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The Atacama Horseback Expedition, Chile

South America’s Wild West  “The Atacama Horseback Expedition”  Northern Chile.

P info

Practical information:

Good to know before you go

Riding level

Not for moaners nor whiners.

This is big adventure!

Group Size

Minimum 8 participants 

Maximum  14 riders

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Weight: 

Riders weight limit: 120 Kg

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  • Horses: Chilean Criollo

  • The riding: Trailride, 7 days on horseback, riding from one place to the other, average of 7 hours per day in the saddle.

  • Saddles: comfortable Huaso saddles

  • Guides: professional and multilingual guides – Tripleader: Simón Vergara, Paul or Marcos & Jose Tomas + Mario.

  • Comfort: basic during the camping & comfortable at the guesthouses.

  • International Passport:  Required for most foreigners (still 6 months valid)

  • Visa:  most European and Latin American citizens do not need a visa to travel to Chile. Contact the Chilean Embassy in your country for more info.

  • Vaccinations: not mandatory but recommended (consult your physician)

  • Gateway: Fly in and out of Calama (Airport code:CJC)

Are you alone?

Do not worry, you can individually register/book and join in a group with other riders. Most participants are people who register individually and may just like you, not know the other riders in your group. Since everyone has the same points of interest (horseback riding, nature, travel, culture) there is always a good atmosphere and understanding among the participants. Participants come from all corners of the world, so you can be part of a group with riders from the United Kingdom, Belgium, Spain, France, Sweden, Canada, USA, Australia, Brazil and many others countries. Your friends are suddenly so much more international! :) A standard group consists of 8 to 14 riders. In general there are as many female as male participants.

We will do everything possible to follow the indicated itinerary, although spot changes can occur due to unforeseen circumstances. Rides are subject to change depending on weather, location and difficulty of terrain  In the unlikely event that this happens on your trip, we ask you flexibility and understanding. This is a sporty and adventurous vacation!

Weather in the Atacama desert and during the Riding Expedition: 

September
Humidity is on average 5%
Precipitation chance is normally 0
Daytime temperatures between 16C° & 26C°
Temperature at night between 8C° & -8C° = COLD NIGHTS!

Luggage: 

The maximum allowable weight of your luggage depends from airline to airline. Check with the airline or travel agent how many kilograms and pieces of luggage you can take. Your personal luggage is transported during the trek to the various stopovers.

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Health:

Chile is a safe country in terms of health. You can easily eat and drink anything without being stomach bothered. Eating raw vegetables, salads and ice-creams is no problem. 
There are no vaccinations required for Chile. 

 

 

 

 

Language:

No worries, local trip leader Paul is fluent in 6 languages and will help and translate with pleasure where needed.
Trips are always fun as we all speak the same equestrian language.

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Safety: 

Chile is one of the safest countries in Latin-America, on the trail ride there is no need to worry at all!

 

 

 

travel gear...

  • Valid international passport 

  • Travel Insurance

  • Pocket money (you can change EUR/£/USD in the airport) 

  • A warm sweater 

  • A warm jacket 

  • Waterproof poncho or overall

  • 4 or 5 T-shirts and minimum 2 a shirts with long sleeves.

  • Jodhpurs or jeans to ride with 

  • Riding shoes or boots / riding shoes with mini-chaps or long chaps

  • A second pair of shoes for the evening

  • Comfortable clothing + a Hat to protect you from the sun

  • One towel

  • Swimsuit 

  • Toiletries

  • Sun Cream

  • Water canteen 

  • Sleepingbag comfortable to sleep at -10C°

  • Sleepingmattress (thermarest is the best option)

  • Warm hat – gloves – scarf/buff

  • Camera…

 

* We have saddle bags available for you
* It is recommended to put your luggage in travel bag instead of a hard suitcase. 10 bags are easier to get in the backup vehicle than 10 suitcases.  (thanks!)

TRAVEL insurance MANDATORY:

We request you take a travel Insurance. Ask your local insurance company or travel agent about it. You will not be allowed to participate at the “Entre Orejas” riding holiday program without having a Personal Travel & Medical Insurance. Your insurance details will be requested on arrival.

 

Trip Cancellation Insurance MANDATORY:
In order to protect yourself against unforeseen circumstances interfering with your “Entre Orejas” vacation, we demand that you purchase trip cancellation insurance. You can use any travel insurance company you are comfortable with.

 

Release Agreement: 
The “Entre Orejas” guests are required to sign a release agreement at the time of check-in. This is mandatory and guests cannot participate in the tour without signing the release agreement (all moneys paid are non-refundable). Please feel free to read the release agreement prior to your arrival: please download the form here. Parents or legal guardians of minor children are required to sign the release agreement on their children’s behalf. Please direct all questions to the office.

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  • Currency: The Chilean currency is the Chilean Peso = $ .

  • Cash dispensers can be found in all towns and cities. In the cities, you can pay with credit cards. (Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, American Express ).

  • The Electricity and plugs: http://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/chile/ 

  • Mobile phone: In towns and villages there is mobile phone coverage everywhere. During the riding trip full time coverage is not guaranteed.

  • Internet: In cities and bigger towns there is everywhere Internet access. During the riding trip there is almost no internet access.

  • General info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chile  

  • Time: http://www.worldtimeserver.com/ 

  • ​Rules: We are not so much into rules, but we reserve the right to refuse service to any individual who jeopardizes the health, safety and welfare of any of our guests, staff, family & community members, animals & livestock, or who refuses to follow the rules we have established for your safety and welfare during your visit with us.

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