Pack Trip in the Andes

You will meet a driver of ours either in the town of Zapala or Neuquen. To get to Ranquilco you must first drive as close as possible to the ranch and then switch to horses and mules for the remainder of the journey. The entry point to the Estancia is our summer cattle outpost and the end of the road for most vehicles - "Buta Mallin". This is where we meet you with horses and mules. Before the 2,5h ride to the lodge in the heart of the Estancia we will enjoy a mid-afternoon picnic at the outpost.

In the evening, settle into your cottage or room and then join us on the terrace of Casa Grande for wine, traditional Argentine food, and good company.

After enjoying a hearty breakfast at the lodge, your guides will introduce you to the tack and provide saddling instruction. We strive to teach guests how to saddle with the local Argentine gear so that everyone is self-sufficient in saddling their own horse by the midway point of the pack trip. After the lesson, you’ll head out for a morning ride to learn about trail safety and get better acquainted with your horse and tack. Afterwards you'll have lunch, followed by a theoretical preparation for your upcoming mountain trip, including the itinerary, safety instructions, and handling your gear.
In the afternoon, you'll have some free time to yourself or to participate in a walking tour of the property, highlighting Ranquilco’s off-grid homestead systems, before evening drinks & dinner.

After enjoying breakfast at the lodge you will finally head hout for your epic 6-day, 5-night pack trip into Patagonia's backcountry.

The packtrip begins by traveling up the Trocoman River and ascending into high steppe land towards the confluence of the Trocoman and Picunleo rivers. You’ll cross the Picunleo and head upriver, climbing out of the river valley onto a high plateau with amazing views towards the high country ahead. In the afternoon, the trail drops back down along a steep, rocky hillside, eventually leading to a lovely riverside camp spot.

Most mornings begin with a fairly early rise, breakfast and hot beverages at the fire, and a couple of solid hours of packing up the gear, saddling the horses and loading the mules. With your newly acquired skills you can play your part in the preparations and help the guides out. The riding starts with several river crossings as the Picunleo River valley narrows and steepens. After a few hours, the valley opens up, offering spectacular views of massive rock cliffs towering over open grasslands bordered by the shrub-like trees that grow at these elevations. You’ll follow a stream into a glacially carved bowl tucked up against the border of Chile and make camp at the upper end of the valley - the headwaters of the Picunleo River.

The trail leads up out of the valley, across a mountain pass, and then another high ridge and the steep upper bowl of a side valley, and tops out at the highest point on the trip (~2260 m). From here you can see massive vistas of active Argentine and Chilean volcanoes. Ride down from the summit along a steep and switchbacking trail into the Cerro Negro Valley, home of the Laguna Negra. Stop at the lake for a dip, then continue another half hour to the “Laguna Puesto” - our summer cattle outpost. The puesto has a few simple gaucho huts and other basic luxuries, such as benches, a sink, and an outhouse. It makes for a wonderful homebase. Here you have a chance to spend time with the local gauchos that tend the herds of cattle, sheep and goats in these beautiful summer grazing lands.

You’ll have two relaxing layover days at this high country camp. You will have the chance to further practise your riding, explore the valley by horse or on foot.

You will find spots to fish, swim, and just to lounge at the lake. You can indulge in some reading and/or writing or spend some time getting to know the rest of the group better. In the evenings, hang out around the fire at the puesto and share stories about the land, culture, people and animals with the neighboring gauchos and get an idea of rural Argentine lifestyle.

The last day of the pack trip is a full day’s ride back to the lodge, with vast views of the Cordillera Del Viento in the north. Upon returning you’ll be reunited with the wonderful luxuries and hospitality at the lodge – hot showers, cold beers, and comfortable beds. Finish off the long day with an excellent meal, and make your way happily to bed.

A day of rest and relaxation. Guests can enjoy a swim in the river, a short ride, or a sauna by the river, with glorious meals throughout. In the evening we'll have our farewell party - a feast featuring a goat asado attended by local gauchos and the Ranquilco community. Traditional gaucho dance late into the night and let experience their culture and be part of their community.

Breakfast, followed by your morning departure. Ride back to Buta Mallin and savor your last moments as a whole group while you eat a picnic lunch. Say farewell to the guides and the ranch, and load up into the vehicles for the drive back to the town of Zapala or the Neuquen Airport.