Step into the Magical Landscapes and Time-Honored Traditions of Argentina as we ride from the Lerma Valley to Calchaqui Valley on our Steady and Beautiful Peruvian Pasos Horses

Ride and explore an area of Argentina that has the distinct feeling of the bygone days of the American Southwest.  With its desert towns, colorful landscapes, and small traditional villages, gauchos still work their cattle and neighbors still gather at the local cantinas to share stories and live the simple life.

We’ll ride far from the hustle and bustle of civilization, through red rock desert landscapes and multi colored mountains to little villages, lined with stone tiled streets.  We’ll stop at small vineyards and taste some of the best wines in the country and enjoy the genuine warmth and hospitality in this authentic and traditional part of the country.  If you want to experience the real Argentina, it is said that it still exists here in the Northwest.

April 11th -21st, 2024

Immerse yourself for 11 days/10 nights in a country that’s steeped in tradition and beauty. Every detail of this trip is completely planned for you to have the most extraordinary once in a lifetime adventure. No need to worry about anything, just show up and let our local guides take us to all of the best places.

Trip Highlights

  • Spend 2 nights upon arrival at the foot of the snow-clad Andes and take in the old world charm and Spanish architect of Salta.

  • Travel on the paths built by the Incas and spend the day riding in Los Cardones National Park, where the mountains and the desert meet.  Cardones gets its name from the Cardon Grande Cactus, the Argentine Saguaro.

  • Ride to a very tiny, old and traditional village, hidden and almost forgotten in the Calchaqui Valley where the best way to get there is still by horseback.  As an added bonus, the best goat cheese in the country is made in this region!

  • Get away from civilization and completely immerse yourself in nature, as we sleep under the stars one night in a fully equipped camp near the Calchaqui Valley.

  • Ride to San Carlos, one of the oldest and most important villages in the Calchaqui Valley, with its stone tiled streets full of Inca and pre-Columbian history and colonial constructions.

  • Give ourselves and our horses a much-deserved break as we tour around Cafayate, where some of the best wines are produced and where the smell of grapes is in the air. We’ll visit different wine cellars, the old church, the main square and some museums on our day of relaxing.

  • On one of our rides, we’ll stop in San Lucas, a tiny village of four houses, lost in time, where we will visit colorful places and ancient cave paintings.

  • We’ll spend time in a beautiful place called Cachi. The ancient traditions, the pebble-stone streets and the colonial houses built with materials from the region (cactus wood, thick mud bricks, wooden floors) make this the perfect spot to spend our last day together.

                                       

TRIP INCLUDES

  • All accommodations during our trip, including 2 nights in Salta to tour the city, recuperate after travel, meet your fellow riders and meet your horse for the journey ahead

  • All riding and cultural activities including visits to local vineyards, tours of churches and museums and shopping at artisan markets

  • 11 days and 10 nights of pure off-the-beaten-path South American culture, history and natural beauty.  Once we meet up at the designated time and place, all of your travel needs will be taken care of for you

  • A stress-free vacation where all of the planning is done for you

  • A specialty adventure trip designed for people who are passionate about out of the way places, natural beauty, wide open spaces, horses and small group travel – 8 people max!

  • 2 coaching calls prior to our trip to discuss what you hope to discover and gain from the adventure and 1 follow-up phone call after our trip to continue the process of self-discovery and mindful living

  • My personal guidance on organizing travel plans to and from the country

                                                                 

Who You’ll Ride, Where You’ll Sleep, What You Will Eat

Your trail partner will be a Peruvian Paso; bred, raised and trained at our host equestrian centre.  Peruvian horses are strong and can travel at a fast speed without trotting. Thanks to their smooth gait, the rider barely moves in the saddle, which makes for an incredibly comfortable ride. All horses are well-trained and relaxed and are perfectly suited for the varied terrain.

Get ready for your steady partner to bring you on a journey in mind, body and soul!

During the trail we will stay at a different location each night, specifically picked to have a true local feel and we’ll even spend one night camping under the stars.  All accommodations are clean and simple offering warm hospitality.

Meals are typical of the region and are most often sourced from the villages and farms nearby. Dietary needs will be taken into account so you can feel like your best self during the trip.

Riding and Fitness Level

Intermediate through Advanced.  You need to be comfortable in walk, trot and canter and be able to control your horse in all gaits when not in a nose-to-tail line.  We will do some limited canters on the trail, as well as some hill work, so if you have a weak back or core, we highly recommend to start a workout routine several months prior to the trip to strengthen these areas. Also, to make the trip the best possible experience for you, we recommend that you ride at least one to two days per week starting two or more months prior to the trip, just to get your derrière and riding muscles ready to spend some hours in the saddle.

If you haven’t ridden for awhile and are a beginner rider, you can still prepare by taking riding lessons before joining me on this trip.

***While we all do our best to stick to exact itineraries, sometimes changes are inevitable and flexibility is key!

We will be doing some light hiking and exploring each day. To make your trip more enjoyable, we suggest that you have a walking/light workout routine 3-4 weeks prior to the trip.

  • Cost: Early bird pricing from now until November 1st, 2023 – $5600.  Regular pricing from November 2023 on – $6000

  • $1000 will reserve your spot and payments plans are tailored to individual needs.

  • All prices are based on double occupancy. Single occupancy rates may be available upon request for an additional $50 per night.

  • Airfare and travel insurance are not included. Additional travel insurance is required for all trips and is recommended through World Nomads.

Liability and release forms will be emailed to you 4 weeks prior to the trip. Please return them at least 2 weeks before our departure to Joy Rides Coaching at joyrides.dgo@gmail.com. 


Payment options



Cancellation policy:

If you have to cancel, costs are fully refundable (less deposit) up to 180 day (6 months) before the start of the trip. Between 120 and 180 days before the trip, 50% of the costs are refundable.  If you have to cancel 0-120 days before the trip, the costs are nonrefundable, but are transferable to another person. The trip deposits are nonrefundable and all payment refunds are subject to a 3.5% credit card/online banking fee. However, this deposit amount may be transferred to another excursion is space is available and if your spot is able to be filled for the trip that you originally booked.