Horse-riding expeditions

Ranch tour  

3 hours horse riding trip in Palguín Alto for beginners

This 3-hours excursion leads us along the campo- area through the bamboo forest, mountain rivers, passing 1000-years old Coihue trees. We will rest on a hill with an unforgettable panorama view to the volcano Villarrica and the valley of Palguín Alto with its numerous waterfalls. This horse-trip is suitable for beginners and aloud you to enjoy relaxed the beautiful surrounding of Palguín Alto.

Price:  25 Euro p/P without transfer      40 Euro (with transfer Pucon/Ranch/Pucon) p/P

Riding Expedition to the Volcano Quetropillan

Duration: 7 Hours                                         Difficulty: medium

This beautiful expedition on well trained saddle horses takes us to the foot of the volcano Quetropillan. On this circle tour we pass through several climate zones, one of them containing big stands of 2 m diameter native Araucaria-trees (monkey puzzle trees). On a high mountain meadow while the horses feast on grasses and herbs, we can enjoy a fabulous view of the other volcanoes and the cordillera de los Andes. With a little luck we may be able to observe the king of the air, the mighty condor hovering over the cliffs.

Price:  60 Euro  without transfer     70 Euro with transfer of Pucon

includes: lunch- picnic

 Riding Expedition through the 1000- year old Araucaria forest           (Los Nevados de Villarrica)(January-March)

Time: 2 days (one night in tent)      Difficulty: medium   

Note: The Araucaria dominated many prehistoric forest an grows here at an altitude between 1000 m an 1600 m. These young trunk an the branches have spiny scales instead of leaves, and decorate northern yards as monkey puzzle trees. They grow to 50 m in height, with a straight solid trunk of excellent wood an a crown like a mushroom.

The ride starts out an a pleasantly wide path past the hot springs of Palguín and enters the National Park Villarrica East at 7 km. Rising from the valley we pass through stands of huge Coihues, the local variety of the beach tree. At some locations these are covered with Spanish moss. The undergrowth of bamboo creates the impression of an enchanted forest. With a rising elevation the Coihues change to Araucarias. Many of these giant trees are more than 1000 years old. We go up on a small path into the  lava fields of the volcano Villarrica to ever higher and better views. At our side is the towering cone and caldera from the volcano. In the evening we pitch the tents along a small creek. The next day we ride back to the Ranch.

 Price:  170 Euro p/P 

Dates:   19.01. - 21.01.2010 / 19.02.- 21.02.2010

Includes:  transfer  Pucon-Ranch-Pucon, 1 night in the ranch before the trip, all meals, camping equipment, 1 overnight stay in tent and two guides, entrance fee NP Villarrica

Not included: sleeping bags, alcoholic drinks, raincoats

Riding Expedition to the “Laguna de los Patos” (Laguna azul)                  (January-March)

Time: 3 days (two nights in tent)                    Difficulty: intermediate - advanced        

The "Laguna de los Patos" (lagoon of the ducks) is situated in the altiplano of the volcano Quetropillan 1800 m above sea level. It is actually a minor crater of the volcano and is also called "Laguna Azul", because of the deep blue color of its water. In the three days we experience the beauty of the Southern Andes nature.

We cross all stages of vegetation, from rain forests to swamps of the altiplano, from soft green hills to rocky terrain and lava fields. On the first day we ride on small and sometimes quite steep paths towards volcano Quetropillan. After approx. seven hours on horseback we set up our tents on the deserted lake shore of the "Laguna de los Patos". We end the day at a camp fire with a simple meal under the stars.

On the next day we ride four hours from our camp to the "Laguna Blanca". After crossing several lava fields, we can speed up the horses on the following plateau. The rugged terrain of "Laguna Blanca" is home of the condor, King of the Andes. We can often watch these huge birds on their majestic flights during our lunch break.

Back in the camp you can go for a swim in the cold waters of "Laguna de los Patos" to wipe off the dust of the ride. We finish the day at the camp fire.

After a clear and cold night we saddle the horses and follow our team leader back to the ranch.

Price: 250 Euro p/P      

Dates:  21.01. -  24.01.2010 / 21.02. - 24.02.2010

Includes:  transfer Pucon-Ranch-Pucon, 1 night in the ranch before the trip, all meals, camping equipment, 2 overnight stays in tent and two guides, entrance fee NP Villarrica

Not included: sleeping bags, alcoholic drink

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESa9D55Iogo

Ask for 5 days, 6 days and 10 days ("The Volcano Trail") tours thought the National Park Villarrica.  ( chile@rancho-de-caballos.com  )    

         13 Day Horse Riding through the Villarrica National Park (VolcanoTrail)

1. Day: Arrival Airport Temuco, or Pucon Bus station, Transfer to the Ranch, Dinner, overnight stay in log cabin
2. Day: Breakfast, 3 hour horse riding trip to the waterfall “ El Diablo”, also to learn to handle the horses, barbecue at the campfire, overnight stay in log cabin
3. Day: The ride starts out an a pleasantly wide path past the hot springs of Palguín and enters the National Park Villarrica East at 7 km.  Rising from the valley we pass through stands of huge Coihues and Araucarias.We go up on a small path into the lava fields of the volcano Villarrica to ever higher and better views.In the evening we pitch the tents along a small creek.
4. Day: The next day our horses take us  back to the Ranch where a cold beer is waiting for us.
5. Day: Breakfast, we start for the next 3 day excursion, crossing all stage of vegetation, from rainforest to swamps of high plateau, from soft green hills to rocky terrain an lava fields. After 7 hours on horseback we set up our tents on the deserted lakeshore of the “Laguna de los Patos o Laguna Azul”, because of the deep blue colour of its water.
6. Day: This day we ride from our camp to the “Laguna blanca”. After several lava fields we can speed up the horses on the following plateau. The rugged terrain is home of the Condor, King of the Andes. Back in the camp you can go for a swim in the cold waters of “Laguna azul”. We finish the day at the campfire.
7. Day: We saddle the horses and follow our guide back to the Ranch. Overnight stay in log cabin.
8. Day: Rest for the horses and you, with the possibility to visit the Thermal bath “Los Pozones” or only stay on the Ranch to enjoy the stillness of the nature.
9. -11. Day: Breakfast, start to the 3 day horse riding through the valley of Palguín. We ride on comfortable path, crossing white water rivers to a hidden lake “Laguna verde”, where we set up our tents. The next day we explore the surroundings with small farmhouses from the Mapuche and other lakes. Here we have the possibility to see something of the lifestyle from the Mapuche. In the afternoon we come back to the camp and can take a bath in the lake. The 3. Day we ride back to the Ranch through an ancient and quiet forest, with big old trees.
    12. Day: Possibility to climb up the Volcano Villarrica or to enjoy a Thermal
          bath in Palguín.
    13. Day: Breakfast, departure
   
 Dates:  18.01.10 - 30.01.10
              18.02.10 - 02.03.10

 Price:  1200 Euro    
 
             
Laguna Trail (7 days-ride):   (the first 7 days from  the Volcano trail) 
 
 Dates: 18.01.10 - 25.01.10
             18.02.10 - 25.02.10
 Price:   600 Euro

  27.08.09