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Patagonia Pack Trips

Overview

Join hosts Hernan and Tilly for a pack-trip into the heart of the Andes in the north of Patagonia - think forward-going horses, small group sizes, spectacular landscapes, wild camping, great canters and authentic meals! Hernan has lived here for more than 20 years, building the first cabins here by…

Highlights

  • Experience the wilds of Patagonia from horseback
  • Cover 30 - 45km of incredible terrain each day
  • Enjoy riding in small groups of maximum 6 guests
  • Pick your own route and enjoy many canters
  • Dine on authentic homemade cuisine with wine and beer

Essential Facts

  • 1 itinerary available
  • Max 6 riders per group
  • Average of 4 - 6 hours riding per day
  • Weight limit: Maximum 100kg / 15st 10lbs

Description

Join hosts Hernan and Tilly for a pack-trip into the heart of the Andes in the north of Patagonia - think forward-going horses, small group sizes, spectacular landscapes, wild camping, great canters and authentic meals! Hernan has lived here for more than 20 years, building the first cabins here by hand, and now he and Tilly offer wilderness rides in the summer and dog-sledding trips with huskies in the winter.

On these rides into the wilderness you'll be riding in a group of maximum 6 guests on active, forward horses. There are plenty of chances to canter or perhaps even to jump a fallen tree in the forest and you are encouraged to pick your own path and not ride in a line. The tough Argentina Criollo mix horses are ideal for this terrain and have been trained by voice to give you a responsive ride. You'll ride for around 30 - 45km per day, depending on the terrain and ability of the group, and will camp in remote locations picked for their natural resources. There is a night in a cabin in the middle of the week to allow you to freshen up - perfect!

This ride covers some incredible landscapes including open plains, dead volcanoes, valleys and a vast lake. You will come across shepherds grazing their goats and horses in the mountains - they are semi-nomadic and spend the winters on lower pastures. The native monkey puzzle trees are also abundant during this trail and dot the countryside providing the ideal shade for your lunch spots.

Horses & Riding

Tack

Typical Argentine saddles with a sheepskin on top. You ride one-handed, neck-reining like you would on a polo horse.

Horses

Argentine Criollo crosses - they are sturdy horses, tough and perfect for the mountain terrain. They are voice-trained, active and forward-moving, a joy for experienced riders especially.

Riding

There is 1 itinerary:

  • A Week in the Wilderness is a trail ride

Ages

12+

Health

This is an adventurous ride in remote locations therefore we do not recommend it for those with serious health conditions.

Weight

Maximum 100kg / 15st 10lbs

Food & Accommodation

Food

Food is all homemade, authentic local fare. On arrival into camp at the end of the riding day you are served beer, wine, peanuts, biscuits and fruit.

An example of a day's menu:

Breakfast: homemade Tortas Fritas (a traditional fried dough cake) and homemade bread, fruit, granola, jams, dulce de leche, salamis, cheeses, filter coffee and tea.

Lunch: Lomo a la pimienta which is cold beef which has earlier been slow-cooked in pisco and black pepper, served with a simple salad of tomato and lettuce. Vegetarian option would be a cold rice salad with beetroot, peppers and hard-boiled eggs. Homemade bread is also served. A dessert option would be dark chocolate and Mantecol (a typical peanut-based sweet bar in Argentina) with tea and coffee.

Another lunch option would be homemade meat and/or veggie empanadas with homemade milanesas (schnitzel) or a veggie option made of aubergine.

Dinner: Pollo al disco - chicken cooked with lots of different vegetables over the fire and served in a sauce. Another option would be a classic asado (cow ribs or flank and sausages cooked over the fire) served with chimichurri and a salad. The vegetarian option would be provoleta cheese melted over the fire. All served with homemade bread and wine. Dessert of fresh cheese and quince.

Accommodation

These trails use a combination of rustic cabin accommodation at the home ranch and then adventurous camping. Usually once in the middle of the week you will sleep in another cabin for a chance to freshen up in between camping nights.

There are four guest cabins on the ranch - these have been built by hand using local materials and they have fully-equipped bathrooms (with showers), hot running water, beds with duvets and wood-burning stoves.

When camping you will sleep in all-weather tents with no bathroom facilities. The camp sites are in remote locations and are chosen for the shelter, firewood, water and grazing they can provide. When camping there is a packhorse carrying the food and camping equipment and riders carry their own personal gear (such as clothes and toiletries) in saddlebags. You will only be able to carry limited supplies.

Occasionally a car may be used to bring extra supplies when the route allows.

Itineraries

A Week in the Wilderness Basic / Tented accommodation.

Other Activities

This trail isn't suitable for non-riders but you may have a chance for some other activities such as swimming and condor-spotting along the way!

Travel

The travel to this destination takes a bit of planning, since it is a remote location, but it's worth it to reach this fantastic riding country. Please contact us for further advice and current pricing for the different options.

The nearest airport is Neuquén which is 300km from the ranch. From there you have three main options:

- Private transfer from the airport which takes around 3 and a half hours. This is an expensive option if you are one person travelling alone but ideal if you are able to split the cost with other travellers (we can help you). Approx price of $400 USD each way at time of writing, to be quoted on request.
- A bus from Neuquén to Las Lajas, the nearest town to the ranch (approximately 50km) and your hosts can book you a taxi from there. The bus stops near to the airport and tickets can be bought in advance. This is the most cost-effective option, especially if you are travelling alone.
- Hiring a car.

Itinerary & Pricing

Day 1

Riding: No riding.

Arrival to the ranch in Pino Hachado. You be welcome by your hosts Hernan and Tilly and can take a look around the ranch, organise kit for the trip and, if time allows, try out the horses. You'll have an evening meal together in the main house to plan the ride before overnighting in one of the guest cabins.

Day 2

Riding: 5 - 7 hours

After breakfast up in the main house it's time to saddle the horses and make the final preparations to your gear before heading off on your adventure. The morning takes you over the Tres Hermanas mountains where you will catch a glimpse of the volcano Lanin to the south. You'll ride down into the valley of Mallin Chileno where you'll stop for lunch.

In the afternoon you'll ride over a pass into the next valley of Litran, descending down through the lenga forests and passing some shepherds. You'll set up your first camp by a small stream under the monkey puzzle trees.

Day 3

Riding: 5 - 7 hours

This morning you will leave Litran valley and head up onto the Meseta del Arco and down into El Paso del Arco, a big, wide and sandy valley with plenty of space for cantering. After crossing the main river you'll find a shady spot for lunch before continuing towards some isolated mountain lakes where you can enjoy the evening and a swim! Overnight camping.

Day 4

Riding: 5 - 7 hours

You will ride down towards Alumine lake and the small mountain village of Villa Pehuenia where you can restock supplies. You'll take lunch on the banks of this enormous lake before riding around the lake to reach your cabin for the night. This is a chance to freshen up after the previous two nights of camping out in the mountains.

Day 5

Riding: 5 - 7 hours

Today you'll set off from the cabin back up the mountains to the top of the dead volcano La Batea Mahuida at 2000m. From the summit you can enjoy spectacular views of volcanoes from the north to the south, getting a feeling for the expanse of the Andes. After lunching by the crater lake you'll cross big, open, sandy areas enjoying some good canters and ice cold water from the underground springs. Tonight you'll camp under ancient monkey puzzle trees next to a pine plantation.

Day 6

Riding: 5 - 7 hours

The morning is spent riding through the pine plantation before crossing the Arco valley and enjoying a scenic uphill trail through the forest and onto the Meseta del Arco. This is an expansive plateau and you will have lunch in the shade before cross the plateau in the afternoon. You'll come across border markers in what feels like the middle of nowhere and can enjoy the constant panoramic views. Dropping down off the plateau, you will camp on a shepherd's farm where you can see foals playing at dusk and listen to the woodpeckers.

Day 7

Riding: 4 - 5 hours

This is your final day on horseback. You'll head back up onto the plateau and follow a ridgeline all the way up to the highest point of your trip, Cerro Negro at 2100m. During this part of the ride you are likely to see condors and, eventually the ranch in the distance, nestled down in the valley. Heading off Cerro Negro you'll enjoy lunch in the green valley. The afternoon ride is shorter than normal, passing the Chucan Waterfall and arriving back at the ranch to enjoy a much deserved cold beer and a shower.

Tonight is spent in the cabins and enjoying a final asado with the whole team.

Day 8

Riding: No riding.

After breakfast and a final goodbye to the horses, it's time to start your journey home.

Experience Intermediate / Experienced

Confident novice to experienced riders can be accommodated but we recommend that you are comfortable cantering in open country to make the most of this ride and we will not generally mix different riding levels on the same date, unless coming as a private group. We can organise private tours for less experienced riders.
Minimum group size 2
Maximum group size 6
Departure windows

Nov. 15, 2025 - April 8, 2026  (Rides are opened on request for 2 or more participants.)

Pricing

2025/2026
Per rider		 £2025 $2625 €2410
Included Accommodation, meals, drinks and riding.
Not included Flights, airport transfers, travel insurance (compulsory), tips, personal expenses.
Note: All programmes and itineraries are weather dependent; in the face of adverse, or unexpected, weather conditions reasonable attempts will be made to provide equivalent riding. All programmes are accurate at the time of writing. However, the team may adapt or modify details, whilst aiming to provide a similar experience.