Ride Overview

For centuries, the beginning of Fall, marks the time when gauchos round up cattle grazing the open range. It is time to get ready for Winter.  After driving cattle to the ancient corrals, the task is sorting, branding, doctoring.   A lot of work and adrenaline, joy and excitement as the time has come to sell some and cash in a year of hard work.

This is the perfect program to enjoy horses to its maximum, fully blending with the rider. It is for a small group of experienced riders, willing to experience the authentic, essential and unspoilt life of the gaucho and cattle drives in the Andes. You will be required to ride your horse off track in steep mountain terrain.   This is a truly unique adventure.

During the week, we will ride up to 3000 mts. (9000 feet) where the forest changes to high altitude grassland. This is the homeland of the Andean condor. As the sun sets, the spectacular stars of the southern hemisphere will cover the sky. Relax at the camp with its peaceful atmosphere. The campfire lightens up the darkness of the night as you share a cup of coffee, tea or mate.   All this creates the ideal ambiance to feel the timeless spirit of nature and make new friends.

2026 Dates:  May 3-11, Oct. 3-11
2027 Dates:  May 8-16

Rate:  $2,320.00 USD per person sharing – based on 6 riders.  (Single supplement:  $160.00 USD for hotel nights only)
4-5 person group supplemental fee:  $210.00 USD per person
2-3 person group supplemental fee:  $410.00 USD per person

Included

  • 8 nights accommodation (6 nights cabin with shower, 2 nights hotel)
  • 6 days of guided riding/cattle work
  • All meals as indicated on the itinerary
  • English speaking guide
  • Horse and all tack
  • Saddlebags and all camping equipment
  • Salta airport transfers are pre set time

Not Included

  • International or Domestic Airfare
  • Travel Insurance
  • Dinner on the last night
  • Gratuities for the riding staff at the end of the stay

Day 1

Independent flight to Salta. Arrive any time before 4 PM.

Pick up at local airport. We will visit the MAAM (Museum of High Altitude Archaeology). Recently opened to show the items found at an Inca human sacrifice site on top of the Llullaillaco volcano (6730 mts - 18000 ft. high). It holds the best preserved mummies worldwide. Check in at boutique hotel.

Enjoy a welcome dinner with your guide.

Day 2

After breakfast, we will drive to meet our horses. The drive takes us along the Cuesta del Obispo and its breathtaking views and the Cardones National Park where you can usually spot guanacos (Andean camelidae). This is a program in its own. We reach Peñas Blancas (2750 meters high) where we meet the horses and gauchos.

Enjoy a nice lunch and then in the afternoon we ride the lifeline this valley has had for centuries while we start looking for the cattle spread all over. On our way we can see, here and there, the small houses made with mud and archeological remains of ancient settlements. We stop to see the ancient pictographs painted by local Indians centuries ago.

We will visit Isonza which is a working ranch with its ancient way of life still intact and Leuca Burgos who makes goat cheese. The way they milk the goats, make cheese, grow their crops is centuries old and inherited from Inca times. On the way there are herds of wild donkeys set free by the Spanish Conquistadors.

Night at camp at Peñas Blancas (rooms with beds, no bathroom).

Day 3

After breakfast we get ready to ride. The whole day will be spent screening the area and rounding up cattle. The ride takes us West at the beginning until we reach the very steep Chilo slopes which divide two valleys. The view is magnificent and makes us feel the power of nature.

By sunset we should be able to arrive to the corrals with not one cow left behind.

Day 4

The corrals were built in mud over 200 years ago and used that way ever since. Get ready to start sorting, branding, doctoring, etc. each of the cows and calves. A lot of work and adrenaline while the local Food and Drug Administration officers vaccinate the herd. It is now when gaucho and horse blend together in a reining exhibition that made them world famous.

You can just decide to relax and watch or get into the corral and join the gauchos!

Night in camp at Peñas Blancas.

Day 5

After breakfast we will finish whatever work is left from the day before. Splitting is normally done now.

Horseback ride back to Peñas Blancas to spend the night.

Day 6

Today is a full day cattle drive to Amblayo of what will be delivered to the market. The riding today is mainly South along the valley. We will go past Yaslaguala. The giant cactii are all over and set the stage.

We arrive to Amblayo town (2400 meters high) where we will spend the night. It has only 150 dwellers and its main means of transportation is on horseback. It is renowned for its goat cheese. Sense the feeling of arriving on
horseback to this tiny town with almost no cars! An unforgettable experience.

To get there we will ride first through archaeological areas where you can see pieces of painted pottery scattered around. We have a look with agreement not to remove any of the findings.

Night at Amblayo. Rooms with beds, bathroom with hot water.

Day 7

After breakfast enjoy this picturesque town. Visit its ancient chapel and its 17 th century paintings brought from Peru, have a chat with its neighbors.

After lunch we ride to the foothills of the Sierra Pelada. These multicoloured hills are unique. We will also ride the Río Salado which is a great place for cantering! Night at Amblayo. Traditional goat barbecue at dinner.

Day 8

After breakfast, drive to Cachi. This area is known for high altitude vineyards (most 2000 to 2500 meters high). It has just 1% of all vineyards in Argentina but gets 10% of total investments. This means just one thing: high quality.

Some of Argentinas best wines are made here. So your Argentinean experience would not be complete without a private visit to Isasmendi winery and taste some of their best wines. This small, boutique winery is owned by the heirs of the last Spanish Colonial Governor.

Lunch and 3 hours transfer to Salta city.

Check in at boutique hotel. Dinner not included.

Day 9

Breakfast. Transfer to airport.

Optional - Extra Day Tours

Salta city tour: We walk and drive the city with a guide. Its colony time buildings bring to life the way the city was at the time of the Spanish Conquistadors.

Quebrada de Humahuaca: Trip to Humahuaca Creek. Walk the ancient indian fortress in Tilcara. We reach Purmamarca and the 7 Colors Hill. Lunch. See a few of the small and picturesque towns along the creek.

Cafayate and its wineries: The road to Cafayate shows us very curious rock shapes (the amphitheater, the toad, the Titanic, etc.). In Cafayate we will visit the world renowned vineyards and wineries for wine tasting. The Torrontés variety is regarded as best in class and exported all over.