An 11-day horseback journey from Chile to Argentina – from the Sollipulli Glacier to the endless steppe



Our breath forms little clouds in the crisp morning air, whilst the first rays of the sun bathe the snow-capped peaks of the Sollipulli Glacier in golden light. Hooves crunch in the volcanic sand, leather creaks softly, and somewhere a horse snorts. Then our little caravan sets off
. Ahead of us lie eleven days crossing the Andes – from Chile to Argentina. Eleven days of nature, vastness and freedom in the saddle.
Even the first few kilometres take us through a landscape that seems as though it belongs to another era. Ancient araucaria forests, with their bizarre, umbrella-like crowns, tower into the sky like sentinels. Some of these trees are centuries old. Amidst dark lava fields, clear mountain streams and vast valleys, we feel small – and yet, at the same time, incredibly alive.
Our horses are sure-footed, powerful and superbly trained. That’s exactly what’s needed here. Narrow paths, stony ascents and long mountain ranges demand trust – in your horse and in yourself. Fortunately, we’re accompanied by experienced riding guides who know the area well and are familiar with every pass and every spring.

During the day, we ride through quiet valleys, cross rivers and climb mountain passes offering stunning views. Time and again, vistas open up that leave you speechless: snow-capped volcanoes, emerald-green lagoons, endless horizons.
And then there are those special moments:
A dip in a hot spring in the middle of nowhere.
The crackling of the campfire after a long ride.
Traditional local food – simple, authentic, incredibly good.
And above it all, a starry sky of the sort you only find far from civilisation.
We sleep in tents, enveloped in the silence of the mountains. No road noise, no lights – just the wind, the horses’ breathing and the feeling of being completely at one with yourself.
As we cross the border, the landscape changes almost instantly. Chile remains mountainous and wild, whilst Argentina opens up, vast and boundless. The steppe seems to stretch on forever.
Here, new, spirited horses await us – fast, light-footed, built for the open country. And then comes what every rider secretly hopes for: long, flying gallops across the open countryside. The wind in your face, the rhythm of the hooves, pure freedom.

Freedom that lasts
This crossing of the Andes is more than just a trail ride.
It is a journey to the elements – and to oneself.
Eleven days without distractions.
Eleven days of pure nature.
Eleven days in which you realise why horse riding is so much more than just a sport.
It’s that sense of trust between rider and horse.
That feeling of being on the move.
That boundless expanse.
And at some point, you realise:
You haven’t just ridden across the Andes – you’ve taken a little piece of adventure home with you.

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