Day
1 Meeting in Barreal town, San Juan province Hotel
D
Recpetion in Barreal, transfer to the hotel. After a free time
in the hotel you will have a meeting with the guides, to learn
everything about the expedition. You will see maps, organization
of the campsites and information about the historical freedom
expedition held in 1817.
At night we will dinner together.
Day
2 from Barreal to Las Hornillas Refuge
BLSD
Transfer
to Las Hornillas refuge, a beautiful quiet shelter inside the
Andes mountains, with basic facilities such as bathroom, shower,
dining room, beds and basic kitchen.
After a free time there we will have a meeting with the guides,
to know everything about our expedition. You will see maps,
organization of the camp sites, etc.
At night we will dinner together.
Day
3 Horseback riding to Los Corredores Camp Camp
BLSD
After saddling our horses and packing the mules we'll head into
the Valle Del Colorado, for the first hour or two we'll follow
alongside the Rio Colorado trotting over the dry river bed before
turning the corner into the Valle Del Colorado Canyon, where
we'll follow and cross the river several times with the huge
stone walls standing sentinel on either side. Camp is reached
an hour or two later as we are ejected onto a grassy knoll (Corredores
2,600m) where we will rest the horses and make camp for the
night either in tents or under the stars depending upon your
preference. Approx 4 Hour ride time.
Day
4 Horseback riding to Pirca de Polacos Camp Camp
BLSD
After a lazy breakfast we'll saddle up and continue
into the Valle del Colorado. We are shortly greeted by the massive
Cerro La Mesa 6,200m as its summit pops out from around a corner,
followed shortly by Pico Polaco 6,001m and the awe inspiring
South Face or Cerro Mercedario 6,770m. We'll camp in “Pirca
de Polacos” which is the base camp for climbing expeditions
to Mercedario and the other peaks of the Valle Del Colorado.
Approx 4 hours ride time.
Day
5 Exploring the valley Camp BLSD
Over the day we'll explore the impressive Upper Valle Del Colorado,
an amphitheater of 6000m peaks. We will visit the Salto Frio
(a waterfall of ice), a large glacial bed where fossils can
be found in almost every rock we pick up. We will also visit
the base of Mercedario's huge south face where we can gaze up
one of the highest ice faces of the Andes and perhaps even see
mountaineers making their way to the summit.
Day
6 Horseback riding to Ciénaga Grande Camp Camp
BLSD
After a lazy breakfast we will have some extra time to enjoy
the place before heading to our next camp in Ciénaga
Grande. 4 hs riding aprox.
Day 7 Horseback riding to Las Hornillas, transfer to
Barreal Hotel BL
We'll head back to Las Hornillas after breakfast with time to
stop for lunch midway through the Valle Del Colorado before
transferring via 4WD to the hotel in Barreal. You can spend
the afternoon exploring the small township, a beautiful oasis
in the dry pre-Andean range who's tree lined roads and friendly
country folk will make you welcome. Dinner either in the town
or at our hotel followed by sampling some of the regions famous
wines.
Day
8 B. End
of the expedition.
PRICE:
Services
included: One
night of lodging in basic refuge, one night of lodging in hotel
in Barreal. 4 nights sleeping in camping, carps igloo type for
two people. All the detailed meals (optional vegetarian menu)
During the expedition we will have satellite equipment of communications
for emergencies. Porterage of gear (10 kg per person). Necessary
permits. English speaker staff.
Not
inlcuded Drinks
before and after the expedition. Tips.
International and domestic airfares.
Personal gear, medications, ground or air evacuations, phone
communications and items of personal nature, insurance liability,
hospitalization or medicals of any kind, any other service not
mentioned in this condition sheet.
OPTIONAL
PRE & POST ACCOMMODATION IN MENDOZA or SAN JUAN:
Hostel double room: starting in 25 dolars the room
Hostel dorm: starting in 8 dolars.
Hotel 3* double room: starting in 35 dolars the room.
Hotel 4* double room:
starting in 45 dolars the room.
OPTIONAL
TOURS IN MENDOZA: rafting, trekking, hikking, paragliding, tour
to the wineries, mine exploration, city tour, etc.
PRE DEPARTURE INFORMATION
Thank
you for choosing a tour in South America with Latitud Sur Group.
The following information is provided to assist you in preparing
for your trip.
Our itineraries are not luxury tours. At times it may be dusty,
dirty, wet, hot or all of this at the same time! If you approach
your trip with a spirit of adventure and a positive attitude,
you and your fellow travelers will get the most out of the journey.
Difficulty level: this expedition is for people who enjoy unique
and extreme experiences and imposing landscapes. It requires
normal physical conditions and its difficulty is moderate.
The mule ride everyday is not long, nights are in campsites.
Although we conduct the expedition during the warm season (so
the climate is temperate) storms are very possible, even with
wind and snow.
Because
security reasons, to be part of the expedition the top weight
allowed is 110 k.
Personal
travel insurance is required (bring a copy with you to give
to the guide).
It
is compulsory you inform us if you suffer asthma, diabetes,
allergy, back or legs pain or surgery, reduced vision or other
problem we should know.
CAMPSITES:
in natural places, without services or facilities except the
equipment we transport (mess tent, table, chairs, stove and
kitchen stuff, igloo tents for two people)
ACCOMMODATION:
In Barreak in basic hotel, in Las Hornillas in basic shelter
(dorms, bathroom, dining room, kitchen)
BEVERAGE
during the expedition: we will drink the water from clean streams,
with juice optional. We have also rationed wine, beer, sodas
and champagne.
FOOD:
the menu will include pastas, meats, rice, salads, cold meat
and sausage, some fruits, vegetables, etc. During the riding
time you will have snacks like cereals, candies, etc.
YOUR
PARTICIPATION: although you don’t have to, we
will appreciate your help in the daily chores such as cooking,
washing up, going for water, cleaning and packing.
DOCUMENTS:
passport is required. You will need to have a copy with you
during the expedition. Visas are not our responsibility, contact
your embassy to get information about countries that require
a visa to visit Argentina.
CLIMATE:
we conduct the expedition during the summer, so the climate
should be temperate, with sunny days and cold nights. Short
storms are usual. However more intense storms, with strong wind
and abundant snow could occur, so your personal equipment has
to prepare you for all these possibilities.
MONEY
AND CHANGE: the local currency is the “peso”,
3 pesos are equivalent to 1 dollar. ATM machines are available
in Mendoza city.
SPECIAL
VACCINATION: is not required.
LINK
YOUR TOUR: this trip can be linked with optional adventure
activities in Mendoza, also with our “Aconcagua Mount
Trekking, to Plaza de Mulas” tour.
IMPORTANT
NOTE: the itinerary and camp sites can be changed cause
security reasons, the tour can be even suspended because of
climate reasons. In all matters related to the trip the guide
will have the final decision.
Prices and all the information is subject to change without
prior notice.
NECESSARY
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT:
Personal sleeping bag (- 10 degree comfort temperature) and
roll mat.
Purse and Daypack (or saddlebag if you have it)
Hiking shoes or boots
Raincoat or poncho
Water bottle (2 l)
Hat, sun block, sunglasses
Heavy sweeter or polar and light sweeter, jacket, gloves, scarf
4 pairs of socks
2 long trousers
2 long-sleeved shirts
Insect repellent
Small sewing kit
Plastic bags
chocolates, candies or other snacks
Passport (plus photocopy)
Camera and film
Personal toiletries and towel
Torch/flashlight and spare batteries
Swimsuit.
Our
guides carry a first aid kit, however we advise you to bring
a personal medical kit, including: lip balm, sunscreen, painkillers,
moisturizer, bands aids, sterile dressings, anti-histamine cream
or tablets, anti diarrhea remedy, dehydration salts, antiseptic
cream.
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