Horseback Riding from Manso, Argentina through Cochamo Valley, Chile, Patagonia

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Arrival:
Arrive at the high mountain ski town of Bariloche, Argentina via Buenos Aires, Argentina or Santiago, Chile. An Adventure Tours Argentina Chile (ATAC) representative will meet you at the airport and take you to the Hotel Edelweiss. In the evening, dine at Alberto's in Bariloche with the entire group and leaders.

White water rafting and Inflatable Kayak Class II-III:
In the morning, meet Adventure Tour's trip leader and the expedition group for breakfast at the hotel and drive from Bariloche along the coast of the scenic Lago Nahuel Huapi and into the Nahuel Huapi National Park.

After an extensive water safety orientation, practice paddling techniques on a tranquil Manso tributary before entering the turquoise waters of the main Rio Manso. Descend class II-III rapids in rafts and/or inflatable kayaks with views of waterfalls and snow-capped rugged peaks to a remote Argentine customs outpost.

Enjoy a classic local morel mushroom pasta dish for lunch. Continue through class III rapids in a narrow basalt gorge and camp on the shore of the Rio El Leon. Pass through the Chile customs outpost in the evening. Feast on pollo al disco.

Horseback Riding or Hiking
Travel alongside the huasos and pilcheros, horseback riding or hiking along the river to the pueblo of El Leon. Continuing West, the dirt road becomes a well-traveled horseback riding and hiking trail that follows the river through thick diverse rainforest with views of the river's gorge and mountain peaks. Encounter scenic aspects of the trail including wooden bridges over small tributaries and rock outcroppings.

Horseback Riding or Hiking:
Journey by hiking and / or horseback riding up the Rio Torrentoso Valley on an ancient trail once ridden by Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Travel up the winding narrow valley passing pictographs on the canyon walls.

Lunch at the confluence of the Rio de Los Morros and the Torrentoso and continue up the valley into virgin temperate rainforest. Camp on the shore of the high mountain lake, Lago Vidal. Feast on Cazuela.

Layover Day / Personal Day:
Though some may choose to spend a personal day relaxing and swimming. Explore ancient pictographs on walls surrounding Lago Vidal.

Fly fishing: Experience fly fishing and/or Patagonian style fishing along the shore of Lago Vidal. Click here to see the Fly Fishing Page. Regroup in the evening and spend a second night in the camp alongside Lago Vidal. Feast on the day's catch (angler permitting). Enjoy a lakeside sauna.

Horseback Riding or Hiking: Big Day
Travel by horseback and / or hiking over Paso Cochamo and through the most technical portions of the trail. Walk through groves of ancient alerce, coigüe, lenga, ñire, mañiu and other native trees to Patagonia. Camp within walking distance of El Arco in the Cochamo Valley, a mystical Alerce topped arch over a waterfall. Feast on pastel de papas.

Horseback Riding or Hiking
Hike and horseback ride through the Cochamo valley to La Junta - known as the mini-Yosemite Valley of Chile. The Cochamo's towering granite valleys and walls are known by climbers around the world. Celebrate our last night on the river in traditional Chilean style with pisco sour and an asado.

Return to Puerto Varas and home
In the morning, a van meets us at the Pacific Ocean - where the Cochamo meets the Pacific. Travel North on the Carretera Austral through the coastal fjords along the Pacific Ocean of Chile. The tall coigues and lengas alongside the road grant intermittent views of Volcano Osorno which towers over Todos Los Santos Lake and the small town of Puerto Varas. Fly out of Puerto Montt, Chile via Santiago, Chile. Return to the U.S.

Note:
We do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above, however this itinerary is subject to change.