TIERRA DEL FUEGO
The Land of Fires, Mysteries, Legends and Adventure

February 17-27, 2005
8 Riders Only

On the southern shores of the Strait of Magellan, Tierra del Fuego is the last port of call before Antarctica. “The Uttermost part of the earth” as Lucas Bridges, the Anglican missionary, named it in his famous book.

When I flew there last November (spring in the southern hemisphere) at the instigation of my friend Ines Menendez Behety, I didn’t quite know what to expect having heard so many tales of gale force winds and extreme rough elements. Not so, in fact it was pleasantly mild, and no wind! I was amazed and enchanted by what I saw. A land of contrasts: endless steppes, pristine forests, lakes and snow capped mountains, still partly unexplored. A place home to an abundant variety of birds and wildlife: guanacos, red foxes, beavers … wild horses even!

This is where a number of settlers made their home during the 19th century and developed some of the largest estancias in Argentina, focusing on sheep and wool farming. Thousands of sheep still roam the pastures and Tierra del Fuego is home to the biggest shearing sheds in the world. A fascinating land to discover on horseback where nature is at it’s best, still untouched and full of surprises. During the course of this trip, under the expert guidance of Ines we will cover most of Tierra del Fuego’s diversity, staying on privately run estancias where the level of comfort will surprise you!

Starting from the town of Rio Grande (in the north) we will spend our first day at Estancia Maria Behety, one of Tierra del Fuego’s landmarks, built in 1899 by José Menéndez (Ines’ great grandfather) for his wife Maria Behety. We shall then proceed southwest to stay three days in the heartland, where breathtaking landscapes of plains, large valleys surrounded by immense lenga forests, steep hills and mountains are a feast for the eye; a pristine and fascinating world to explore on horseback under the constant scrutiny of wild guanacos….

On the fifth day we shall make our way to Estancia San Pablo on the southeastern side of Tierra del Fuego, virtually on the Atlantic coast. We shall stop on the way for a brief visit at Estancia José Menéndez (another landmark and one of the first to be built by José Menéndez), followed by lunch at the historic Sociedad Rural, the former house of John Goodall, the manager of the freezing plant, famous for having introduced the brown and rainbow trouts in the world renowned Rio Grande River. There will still be time for a short ride after arriving and settling in at Estancia San Pablo. The days are very long in February!

During the next few days we will ride through dense forests, atop huge cliffs overlooking the ocean where condors nest, and enjoy long canters on the beaches where some of the greatest tides take place at this time of the year.

Our last day and night will be spent in Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost town. A three-hour afternoon cruise aboard a catamaran through the Beagle Channel, to see the islands off Bahia Ushuaia (colonies of sea lions, seals, penguins, cormorants and other birds abound), the lighthouse “Les Eclaireurs”, Estancia Harberton (the first estancia in Tierra del Fuego) and more. The next morning is free to relax or do some last minute shopping before flying back to Buenos Aires to connect with your international flight home. (*Possible extension)

LOGISTICS

Thursday, Feb. 17
Arrival B.A. Meet and greet, transfer to Hotel Sofitel *****L

Rest of day at leisure. Dinner on own. O/n Sofitel

Friday, Feb. 18
Fly to Tierra del Fuego - BA.Aep / Rio Grande 6.35 AM / 10.35 AM.

Visit of Estancia Maria Behety (biggest shearing shed in the world, shearing demonstration, pedigree rams, alpacas, the new fishing lodge at the former main house, etc.). Barbecue lunch of the very special fuegian lamb, produce of the estancia. After lunch – Experience sheep trials (work) on horseback. O/n Posada de Los Sauces

Saturday, Feb. 19
After early breakfast drive to Boqueron (2-h). Settle in Estancias Boqueron and Rio Apen (a few mn away). After lunch, meet the horses and ride to get an idea of the area. O/n Est. Boquerón & Rio Apen

Sunday, Feb. 20
Day-ride at Boquerón. Magnificent views of the original lenga forests from Cerro Pelado. Picnic lunch. O/n Est. Boquerón & Rio Apen

Monday, Feb. 21
Day-ride at Boquerón. The Rio Claro Valley, Los Recovecos, beaver dams, Picnic lunch, etc. O/n Est. Boquerón & Rio Apen

Tuesday, Feb. 22
After breakfast, depart for Estancia San Pablo. On the way, visit Estancia José Menéndez. Lunch at the Sociedad Rural and continue to Estancia San Pablo. Settle in, meet the horses and short ride. O/n San Pablo

Wednesday, Feb. 23
We Day-ride at San Pablo (the Cliffs). Picnic lunch. O/n San Pablo

Thursday, Feb. 24
Day-ride at San Pablo. (El callejón to the San Pablo river valley), Possible to fish at the San Pablo or the Ladrillero rivers. O/n San Pablo

Friday, Feb. 25
Day-ride at San Pablo. Canter on the beach at low tide to Roca Champion. Picnic lunch. O/n San Pablo

Saturday, Feb. 26
After breakfast, 2-hour scenic drive to Ushuaia.

Check in at Hotel Las Hayas *****L . Lunch at a typical restaurant to sample the famous “Centolla” (King Crab). Afternoon cruise through the Beagle Channel. O/n Las Hayas

Sunday, Feb. 27
Morning at leisure, lunch on own. Flight Ushuaia/B.A. Ezeiza 14.43 / 18.08 and connect to International flight…

End of services.

Note: The program of activities is given as an indication and is subject to change due to weather conditions.

Horses: A variety of locally bred horses Criollo/quarter horse cross-breeds between 14,2hh / 16hh, that are responsive, well mannered and trained to work the cattle and sheep.

Tack: English or Chilean with huge sheepskins

Experience: It is important to have a reasonable amount of previous riding experience over varied terrain and to control a horse in any given circumstance. No beginners

Hours of riding: From 4 to 6 hours in the saddle a day.
Pace slow (brisk walk) to moderate (trot, canter).

Weight limit: 210 lbs / 95 Kg.

For further information about this ride please call Christine at (1) 212-421 0671, or email christine@adventuresonhorseback

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