Pack trips & horse treks

Scheduled Pack Trips

T.A Carrithers leads several groups into the high country each year. If you are looking for an exciting riding holiday that includes a strong cultural aspect, consider one of our horse treks. By bringing together horsemanship and an excursion into a cultural landscape, T.A.’s pack trips offer a window into oneself and the fundamentals of life at its most profound and most basic.

“For the first time in years we were able to leave everything behind and just live day to day. There is something about Ranquilco, the culture and nature, that just can’t be described. It has a way of healing and growing the soul. ” – Guest, 2010

TA’s seven- and ten-day trips into the mountains near Chile combine luxury accommodation at our beautiful ranch with camping in the pristine wilderness of Patagonia. Ride over endless terrain, remote valleys, and huge mountains. Learn to pack and lead a mule, and saddle and care for your horse. Join us for a remarkable adventure vacation.

The spirit of the gaucho persists in the cordillera and you see it most clearly on one of our mountain pack trips – men who live hours or even days from the nearest neighbor, with long periods alone tending animals.

Private Horse Treks

Estancia Ranquilco offers completely customizable horse mountain trekking into the Patagonian Andes. You select the dates, number of days, and the difficulty, and we take care of the rest.

Many riding guests opt to include a three-day, two-night pack trip in their horseback riding vacation. This allows them to visit our summer grazing lands at Cerro Negro (pictured above).

On day one, guests help pack the mules and then mount up for the seven hour ride into the valley. Once there, make camp at our puesto and enjoy a traditional asado. On day two, ride to Laguna Negra and visit a beautiful waterfall before returning to camp. On day three, ride home to the ranch the long way and see the amazing vistas of the Picunleo valley.

“Thank you so much for a truly memorable experience: incredible views, very smooth wines, well-trained hardy horses, amazing delicious meals and the friendliest, most helpful bunch of people made our stay so enjoyable. A great horse trek… Ranquilco is a wonderful place. ” – Guest, 2011

Other guests prefer a more challenging ride and choose a circuit that takes them to the Chilean border. Long or short, your private trip with your guide will be unforgettable. Come and share the most unique and extraordinary adventure travel experience with friends and family.

Reserving a horse trek or mountain pack trip

Prices include; your guides, transportation of luggage and food with mules, all meals and alcohol, tents, camping equipment, and personal horses. While at the Estancia it includes; day rides, accommodation in our guest cottages, all meals and wine, and ranch activities.

No previous horse experience is necessary for these trips. Our horses are strong, calm, surefooted, and very familiar with the narrow, steep, and rocky trails.

Private mountain pack trips start at $250 per day. Contact T. A. Carrithers directly with questions: tac.ranquilco@gmail.com.