"ORO BLANCO"... CHILE

Location: situated in northern Chile in the district of Elqui east of La Serena.

History: Ride the paths of the Incas and gold diggers and visit the cave dwellings of the Molle Indians.

Ride: Transfer from Ovalle or Vicuna overnight and prepare  for an adventure to ride deep into the sierra, starting out from Sierra Morrillo in the Norte Chicco. After orientation saddle the Chilean mountain horses and with your pack train ride through the Rio Hurtado reaching an idyllic mountain village. Elevations rise from 4,000 - 6,600 feet as the ride penetrates deep into wild sierra tracking through isolated villages, lonely valleys and hidden canyons to the Andes. The remote trail of the gold diggers passes through spectacular valleys and hidden canyons to the Andean plateau of Oro Blanco. Surrounded by a gigantic panorama, tremendous overlooks are breathtaking as you immerse yourself deep in the Andean back country to Rio Hurtado before stopping at the goatherd village of La Breas. 

Trace the Inca Trail through canyons, see remote villages and camp on the trail. Traversing two high passes eventually leads you to the hidden cave dwellings of the Molle Indians who lived with the Inca. Scenery here is wide plateaus, small valleys and natural meadows before staying overnight at a 120 year old pioneer farm. Later arrive at ceremony site where an ancient track leads into Argentina. You will turn back along the western landscape for the Hacienda after experiencing a superb wilderness ride.

8 days/7 nights. Accommodation: hacienda cabin suites/tents. Group size 2-8, Cost $1,475 Departures March 15-22, March 27-April 3