For centuries, the beginning of Fall, marks the time when gauchos round up cattle grazing the open range. It is time to get ready for Winter. After driving cattle to the ancient corrals, the task is sorting, branding, doctoring. A lot of work and adrenaline, joy and excitement as the time has come to sell some and cash in a year of hard work. This is the perfect program to enjoy horses to its maximum, fully blending with the rider. It is for a small group of experienced riders, willing to experience the authentic, essential and unspoilt life of the gaucho and cattle drives in the Andes. You will be required to ride your horse off track in steep mountain terrain.
Preliminary day-by-day program
Summary:
Day 1: Arrive Buenos Aires on time to connect flight to Salta city. We will visit the MAAM (Museum of High Altitude Archaeology). Transfer to boutique hotel. Check in. Welcome dinner w/ your guide
Day 2: Cattle round up. Transfer to Peñas Blancas (2750 meters high). Orientation horseback ride in the afternoon. Night in camp at Peñas Blancas in Calchaquí Valley.
Day 3: Cattle round up. Night at Peñas Blancas.
Day 4: Cattle drive (cont.). Corral work. Night at Peñas Blancas.
Day 5: Cattle drive (cont.). Corral work. Night at Peñas Blancas
Day 6: Horseback riding (cont.). Cattle driving along the valley to Amblayo. Night at Amblayo
Day 7: Horseback riding (cont.). Day at Amblayo and riding to Sierra Pelada. Night at Amblayo
Day 8: Visit to Cachi and its high altitude wineries. Transfer to Salta city. Night at boutique hotel.
Day 9: Breakfast. End of program.
Detailed itinerary:
Day 1 – Arrive Buenos Aires/ Salta: Flight to Salta. Arrive any time before 4 PM. Pick up at local airport. We will visit the MAAM (Museum of High Altitude Archaeology). Recently opened to show the items found at an Inca human sacrifice site on top of the Llullaillaco volcano (6730 mts - 18000 ft. high). It holds the best preserved mummies worldwide. Check in at boutique hotel. Enjoy a welcome dinner with your guide.
Day 2 – Cattle round up and horseback ride: After breakfast, we will drive to meet our horses. The drive takes us along the Cuesta del Obispo and its breathtaking views and the Cardones National Park where you can usually spot guanacos (Andean camelidae). This is a program in its own. We reach Peñas Blancas (2750 meters high) where we meet the horses and gauchos. Lunch. In the afternoon we ride the lifeline this valley has had for centuries while we start looking for the cattle spread all over. On our way we can see, here and there, the small houses made with mud and archeological remains of ancient settlements. We stop to see the ancient pictographs painted by local Indians centuries ago. We will visit Isonza which is a working ranch with its ancient way of life still intact and Leuca Burgos who makes goat cheese. The way they milk the goats, make cheese, grow their crops is centuries old and inherited from Inca times. On the way there are herds of wild donkeys set free by the Spanish Conquistadors. Night at camp at Peñas Blancas (rooms with beds, no bathroom).
Day 3 – Cattle round up: After breakfast we get ready to ride. The whole day will be spent screening the area and rounding up cattle. The ride takes us West at the beginning until we reach the very steep Chilo slopes which divide two valleys. The view is magnificent and makes us feel the power of nature. By sunset we should be able to arrive to the corrals with not one cow left behind.
Day 4 – Cattle drive (cont.): The corrals were built in mud over 200 years ago and ever since used. Get ready to start sort, brand, doctor, etc. each of the cows and calfs. A lot of work and adrenaline while the local Food and Drug Administration officers vaccinate the heard. It is now when gaucho and horse blend together in a reining exhibition that made them world famous. You can just decide to relax and watch or get into the corral and join the gauchos! Night in camp at Peñas Blancas.
Day 5 – Cattle drive (cont.): After breakfast we will finish whatever work is left from the day before. Splitting is normally done now. Horseback ride back to Peñas Blancas to spend the night.
Day 6 – Horseback ride: Today is a full day cattle drive to Amblayo of what will be delivered to the market. The riding today is mainly South along the valley. We will go past Yaslaguala. The giant cactii are all over and set the stage. We arrive to Amblayo town (2400 meters high) where we will spend the night. It has only 150 dwellers and its main means of transportation is on horseback. It is renowned for its goat cheese. Sense the feeling of arriving on horseback to this tiny town with almost no cars! An unforgettable experience. To get there we will ride first through archaeological areas where you can see pieces of painted pottery scattered around. We have a look with agreement not to remove any of the findings. Night at Amblayo. Rooms with beds, bathroom with hot water.
Day 7 – Horseback ride: After breakfast enjoy this picturesque town. Visit its ancient chapel and its 17th century paintings brought from Peru, have a chat with its neighbors. After lunch we ride to the foothills of the Sierra Pelada. These multicoloured hills are unique. We will also ride the Río Salado which is a great place for cantering! Night at Amblayo. Traditional goat barbecue at dinner.
Day 8 – High Altitude Wineries – Salta city: After breakfast, drive to Cachi. This area is known for high altitude vineyards (most 2000 to 2500 meters high). It has just 1% of all vineyards in Argentina but gets 10% of total investments. This means just one thing: high quality. Some of Argentinas best wines are made here. So your Argentinean experience would not be complete without a private visit to Isasmendi winery and taste some of their best wines. This small, boutique winery is owned by the heirs of the last Spanish Colonial Governor. Lunch and 3 hours transfer to Salta city.
Check in at boutique hotel. Dinner not included.
Day 9 – Salta city departure: Breakfast. Transfer to airport. End of program.
