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Cross the high Central Andes on horseback over six days from Mendoza to Chile. This guided expedition mixes long saddle days, high passes and camping with refuges, customs crossings and local gaucho traditions.
Cross the high Central Andes on horseback over six days from Mendoza to Chile. This guided expedition mixes long saddle days, high passes and camping with refuges, customs crossings and local gaucho traditions.
The first light in the high valley brushes the horses’ coats and the thin air sharpens every sound — hooves on scree, a distant river daring you to follow. Riders meet in Mendoza and drive into the Uco Valley before mounting for a sustained, six-day traverse that climbs alpine passes, threads river valleys and finishes in Cajón del Maipo in Chile.
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Operated by Andes Vertical · Mendoza, Mendoza Province
The first light in the high valley brushes the horses’ coats and the thin air sharpens every sound — hooves on scree, a distant river daring you to follow. Riders meet in Mendoza and drive into the Uco Valley before mounting for a sustained, six-day traverse that climbs alpine passes, threads river valleys and finishes in Cajón del Maipo in Chile.
Geology here is blunt and visible: granite ridgelines, glacial-scoured valleys and the looming mass of Tupungato. The route crosses historic mule tracks used by gauchos and early Andean travelers; the guides and arrieros keep those skills alive with demonstrations of lazo and boleadoras. Cultural notes include stops at Refugio Real de la Cruz — an army shelter that has long supported mountaineers — and local thermal streams where riders can soak aching muscles.
Practically, expect sustained days in the saddle with one long 8-hour riding day up to roughly 4,380–4,800 m on exposed trails. Nights alternate between military refuges, riverside camps and a final cabin complex in Cajón del Maipo; meals and pack-horse support are provided. Guides handle customs and horse swaps at the Piuquenes border; participants must carry a passport and complete a health form.
Preparation focuses on altitude, stable riding position and layering for fast temperature swings. Bring glacier glasses, a warm sleeping bag, waterproof gaiters and solid trekking boots. Hydrate early, pace uphill sections, and listen to the muleteers — they read this landscape.
This crossing rewards riders with raw Andean panoramas, close encounters with traditional mountain life and the steady company of horses that make the high passes possible.
challenging.
6 days.
Participants should have moderate to strong fitness, able to ride for multiple hours across variable terrain and tolerate high altitude.
Yes — while beginners may manage short rides, this expedition requires comfort in the saddle for multiple hours and on steep, uneven terrain.
A valid passport is required for the border crossing; guides will handle paperwork but you must provide passport details at booking.
Rides reach passes around 4,030–4,380 m; acclimatization and hydration are essential to reduce the risk of altitude illness.
Meals (breakfast, box lunch and dinner), camping tents, a dining tent, and one-night hotel stays in Mendoza and Cajón del Maipo are included.
The route follows long-used mule tracks and military refuges tied to 19th-century Andean transit and the legacy of Argentine and Chilean border patrols.
Groups use established campsites and local mule support to minimize impact; riders should pack out trash and avoid disturbing fragile alpine vegetation.
Andes Vertical operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
The first light in the high valley brushes the horses’ coats and the thin air sharpens every sound — hooves on scree, a distant river daring you to follow. Riders meet in Mendoza and drive into the Uco Valley before mounting for a sustained, six-day traverse that climbs alpine passes, threads river valleys and finishes in Cajón del Maipo in Chile.
The first light in the high valley brushes the horses’ coats and the thin air sharpens every sound — hooves on scree, a distant river daring you to follow. Riders meet in Mendoza and drive into the Uco Valley before mounting for a sustained, six-day traverse that climbs alpine passes, threads river valleys and finishes in Cajón del Maipo in Chile.
Geology here is blunt and visible: granite ridgelines, glacial-scoured valleys and the looming mass of Tupungato. The route crosses historic mule tracks used by gauchos and early Andean travelers; the guides and arrieros keep those skills alive with demonstrations of lazo and boleadoras. Cultural notes include stops at Refugio Real de la Cruz — an army shelter that has long supported mountaineers — and local thermal streams where riders can soak aching muscles.
Practically, expect sustained days in the saddle with one long 8-hour riding day up to roughly 4,380–4,800 m on exposed trails. Nights alternate between military refuges, riverside camps and a final cabin complex in Cajón del Maipo; meals and pack-horse support are provided. Guides handle customs and horse swaps at the Piuquenes border; participants must carry a passport and complete a health form.
Preparation focuses on altitude, stable riding position and layering for fast temperature swings. Bring glacier glasses, a warm sleeping bag, waterproof gaiters and solid trekking boots. Hydrate early, pace uphill sections, and listen to the muleteers — they read this landscape.
This crossing rewards riders with raw Andean panoramas, close encounters with traditional mountain life and the steady company of horses that make the high passes possible.