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

February 3-12, 2006
6 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.

A land of contrasts: endless steppes, pristine Lena 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 sixth day we shall head East on horseback towards Estancia Rivadavia stopping midway to have an Asado (barbecue) lunch. Here we leave the horses and continue by car to Estancia Rivadavia (30 km).  During the next couple of days, riding new horses, we will explore the beautiful lakes around  estancia Rivadavia. 

Our last day and night is spent in Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost town where we will stay at the recently opened “Los Cauquenes”, a boutique hotel with spa, on the shores of the Beagle Channel. En route to Ushuaia we will stop to visit Estancia Harberton (the first estancia in Tierra del Fuego) and its museum. The next morning is free to relax before flying back to Buenos Aires and connect with your international flight home.  

LOGISTICS

Friday, Feb. 3
Day 1

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

Rest of day at leisure.

O/n Sofitel

Saturday, Feb. 4
Day 2

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.) and barbecue lunch with the very special fuegian lamb, produce of the estancia. After lunch drive to Puesto  Boqueron (2h) settle in.

O/n Boqueron 

Sunday, Feb. 5
Day 3

After breakfast, meet the horses and ride to Cerro Pelado.  Enjoy magnificent views of the original lenga forests from this high point.

Picnic lunch and return to Boqueron.

O/n Boquerón 

Monday, Feb. 6
Day 4

Boquerón: Day-ride to Sierra Nevada. Picnic lunch.

O/n Boquerón

Tuesday, Feb. 7
Day 5

Day-ride at Boquerón. Puesto República - Picnic lunch.

O/n Boquerón

Wednesday, Feb. 8
Day 6

Parck our bags & ride from Boquerón to Los Cerros. Asado lunch at Los Recovecos.

Transfer from Los Cerros to Rivadavia (30 km.)

O/n Estancia Rivadavia

Thursday, Feb. 9
Day 7

Ride at Rivadavia. Lake Chepelmuth and Lake Yehuin. Picnic lunch.

O/n Estancia Rivadavia

Friday, Feb. 10
Day 8

Ride at Rivadavia.  Valle de la Esperanza - Picnic lunch.

O/n Estancia Rivadavia

Saturday, Feb. 11
Day 9

After breakfast, 2 hour scenic drive to Ushuaia visiting Estancia Harberton en route with it’s “Museum of Cetaceans.”

Lunch at Harberton. 

Option to return to Ushuaia from Harberton by boat. Dinner and night at hotel “Los Cauquenes.”

O/n Los Cauquenes

Sunday, Feb. 12
Day 10

Flight to Buenos Aires. Lunch on own in Ushuaia depending on flight time.

End of services.

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

Horses: Mainly Criollo averaging 14 1ž2  to 15 1ž2  hh, extremely sure-footed and well mannered, trained  to work cattle or sheep.

Saddles: Comfortable Mexican style saddles with sheepskins

Pace: The riding is “western” style, relaxed. Pace is moderate and according to the terrain, trotting and canters when terrain allows.

Hours in the saddle: On day-rides expect +6hrs in the saddle, with breaks for lunch, snacks, and whenever necessary.

Accommodation: The estancias on this ride have a limited number of rooms (sorry no single rooms), sometimes with shared bathrooms (1 for 2 rooms).

Suggested Extension
An interesting extension to the above ride ­ providing there is availability ­ is a five-day cruise from Ushuaia to Punta Arenas (Chile)  through the Fuegian channels on one of the Australis ships.

Mare Australis and Via Australis are Expedition Cruiseships that sail through the Strait of Magellan and the Beagle Channel and explore one of the wildest and most beautiful regions of the world: Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego, at the southernmost tip of the South American continent, offering an alternative of three or four-night cruises, from October to April.     

There is a departure on Mare Australis (4-night cruise) Saturday Feb. 11-15, 2006 (latest check-in time 4.00 pm).

Please check the following website  www.australis.com  for availability and booking.

COST:
$3,600 p/person sharing accommodation (based on 6 riders)

$250 Domestic air fares (BA/Rio Grande-Ushuaia/BA)

Includes: ll ground transfers, domestic air fares between B.Aires/Rio Grande - Ushuaia/B.Aires, accommodation, sometimes with shared bathrooms (1 for 2 rooms) at estancias, with en-suite bathrooms in Buenos Aires and Ushuaia, all activities, meals, drinks, alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages with meals (excluding champagne) and open bar at the Estancias. English speaking guide.

Does not include: International air fares, bar drinks in hotels (Sofitel, Los Cauquenes) laundry, telephone calls, gratuities and items of a personal nature.

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

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