats cheese we leave the sierra Maiten and climb on horseback up to 9000 feet into the remoteness of civilization. We continue through the colourful Andes to reach the Valley Sicco and an isolated pioneer style farm, where we will meet the last family before we continue into the outback the next day. While enjoying dinner together with the hospitable goatherd family you will be exposed to a fantastic mountain landscape impression.
Day 4: Early in the morning, because on this day we will have a long lunch break, we are riding into the world of the famous condors. When we reach the pass Laguna, you will see an incredible panorama, sitting 17000 feet high in the saddle, and in front of you countless mountains and no human beings. Here we have a 3-hour lunch break and our sure-footed horses deserve this break, too. This spectacular scenery will continue when we reach the green valley with the crystal-clear river of San Augustin, a view that will exceed your expectations. We ride down to 7500 feet (2500 metres) and camp at the Andean river Río Hurtado.
Day 5: Today riders and horses have a day to rest. Not because the days behind us have been very hard, but it would be a pity to leave this wonderful valley in the middle of the Andes that early. You have time for easy hikes to watch the wildlife and treasure the beautiful mountain scenery; you can take a sunbath or have swim in the river, which is in front of our campsite.
Day 6: This day, if you haven’t experienced it by yourself, is an unbelievable excursion. First we ride through a colourful canyon and then we climb up with our horses to an altitude at 13500 feet (4500 metres). But this is not the end of the story. Here the untouched nature designs for us horseback riders an outstanding situation. The whole day we will continue our ride on top of the tremendous Andean mountain range. To your left and right, hundreds of kilometres of endless mountains and valleys. Most of the time the condors will fly below you. In the evening we camp at a fig tree garden in Maiten, a small sierra oasis with a nature pool.
Day 7: In the morning we leave this outpost Maiten and we ride into the sierra of Cerro Gigante. We pass beautiful planes, great canyons and valleys that are surrounded by the gigantic Andes. After five hours we reach the evergreen valley of Río Hurtado. The Hacienda is our host for a comfortable overnight stay and delicious local food. You can pamper yourself in the sauna or jacuzzi, have a swim in the river or just relax in the palm tree garden.
Day 8: After breakfast or lunch, whatever suits best your itinerary, we drive you to La Serena airport with our private vehicle. Of course you are welcome to enjoy some additional days in the Hacienda which offers more day tours on horseback, 4x4 excursions into the Andes, 1000 acres nature reserve with hiking trails and the very quiet atmosphere with international hospitality service (English spoken).
DATES: From December to April only private tours, dates on inquiry depending on your preference.
RIDING SKILLS: For active travelers who are riders and in normal physical condition. We offer professionally trained horses for each level of riding experience.
CAPACITY: Minimum 2, Maximum 4
DURATION: 8 Days / 7 Nights (2 Hacienda, 5 nights in comfort-tents (Hillerberg)
PRICES: Minimum of 2 persons, price per person in double room / tent: US$ 3.036 From 3-4 persons, price per person in double room / tent: US$ 2.464 SERVICES: Transfer from/to La Serena airport, Ovalle or Vicuña. 5 overnight stays in comfort tents (Hillerberg), 2 overnight stays at the Hacienda including all meals, all equipment provided.
To find out more about the Condor Trail, please fill out the Information Request Form or Contact Us directly.
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