Horse trek amongst the vibrant fall colors in Mallín Grande

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Undiscovered Patagonia

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Trail stats

Distance: 22.28 mi
Elevation gain: 4,633 ft
Technical difficulty: Easy
Elevation loss: 3,799 ft
Max elevation: 3,907 ft
TrailRank: 29
Min elevation: 719 ft
Trail type: One Way

Coordinates: 281
Uploaded: July 2, 2014
Recorded: July 2014

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near Puerto Rio Tranquilo, Aisén (Chile)

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Itinerary description

Autumn is the best time to surround yourself in the intense colors of Aysen’s lenga and ñirre forests. It’s also the time when Patagonia’s gauchos venture up into the high valleys to round up their herds and lead them to lower pastures in anticipation of winter. This two-day horse trek will immerse you in fall beauty and bring you face to face with hard working gauchos in the sector of Mallín Grande.

Waypoints

Mallín Grande

Activity: Horse-trekking. Start: Mallín Grande, Díaz-Georgia family farm. Finish: Mallín Grande. Distance: 40 Km. Duration: 2 days and 1 night. Season: October to May (Note: The fall colors are at their most vivid during the last weeks of April and the first weeks of May). Special Considerations: Remember to always wear sunscreen (and a hat with a visor!) even on cloudy days and for clothing, include a fleece hat, gloves, and your usual base, insulating and waterproof layers. Bring a backpack with all these items, plus your camera (hopefully with a Ziploc bag to protect it from the rain) and a bottle of water. Reservations: Horseback riding requires planning, so reservations should be made at least 15 days prior to travel. This trek is offered for groups of 1 – 6 persons. - Turismo Kalem – Puerto Guadal: Los Alerces 557; (067) 2431289 - (09) 88112535; turismokalempatagonia@gmail.com, Facebook: Turismo Kalem Patagonia. - Patagonia Riders Excursiones y Expediciones – Camino Las Horquetas Km 9, Mallín Grande; (09) 93332432; cristian@patagoniariders.cl.

First Day

On the first day you’ll ride along a path that winds up the mountain through the forest for around three hours. During the 17 kilometer ride, you’ll pass streams and encounter some sections with dead tree logs, remnants from the fires that ripped through this sector years ago, before finally arriving to an expansive area of high valley pastures, the summer grazing lands for the cattle of the Díaz-Georgia farm. Here, you’ll find a simple dwelling that will serve as refuge for the night, a spectacular high Andean camp where you can enjoy a good meal and a few rounds of yerba mate. Camping in a high mountain post is a special experience; here there are no roads or traffic, other than an occasional gaucho passing by on his horse, in search of a little conversation and a warm mate, before continuing up the trail. Relax, enjoy the scenery, and relish the gaucho traditions!

Cruce las Horquetas

Second Day

After a hearty breakfast, you’ll begin the descent that encompasses day two of this adventure. This is the best day to capture prize-winning photos, as you’ll be able to see the valleys spreading out below you and even a special view of General Carrera Lake that allows you to capture almost its entire length. About half-way, you’ll take a break at another gaucho outpost, this time located in the sector where the gauchos will be delivering their animals to spend the winter months. After resting awhile and capturing a few more photos of the scenery, you’ll remount your horses and continue to the main farmhouse in Mallín Grande, proud and satisfied with your time on horseback in this unique trip, full of colors and gaucho culture.

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