Chile - horseriding trails - horse trekking- Ranch in Pucon Villarrica

Start

Rancho de Caballos

Casilla 142

Pucon - Palguín Alto

CHILE

Tel: 0056 45 441575

Handy: 08- 3461764

13:00 - 17:00 hrs.

rancho1@terra.cl

The one day tour to the volcano Quetropillan

3-day expedition to the "Laguna Azul" of the Altiplano of the National Park Villarrica

2-day tour over the "Nevados of the volcano Villarrica"

Summary of the horse-riding expeditions
: Ranch tour; 3 hours horse riding trip in Palguín Alto for beginners; Price: 25 Euro p/P without transfer 40 Euro (with transfer Pucon/Ranch/Pucon) p/P; 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, because we will move us in a slowly pace.; Departure: 10 hr. a.m. (Ranch) Arrival: ca. 13 hr. p.m. (Ranch)
: Riding Expedition to the Volcano Quetropillan; Duration: 7 Hours Difficulty: medium; Price: 60 Euro without transfer 80 Euro with transfer of Pucon; Includes: lunch- picnic; Departure: 10 hr. a.m. (Ranch) Arrival: ca. 13 hr. p.m. (Ranch); 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.; Riding expedition across the Nevados de Villarrica; Time: 2 days (one night in tent) Difficulty: medium – difficult; Price: 160 Euro p/P with transfer of Pucon and 1 night in the ranch before the trip; Includes: all meals, camping equipment, 2 overnight stays in tent, two guides; Not included: sleeping bags, alcoholic drinks, raincoats; Note: The Nevados de Villarrica are foothills of the active volcano of same name which are covered with lava and ashes, and often with snow fields. They are inside the National Park Villarrica.; We start our horses about 10 in the morning, dropping down into the Palguín valley. Right off we visit 3 spectacular waterfalls ( El Leon, La China, Palguín ) which are dropping like us in free fall about 80 m off a thick layer of lava. Next we cross the crystal clear Rio Palguín on a very high primitive wooden bridge, and continue on a steep winding path up the side of the always smoking cone of Villarrica. Traversing the mountain the narrow path is winding through the brush under the ancient Coihue trees. Suddenly the view opens to the Pucon valley below, with Lago Villarrica and Lago Caburgua sparking below snow capped mountains. Up there, after riding for 5 hours we, we set up our tents in a beautiful place nearby a Chilean farmhouse. Around the campfire we will be served a rich dinner.; On the second day our horses take us up higher on the mountain, through grotesque lava formations to ever higher and better views. At our back is the towering cone and caldera with boiling magma of the maintain. After 5 hours we follow the path downward into an ancient forest of Araucarias. This is the home of these trees of our modern conifers. For 3 hours we are crossing many creeks, meadows and forest until we arrive at the Ranch where a cool beer and meal is waiting.; Riding Expedition through the 1000- year old Araucaria forest; Time: 2 days (one night in tent) Difficulty: Easy; Price: 160 Euro p/P with transfer of Pucon and 1 night in the ranch before the trip; Includes: all meals, camping equipment, 1 overnight stays in tent and two guides; Not included: sleeping bags, alcoholic drinks, raincoats; 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 follow the murmur of a gently flowing, crystal clear creek. The path is easy. We can try out our skills and give the horses a chance to trot an gallop.; In the evening we pitch our tents along the creek. The next morning takes us to a short visit to the rugged “Nevado” lava formations. Afterwards we head home to the Ranch on an easy 6 hour ride.; Riding Expedition to the “Laguna de los Patos”; Time: 3 days (two nights in tent) Difficulty: intermediate - advanced
next date: 24.- 26. 11. 2005: Price: 200 Euro p/P with transfer and 1 night in the ranch before the trip; Includes: all meals, camping equipment, 2 overnight stays in tent and two guides; Not included: sleeping bags, alcoholic drinks, transfers; 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.
: All the prices are for "Backpackers" in a Situation of "standby". If you make a reservation and want our guaranty ask for the price.
: Ask for 5 days, 6 days and 10 days ("The Volcano Trail") tours thought the National Park Villarrica. rancho1@terra.cl

The beauty of the Altiplano from the south of Chili

Summary of the horse-riding expeditions

Dates of the Excursions: (another date we can adapt on your wishes)