The Big Northwestern Trail Ride - Argentina
11 DAYS / 10 NIGHTS / 7 DAYS ON HORSE BACK
Be prepared for Big Landscapes, Amazing Horses, Culture Alive, Historic Accommodations and Winetasting!
Overview:
Argentina’s hardscrabble northwest sits beneath the mighty snowcapped Andes, where a confluence of wind, water, ice and time has conjured weird, wonderful rocks capes, streaked with minerals and glowing red in the sun. Nature speaks powerfully here, lending the region a certain mystery. It is Argentina’s most seductive rural zone, a winning combination of rugged landscapes, traditional weavers' workshops, striking adobe villages, top vineyards and Gaucho tradition while at the same time there is a visible pre-Columbian influence of Indigenous Argentina. The local people wonderfully managed to conserve this mixed Colonial-Indigenous heritage of the region.
You will start the 11-day trip in the colonial city of Salta, nicknamed Salta la Linda ("Salta the beautiful"). Salta the capital of the province with the same name is probably the most Spanish city in Argentina by physical appearance. The local culture, however, is a blend of Spanish and gaucho (mestizo, criollo, both indigenous and non-indigenous) traditions, lending the city a distinctive identity. Here you will spend 2 nights in a charming colonial hotel before leaving for a 7-day journey in the saddle taking you through national parks where turbulent rivers and carved canyons traverse desert and green valleys. Cantering next to meters high cacti and terracotta colored mountains before arriving in towns that has stayed in the past. Towns as Cachi, Chicoana, Angastaco, Molinos and Seclantas with their narrow-pebbled streets, adobe houses and picturesque churches, to leave each next morning again for a great ride through immense landscapes; a week long all the way till reaching the last town of the ride, Cafayate. No better place to end the ride in a town known for its vineyards producing some of Argentina’s finest wines!
On this riding adventure you will discover the best of what Argentina has to offer. You will, as it were, ride back in time, following old historical bridle paths used by ancient Indian tribes, Spanish conquistadores and soldiers of the war of independence.
You always spend the night in the best colonial charm hotel of the region. And even will spend 1 idyllic night in a comfortable tented camp next to the horses. The typical asado and regional wine will help you fall asleep before you can count the stars.
On average you will be riding about 5 hours a day on energetic and smooth gaited Peruvian Paso Horses. These special horses came to Argentina via the trading route between Lima and Salta. Since then locally bred in Northern Argentina. Not many will have heard of the “fifth gait” or the Paso Peruano. but this is a breed of horse that has had a rare and interesting history and development. To be able to ride one has become something of a privilege and sought after by many horse-riding fans. By riding that unique horse you will be honoring the cultural heritage of the region.
On this 11-day riding holiday of witch 7 in the saddle, you will have discovered Western-movie-like landscapes, colonial villages and cities, Indigenous places, an amazing gastronomy, fantastic wines, a rare horse breed and the true cultural richness of an Argentina of the beaten track. All this while enjoying a year-round pleasant weather so typical for Salta.
Non riding spouses and friends are welcome to join the riders on this trip! We can arrange parallel an interesting non-riding tour visiting several locations a day and meeting the riding group every late afternoon and staying at the same accommodation of the riding group every night.
