SAFARIS

Quick summary

More info about this ride

* We reserve the right to change the itinerary as dictated by circumstances.
* Nearest airport - Comodoro Rivadavia at 450km distant.
* 7 days in total
* 6 days riding or with riding part of the day
* Meeting point: Perito Moreno town, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina.
* Tack: Chilean sheepskin covered stock saddle & local reins and stirrups
* English and Spanish speaking guides
* Pace: Slow, with some trots and canters across open areas
* Level: A
* Weight Limit: 95kg.
* Full board, drinks, tented accommodation, transfers, trained horses and guiding included

Please note

* Meals are based on a meat diet.
* WEATHER: Extremely variable. It can be windy out riding and freezing at night. On the other hand it can get to 30C under sunny conditions during the day.
* Day-length: at this latitude 40S the day's dawn is at approximately 4:00am and the sun sets at about 10:30pm. So you get twice the trip for the same money!
* Bear in mind that most airlines flying from Europe limit your baggage to 20kg.
* If you use any special medication be sure to bring along enough to last the holiday.

Exclusions

* INSURANCE is not included, but is strongly recommended in respect of riding injuries and medical cover. Participation is at your own risk.

Travel documentation

* No visa entry fees into Argentina are in force for European or US residents.

Packing & clothing

* Preferably you should travel light using a single duffel type bag or rucksack for all your kit if at all possible, since you will often have to carry all your bags yourself in bus stations, airports and into and out of taxis.
* Please take note that there is no possibility of shopping during the actual ride which takes place in a very remote location, but that there are good opportunities to do so in the capital before or after the riding. We sometimes get people asking if they can recharge their digital camera or telephone batteries, out on the ride this is generally not possible so you need to bring enough batteries, memory and film for the duration. Naturally you can charge your appliances before and after the ride at hotels.
* You must provide your own sleeping bag for the riding expedition. A down or feather bag with a polar rating is recommended.

Camps

Very basic igloo style twin tents are available. You can also sleep under stars on your saddle blankets and sheepskin. There are mattresses in the tents. This is cowboy camping - not luxury at all.

More about the weather

Temperatures vary dramatically depending on the weather and wind chill needs to be considered when choosing clothing - you must bring windproof and waterproof clothing (including a head covering)!
This is in case the weather decides to turn nasty. Night time temperatures range in any case between 0 and 5C - note for camping. As soon as the sun sets it can get really cold, below 0C - conversely during the middle of the day it may be absolutely roasting! It can get very, very windy too (more than 100km per hour in exposed locations). Head protection is essential due to the high chill factor should the wind pick up, a wind proof head covering usually comes included with a wind jacket, otherwise you will need a balaclava or woollen cap that covers your ears. Also a neck scarf will be valuable in this situation. An ideal way to dress is using the layer principle - bring clothing 4 layers deep.
You will want something comfortable to change into at the end of a long day's riding. Jeans and a cotton T-shirt will be fine for hot afternoons, but evenings may be chilly and you are advised to bring a sweater and a wind and waterproof jacket. Be aware that you may not have the chance to wash anything out on the trip. But don't burden yourself with too many changes of clothing (!). For footwear a pair of light hiking boots are an excellent choice in addition to your riding shoes/boots. A wide-brimmed hat my also be a good item to bring for those sunny days under the ozone hole! - be sure it has a chin strap. Bring along a good pair of sunglasses, which should also have a strap. A pair of riding gloves is a good investment, both to avoid blisters while riding and as protection against the sun.

More kit

A small torch with extra batteries
A wide-brim hat and neck scarf for sun protection
Camera extra batteries and memory chips
Camping mat/ground insulation if you are uncomfortable sleeping on the ground
Comfortable change of clothes for camp
Cotton long-sleeved shirts
Fleece
Sweater
Personal toiletries
Rain-proof and windproof jacket (i.e. oilskin)
Riding chaps
Riding gloves
Riding jeans or local bombachas
Riding shoes/short boots and camp footwear
Sleeping bag - heavy duty/polar rating - as warm as you can lay your hands on!
Soap and shampoo
Towel
Sunglasses
Sunscreen lotion factor 50
Travel dictionary for Spanish comprehension

IN ADDITION: TO STAY WARM AT ALL TIMES

Wind proof head protection
Gloves
Head scarf/tube
Zip up heavy duty wind and water proof jacket
Water proof trousers
Waterproof riding shoes/boots
4 layers of internal clothing recommended
A good supply of heavy socks

Languages

The operator speaks English at a pinch, the crew speak Spanish only.

Quality horses
Fast riding pace
Accommodation